[deanp]

I drove an earlier model S and liked it, but decided to look at the base model for a pretty significant fuel savings, I see 33-34mpg on what is best described as 50/50 secondary/highway with some of that highway being stop and go every day. I put on an average of 400-500 miles a week so my fuel costs have been 30-42 per fill-up.

It has been everything I wanted - a small economical car that is fun to drive on the back roads close to home and a decent, economical commuter. And, I deleted the rear seats, replaced with foam and a cloth cover and our Saint Bernard and Siberian Husky can share the cargo area comfortably. You can stuff an amazing amount of stuff in the back.

Even though it is down on power compared to the S, it is still a lot of fun to wind up to 5-6K in third gear on our local roads. Handles well, stops well. Essentially a go cart for big kids.

Not sure where you are located, but my '05 with Blizzaks was better in the snow than our Nissan 4x4 p/u until the chin spoiler started pushing snow.