Commute, Toy and Destroy – Cadillac Escalade EXT Vs Smart Fortwo Vs Chrysler 200 Convertible
We are back with the latest installment of ‘Commute, Toy or Destroy’ where this week the choices will make you cringe with indecision.
Once again, we present to you, our faithful readers, a choice of three vehicles. We are asking you to decide which one you would make your daily driver, which one would be restored for weekend use, and which one always was a lost cause, and should remain so.
Remember, that commuter car you must live with every day, all year round. The toy would only be available to you for the odd drive, and the final car is best put to rest 10-feet under ground.
This week we are doing something a little different. We have assembled three vehicles that have amassed more hate than appreciation over the years for various reason. Not necessarily bad vehicles, the haters never shy away from mocking these vehicles whenever they get the chance. Well, here you go – hate away at the smart fortwo, Chrysler 200 Convertible and the Cadillac Escalade EXT.
Cadillac Escalade EXT
When big trucks were still all the rage, Cadillac wanted to maximize profits off the Escalade range and began creating spinoffs of the manufacturer’s luxury SUV. Joining the regular sized Escalade was the extended length Suburban based ESV, and the quasi-pickup truck Escalade EXT that based off the Chevrolet Avalanche. The thought of a luxurious quad-cab pickup truck with a removable mid-gate seemed great to some, but worse than a Godfather remake to others.
Chrysler 200 Convertible
The poor Chrysler Sebring had a rough life. Constantly berated by the automotive press, the Sebring did nothing well and was outmatched by the competition. When Fiat rolled in and reinvented the Sebring into the 200, things looked up. But even Eminem couldn’t make this car cool and the 200 Convertible is still thought of as the vehicle of choice for Florida retirees and rental car companies.
smart fortwo
Being the smallest vehicle on sale in a country historically obsessed with rolling land yachts, things were never going to go smoothly for the smart. If the fortwo was a terrifically built vehicle, than maybe it would have only been relegated to distain from those ignorant to the fortwo’s charms like maneuverability, efficiency and ease of parking. But unfortunately, it was also outfitted with one of the worst modern transmission on the market and, uh, unique styling.
A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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Commute: Chrysler 200 Convertible Since Chrysler seems to have corrected some of the reliability issues that affected the Sebring, it might be worth getting one if SquareTrade will extend the warranty. (My parents had a bad history with Chrysler, as have several of my buddies.) Toy: Cadillac Escalade Sure, the fuel economy is absolute rubbish, and it handles like a cow, but the ride is sublime, and you can take friends and family out in comfort. Destroy: Smart fortwo Even though three of my friends have and love this thing, I just can't see making a daily driver of it, and I don't know that I'd want to try cornering in one at more than, say, 5/10. Plus, it wouldn't take much time to destroy it.
Love the Smart Fortwo, but admittedly I never drive it in the auto mode, just in the manual mode. But please don't drive one if you haven't made peace with God. LOL!