I've always wanted to write stuff like this for a magazine, but they didn't ever call.
On a recent trip, I rented a 2000 Suzuki Swift and drove it about 500 miles. It was the least little car you ever saw. It was shaped like a shoe and had a smallish 4 cylinder engine, automatic shift, and front-wheel drive. Strange as it seems, I liked it. No, I'm not going to sell the Toyota, but if that little car had a 5 speed and cruise control, it would be hard to beat. The ride wasn't too bad, and the handling was great. The brakes were good and it didn't rattle. Even with two, three, or four full-sized adults on board, it was.... well, Swift. As us rednecks say, "That thang will flat git uppa hill!" I never got it over 68 or so, but I'm sure it would cruise much faster than that. I drove it at night, in bright sun, in stiff crosswinds, on narrow winding roads and freeways. No complaints about driveability. Not much room for suitcases.
And the gas mileage varied from 35 to 42. That would be better with a 5-speed.
How"Tom McCahill"ard