In the market for a new car. Need help picking

[VaultTec]

I managed to test drive all the cars I've mentioned.

1. I pretty much fell in love with the Fiat Abarth. The ONLY complaint I would have is the plastic dash that's colored based on the exterior. Other than that. Possibly the best and most fun driving experience I ever had. Addressing the reliability. It has a decent warranty 4 years 50k miles. So once it expires. I'll likely be trading it in. I have 2 other cars so it being in the dealer getting repairs isn't too much of an issue. That being said. I've heard mixed reviews about it. Just one of those things you gotta try out yourself.

2. The Ford Fiesta ST was the car I was most interested in actually seeing / driving. Since I've already driven a regular Fiat 500 (non Abarth) so I had an idea of how that car was. I was badly disappointed. The interior looked so outdated, cheap, cluttered and boring. Not really liking the new body styles of Ford. The ride was stiff and overall meh. It does have slightly better specs on paper but in the real world I doubt it'll be noticeable or matter.

3. I drove a 2008 or 07, can't remember, Yaris. Let me just say. Wow. Compared to my 2016 SE. It feels like another car. Definitely felt the sub compact feel that I don't really feel in my current Yaris. Performance wise, it's a Yaris. Didn't expect much but it did have some kit. I think it's the trd kit? So much potential in that car. Loved it. Don't really want another 3rd gen or any future newer Yaris unless they come beefed up from factory with a new model, like a RS Or whatever. Hopefully turbo charged.

4. The Yaris C was much like the Yaris. Only more complex, slower and got better MPG. Not much to say here. It'll get to me to point A to B feeling meh. Good car nevertheless.

5. I drove an older Scion tC as someone here mentioned. Not the newer body. Don't know the year. It was actually surprisingly good. Definitely have to look into it more. So I will be adding that to the maybe list.

[ern-diz]

Originally Posted by VaultTec

3. I drove a 2008 or 07, can't remember, Yaris. Let me just say. Wow. Compared to my 2016 SE. It feels like another car. Definitely felt the sub compact feel that I don't really feel in my current Yaris.

Sounds like you mean this as a negative, right? Haven't driven one for myself, but from what I've gathered, the 2nd gen's offer a minimalist, visceral driving experience while the 3rd gen's are more refined, which some would also call boring. I'd like to experience it for myself.

I'm hurting for a Focus RS. It's well out of the price range we're talking about, but because of my interest in it, the Fiesta ST jumped out at me from your short list. I like that Ford was the only US auto maker not to take bailout money, I think they pack good tech/features in for the money and I like where the styling has gone across all their models. I think they look far better than Acuras, which I think have taken a dreadful downturn in styling. As much as I like the looks and performance of the Abarth I wouldn't go Fiat. Prius is probably your best bet economically speaking.