[ducati1974]

Anybody own a Toyota Matrix? We're going to test drive one today and would appreciate feedback.

[CarGuys]

We are waiting for the Smart Car to get rid of its current quirky shifting 5 speed and bring to market the new smooth double clutch 6 speed.

Our friends in Spanish Springs bought a Smart. He warned me that the Golf Car soon becomes not so fun when the weather turns cold.

It's like get up walk into the garage and think " Hhmmmmmmm let see heater, AC wipers radio seat belts comfortable seats , a roll cage it's street legal fun to drive vs the good old smelly exhaust fumed to death rough ride damp cold and cart trail slow cart .

" Honey Lets take the Smart Car today! They have lived in TV for over 14 years. I gotta consider their experience. The new Scion IQ has my interest big time Bill! Would have a Leaf or Smart Electric but the price is insane.

My wife love the smart convertible. Had a Z4 and 335. Sold em I was scarred to death of two things. Parking lot dings and the BMW service department. Which I only knew how to drive em not how they run and are repaired. It's a curse.

[CarGuys]

A top pick of mine, Wish they had that body in the Prius platform.

Very practical vehicle. you dont need all wheel drive down in FLA.

The Pontiac Vibe is no longer made however its a top pick used, Your save $$$ because it says Pontiac but the underwear is 100% Toyota . Made on the same line.

Originally Posted by ducati1974

Anybody own a Toyota Matrix? We're going to test drive one today and would appreciate feedback.

[faithfulfrank]

I came close to buying a Vibe/Matrix before I bought my Prius.

My friend bought a Smart car. I test drove it. He likes it, but I tease him saying that he has a smart car and I have a smarter car.....My Prius costs more, but gets better gas mileage, seats 4+ nicely plus stuff in the back, and takes regular gas. Of course, he can park it in a phone booth......

Frank

[JUREK]

Originally Posted by 2 Oldcrabs

I have friends up north who have an HHR. It is a great car and you can carry alot with the seats down. I guess it is not "pretty enough" for most people. It looks like I need to move up my timeline for a new car. I could use the room in my garage.

My friend at work has a HHR also. You may want to check because his was built in MEXICO not the USA

[2 Oldcrabs]

Originally Posted by JUREK

My friend at work has a HHR also. You may want to check because his was built in MEXICO not the USA

Thanks. I will reconsider. I try to buy USA built. It will save me money next year, I wanted to hold on to this car for 2 more years.

[starflyte1]

Since my last post in this thread, I have sold the travel trailer and traded the Tahoe for a Chevrolet Equonix. The Equinox should be TV friendly and I really wanted factory installed OnStar. I pick the new car up tomorrow.

[Ohiogirl]

I don't think anyone has mentioned a Honda Fit - we love ours. Still snowbirds, sort of, and this time brought back a 60 gal. rain barrel (larger than the ones most people have here), a side chair with arms, 2 Rubbermaid bins full of stuff, golf clubs and even some clothes. Oh yes, and our miniature poodle and his collapsed kennel.

It's like a mini SUV, and also has side airbags. Great gas mileage, and fits INSIDE our CYV garage along with 2 golf carts, 3 bikes, a lawnmower, garden stuff, trash can, workbench, golf clubs and a 6 x 2.5 foot storage locker.

[SueTheSkeptic]

I vote for the Smart Car - the convertible is cute, and fits into golf cart parking spaces..

[faithfulfrank]

I think the Honda Fit is a very good choice for down in The Villages.....it is amazing the interior room they have...

Frank

[John_W]

If you buy a 2 BR CYV, either the Woodlawn or it's new name "Durham", make sure you have a small car, especially if you want to own a golf cart as well. I have a Mazda 3 hatchback and a Yamaha gas cart and there can't be more than 6" clearance on all sides. It's only a 12' door.

[army one]

BillnBrillo: Sorry, but I think you have your info backwards. The IQ will be longer than the smart car.

[Ohiogirl]

Originally Posted by John_W

If you buy a 2 BR CYV, either the Woodlawn or it's new name "Durham", make sure you have a small car, especially if you want to own a golf cart as well. I have a Mazda 3 hatchback and a Yamaha gas cart and there can't be more than 6" clearance on all sides. It's only a 12' door.

OK, since I had the tape measure handy, I just went out and measured. For the 3 BR Bonita CYV (I'm not sure what the new name of it is), we have 22 inches on each side of the Honda Fit (to the door, not the mirrors), and there is room between the golf carts on the passenger side to open the passenger door all the way and get in. We park it to open between the carts so you can do that, still have lots of room in front of the car for 3 bikes and some other stuff. A little tighter on the driver's side because you can't open the door all the way. There is still 3-4 feet behind the car.

This thread is going to make us go out and see if we can't rearrange things and hang just one bike (the one he rides regularly) on the wall nearest the door. That has been kind of a pain. Might work with the handlebars closest to the door. We use Rubbermaid hanging garage storage strips with various attachments.

Probably would have problems if we were very large people - another good incentive to eat right and exercise! But - we are far from skinny, still have that perpetual 15-20 pounds we'd like to lose (but we'd settle for 10

[debzaranti]

Have you checked out the Toyota Scion XD? We bought a new one in 2008 when we moved down. Couple months ago traded it in on a 2011 Scion XD (why, I have no idea...ask my husband!). Old car barely had 15,000 miles on it! Most of that was running to the airport and back, picking up the kids and other visitors.

Scion XD is pretty gas efficient (about 34 mpg around town), has 4 doors, fold forward back seats, seats 5 (3 smaller people in the back!) and has a back hatch. You can carry cargo or people. There is still some room in the back when the back seats are in use...enough for luggage.

The exterior is pretty small and it fits nicely into our 2 car garage along with our 4 seater golf cart, my husband's 750CC motorcycle and all his weight lifting equipment (up front). We also have room for shelving on both sides and a freezer. Phillips Toyota in Leesburg has been pleasant to deal with for the purchases and maintenance.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by army one

BillnBrillo: Sorry, but I think you have your info backwards. The IQ will be longer than the smart car.

Army, you're on it, my friend! You are correct:

iQ overall length = 120.1 inches (10 feet plus a hair)
http://www.scion.com/#/iQ-features/s...ior-dimensions

Smart fortwo overall length = 8.8 feet
http://www.smartusa.com/Downloads/20...t-Brochure.pdf (see p. 6)

I went back and checked my source of the info ( http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review ) and I got it bass-ackwards - the iQ will be longer than the Smart. Sorry - my bad!!!

Good catch - and thanks for setting the record straight.

Bill