I like the new Elantra also. Joyce just bought a 2008 Elantra, but I was pushing her to buy a new 2011 model with the redesign.

I just got back from a weekend in RI, and we took her Elantra. I have to say it's the best small car I've been in. Drove very, very nice and has logical controls, etc. She's just never bought a new car and I thought she should for once, and the 2011 re-design looked slick and had much higher MPG ratings to boot. I told her that for the purchase price difference, it might be made up over the life of the car with fuel savings.

Yeh, the new one is very economical, pretty close to the VW diesels which are much more $$.

About 3 weeks ago, I drove both the Elantra and the Civic. The Elantra looked better, had a nicer interior, and had WAY more content. I really wanted to love that car, but at the end of the day, the Civic just drove better and was more refined. It had a better shifter, better clutch, smoother motor (especially at high revs), and felt more planted on the road. Couple that with 0.9%, and it was a no brainer. Bought the Civic. For someone not as anal about driving dynamics, the Elantra is a heck of a car.

The Civic is an excellent small car, probably the barometer for the industry. I went to my local dealer here, and couldn't seem to find a stickshift base Civic amongst the 50 plus sitting in the lot to see where the price starts at. Looks like the '12's are more less a carry over from the '11's, the only difference obvious to me was the tail light, rear quarter area. Mpg's have gone up some, too.

If I were in the market for a small car, I'd have the Honda Civic and Honda Fit at the top of the list. Good info, Adrian.

Honda Civic or Fit for me as well.

I test drove a 2010 Honda Civic Si, 6 speed. Loved it!

You are a gentleman and a scholar.

I don't like the Fit(stylewise) but I'd definitely put the Civic on my shortlist of small cars.

How did it compare to your S2000?

The S2000 is quick up to 6000 rpm and white hot from 6000-9000 rpm. The engine is unique - 2.0 liter naturally aspirated 4 cylinder putting out 240 HP. Since this is an audio site, I am compelled to say, the engine sound quality is not great. The handling of the 2000 model requires respect and over-steer is possible. The 6 speed has the shortest throws of any stock manual offered (at least it did in 2000). Shift effort is light, The clutch is perfect. Interior amenities are minimal. Interior storage space almost non-existent. Mine was dynoed at Auto Wave in Westminster or Fountain Valley at an S2000 dyno day and had the highest output at the rear wheels - 227.7 HP. I think it was Motor Trend which tested an S2000 0-60 at 5.2 seconds. I have never tracked mine, but I can tell you that on the very few occasions I have revved it to 7000 rpm and side stepped the clutch, I believe I hit 60 in that or less.

The Civic Si is quick and pleasant. The sound quality of its 200 HP 4 cylinder is spectacular. It revs beautifully, sewing machine smooth. The 6 speed/clutch combo are as good as anything I've ever driven. I didn't really push it, but its FWD handling felt secure and accurate. Steering felt superb. Ride was very well damped. Driver's seat was very comfortable. I loved it.