Civic | TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER | Honda | head for the twisties
Smart Cars, With Attitude
by
Ben Hewitt HONDA CIVIC EX COUPE
$16,410
www.honda.com or (800)
334-6632
Fun Factor: 7
Fuel Factor: 8
Fashion Factor: 7
Personality: 6
Honda's Civic line has always flown the economical and
environmental banner, ever since its American introduction in 1973.
But fun to drive? Like tofu is fun to eat.
Not so with the '01 EX Coupe, which features a torquey,
127-horsepower VTEC engine; stiffer, sportier suspension; and
grin-inducing accoutrements like a power moonroof and six-speaker
CD stereo system. Despite the jaunty face-lift, the Civic hasn't
forsaken its miserly roots: With a five-speed manual transmission,
the Coupe returns 37 mpg on the highway and 32 mpg around town.
Choose the four-speed automatic, and you'll actually gain one mpg
on the open road (though you'll give one up in the city).
TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER (shown above)
$24,040
www.toyota.com or (800)
468-6968
Fun Factor: 11
Fuel Factor: 6
Fashion Factor: 10
Personality: 9
OK, so the Spyder's only worth 30 mpg on a good day. And with just
two seats, and minimal trunk space, it's about as practical as a
piano on a submarine. But look at the thing, will you? Better yet,
drop the top on a sunny summer day, pin the throttle to the mat,
and head for the twisties. You'll find its gpg (grin per gallon)
factor unrivaled in the automotive industry. Besides, 30 mpg ain't
nothing to sneeze at.
The Spyder's 138-horse, 16-valve engine is mid-mounted, which helps
the car stick to pavement like roadkill on a hot August afternoon.
Pretty rapid roadkill, at that: The Spyder will hit 60 in a mere
seven seconds, and tops out at 131 mph.
FORD FOCUS ZX3
$12,125
www.ford.com or (800)
392-3673
Fun Factor: 8
Fuel Factor: 7
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