What Was Your Favorite '80s or '90s Subcompact Car?

Subaru Justy

Have you noticed the uptick in the popularity of all things '80s and '90s? Heck, there are even car shows for them. Ever heard of Radwood?

Want a New Suzuki Samurai? Go to India or New Zealand

The Suzuki Samurai was introduced to North America in 1985 as a MY1986 vehicle and was on sale for 10 model years. Despite the whole Consumer Reports roll-over conundrum in the 1980s, it remains one of the most loved, coveted, and in-demand 4x4s out there. Don't believe me? Look at how much they go for on craigslist. Its off-road ability and subcompact size make it great for tackling all sorts of terrain; its reputation for durability and off-road capability is legendary. In fact, it's still one of the more popular platforms around the world for those looking to venture off the pavement. And although the Samurai eventually evolved as the Jimny in many markets, there are still a couple places you can buy a brand-new version: India and New Zealand.

Nostalgic Subcompact: Nissan S-Cargo

By Andy Lilienthal

Yes, there really was a Nissan called the S-Cargo. Yes, it looked like a snail. Yes, it is awesome in its own way.

Introduced in 1989, the S-Cargo was a small delivery vehicle with a 1.5-liter engine making 72 hp and mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. The retro styling combined with the snail-like looks made the S-Cargo ( think "escargot," e.g. cooked snails) a fun little van.

The S-Cargo was made for commercial delivery duty and was produced at the Pike factory in Japan alongside other retro Nissans, such as the Be-1, Pao, and Figaro. All were right-hand drive and intended for the Japanese home market.

Nissan only produced the S-Cargo until 1992, and now that these vehicles are over 25 years old (at least the early models), they can be legally imported in the United States.

In the video below, you can see this one from all angles. Bonus points for the porthole window and replica Corvette Saw Blade wheels.


I think what I like most about the S-Cargo is the amount of personality and creativity that was jammed into this little runabout. From the snail detail on the mudflatps, to the "eye stalk" headlamps, this is just a fun little vehicle. FYI, there are some Canadian versions for sale for around $5,000–$6,000 USD.

I have not seen one in person, but I'd jump at the chance.

Nostalgic Subcompact: Compact Imports of the 1987 Chicago Auto Show

A friend of mine posted this on my Facebook wall today, and I must say, it's a trip back in time. Specifically, a trip back in time to the 1987 Chicago Auto Show to check out the new compact imports of the day. There's the Yugo, the Subaru Justy, the Mercury Tracer, the Ford Festiva, and more. And yes, you could debate whether a Ford Festiva and Mercury Tracer are "imports," since one was built by Kia, the other by Mazda.

Sometimes it's amazing that any of these cars looked brand new, since they were mostly unloved vehicles. However, every now and then you find one in great shape, which generally astounding. And as a side note, I still want a 4WD Justy or a Mazda BP-swapped Festiva.

Source: Chicago Auto Show

Forgotten Small Cars

Today I ran into this high-resolution image of the Toyota Tercel Wagon. These bulletproof 4WD wagons will seemingly run forever, so long as you keep their 1980s-made bodies away from salt. Sometimes I forget these ever looked new. Add some fancy lighting and skis (yes, those are Yamaha skis), and it can really bring you back!

This Tercel picture made me think of a host of other cars that I hadn't seen on the road in years, but contrary to popular belief, were actually in pristine condition rolling off the showroom floor at one point. See if you remember some of these cars. I haven't seen any of them in person in quite some time. Are there some you remember but haven't seen an a while? Post them up in the comments.

Pontiac Le Mans

When was the last time you saw one of these in the flesh? I remember a guy in my dorm was borrowing one of these Pontiac Le Mans for a while in the mid 1990s. Poor guy.

Mitsubishi Cordia

Before the Mitsubishi Starion there was the Cordia. For some reason, I always look for these on craigslist, not that I'd do anything other than say, "Wow, I can't believe there's one for sale" if I found one.

Mazda GLC

Truthfully, I know where I can find one of these here in Portland, but its not in great shape. Other than that, it must've been 25+ years since I saw one in person.

Dodge Colt

It's been nearly forever since I saw an old Colt like this. My parents had a 1979 or 1980 version. It was red, and I remember how the front passenger seat folded forward.

Dodge Omni

Here's another one that seems to have left the earth. We had a dark blue one in the early 1980s; it was a four-speed. My friend Dan had one as a winter beater back in Minnesota. You could still buy one into the early 1990s, too. Bonus points for the shelf-paper woodgrain.

Nissan Pulsar NX

Remember the Nissan Pulsar NX? You could remove the trunk and slap on this "sportbak" canopy turning the coupe into a wagony shooting brakeish thing.

Hyundai Scoupe

Before Hyundai became a world-class automaker, the Scoupe was the company's sporting option, which I believe combined the "S" from sport and the word coupe. Genius! It was one of the last cars on the U.S. market to not offer dual airbags. You could, however, get a turbo model.

Ford Aspire

Before Ford had great hatchbacks, such as the Focus and Fiesta, they had the Aspire, which was made by Kia. When was the last time you saw one of these cruising the boulevard?

Chevrolet Spectrum

You may remember the Suzuki-built Chevy Sprint (and Sprint Turbo), but they also offered the Isuzu-built Spectrum (and Spectrum Turbo). You can still find Sprints every now and then, but the Spectrums are quite rare—especially the turbo models.

Nostalgic Subcomapct: A Brief History of the Toyota Echo and Yaris in North America

The Toyota Yaris is celebrating 15 years of sales in Europe. The car joined the "supermini" fray in 1999 and has been selling strong since. Toyota UK's blog site has a nice little write up on 15 years of Yaris sales on that side of the pond. But North America has had a Yaris nameplate since 2007. However, it's roots go back to the turn of the 21st century.

In 2000, North America got the Toyota Echo. This little thing, available in two- and four-door variants, was meant to appeal to youth. It didn't (at least in the U.S.) as is with the case of many other youth-targeted cars. Sales were fairly slow after its debut, but the cars ran forever and got great mileage. I remember driving one in 2001, and the interior, complete with center-mounted gauges, felt very spaceship like. In the Japanese market, it was called the Platz.

North American Echos were all powered by the 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE engine mated to either a four-speed auto or a five-speed manual transmission. This is the same engine and transmission combination that has powered every Yaris sold in North America. It's also the same engine/transmission combo that was found in the Scion xA and xB, as well as versions of the Toyota Prius.

For MY2004, Canada, which has a penchant for smaller cars than the U.S., ended up getting the Echo Hatchback. This was essentially a rebadged first-generation Yaris/Vitz. Arguably, it was more attractive than the Echo with a trunk. Actually, is that arguable? I'm pretty sure it's fact. I still wish I could obtain one here in the U.S.

The U.S. and Canada got its first actual Yaris-branded vehicle in 2007 (Mexico got it one year earlier). It was available as both a three- and five-door hatchback and a sedan, and represented an all-new look for the Yaris globally. FYI, the Yaris Sedan was known as the Vios or Belta in markets outside of North America and was marketed as a separate model. Your Yaris trivia for the day? The U.S. didn't get the five-door liftback model until 2009 and you could only get it with the automatic transmission (a manual appeared in select areas of the country in 2010).

In 2012, the Yaris/Vitz was redesigned again, though the previous cars's underpinnings remained nearly unchanged. It was (and is) offered as either a three- or five-door hatchback in both the U.S. and Canada (Mexico only gets the five-door). The sportier SE model appeared with quicker steering, revised suspension tuning, larger alloy wheels, and a different front fascia, among other goodies. The sedan, which did not get updated for 2012, was dropped in for MY2013 in the U.S. and Canada; the Mexican market still sells it.

One model North America never did see was the Yaris Verso. This was a smallish tall wagon based on the first-gen Yaris. Later versions were called the Ractis and based on the second-gen Yaris platform. Personally, I think Scion would've been smarter to replace the xB with a Ractis than go to the larger second-gen xB, but that's just my crazy talking. I also have a mild obsession with Japanese tall wagons.

I still love my '07, and will likely drive it for years to come. It gets great economy, has been reliable as rain, and still has an interesting aftermarket. Plus, with my modifications, I've made it handle like a go-kart and perform above average. And kudos to Toyota for not giving up on the subcompact market in the early 2000s—a time when many automakers culled their smallest cars from their lineup. And while the current Yaris isn't setting sales records, it's still a solid choice for a reliable, fuel-efficient car.

Nostalgic Subcompact: Plymouth Horizon/Dodge Omni

Plymouth Horizon seen in Portland, Oregon.

Subcompact Culture contributor, Ducati Scotty, found the above-pictured Plymouth Horizin in Portland earlier this week. Every now and then, you run across one of these cars, but rarely are they in this good of shape.

Nostalgic Subcompact: Isuzu Impulse JR120/130

Today on Jalopnik, there's a story about Isuzu. One of the vehicles they showcased was the Impulse, which got me to thinking: I haven't seen one in a long time. Growing up in the 1980s, I was enamored with the first-generation Isuzu Impulse; it was a bit of a dark horse to me. While I saw Starions/Conquests, Z cars, and MR2s on a semi-regular basis, I rarely ever saw Impulses.

The first time I saw one was at the Minneapolis Auto Show in the early 1980s. It was white and said "Lotus" on the side. I remember thinking it was so cool and quite different. Offered in the U.S. from 1983-1989, the JR120/130 Impulse was a RWD coupe penned by famed designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. Let's face it: This thing looks pretty good. In the U.S., the cars had four cylinder engines ranging from 2.0–2.3 liters, and available with or without a turbo. Horsepower ranged from 90 to 148. Handling was tuned by Lotus, and the car utilized struts at each corner.

And while the new-for-1990 Impulse/Geo Storm was also cool in its own right (as was the rare 1991 Impulse RS, which was AWD and turbo), it didn't have the same semi-exotic look and mystery to me the earlier Impulses had. Even to this day, I'm struck with the car's lines, what with the long hood and European shape.

I actually just found an '88 Impulse Turbo on craigslist around me. It looks to be in pretty good shape, too. While it would be cool to own, I don't know how hard parts would be to source. But it would be a cool piece of automotive orphan car history.

Oh, and who could forget the Joe Isuzu commercials? This one is for the Impulse and I love it.

Nostalgic Subcompact: A 1986 Honda City Turbo II on U.S. Soil

I just figure there are some cars I'll never get to drive. While that list includes ultra-rare exotic cars, I'm talking more about some of the European and Japanese small cars that were never available in the U.S., and are likely rare in their native countries. The car pictured above is one such example.

This is a 1986 Honda City Turbo II, sometimes referred to as a "Bulldog." It's a subcompact that was only offered in Japan, and only until 1986. Based on the much more pedestrian non-turbo Honda City, which hit the JDM in 1981, the City Turbo II offered fat fender flares, a sporty stance, and of course, a turbocharged and intercooled engine. Powered by a 1.2-liter CVCC engine making about 110 horsepower and 118 ft./lbs. or torque, the little City Turbo II was an admirable performer, as it weighed only 1,620 lbs. Naught to 60 performance was in the eight second range. The City II Turbo's suspension was also tweaked for performance with front and rear sway bars and larger 185/65/13 tires. In fact those flared fenders were needed to accommodate those wheels, which were 30mm wider than a non-turbo City.

Well low and behold, a City Turbo II has made it to U.S. shores. A friend of mine sent me a link to CaliforniaCars.com, which features this City Turbo II. (The vehicle is currently for sale on BringATrailer.com, too.) Definitely a rarity to see in the U.S., the seller is asking $19,500 USD. However, not only do you get the car, but you get the ultra-kooky and super awesome Honda Motocompo scooter that nests in the cargo area. Yes—it goes in the back of the car! Oh, and if you're wondering, the car does have a U.S. title and registration.

One word: Want.

Subcompact Showcase: This Swapped '78 Civic—Ruby—Is a Gem

"Ruby," the 1978 Honda Civic with a 1983 Honda Accord engine swap.

 Ah, serendipity. Those wonderful accidental surprises that just seem to happen. It was a serendipitous event when my wife and Subcompact Culture contributor, Mercedes, ran across this gem of a first-generation Honda Civic.

Owner Corey Daggett says he brought the car, he affectionately nicknamed, "Ruby,"from his boss. His boss was the second owner since some guy named "Frank" had restored it.

"When I got the car, there were some 1stgencivic.com stickers on the side," says Corey. He then went to the site to learn more about it.

Corey learned that Frank was apparently retired and was looking for a project to pass the time. His daughter had the old hatchback sitting around and one day he just thought, I'll restore that. Frank used a 1979 wagon for donor parts and begin to rebuild Ruby.

A 1.8-liter engine from a1983 Honda Accord has been swapped into the Civc.

Ruby was originally a 1978 Civic CVCC with a 1.2-liter engine and four-speed transmission. Now, the engine is a 1.8-liter from an 1983 Accord that has a lot of internal work, as it's been bored, stroked, balanced, etc. The CVCC (compound vortex controlled combustion) system has been removed, and a Weber carburetor, two-inch exhaust system, and K&N filter have been added. Power is now put down through a five-speed manual transmission, also out of an '83 Accord. In addition, the brakes have been upgraded, suspension worked and lowered, bumpers moved in about three inches, and the taillights and turn signals have been modified. Additionally, the car has new carpet, seats from the '83 Accord, and a lot of custom touches inside and out.

We'd say Ruby is truly a gem. From the totally appropriate gold-mesh alloys, to the bright red paint and just-right stance, this old Civic not only looks good, but really gets up and goes thanks to that engine swap. We love vintage subcompacts, and Ruby is a fine example.

Ruby truly is a gem! Definitely a great small car project.

Behold: The Hyundai ... er ... Dodge Atos

Last year, my Uncle Tom, who lives down in Mexico for part of the year, asked me if I was familiar with the Dodge Atos. I said that I'd never heard of it. He said next time he sees one in Mexico, he'll snap some photos. Well, low-and-behold, here's the Atos.

It turns out the Dodge Atos was actually made by Hyundai. It was even sold through Dodge dealers wearing Hyundai badging, but still called a Dodge. The Atos was replaced by the Dodge i10 in 2013, which is, as you guessed, a Hyundai i10 sold through Mexican Dodge dealers. Yes, it also still wears Hyundai emblems.

Back to the Atos. It was powered by a 1.0-liter four cylinder making about 54 horsepower. Keep in mind, the curb weight is just 1,867 lbs. While I'm sure it isn't fast, it doesn't have much weight to haul around. Overall length? A scant 137.6 inches. That's a full 7.1 inches shorter than a Chevrolet Spark. Oh, and if you were wondering, the Atos rides on 155/70/13 tires.

My Uncle says you can find the Atos all over Mexico, and they're also used in taxis in many places. He even has a friend who owns one and drives it from central Mexico up to visit family in the Northeastern part of the U.S. That's a long way to go in an Atos ...

The Atos was inexpensively priced, as you could probably imagine. The last year of the Atos was 2012, and a brand spakin' new one went for $7,863 USD (approximately $97,957 pesos). For that you could get ABS, airbags, air conditioning, and about 37 MPG (U.S. driving standard).

The new Dodge i10, pictured below, looks to be a significant improvement upon the Atos in terms of exterior styling; interior photos I've seen also look to be an upgrade from the Atos. The i10 comes with a new 1.1-liter mill cranking out 66 horsepower, too. i10 Prices, according to Dodge of Mexico start under $10,000 USD ($118,400 pesos).

Will we see the i10 come north of the border? I'd say it's unlikely, unless Hyundai decides it wants to play in the A-segment here and compete against the Chevy Spark, Smart ForTwo, and Scion iQ. However, don't bank on it. But if you're ever in Mexico, or happen to see a Atos north of the border, just remember: that little Hyundai is a Dodge. Well, kinda.

Renault LeCar walkaround

In case you don't remember, Renault sold cars in the U.S. until the 1987 model year. The Renaults I remember included the Alliance, Encore, Fuego, and of course, the LeCar, which preceded the rest of these vehicles. The little LeCar, with its three-lug wheels and French hatchback styling, was always a bit different from the American, Japanese, and German hatchbacks of the '70 and '80s. Why? Well, this video, shot by micro car enthusiast, Mark Hatten of MPH Specialties, should explain some of the reasons. In case you were wondering, the LeCar was sold in the U.S. from 1976 through 1983, was marketed through American Motors (AMC), and had a 55 horsepower 1.4-liter engine. Oui, oui!

Nostalgic Subcompact: BMW 700S

As we do each year, my father and I attended the Portland Historic Races at Portland International Raceway. One of the reasons I love this event so much is the wide breadth of vehicles they race. Everything from vintage micro cars to ground-pounding V8s, and even old F-1 cars. Each year I see vehicles I am unfamiliar with, and this was one of them. The car above is a 1961 BMW 700S, obviously in racing livery, and was at the Historics this year.

The 700 was a rear drive, rear engined vehicle available in coupe, sedan, and convertible body styles. They were powered by an air-cooled 697 flat two-cylinder engine. They were offered from 1957–1965, and are fairly rare to see in the U.S. As I understand it, the 700 was considered an economy car—and was the last economy car BMW sold until the 2002 MINI.

The car was popular in motorsports, even though original horsepower output was only 40 horsepower with the twin-carb setup on the Sport models. (Then again, many cars of this time period made very little power. Thing VW Beetle, think MG, etc.) Notable performances include Hans Stuck winning the 1960 German Hillclimb Championship, as well a a class victory in 1960 at the Hockenheim 12 Hour race.

I love the styling on this car. The smallish fins out back, the raked rear window, the protruding headlights. To the untrained eye, it could be some wonky air-cooled VW vehicle. The Mini-Lite wheels  are the prefect touch to this little vintage racer.

Every now and then, one of these cars pops up for sale. There have been a few of them on BringATrailer.com, such as this Unrestored 1960 BMW 700S Coupe. And although it is hard to see the actual size of one of these in the photo, they are tiny.

Nostalgic Subcompact: Nissan Stanza Wagon

We ran across this rarity today in Hood River, Oregon. Although not something that’s incredibly eye catching, sexy, or anything like that, a mid-to-late 1980s Stanza 4x4 Wagon in this good of shape is notable.

The boxy Stanza Wagon was only available from 1986–1988 and offered in 2WD and 4WD. Both versions came with a 2.0-liter engine mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Power output was 97 hp. and 114 ft./lbs. of torque; fuel economy ranged from 17 city/20 highway for the 4WD with the auto to 21 city/26 highway for the 2WD with the manual.

It wasn’t the powerplant, performance, or the super-awesome '80s tall-wagon box-centric styling that was important—it was the car’s versatility that was put on a pedestal. One of the most unusual features: There were no door pillars between the two front doors and two sliding doors. That’s right: No door pillars. Open the two front and two sliding doors and you’ve got a giant, gaping hole in which to insert people or cargo. And that’s before opening the rear hatch. By the way, you could get seating for either five or seven.

I don't know anything about the 4WD system and I couldn't find anything about it online. I assume it was a traditional 4WD system with a high-range only (someone correct me here). I am sure, however, it was probably awesome in the snow.

The Stanza faced a host of great competitors including the Toyota Tercel wagon, Dodge Colt Vista, and the Honda Civic Wagon. All were somewhat less awkward looking than the tall Stanza, in my opinion. Regardless, the car above and below was in outstanding shape and is an interesting cross section of the 1980s tall wagon genre.

For sale forever: An '87 Chevrolet Sprint Turbo

There's been a 1987 Chevrolet Sprint Turbo for sale on Portland's Craigslist for quite some time. If I had to guess, possibly a year, maybe a year-and-a-half. It's there nearly every week. The price? $4,600. There has been the occasional price drop, but it usually bounces back to $4,600 or so. I've often wondered what the story was. Holding out for the right owner? Maybe the wife says to sell the car, and each week he says, "I don't know, honey, there just aren't any takers."

Nostalgic Subcompact: Toyota Starlet

Project Starlet from ClunckBucket.com

By the early 1980s, Toyota had started making a name for itself with regards to small, frugal vehicles. One of those vehicles was the Toyota Starlet. This small, rear-drive hatchback was sold in the U.S. from 1981-1984; it was even sold along side the front-drive Toyota Tercel until the 1985 model year.

The USDM Starlet came with the 1.3-liter 4K-C (carbureted) engine from '81–'82, and the 4K-E (fuel injected) from '83–'84. The overhead-valve engine made 58 horsepower and between 67 and 74 ft. lbs. of torque. Fuel economy in '81 was rated at 38 city, 52 highway. Later models got as much as 54 MPG highway! (That's what low-horsepower, low-weight will do for cars' economy!) Early Starlets came with a five-speed transmission, later changing to a four-speed manual transmission. All starlets had power going to the rear wheels. The suspension wasn't too fancy: MacPherson suspension up front, four-link suspension out back. The wheelbase was a scant 90.4" with an overall length of 152-153 inches ('83–'84 were longer). Weight was as low as 1724 lbs and as much as 1755.

Toyota didn't continue to offer the Starlet after '84, instead opting to only sell the front-drive Tercel as the company's sole economy offering in the U.S. However, the rest of the world got updated Starlet models until 1999.

Photo via Driving Sports

Nowadays, Starlets are saught after by the drift/drag crowd due to their rear-drive layout and ability to swap in higher-performance engines. They are one of the harder Toyotas to find, especially in good shape. They are, however, one of my favorites! Someday, I'd love to have a KP61 with either a 3TC ("Mini Hemi" engine) or a full 4AG-E swap. The photo above has a 4AGZE swap (that is a supercharged MR2 engine!). More on that car at Driving Sports' site.

LINKS
ToyoLand.com
Toyota Starlet (Wikipedia)

Mitsubishi Expo LRV commercial is terrible and wonderful

When I tell people my first car was a 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV, they usually nod their head. But, frankly, most people don't have a clue as to what they were unless they either owned one or read my Nostalgic Subcompact article on them.

The Expo and it's near identical Eagle Summit Wagon and Plymouth Colt Vista twins weren't hot sellers, and I don't think this terrible commercial filmed in 1991 (according to the YouTube video) probably didn't help, either. Regardless, it's wonderful to see some of the obscure marketing material about this often-forgetten DSM vehicle.

And the Expo LRV was indeed more than a four door. It was a two door with a sliding side door and a hatchback ... and I still want to get another one and put a 4G63T swap in it. Then it really will be more than a four door.

Nostalgic Subcompact: Suzuki Mighty Boy

From 1983 though 1988, Suzuki offered a pint-sized pickup called the Mighty Boy. Not to be confused with Mitsubishi's Mighty Max pickup, the Mighty Boy was a kei car sold in Japan, Australia, and naturally ... Cyprus.

What was so Mighty about this car? Not the 28 horsepower from the 543cc engine, nor its 1,168 lb. curb weight. It can't be its payload capacity. So maybe the most mighty thing about this ute was its diminutive size, odd shape, and strange export market of Cyprus.

Like anything else on the planet with four wheels and an engine, the Mighty Boy has a fan base in Australia, they even have a website: Team MightyBoy.

Unless you live in the three above-mentioned countries, you'll probably never see a Mighty Boy, but they're mighty neat, and totally strange. Don't forget to check out the crazily overpowered Mighty Boy video I posted a while back, too (it's the last one in the post).

Clean Corvallis Beetle

Mercedes (my wife) caught this ultra-clean mustard-yellow Beetle in Corvallis, OR. So simple, so classy. Looks like it might be lowered on some basic, classic chrome wheels. The Beetle is truly a classic subcompact, and this is Beetle simplicity done right.

I grew up with small cars.

People ask, "So why small cars?" I typically give them the same response, which is it's what I've always had (among a bunch of factors I prefer in a car/truck). But it's true. Growing up, we always had one subcompact/compact and a larger vehicle, which was usually my dad's company car. Although there was some overlap, my family's car history looked something like this:

Small Car	Larger Car
Ford Pinto	Ford Torino?
Dodge Champ	Buick Century
Dodge Omni	Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra
Dodge Colt	Plymouth Voyager
Mitsubishi Eclipse	Jeep Cherokee
Mitsubishi Expo LRV	Jeep Cherokee (still)

Some time after the Eclipse was bought, my parents split (I blame Mitsubishi). My dad got a 1990 Jeep Cherokee, mom took the 1990 Eclipse.

However, after two years of having a leased Eclipse, it became apparent to my mom that it wasn't the optimal car for a single mother of two living in the snow belt. So, after showing her an article in Car and Driver about the '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV (it was teal, I remember), she checked out the Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport and bought an Amazon Blue version (with a gold pinstripe, thank you very much). I ended up with this car from 1994-1999 (still the longest I've owned a single car), mom bought another Eclipse (a '94 GS) and the rest was history ... kind of.

The Expo wasn't a "cool" car to me at the time (despite the custom exhaust and intake I put on it. Wait was it ever "cool"?), and I really liked the upcoming sport-compact scene. I ended up getting a '99 Nissan Sentra SE Limited (SR20DE-powered; at left), then going on a habitual car buying/selling spree until 2005, which is when I bought my Scion xB—the car that reinvigorated my appreciation for the smallest of small cars. The rest isn't history—more like the present. I now own a 2007 Toyota Yaris, a 2010 Suzuki SX4, and a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick.