Small cars are in.

As recent as two years ago people that drove small cars were ridiculed and teased for their diminutive rides. No self respecting "man" would be seen driving a Toyota Yaris when he could have a Ford F350 SuperCab. Those times are a changing and small cars are becoming the chic new thing to drive. The problem is that not all small cars are created equal and there are some that will NEVER be cool no matter how expensive gas gets. So here's my guide (IMHO) to small cars.

Avoid at all costs:

1. The Smart Car - You'd have to be clinically insane to force yourself into one of these just to get 40-45MPG.
2. The Prius - I know what you're thinking...he's crazy the Prius is great. First off it's not a small car, compared to the others listed here, and second it's not that great. Don't buy the marketing hype, there are better alternatives out there.
3. Anything with a Kia or Hyundai badge. Just don't do it.

Only if you're desperate:

1. Chevrolet Aveo - Yuck! Its really a Daewoo underneath but at least you can get it serviced at a Chevy dealer. Last resort only.
2. Ford Focus - Not really that small, buy a used previous model because the new ones are butt ugly.

Cream of the crop:

1. The Mini - Expensive but fantastic...my pick if you've got the $$$.
2. Toyota Yaris - Kind of fugly but it's a Toyota so it will run forever. Clever interior...but it still looks like a parrot.
3. Suzuki SX4 - I love these, they're cheap and good looking. Only problem is a pretty thin service network and somewhat questionable reliability.
4. Honda Fit - This would be my second choice behind the Mini. Not as ugly as the Yaris but not as cool as the mini. The new model is coming later this year and it looks better yet.
5. VW Golf - Would have been my number two if VW hadn't changed the US name to Rabbit which I think is just stupid. A bit too big to be considered a small car.
   

Here is the part that sucks donkey balls. The Europeans and the Japanese have tons of small cars that we don't get that are awesome. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Fiat 500 - The coolest small car on the planet, it's just awesome.
   
2. Alfa Romeo Me.To - Stupid name for an awesome car, not technically available yet but still great.
3. Subaru R1 - Awesome, tiny little Subaru for the Japanese market.
4. Ford Fiesta - European compact that is pretty cool. Supposedly coming to the US in 2009, we'll see.
5. Ford Ka - Sells like hot cakes in Europe. Almost too cute for men to actually drive.
6. Volkswagen Lupo - Super small VW sold in Europe below the Golf. In diesel trim it gets as much as 75MPG.
7. Nissan Micra - It's weird but more interesting than most of the crap we've got.