help me get a hatchback

[lowwall]

Check out the reviews -

Versa - http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=115699
Fit - http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=115699
Yaris - http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=109860
Accent - http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=115397
xA - http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=99256
xB - http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=96931

Note the Accent and Scion tests are not the current model year, but there haven't been major changes since these reviews.

Even though the Versa looks like the best tradeoff in terms of space and price, I'd worry about its reliability. Nissan has been cutting corners of late and even worse this is basically a Renault design. Hyundais on the other hand have been getting better, and they have a great warranty. The Yaris is built to a price and shows it. The Scions and Fit will likely have the best reliability, but of course they cost more.

What about an off-lease xB?

 

[TSandM]

It's well above your cutoff, but I can tell you I am ecstatic with my Audi station wagon. It has the small (1.4) engine with turbo, and has plenty of power to pass on the freeway. It's comfortable and quiet and well appointed. And it'll hold two people's gear for a day's diving with only a little creative packing. It gets good gas mileage and it's fun to drive. And it's all wheel drive, which probably isn't an issue for you in Florida . . .

Bob has a Honda Element, which is a mobile dive shop, but it's an SUV and pretty utilitarian if you are looking for a passenger vehicle. The Audi manages to be a dive car and still dress up pretty well when necessary (once you have gotten the detritus of a great many diving days out of it).

 

[RV]

go with a used pacer..... jk

 

[H2Andy]

hehe... nice, Hoggie (just the other day i was reading an essay called "Did the Pacer kill AMC")

lowwall, lynne, thank you for the suggestions

this is getting harder and harder...

so far, the impressions are:

Versa: sluggish due to extra hp
Yaris: Anemic power, poor interior design
Fit: pretty much all good ... small car power, though
Accent: painfully slow to accelerate, especially at high speeds
Scion: pretty much all good ... again, low power

so ... if you can live with the low power, the Sentra, Fit, and Scion seem to be leading the pack

others in slighly higher price range that i am considering now:

Toyota Matrix
Suzuki Aereo SX
Ford Focus
Pontiac Vibe

 

[nauifins73]

I love my Tahoe - it has a hatchback

 

[aquaoren]

I have a VW Golf and it has plenty of space. The new Rebbit is the newer model and is great also.
What I'd suggest is: Get yourself a used VW Jetta Wagon with a Diesel engine. Solid built and great fuel economy and much more space that everything else mentioned here. You may find a used one for the $$$ you've mentioned.

 

[Penopolypants]

I drive a 2001 Subaru Outback Sport. The new version (the WRX sport) is way above your price range, and mine too, but I bought mine used two years ago for $12K.

The Sport is actually the hatchback version of the Impreza, which is subaru's sports car, so it has lots of space, AWD, handles like a sports car, it's super peppy, and since it's lighter than the regular Outback, it gets pretty good mileage.

Two people's dive gear and 6 tanks fit beautifully.

 

[alcina]

How about a Subaru - outback? Not sure the name of them? Is that too pricey? Have no idea what they are in the US.

I have one and adore it. It has stupid cup holders but beyond that it's a perfect car for a ton of gear and our two Ridgebacks (not at the same time - the Girls HATE to share with the dive gear!)

oops, didn't see peno's post!

 

[Penopolypants]

How about a Subaru - outback? Not sure the name of them? Is that too pricey? Have no idea what they are in the US.

I have one and adore it. It has stupid cup holders but beyond that it's a perfect car for a ton of gear and our two Ridgebacks (not at the same time - the Girls HATE to share with the dive gear!)

oops, didn't see peno's post!

No problem! I agree with the stupid cup holders.....what were they thinking?

 

[H2Andy]

hmmmm... that Subaro Outback (Sport) does look attractive

it starts at $19,195, with all-wheel drive, independent suspension, and a 2.5L engine with 173 hp ... sounds fun to drive