With so many car guys/gals on this site I thought I'd throw this out to the group, its always good to get an outside perspective sometimes, see things that only others can see, so here's the deal.
When I moved here to Chicagoland in Dec of 09' I had an 07' Mini Cooper S and I was leasing it and couldn't keep it as far as buying it but I was able to get a Honda Fit, but I had to "settle" for an automatic or "autotragic" as I like to say, the dealership couldn't find me one, so I took the color I wanted atleast but settled for the auto. It had paddle shifters and it was fun, to a point, but not like having 3 pedals. Fast forward a year and half and 33k miles later, NO issues with the Fit, great car but I decided it was time to get a stick and I test drove the CR-Z and took it, much more fun to drive with the awesome Honda 6 speed, love how it goes into gear and the car itself handles much, much better, plus the mileage is better but not by as much as you'd think. I should also say that I had to roll over neg equity into the CR-Z but it worked out for me. So now flash forward 2.5 yrs later and in that time I've enjoyed the CR-Z, NO issues with the car, mpg as high as 44 mpg but averaging a hair under 40 mpg right now but that's from when I joined Fuely back in July of 2012, mileage during the winter has been around 32 mpg's. In that time the Fiat 500 Abarth came out and I love that car, its all attitude and sounds great and is a hot hatch for the ages! So right now I can get a 12' that's basically loaded w/just under 5k on the clock for $18.5. Now being 2.5 yrs into a 6 year deal w/ the CR-Z, along with the neg equity makes it tough....BUT, with this price, including the neg equity of my car I'd be getting the car for what it costs basically, makes it an easier pill to swallow so to speak. Being an enthusist I made my CR-Z a bit more fun but the Abarth is a TRUE enthusists car, something I haven't had since the Mini Cooper S I had, a car I made more special ontop of that. After a bad day at work walking out to the Abarth would put a HUGE smile on my face and then slip into its red leather seats, take in the smell of that and then fire up that engine...OMG that engine note!
I should also say I've had NO issues with the Honda's I've had, something very important for me, especially coming out of the Mini Cooper S which was the biggest POS, sorry Monica, that I ever had, 3 aux fuel pumps, bad fuel injector, bad MAF, bad timing chain and the throttle would freeze up during cold weather, even after the revision they offered for it. All issues were covered under warranty except for the MAF, that was $660! When it was time to turn the car in I still wanted the car, even after all that because I loved the car and made it my own as many Mini owners do to the car, loved the whole Mini experience, the waves and the smile it too put on my face walking out to the car, I was always excited to drive it, even going home, great drivers car (except for all the issues)
So, based on what I've said here, what's you thoughts guys, reliability or go with your passion?
Thanks for calling me back by the way!