Good morning, and happy June! (Wait, it’s June already? How the hell did that happen?) Today we’re looking at a couple of newer gas-savers with some interesting styling choices. But before we do, let’s take a look at yesterday’s lien-sale results:
Easy win for the Mustang. There wasn’t a whole lot of love for either of these cars in the comments, but the ability to confirm that the Mustang runs seemed to make it the safer bet.
Oh well. Maybe you’ll like today’s options better. Here we have two economy cars, both with manual transmissions, both from the Austin, Texas area. Now, traditionally, economy cars aren’t much to look at. Some designs last long enough to become iconic: think Beetle or 2CV. But more often, you end up with simple, dreary, forgettable shapes, like Nissan Sentras or Chevy Chevettes. But why does it have to be that way? Why shouldn’t a cheap-and-cheerful car be more, you know, cheerful? Why not go retro, or full-on weird? These two did their part to make the small car landscape more fun, while they lasted, anyway. Let’s see which one is the better buy today.
2010 Nissan Cube – $3,999
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, six-speed manual, FWD
Location: Austin, TX
Odometer reading: 184,000 miles
Runs/drives? Runs great
The Nissan Cube appeared in the US in 2009, but this is actually the third generation Cube. The first was nothing much to look at, just a basic small hatchback with an extra-tall roofline. The second generation introduced the basic shape we see here, with that amazing asymmetrical rear window. That window, by the way, is on the other side on right-hand-drive Cubes, and the rear door opens on the opposite side. Nissan basically mirrored the entire car, not just the dashboard as usual. This might be the most work a carmaker has ever done to switch a car from right-hand-drive to left.
US-market Cubes got a larger engine than Japanese models, a 1.8 liter four-cylinder, powering the front wheels through either a CVT or, as in this case, a six-speed manual. This one is said to run and drive perfectly, and everything works including the air conditioning. It’s being sold by a dealer, so we don’t have any real knowledge of its history. A careful inspection is a good idea just to make sure everything’s in order.
It seems to have held up well over the years and miles: There is some wear and tear inside, but not much. The silver paint looks good, and I don’t see any signs of damage. If it really does have a mechanical clean bill of health, this looks like a pretty good deal.
That is, it’s a good deal if you like the Cube’s unorthodox design, which I happen to. Yeah, it’s weird, but at least you can find it in a parking lot.
2013 Fiat 500 Lounge – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 1.4 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Austin, TX
Odometer reading: 150,000 miles
Runs/drives? Very well
Fiat took a different route when designing the 500, taking a page from Mini’s book and creating a modernized version of their classic 500 from the ’50s. It’s larger, and the engine is at the opposite end, but the feeling is there. I do applaud Fiat for designing this car as a two-door; not every car needs four doors, and two larger openings on a tiny car can be a lot more useful than four small ones.
Also like the Mini, the Fiat 500 is a bit more stylish and upscale inside than your average economy car, especially this one in “Lounge” trim. The body-colored dash is a nice touch, and works better here than in another retro-themed vehicle – Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. The gearshift residing in a pod extending from the dash instead of coming up out of the floor can be found in some other cars as well, namely the Honda Element and the Toyota Matrix. I imagine it helps keep the throws short while putting the lever within easy reach, and with modern cable-operated linkages, it doesn’t really matter where the actual shifter is.
This little Fiat’s 1.4 liter twincam engine is said to run well, and it recently passed an emissions test, which is a good sign. The seller also says that the air conditioning and all power options work fine. Cosmetically, it’s a little rough around the edges outside, with some dings and scrapes on the left front corner, and a broken side marker light. The clearcoat on the paint has also seen better days.
The inside looks better. The leather seats are in good condition, and it looks nice and clean in there. I’ve liked these little cars ever since they came out, and I was sad to see them discontinued in the US. It’s cool to see them finally depreciate into my typical price range, but of course it’s now when I don’t need, or have a place to put, another car. Such is life.
Small cars make sense, and stickshift small cars are a lot more fun than automatics. There’s no shortage of options, if you’re willing to dig a little, but why not choose something with a little style? So what’ll it be – the Japanese exercise in weirdness, or the Italian retro pastiche?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
I’m voting no on red.
These both seem like cheap fun, I picked the Fiat because it’s red and personally I think a bit more interesting. For those questioning reliability my neighbor has had one since new for many years now, doesn’t really take care of it, and it’s still running fine with no issues.
Our Fiat 500’s temperature sensor in the passenger mirror gone kaput and it turns on the check engine light. I didn’t know this was a thing until this car.
I’ve driven both US spec and UK spec 500s and I didn’t like either of them. I’ll take the Cube because I legitimately like Cubes and the 6 speed makes it even better.
I’d be equally happy putting around in either of these choices and I was about to click Cube just for the rear hatch but the Fiat’s red dash and leather seats swayed me at the last minute.
The Nissan Cube’s rear end has always made me irrationally angry, so I’ll have to go with the Fiat
Same here. I think I have very broad vehicle appearance appreciation standards (Aztek, PT Cruiser, etc. bother me very little or not at all) but the pointed asymmetry of the Cube’s behind is a crime against humanity
Current status has me voting against the cube if not exactly for the fiat. I do think it looks cute and fun though. We have a rental pathfinder while our rav is being reassembled due to a 06 gmc truck crossing the center line. It feels like Nissan did everything weird with controls just to be weird. So no Nissan.
The Nissan is probably more reliable & spacious, while the Fiat is more fun & cute. In the end, the Darwin fish was the deciding factor.
Besides, my dad’s name is Tony. I’ll just keep asking him to fix it again. I’m sure that joke won’t get old…for me!
Came down to the Darwin fish for me, too
I’m voting for the Fiat, as the Cube is so damn ugly
The Nissan is objectively the better choice, but I voted for the Fiat because it’s hard to say no to a red Italian car with a manual transmission.
Well, you know my vote. These little cars are a blast to hoon, they’re surprisingly roomy and comfortable in the front seats, but don’t subject anyone other than tiny humans less than 5 feet tall to those back seats. My grandkids love riding in the back, but otherwise, we treat our 500e as a 2-seater.
It’s not an Abarth, so I don’t think the fun value outweighs the size penalty in the 500.
The Cube is far more practical and, as it is more not-Chrysler than a Fiat, is the obvious choice to me.
I prefer the Fiat any day of the week, but the 1.4 was never dual cam 1.4. I’m 99% percent sure the 1.4 only came as a SOHC engine with Multi-Air on the intake, and a cam on the exhaust side.
Also, Texas has statewide emission inspections? Since when?
Only in certain (big) cities, but safety inspections everywhere…although just saw they are doing away w/ those in 2025 (but still have to do emissions where required)
My daily for the last 12 years is the twin to this cube (yeah, Nissan used to say it was lower case c) except mine has the dreaded CVT. Around 140k now and so far even that has held up! I have changed the trans fluid every 50k and maybe that helps.. But seriously, I bought it slightly used with 4k miles and got a hell of a deal and it has been a very reliable if butt ugly daily. And its insane how much stuff you can fit in that box.
I voted Fiat even though the failing clear coat gives me pause. I’m sure it’s just anecdotal but I’ve never seen a 500 with failed clear coat, and that makes me wonder if it was in a front end collision and repainted. I would definitely do a thorough inspection of the front end to look for anything amiss there. Aside from that, I’ve driven one and it was a genuinely fun car. Plus it’s red. If I lived in a large city and needed a car, something like that Fiat would be my first choice. I appreciate the weirdness of the Cube and I’m very glad such a vehicle exists, but it’s never been my cup of tea and certainly not in silver.
Great options today! I’ll take the Cube, a choice mostly driven by regret.
When I was looking at lightly-used cars in 2013, I didn’t know a CVT from an LSD and had never operated a manual transmission before. I ended up with a CVT-equipped Altima, in gray. There’s a decent chance a 6MT Cube was sitting on the same lot.
The Altima is still kicking on its way to 200k miles in my care, but man, the last decade would have been so much less boring with a manual Cube in my fleet.
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE IT RIGHT!
I just bought a bought a project Saab to replace the Altima after I finish all the needed mechanical repairs! Any Saab is arguably as weird as a Cube, so I think I’ve made it right?
You’re probably the only one to get almost 200k out of a Nissan CVT. I would ask for your secrets, but nobody actually wants their Nissan CVT to last that long…
I chose the Fiat in part because we own a ’12 500 but it’s not a stick like this one (though it is in better shape) and in part because its hard not to associate the Cube with Jonah from Veep.
A family member of mine had a 2012 Fiat 500 in that same colour with the stick. It was a hell of a lot of fun to drive, easy on fuel, and fun to look at….. But it also needed a whole new transmission at 117000 kms (~73000 miles) and then the air bag sensor went and the door handles started falling off and………….
The Nissan may be kinda blah in a lot of ways, but I’ve seen similar Nissan engine+manual compacts last nearly 400000kms, and when you’re buying economy cars reliability matters.
Fiat, please.
I will admit to a certain level of bias, but I like the 500 better than the Nissan. However…
The paint on the hood and front bumper does not match the rest of the body. The non-matching paint also has the janky clearcoat, so there were some shortcuts taken in repairing what was probably a light front-end collision.
The additional scrapes on the left front span the bumper and the fender, so they appear to be the result of another incident after the first one was shoddily repaired.
Anyway, assuming a passing grade on a PPI, this would be a nice first car for someone.
The Cube would normally lose, but this one has a stick!
It’s the amazingly shitty CVT that bricked most of the Cubes that are no longer on the road today. With a manual, this thing should actually have a lot of life left in it. Quirky and fun form factor is a win in my book.
Both are decent options for the money. The Fiat looks better and presumably would be more fun to drive, but “ten-year-old Fiat ” and “reliable” seem to be mutually exclusive. The Cube also is probably fun to drive given its size and manual transmission, so I’ll take that instead.
The Cube is the winner by default.
Nissan > Fiat any day
And also 4 doors are better than 2, more space inside the Cube, etc
I think I’m one of about seven people who actually like the quirkiness of the Cube. And the Nissan will be far more reliable and cheaper to maintain than the Fiat.
But damn, those little retro-eyes are just so darn appealing. Going with heart over brain and choosing the Fiat.
Damn, both of these are right up my alley. It’s like making a movie- if you’re going to spend all that money, why do something boring? Make things weird! I voted Fiat, just because I’ve driven one a fair amount and think its fun. I may miss the storage space of the cube, to be fair, but either tickles my whimsy.
Hard call today. Both vehicles appeal to my inner odd and both are manuals. The Cube is also a better fit for my pack rat tendencies. That said, I voted Fiat because red.
I like weird cars, Nissan Cube in this case. I like the cupholder sitting in front of an air vent, keeping drinks cold. Only missing cruise control but thats about it. The radio can be swapped easily for a nice unit with wireless carplay for cheap. Easier to repair, its a Nissan at the end.