The Gadget Tree

What is it about a little hatchback car that’s been tuned to put a smile on your face? They simply have a type of magic that can’t be easily explained. There’s just something about strapping yourself into a little car that would normally be used to haul around groceries and then tearing up the streets in true cinematic style. For some reason the sheer insanity of it just stirs something deep inside the soul of a true motorhead. Pulling up next to a standard version of that same car, complete with shopping bags and kids, and somehow feeling quite sorry for them, knowing that the version you bought is infinitely better.

Follow up:

My first experience with a hot hatch was a little ‘92 Volkswagen Golf GTi that leaked oil badly, had numerous electronic problems, and was terribly slow compared to a true sports car. Now you’d think that would have put me off of them forever, but you’d be completely wrong. Despite not being a street beast that little car handled like a champ just felt so special to drive in. From its manual-crank sunroof to it’s teardrop wheels, factory bodykit and black and red interior there was just something about it that made driving a special occasion.

Now think about what’s available out there, the GTi, the Civic Si, the Focus SVT, the Mazda MX-3 V6, and the list goes on. These cars are a step above their run-of-the-mill brethren, but many other typical hatchbacks out there can easily be turned into a hot hatch with nothing more than some simple bolt-on modifications. Take for example a Ford Festiva or a Geo Metro, generally considered to be “disposable cars”, these little machines can be transformed into asphalt chewing animals by dropping larger engines into their lightweight frames.

Now take into account that manufacturers are beginning to make smaller lighter little cars again, mostly due to the rapid climb in fuel prices over the last few years. There is now a slew of new hatchbacks that either fall into the “hot hatch” category or that could easily be modified into hot hatches by potential owners. Many of them are really quite good and can even be purchased in a “hot hatch” variety, but two have really drawn my attention. The Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris. Why? The answer is simple, they are simple, reliable, stylish little cars that are available for very good money. In my mind these cars are in essence what makes a hatchback fun, it’s simplicity and quirky personality. Let’s take a look at what these two models offer:

Honda Fit
Year of launch: 2007
Curb Weight: 2432lbs
Power: 109hp

Toyota Yaris
Year of launch: 2006
Curb Weight: 2290lbs
Power: 106hp

Honestly the Honda may be a bit more stylish, and definitely more rev-happy (being a Honda and all), but if I were looking for some more spirited driving (which looks quite hilarious in a sub-compact hatch), I would go with the little Toyota. Having owned both Hondas and Toyotas in the past I know that the Toyota will need a little tuning to be as responsive as the Honda, but when all is said and done the Fit has 109hp to drag around over 2400lbs of weight, whereas the Yaris has 106hp to haul around less than 2300lbs. Keep in mind also that this is coming from someone who believes that Toyota now specializes in making “white goods” (appliances) for yuppies to drive around in, and that they’ve lost any and all passion for making cars.

To be quite honest if I needed a little runaround so that I could keep my sports car under a cover (or in a garage) either of these cars would be a fantastic value, but they will each have their own personality. The Honda will be more rev-happy and eager to go, and the Toyota will be more civilized and simplistic. This really leaves them in a sort of a dead-heat, but one thing can’t be denied, the Yaris is cute, so cute in fact that when you see one going down the street you’ll likely get the feeling that you’re suddenly looking into the eyes of a puppy, forget you’re driving, and crash into a lightpost.

Most people that read this blog will not be interested in such types of cars, but if you are these two are definitely worth a look.

--MaxSideburn