In Which the Author Has Utilized Z-Scores to Shop for a Car
Until this moment, reader, we have lived in a world that did not feature publicly available spreadsheets containing data relevant to an idiot weblogger’s pursuit of the motor vehicle ideal both for his lifestyle and his wallet. Now we live in a different world, however — namely, one that does feature those sorts of spreadsheets with that sort of data. Is it a better one (i.e. world)? Manifestly not.
Below is the aforementioned spreadsheet, featuring 15 autos all more or less within the same class. For each vehicle, I’ve included figures most relevant to the interests of myself and my damn wife — namely, price of the base package (MSRP), highway fuel efficiency (MPG), and cargo space (in cubic feet) with the rear seats folded down (CAP). All models are from 2014, except the Honda Fit, which is from 2013. Cargo space figures for the Prius C were too troublesome to locate, so I’ve utilized merely the average figure from the other 14 models.
Regard:
The results here appear to suggest that the Mitsubishi Mirage is potentially the appropriate automobile for myself and my wife as we rocket upwards into the middle class. Notably, this doesn’t seem to be an opinion shared by Edmunds, for example, which cites “uncoordinated handling” as one of the car’s main problems. A coincidence, that, as my wife has frequently suggested that I suffer from a similar deficiency.
Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.
In seriousness, you had best tread lightly* with Mitsubishi because they may not be in business much longer. Car industry persons including my father believe they are on a, real actual quote, “slide to oblivion,” which may make them difficult to maintain and/or unsexy in the near future.
My car was totalled by a careless Dallasian** in 2012, at which time I purchased a 2013 Ford Focus (for almost exactly the MSRP – except that that number included tax and also free service of any/every kind for 60,000 miles). I have since had no reason to regret this purchase and enjoy driving it very muchly. However, the redesigned Mazda 3 is a thing of great attraction, and the older Mazda 3 was so close in quality to the Focus that I essentially flipped a coin. The only major difference was road noise (Mazda had more).
It would behoove you to test-drive the Yaris, as the rental Yaris I used had alarming brakes. I am aware, however, that test-driving is a secondary means to true knowledge in the NotGraphs ethos.
*I signal seriousness by quoting Walter White
**??
Dallasite. I apologize for my city’s poor driving!
My parents drive a Yaris, and it sucks major ass. Other Toyotas are fine, though.
Mazda 3 is a great car. 70 power, plus rating in the curves. Really jumps off the line. Good body, good face. Average defensively, can hold its own as long as you don’t play it out of position. Projects as an everyday starter.
Walter White drove a Toyota Yaris when his Aztec went on the 15 day DL. Typical AAAA utility guy filling in.
Walter white Is a trumpet player the size of a house.