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what's the best short used car from circa 2012-14

Agreed. There are lots of Japanese mini trucks like the Kei. About 12 ft long. Apparently not that difficult to import - or buy one that someone else already got it registered in Canada. They have a cult-like following. I believe they have to be 16 years old to import and get around all safety/design/pollution regulations.
 
Kei truck would be almost perfect for your situation. Get one with the fold down bed sides, and you would gain some working "bench" space when it's parked in the garage.

I've always wanted one, but it's just not that practical for my needs. Maybe someday.
 
Garages must be an urban thing. In the west, and north of 60 it is rare. Vehicles sit out doors.
All square footage has a cost, and northern construction costs are very high, so the square footage would go to a shop.
If a garage is to deter theft, that's a different kettle of fish.
 
I'd like to hear opinions on the best very short vehicles available used in Canada.

As you may know, my entire career was automotive engineering. I'd like to add some perspectives.

I think the answer depends on your needs.

All cars sold in Canada will meet safety standards and will almost always get good safety ratings. However, these tests are all very specific and really only test a vehicle's performance under the specific circumstances that the standards require. On the other hand, accidents in the real world almost NEVER experiences those requirements. The odds of doing so are thousands to one. They are usually faster or slower or on different angles or hitting a different object or positioning of occupants. The best way to survive an accident is not to have one. This is about safe driving, visibility, lighting, good brakes, and good tires. The second best way is to have the vehicle sacrifice itself to absorb the energy instead of your body. Physics clearly favour big heavy vehicles. The bigger and heavier the better. For high speed frontal collisions, vehicle length plays a major role because it lengthens the distance your internal organs have to decellerate before they hit your bones. Remember that every collision involves 3 subcollisions - when your vehicle hits another vehicle, when your body hits your vehicle, and when your brain and organs hit your skeleton. It is the last one that kills. Bigger, heavier, longer vehicles are safer. Period.

The second criteria to guide a purchase is convenience - comfort, interior space, cargo space, parkability, features, etc. You have to like what you drive and it has to meet your needs. Only you can decide what features and factors are most important for you.

Next is reliability. Nobody wants a vehicle that spends its life in the service bay of a dealer or that won't start when you want to go someplace, or that falls apart faster than you can reassemble it. Reliability is a real dogs breakfast. Most of us don't really buy reliability - we buy reputation. But reputation often tells huge lies. New products often cure old problems but introduce new ones. Perception is like a drug that lulls us into a false sense of satisfaction. Everyone knows that Japanese products have higher quality than European products, that have higher quality than a North American. But is that really true? A story I like to tell is about two products built in the same factory, with the same parts, by the same workers, but sold in different dealerships - one north american and one import. The warranty and quality ratings for the North American product was 3x worse than the imports. The only difference was the expectations of the buyers. Be very wary of trusting your perceptions - especially those factors that "everyone knows".

Last but not least, there is fuel economy. Again, the ratings are only for very specific conditions. Where and how you drive is often more important than one might imagine. But it's fairly obvious that for best fuel economy, small and light are best. Again, it's pure physics not rocket science.

In my opinion, the majority of people buy their vehicles today based on its fuel economy, then convenience, then reliability, then safety. There is also a lot of evidence to suggest that convenience is still first in the list. Certainly over the last 50 years, convenience has been King. Its only more recently with sky high pump prices that fuel economy has become a primary driver for many people. But I much prefer, and highly recommend, the reverse order as outlined above.
 
1- Honda Fit, reliable 400+ km, carries an amazing amount of crap, easy to get in/out of comfortable for a puddle jumper, awesome on fuel. & kinda fun to drive
2- Kei truck if you can tolerate right hand drive

Art
 
As you may know, my entire career was automotive engineering. I'd like to add some perspectives.

I think the answer depends on your needs.

All cars sold in Canada will meet safety standards and will almost always get good safety ratings. However, these tests are all very specific and really only test a vehicle's performance under the specific circumstances that the standards require. On the other hand, accidents in the real world almost NEVER experiences those requirements. The odds of doing so are thousands to one. They are usually faster or slower or on different angles or hitting a different object or positioning of occupants. The best way to survive an accident is not to have one. This is about safe driving, visibility, lighting, good brakes, and good tires. The second best way is to have the vehicle sacrifice itself to absorb the energy instead of your body. Physics clearly favour big heavy vehicles. The bigger and heavier the better. For high speed frontal collisions, vehicle length plays a major role because it lengthens the distance your internal organs have to decellerate before they hit your bones. Remember that every collision involves 3 subcollisions - when your vehicle hits another vehicle, when your body hits your vehicle, and when your brain and organs hit your skeleton. It is the last one that kills. Bigger, heavier, longer vehicles are safer. Period.

The second criteria to guide a purchase is convenience - comfort, interior space, cargo space, parkability, features, etc. You have to like what you drive and it has to meet your needs. Only you can decide what features and factors are most important for you.

Next is reliability. Nobody wants a vehicle that spends its life in the service bay of a dealer or that won't start when you want to go someplace, or that falls apart faster than you can reassemble it. Reliability is a real dogs breakfast. Most of us don't really buy reliability - we buy reputation. But reputation often tells huge lies. New products often cure old problems but introduce new ones. Perception is like a drug that lulls us into a false sense of satisfaction. Everyone knows that Japanese products have higher quality than European products, that have higher quality than a North American. But is that really true? A story I like to tell is about two products built in the same factory, with the same parts, by the same workers, but sold in different dealerships - one north american and one import. The warranty and quality ratings for the North American product was 3x worse than the imports. The only difference was the expectations of the buyers. Be very wary of trusting your perceptions - especially those factors that "everyone knows".

Last but not least, there is fuel economy. Again, the ratings are only for very specific conditions. Where and how you drive is often more important than one might imagine. But it's fairly obvious that for best fuel economy, small and light are best. Again, it's pure physics not rocket science.

In my opinion, the majority of people buy their vehicles today based on its fuel economy, then convenience, then reliability, then safety. There is also a lot of evidence to suggest that convenience is still first in the list. Certainly over the last 50 years, convenience has been King. Its only more recently with sky high pump prices that fuel economy has become a primary driver for many people. But I much prefer, and highly recommend, the reverse order as outlined above.
I agree! A car purchase is a complex evaluation of needs vs expense. (to buy, maintain and run)

If you're not driving it much, fuel economy is less of an issue. If getting out of town is the primary reason for owning, I would suggest safety is a high priority. And maneuverability. Therefore:


Screenshot 2024-07-28 at 8.20.39 AM.webp

It's only 19' long, so you lose a little space, but it would be great in a traffic jam!
 
Agreed. There are lots of Japanese mini trucks like the Kei. About 12 ft long. Apparently not that difficult to import - or buy one that someone else already got it registered in Canada. They have a cult-like following. I believe they have to be 16 years old to import and get around all safety/design/pollution regulations.
I thought they were not street legal.. but If there is a work around I'm tempted
 
Garages must be an urban thing. In the west, and north of 60 it is rare. Vehicles sit out doors.
All square footage has a cost, and northern construction costs are very high, so the square footage would go to a shop.
If a garage is to deter theft, that's a different kettle of fish.
mostly garages are in demand on newer homes are a secure place to store all the crap people accumulate rather than for vehicles or at least its like a 25/75 split between storage and parking. vehicle break ins are high in Toronto
 
I thought they were not street legal.. but If there is a work around I'm tempted
They are street legal. We have a lot of them here on the West Coast. Looks like an awesome little truck. Most are 4x4 and can haul a pretty heavy load. They use therefore construction and delivery vehicles in Asia. They are right hand drive, but they are also so narrow it's almost like sitting on the left anyway. Only 2 passenger, so that might be an issue.

When we were in Panama a few years ago I saw a lot of this size of vehicle in left hand drive. Not sure where they are made and why they are not available in North America. Other than the fact that we folk like our massive F350 and 3500 trucks. (and an F150 is the size of an older F350)
 
As you may know, my entire career was automotive engineering. I'd like to add some perspectives.

I think the answer depends on your needs.

All cars sold in Canada will meet safety standards and will almost always get good safety ratings. However, these tests are all very specific and really only test a vehicle's performance under the specific circumstances that the standards require. On the other hand, accidents in the real world almost NEVER experiences those requirements. The odds of doing so are thousands to one. They are usually faster or slower or on different angles or hitting a different object or positioning of occupants. The best way to survive an accident is not to have one. This is about safe driving, visibility, lighting, good brakes, and good tires. The second best way is to have the vehicle sacrifice itself to absorb the energy instead of your body. Physics clearly favour big heavy vehicles. The bigger and heavier the better. For high speed frontal collisions, vehicle length plays a major role because it lengthens the distance your internal organs have to decellerate before they hit your bones. Remember that every collision involves 3 subcollisions - when your vehicle hits another vehicle, when your body hits your vehicle, and when your brain and organs hit your skeleton. It is the last one that kills. Bigger, heavier, longer vehicles are safer. Period.

The second criteria to guide a purchase is convenience - comfort, interior space, cargo space, parkability, features, etc. You have to like what you drive and it has to meet your needs. Only you can decide what features and factors are most important for you.

Next is reliability. Nobody wants a vehicle that spends its life in the service bay of a dealer or that won't start when you want to go someplace, or that falls apart faster than you can reassemble it. Reliability is a real dogs breakfast. Most of us don't really buy reliability - we buy reputation. But reputation often tells huge lies. New products often cure old problems but introduce new ones. Perception is like a drug that lulls us into a false sense of satisfaction. Everyone knows that Japanese products have higher quality than European products, that have higher quality than a North American. But is that really true? A story I like to tell is about two products built in the same factory, with the same parts, by the same workers, but sold in different dealerships - one north american and one import. The warranty and quality ratings for the North American product was 3x worse than the imports. The only difference was the expectations of the buyers. Be very wary of trusting your perceptions - especially those factors that "everyone knows".

Last but not least, there is fuel economy. Again, the ratings are only for very specific conditions. Where and how you drive is often more important than one might imagine. But it's fairly obvious that for best fuel economy, small and light are best. Again, it's pure physics not rocket science.

In my opinion, the majority of people buy their vehicles today based on its fuel economy, then convenience, then reliability, then safety. There is also a lot of evidence to suggest that convenience is still first in the list. Certainly over the last 50 years, convenience has been King. Its only more recently with sky high pump prices that fuel economy has become a primary driver for many people. But I much prefer, and highly recommend, the reverse order as outlined above.
A cogent well thought out reply as usual. Thanks!

I came from a racing family. I learned defensive driving at young drivers of Canada once I was legally permitted to drive and I have always prided myself on being able to anticipate the stupidity of other drivers on the road and avoid accidents. A large part of this is having a vehicle that had sufficient horsepower, acceleration and handling ability to dodge out of the way. While I've heard that smart cars are so light that they bounce away from blows by very heavy SUVs I am very leery about them and cars like the fiat 500 and the Scion IQ for their complete inability to accelerate out of the way of any potential collision. They also dont have the best handling for dodging either.

But as a city commuter a smaller vehicle could suit my needs. I dont need fuel economy so much, but I bought my Jetta because I was able to make and use biodiesel for a couple of years when I drove it regularly.

My next need is reliability and availability of parts and not too hideous experience maintaining the vehicle. Smart cars suffer in this regard
 
I agree! A car purchase is a complex evaluation of needs vs expense. (to buy, maintain and run)

If you're not driving it much, fuel economy is less of an issue. If getting out of town is the primary reason for owning, I would suggest safety is a high priority. And maneuverability. Therefore:


View attachment 50184

It's only 19' long, so you lose a little space, but it would be great in a traffic jam!
The perfect post apocalypse vehicle if it is diesel. You can render down the corpses of your enemies to make biodiesel for a sustainable fuel supply
 
Nothing but exceptional reliability from every Toyota we have had, 6 total. Such good experiences I don't want to buy anything else. They don't break, just change fluids, tires and pads. My current Lexus is 18 years old no repairs. The piece of mind and savings from repairs is priceless. If a Yaris is small enough I would try and find an older lady driven no accident car.
 
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It's only 19' long, so you lose a little space, but it would be great in a traffic jam!

I WANT ONE! Not so much for driving on the roads but mostly to farm with! As a farm vehicle, I could also drive it on the roads. But out on the fields working dirt would be a total complete riot and a hell of a "blast" too!
 
I came from a racing family. I learned defensive driving at young drivers of Canada once I was legally permitted to drive and I have always prided myself on being able to anticipate the stupidity of other drivers on the road and avoid accidents.

I forgot to mention defensive driving. A very important skill. Thanks for reminding me.

While I've heard that smart cars are so light that they bounce away from blows by very heavy SUVs......

That's a wives tale. Bouncing off another vehicle is just another way to increase the severity of the third collision - the one that kills.
 
That's a wives tale. Bouncing off another vehicle is just another way to increase the severity of the third collision - the one that kills.
Absolutely.
When the Smart car first came out MB had a commercial that showed one driving into a concrete LocBlock at 40 miles an hour. They proudly showed that the doors still opened and that there was no damage extending into the passenger compartment.
Oooooh, isn't that amazing, so safety everybody said. Myself, I cringed, if I have to decelerate fast, I want to do it in the 6 feet of crumple space afforded me in my F350 not a few inches available in a Smart car.
Besides I'm always sceptical of any thing that claims to be smart.
 
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