stroker
stroker UberDork
4/19/22 3:30 p.m.

IIRC they were hateful underpowered things, but the idea of a passenger Minivan that's not a minivan appeals to me.  I don't want to buy some clapped-out 30 year old POS, either.  What's the closest most current option?  Ford Transit?  That Chrysler/Fiat thing?

AMiataCalledSteve
AMiataCalledSteve New Reader
4/19/22 3:32 p.m.

Mazda5!

eastsideTim
eastsideTim PowerDork
4/19/22 3:48 p.m.
AMiataCalledSteve said:

Mazda5!

Seconded.  Although if you are inclined to carry more cargo, the Transit Connect is probably a better option.  I love my 5, but I don't love that the seats can't be easily removed to get more space.

rob_lewis
rob_lewis UberDork
4/19/22 4:30 p.m.

Third for the Mazda5.  Wife calls ours the microvan.  Amazing how much it'll fit and the sliding doors are way more convenient than I imagined.  And, if you look hard enough, you can find them with a manual transmission.

-Rob

eastsideTim
eastsideTim PowerDork
4/19/22 5:36 p.m.

Regarding the Mazda5, I suspect it is quite a bit bigger than a Colt Vista.  IIRC, it's dimensions are closer to a 1st gen SWB Dodge Caravan.  A Honda Fit may be closer to a Vista, but doesn't have sliding doors.

CyberEric
CyberEric Dork
4/19/22 6:15 p.m.

Yeah Mazda 5 or Ford Transit Connect is what comes to mind. But I believe they are both larger than the Colt Vista. Both will drive better though. Prius V is another option.

Appleseed
Appleseed MegaDork
4/19/22 6:38 p.m.

Too bad the 5 can't swallow a Mazdaspeed 3 engine the way Colts could eat a boosted to the moon 4G63.

buzzboy
buzzboy SuperDork
4/19/22 7:16 p.m.

Mazdaspeed 5 does offer a little complication.

grover
grover GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/19/22 7:29 p.m.

Oh man- we had one when I was 15/16. It was way ahead of its time and waayyyyyyy underpowered. 3rd gear on small interstate hills was not uncommon. 

GTwannaB
GTwannaB GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/19/22 9:23 p.m.

Honda Fit?

1st gen Mazda MPV?

 

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/20/22 3:08 p.m.

It's been a hot minute since I was in a Vista, but as I recall they are WAY smaller than a Mazda5.... like two vehicle size classes.  Even smaller than a Mazda3.  Am I not remembering that right?

I came here to suggest a toaster.  xB, Soul, etc.  Ex wife had a boxy xB that refused to die and had TARDIS levels of interior space.  If you don't get that reference, watch Dr Who more.

pres589 (djronnebaum)
pres589 (djronnebaum) UltimaDork
4/20/22 3:29 p.m.

Suzuki SX4 hatch maybe?  Still a bit underpowered in my estimation (although not awfully so) and the mpg's should be better, but mine at least seems really well built (so also not really like a Mitsubishi...).

eastsideTim
eastsideTim PowerDork
4/20/22 5:11 p.m.

Did some quick checking on Wikipedia, and it turns out the Colt Vista was narrower than the 5 (and the Fit), but about the same length.  Going to the 2nd gen (which I could have sworn was sold as a Colt Vista in the US, but apparently only as the Mitsubishi Expo and the Eagle Summit Wagon), and it is about the same size of a Mazda5 overall.  The Fit is considerably shorter than both generations.

I would assume the Colt Vista may have a similar amount of interior space, even being narrower, just because of less safety structure.

stroker
stroker UberDork
4/21/22 10:43 a.m.

I have a very vague feeling I tried sitting in a Mazda 5 back in 2012 and there was nowhere near enough headroom for me (6'-3").   Too bad, as there are some nice ones for sale nearby...

eastsideTim
eastsideTim PowerDork
4/21/22 10:53 a.m.
stroker said:

I have a very vague feeling I tried sitting in a Mazda 5 back in 2012 and there was nowhere near enough headroom for me (6'-3").   Too bad, as there are some nice ones for sale nearby...

I wonder if you sat in a Grand Touring model with a sunroof.  I'm 6'0", and I think I have quite a bit of headroom.  I can't remember if the seat goes up or down, either.  I pretty much set my seating position when I bought mine, and haven't had to adjust it.  I think a Transit Connect will have more headroom.

Noddaz
Noddaz GRM+ Memberand UberDork
4/21/22 2:08 p.m.

A lowered CR-v

Exhibit A

 

eastsideTim
eastsideTim PowerDork
4/21/22 2:25 p.m.

In reply to Noddaz :

That looks way better than it should.

CyberEric
CyberEric Dork
4/21/22 5:51 p.m.

I'm 6'3" with a long torso and I fit just fine. But the one I drove may not have had sunroof.

The Scion xA and Soul can fit a lot of stuff, but don't seat as many as the 5. Same for the CRV. I can't think of anything other than the 5 and maybe the LWB Transit Connect that can fit 6. That's what made the Colt Vista interesting, those backwards rear seats allowed you to fit 6, maybe even 7.

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