MarylandUSA

Article here. The five contenders, in alphabetical order, were: Fiesta Rio Smart4Two Spark Versa The Spark beat them all, edging out the Fiesta! The Honda Fit and Scion iQ must have been too expensive. But where are the Mazda2 and the Yaris?

Last year, my 24-year-old daughter needed a subcompact car. Her main criterion was: Let it be green. So when I saw a green Fiesta 5-door hatchback parked outside a restaurant, I snapped a photo and sent it from my phone to hers. She replied, "TOO CUTE!!" Based on that sentiment, I held out for a green Fiesta hatch, and despite my daughter's initial protests at the price. we're both glad I did. Since then, I've got the bug for green. I find it soothing. And to my eyes, it stands out on an overcast day.

If I buy a used Spark LT, it must be green, blue, black, or white. My wife says I'm too picky. What do you say?

There's a similar thread on a GM Volt forum: Do Eco Cars Get Tailgated More? The evidence is mixed. Some say yes; other say, "only because I drive more slowly when i drive my Volt."

In a perverse sense, WalkK, I'm encouraged by your perspective: That I'm just as likely to be bullied in a large, stately car. If others agree, I'll be encouraged to favor the Spark. If they don't, I'll continue to suspect that a pink Spark will be tailgated more often than a black Bimmer. The Spark's price advantage seems to apply to new cars only. The Mazda2 has been depreciating quickly, perhaps because young buyers see that it lacks BlueTooth and move on. On cars.com, within 1000 miles of Maryland, there are at least eight loaded Mazda2s below $13,000 but no Spark 1LTs or 2LTs. Of course,

Greetings; first post. I'd especially welcome replies from fellow Americans, who drive in a country where short, narrow cars get little love unless they're sporty. In August, I plan to pass my 2004 Ford Focus SE sedan (white, automatic, 2.3L Mazda-designed engine) to my daughter. I'm looking to replace it with one of three used models: 2007 Ford Focus ZX5 SES 2011 or 2012 Mazda Touring 2013 Chevrolet Spark 1LT or 2LT If you can't see what these three choices have in common with each other, it's this: Each is short, narrow (very important), well-equipped 5-door hatchback that costs under $13,