Is a Scion iQ Right For You?

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It's touted as "the world's smallest 4-seater" and the master of fitting into tight parking spaces. The Scion iQ is a versatile car worth considering for you or your family if you're looking for something super compact with above average gas mileage. What's nice about Scion vehicles is that they have what's considered "pure pricing", meaning that Scion sets the price rather than the dealer. You don't have to haggle or negotiate while shopping- what you see is what you pay!

The iQ really shines in congested urban environments, though it can be useful even if you're in the suburbs like I happen to be. In my case, I have a two car garage with a third car belonging to my roommate that is parked on our driveway. Whenever I want to go somewhere, I usually have to maneuver around his car as I back out. Now, if one of us had an iQ it would make things immensely easier because of how small it is. The same thing applies for all those too-good-to-be-true parking spots you come across out in public. The ones where you come to find that the sole reason the spot is open in the first place is because someone else parked awkwardly and no normal sized car could fit into the space you want! First world problems? Sure, but if you're considering one of these, knowing that you can park or reverse out of just about anywhere with ease is definitely a strong selling point (maybe even the strongest?) for the car.

The immediate comparison most people are going to make is, "how does the iQ compare to other small cars like the SmartCar, Honda Fit, or Ford Fiesta?"

Here is a quick comparison chart among the four vehicles, so you can get an idea of what's different:

                                              

Vehicle	Scion iQ	Smart ForTwo	Honda Fit	Ford Fiesta
MPG: City/Hwy	36/37	34/38	28/35	29/39
Car Length (in)	120.1	106.1	161.6	160.1
Price (2013)	$16,140	$17,890 (Passion Trim)	$16,125	$14,200
Engine	1.3L 94hp I4	1L 70hp I3	1.5L 117hp I4	1.6L 120hp I4
Front Shoulder Room (in)	53.1	48	52.7	52.7
Front Hip Room (in)	53.9	45.4	51.5	49.2
CD Player/USB Input	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/No

Size wise, the iQ is slightly bigger than the Smart ForTwo, but it does offer the ability to transport
more than two passengers at once. It also has the best overall mileage of the four vehicles, with a modest price, and the most shoulder and hip room for the driver. All vehicles come equipped with driver, front side, passenger, and rear airbags, as well as power door locks.

What features are most important to you when it comes to buying a compact car?

3 Benefits of Buying From a Dealer

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Almost all car shopping nowadays begins with research online.

There's plenty of advice on the internet, touting the benefits of buying a car from a private seller (eBay, Craigslist, etc) rather than from a dealership. In most cases, it is about trying to find a steal on a car for much less than it is actually worth. Contrary to popular belief, that doesn't happen often! This is especially true now that more and more people are getting computer savvy and using sites such as Kelly Blue Book to get an initial idea on the price of vehicles.

So, say you don't find the car you want on Craigslist. Or maybe you want to purchase a new vehicle. What are some of the advantages of buying a car from a dealership?


1. Extended and lifetime warranties. 

When you buy from a dealership, you'll know upfront that your car is going to be covered for a specified period of time, and you'll also have the option of getting that warranty extended if you'd like. Another thing you'll often get is a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty, which means that as long as you are the original owner of your vehicle, your engine and transmission will be covered, should either fail.
Specific car manufacturers may have additional coverage as well. Toyota, for example, offers two years of ToyotaCare on new vehicle purchases (24 hour roadside assistance), which can cover if you run out of gasoline, lock yourself out, get a flat tire, and so on.
Dealers will also often have certified pre-owned vehicles, which are used vehicles that have gone through a rigorous inspection process, and usually come with all (or many) of the same perks as buying new. They can be a great option if you're looking for a newer car, but don't want to pay full sticker price on the latest year's model.


2. Dealer Trade-Ins

Dealerships are always trying to get more vehicles for their pre-owned inventories. If you're looking to buy a new car, and want to get rid of your old one, why not trade it in towards your purchase? Offering a trade-in to a dealer can save a lot of time and hassle- you won't have to go through the process of finding a buyer for your old car after, and you'll generally get more money towards a trade-in than you would just selling the car to a dealer. Plus, the longer you take to try and personally sell your car, the more money you'll spend on keeping it insured as each month goes by.


3. Special Perks

Perhaps the best advantage to buying from a dealer are the specific incentives that you wouldn't get from buying privately. Are you a college grad? You can get a $1000 rebate. How about a free program that gives you gifts as well as discounts at restaurants and shops in your local neighborhood? At Lou Fusz Toyota, that'd be the AutoAwards program. Want to pay off your car in a timely manner? Check and see if your purchase qualifies for 0% financing.



Do you know any other benefits of buying from a dealer? Share them below!