Zoom!

A Mazda Protege5 makes a lot of sense as my next car. They are readily available with the correct number of pedals, they handle awesomely, they probably get bitchin-sweet m-p-gizzies (compared to my 4runner anyway), and it has 5 doors! Craigslist investigation: engage.

The Best Compact Cars for 2011

This is the bread and butter of the international market. Family cars in Europe; commuter cars here, this may not be the most interesting segment, but it surely is one of the most contested. In the marketplace, it’s all about mileage; here, it’s about the least boring choice. Small cars don’t have to be penalty boxes, as these prove.

Fehlio’s Choice: Volkswagen Golf

It just looks so good.

It’s the most handsome in its class, it has the best engines in its class, the best ride/handling balance in its class, and the best interior in its class. Its better than the Mazda just enough to justify the price hike.

Alternately: Mazda 3

The old one just looks better.

Everything I said about the Mazda 2 applies here, it’s just bigger. It’s a hatchback, which I love, but you can get it as a sedan, if you’re silly. It just kinda looks like a clown.

Please Don’t: Ford Focus

If I wanted an ugly car, I'd buy that Mazda right above.

At least until the new one comes out next year. It’s ugly, it hasn’t been changed since 1998, and the one redeeming factor (the hatchback) was lost in 2008. It can’t get replaced soon enough.

Irronically, the Mazda 3 which is so much better than the Focus is based mostly on the mechanicals of the 2nd-gen Focus we never got, which goes to show that Ford can make good cars; they just don't make them often enough. I have very high hopes for the 2012 "World" Focus.

The Best Subcompacts for 2011

Lets face it. No one aspires to own one of these cars. They’re made for people who’ve never heard of financing, or used cars. But the segment got more competitive after the gas crisis, leading to some true gems coming stateside.

Fehlio’s Choice: Honda Fit

It looks awkward, but so do I, so I don't mind.

This is the car that proves small cars can work. It’s small, yet amazingly space-efficient; I’m 6’3”, and I fit comfortably. The seats fold in the most clever ways, and it’s a fun drive to boot. The last true Honda.

Alternately: Mazda 2

Still waiting for that 2.5L Mazdaspeed 2.

This is what every small car should be. Based on the also-excellent Ford Fiesta, it isn’t the most refined, but it starts at 14 grand, and still gives a fun drive, with one of the best shifters in the business. It looks pretty good in green. It narrowly beats the Fiesta due to it's better manual shifter (the Fiesta has a better automatic, but who cares), lower price, and better mileage. It goes to show that you don't need huge power to have fun; the 2 has a measly 102 hp, and i'd still rather hoon one of these than a (faster) Nissan Versa.

Please Don’t: Smart Fortwo

"You guys, it's cool, it's like a metal cocoon"

The Kia Rio is pretty shitty, but it has a good warranty. The Toyota Yaris is kinda shitty too, but it’s strangely charming. Stomach flu is pretty shitty, but at least you get a few days off. The Smart is just shitty. It’s more expensive than a Honda Civic coupe, but gets the same mileage, holds less, and makes you look like a French metrosexual.