3 ms·

> I forgot to mention that it has exposed metal surfaces in the interior (doors, mainly) that are integrated parts of the car. Not only does it look fantastic,

> I forgot to mention that it has exposed metal surfaces in the interior (doors, mainly) that are integrated parts of the car. Not only does it look fantastic, each of those panels is one less plastic piece that will eventually require an expensive replacement when it inevitably gets hit/scratched/exposed to too much sunlight/shakes itself to pieces. > I don't know why more cars don't feature this (one review called them "cheap exposed surfaces", as if plastic is somehow fancier), but it's incredibly durable, simple, and attractive. I rode in a Nissan Tsuru taxi in Mexico. While the car's appalling safety record is definitely undesirable, I was impressed by the same idea of simplicity. It striped away pointless trim and features that will break, and was simply a tool to get you dependably from one place to another. It seemed like the sort of vehicle that could be maintained with an adjustable wrench and screwdriver for a million miles.

monodeldiablo 10y ago
Bingo! It's the only modern car that I feel I could repair myself if needed. My other car -- a truly shitty Citroen van -- is a rattling shitbox. The interior door panels are faded and cracked, and the glue that held the fabric in place has long ago dissolved. Every panel has worked itself loose and, while the plastic fasteners are easily replaced, they never seat snug again. I actually ripped off the rear interior panel entirely -- leaving the door mechanism exposed -- because the buzzing was driving me insane on long trips. And that car is only 12-13 years old. It's almost criminal how quickly those plastic interiors degrade. My Citigo is almost 4 and looks brand new, despite ferrying two nuclear-powered kids all over the place every day. And the safety record for the Citigo/Mii/Up! is fantastic. It's got a 5-star rating, I believe, by NCAP. I still find myself gushing to my wife about how incredible the car is. I see myself as something of an anti-consumerist, but I profess a deep love of this car. It's a triumph of functional minimalism.

monodeldiablo 10y ago

Bingo! It's the only modern car that I feel I could repair myself if needed. My other car -- a truly shitty Citroen van -- is a rattling shitbox. The interior door panels are faded and cracked, and the glue that held the fabric in place has long ago dissolved. Every panel has worked itself loose and, while the plastic fasteners are easily replaced, they never seat snug again. I actually ripped off the rear interior panel entirely -- leaving the door mechanism exposed -- because the buzzing was driving me insane on long trips. And that car is only 12-13 years old. It's almost criminal how quickly those plastic interiors degrade. My Citigo is almost 4 and looks brand new, despite ferrying two nuclear-powered kids all over the place every day. And the safety record for the Citigo/Mii/Up! is fantastic. It's got a 5-star rating, I believe, by NCAP. I still find myself gushing to my wife about how incredible the car is. I see myself as something of an anti-consumerist, but I profess a deep love of this car. It's a triumph of functional minimalism.