This week, we’ve been looking at cars fifteen years old or newer. We’re going to cap off the week with a straight four-way shootout between them, no weird scenarios. Just pick your favorite. I can’t get too weird with things today, because next week I’m trying something new and silly. (You’ll see.)
Our fourth pairing yesterday was four-door trucks, and for a number of reasons, the Ford F-150 beat out the Ram 1500 by more than two to one. The Ram had a salvage title, a few strange modifications, and all the baggage that unfortunately comes with the brand. It was all too much, and the Ford cruised to an easy victory.
I guess that’s the right choice. I don’t care. I’m a Chevy truck guy. But the Ford would be fine. I guess.
Right, let’s take a second look at the week’s winners.
2014 Fiat 500
This little brown Fiat beat a dusty-pink Chevy Spark on Monday by a country mile. And apparently someone agreed with you all, because it has long since sold. But we’ll keep it in the running here anyway. It’s a turbocharged model, with a six-speed automatic that saps away some of the fun, but we’ll forgive that.
The Italians are known for their stylishness, so it’s no surprise this car is flashier inside than your typical small car. I quite like it, but I would worry about keeping that off-white steering wheel clean. I’ve liked these cars ever since they were introduced, and now that they’re depreciating a bit, I wouldn’t be surprised if one found its way into my garage eventually. But I would insist on a manual.
2016 Mazda CX-9
Family-sized crossovers are not my favorite cars, nor are they many of yours, from the sounds of it. Tuesday’s Showdown between this Mazda and a Buick Enclave resulted in a chorus of “meh” from the comments. The Buick didn’t stand a chance when it came to votes, though; even with this car’s high mileage, it won by a lot.
I’ve never driven one of these, so I can’t comment on it, but I can say I don’t like its successor, the CX-90. I rented one last year, and it drove me nuts with all its nannies. I imagine this one has fewer things to nag you, but I bet it’s every bit as dull to drive. Oh well, you don’t buy a car like this for fun.
2012 Toyota Prius
It’s hard to believe the Toyota Prius has been around for more than two decades. It’s now the old standby in the hybrid market, and according to you all, it’s still the top pick. I put it up against a Hyundai Ioniq, seven years newer and with fewer miles, and this Prius mopped the floor with it. It makes sense; classics are classics for a reason. If you’re in the mood to watch Casablanca and someone suggests Ishtar instead, you’re going to politely decline.
This photo actually represents the interior view of a Prius that I’m most familiar with: the back seat. And I imagine I’m not the only one. These cars are very common with ride-sharing services. I’ve driven a first-generation one, but I haven’t driven one since then. Am I missing out? I doubt it. I do admire the fuel economy these get, though.
2013 Ford F-150
Speaking of being number one in its segment, the Ford F-series has outsold every other truck, and indeed every other vehicle, for years now. Does that make it the best? Well, that depends on what you need a vehicle for. If you’re a contractor and you’re constantly hauling tools and supplies around, it’s probably perfect. If you work in the inner city and need to parallel park all the time, a full-size truck is the last thing you want. (Trust me on this.)
However, the F-series is not a one-size-fits-all vehicle. It’s offered in a dizzying range of specifications for just about any purpose, from no-nonsense work trucks to luxurious near-Lincolns. This FX4 model is the sort of thing you might pick if you want something nice for everyday use, but have a small boat or camper you want to tow on the weekends.
So that’s our show for this week. It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of newer cars, but I tried to give them a fair shake. I definitely know which one of these is my favorite, but what about you? Make your choice, and I’ll see you back here on Monday with a new twist on our game. Have a great weekend!
Didja mean not to include the prices for these fine vehicles in the Friday roundup? (Has it been ever thus and I just never noticed, perhaps?)
No big deal clicking the links to revisit them, just asking.
That also influences my daydreams. Double checking the prices, I chuckled when I found they are:
Ford F150 $7kToyota Prius ~$6k ($5,555)Mazda $5k ($5,200)Fiat $4kMy vote is going for the Fiat; they’ve come up a few times, and they seem like semi-fun 2nd hand cars. And I like the coffee w/cream interior on that one.
That has been typical and a bit frustrating. However it gets them 5 clicks instead of 1 so I kinda get it.
Need to pay the bills.
Completely spaced it out. Sorry.
Mazda for me. I would use and abuse it more often. Though I would not hate on the Fiat for a gift car to the kiddo.
I had a busy week and didn’t vote on any of these, so I guess I better pick a winner here.
My daughter is ten and likes Fiat 500s and Mini Coopers, so there may be a day I pick one up for her as a first car. But it’ll have to be a manual, so not this one.
I just bought a new family hauler, and the CX-9 was on that list of options. In the end it lost out to a great deal on a Highlander Hybrid, but I’m glad to see this one has lasted as long as it has. Maybe in a pinch I’d go for this one, but not today.
The only reason I’d need a Prius would be as a daily, and despite the gas mileage advantage the Prius doesn’t hold a candle to my 6sp Mazda3, and I’m sticking with manuals as long as possible then swapping to an EV when I’m finally forced to.
So F-150 it is. I don’t need a truck at all, but I do like them and there are times having one would be nice. This one seems like a pretty good deal for what it is since I feel like running and driving half-tons are always priced above $15k, but I’m also not looking at them much. Either way, $7k seems fine for a third car that won’t see much use but will get taken to more off-road camping and do some home improvement projects.
tough decision, but ultimately I won’t drive a small car with an automatic so between the Fiat and F150 I picked the truck because its nice to have a truck for such things. If the Fiat were a manual it would have been a no-brainer.
My thinking exactly. It’s funny – I claim to be a small-car fan, but I cringe at the thought of driving one of these with an auto and would rather drive the truck I don’t need.
I guess I’m really just a manual small car fan.
Just curious, is it that painful for you to run through the gears on an automatic when the urge strikes?
I ask because both me and my better half went through withdrawal symptoms when we unloaded our last stick and replaced it with what was at the time a decent DD, a 2001.5 Passat with the Tiptronic. And while we didn’t bother “shifting” it, it did do a good job of locking in to allow engine braking.
I just wonder if the Fiat might be one of those things that can still be fun despite the slush.
It’s not painful, I have owned small automatics and they are fine, and can still be fun to drive when the mood strikes but they all would have been more enjoyable to drive imo if they had a manual.
I always look at shitbox showdown as an addition to my fleet, not a replacement. Right now I don’t have a small manual transmission car or a pickup, but I can drive my wifes car whenever if I want a small auto, so pickup offers more to me than another commuter that is sometimes fun.
I should have said I don’t want to buy another small car with an automatic, instead of I won’t drive one.
Can confirm. The white leather steering wheel in that Fiat will look pretty bad after 14 years. I tell her, ‘wash your hands before operation, and avoid palm sweat’.
Life without a pickup is no life at all. Ford F150 for me.
Hang around brown Fiat.
The Prius is the winner by default, by far the best car on the list
Well yes but there are but two cars on the list.
the other one being a POS LOL
Voted Fiat just so I could put a poop emoji sticker on the back of it. Give the people stuck behind me in traffic something to giggle about.
Fiat. The 500 has character. I hear it’s cool to quote Pulp Fiction now. “Character goes a long way.”
Isn’t that from the Bible??
Yes, the book of Samuel (L. Jackson…)
Really no desire for any of these. I’d rather have my minivan than the Mazda, I also use said minivan for truck things on the rare occasion that I need a truck and have no need for a real one. Third gen Prius will always be a big no from me, and I don’t trust the 500’s engine. I guess I’ll go Fiat because it would be fun as long as it held up well.
I’m going with the Fiat. Even in non-Abarth trim with an automatic, these are genuinely fun little cars to drive.
Fiat because it’s the only one that’s an actual color. I don’t want to live in a grayscale world.
This is the logic I subconsciously went with, and only realized it when I read your comment. Life is too short for driving only white/black/grey cars.
Amen. I played a game with the kids for who could find 10 cars on the freeway that weren’t gray/silver/black or white. It took a long time and now when I drive I can’t unsee it. Other than old cars, they’re all monochromatic.
I went Prii. I don’t blame anyone for the 500, but it’s brown and has an auto and nah.
The Fiat is by far the most unique and interesting offering here, from the extinct form factor to the happy paint and interior colors. Everything else is mainstream and can be found in abundance new or used, from multiple manufacturers.
“Everything else is mainstream and can be found in abundance new or used, from multiple manufacturers”
Yes, That is the point. For a week we moved away from impractical “shitboxes” that are massively overpriced to reasonable used cars. A look at the current used car market and how much one can get for $4,000 to $7,000.
It was refreshing change.
Fiat. My current car shares most of its traits: small, roundish, inspired in a classic, absurdly efficient and fantastic on the twisties. My Citroën C3 lacks the charm of the 500, but it has a MT and a receding hairline.
I really have no use for the other vehicles, albeit I respect their merits.
In order of personal preference: Fiat, Mazda, Ford, Prius
The Mazda, because it’s the youngest of the bunch. I already own a couple old cars. I don’t need any more.
I don’t have a need for any of these, but I went with the Fiat. Small, good on gas, loved my Abarth. If this were a manual it would be even easier, but with other cars being manual this would be a lazy option.
I guess the Prius would be a close second, probably worthy of my 1/2hr commute.
Ooh, 3 of my picks from the week made it here. Now I have to choose one and leave the other two weeping at the altar. Or I guess altars, since in this analogy I’ve scheduled 3 weddings but will only show up for 1. Ain’t I a stinker?
In uncertain times I want the certainty of great fuel economy and proven reliability. Prius it is.
This comes down to the purpose of adding a vehicle. If I’m looking for a commuter the Prius is the hands down winner. If I’m looking for a truck for truck things or just an every day do all vehicle it is the F-150.
Today I have a Bolt for commuting (replaced a Prius) and no truck so the F-150 is the winner.
I suspect with this crew the Fiat will win because it is the weirdest car but I can’t see myself ever owning a Fiat. For tiny commuter the Spark was the clear winner.
Right now with home renovation projects, I’m missing having a truck. Sure, most of what I need will fit in the back of my Bronco, but it’s not as convenient as just tossing a load of 2X4’s in the bed of a pickup. F-150 for me.
I’ll go with the Fiat. Might as well have something I can park in the city. And it’s not a Toyota, so it’s got that going for it.
The lil’ brown Fiat just really does it for me. The relatively low miles and my personal experience with one made it an easy choice.
toss up between the fiat and f150. I’ll do the Fiat only because its more quirky and unusual. And that metallic brown really works too.