Totally agree! I've only been driving mine for about a month, but I look for reasons to drive it. So much fun. I should make a commission on every one of my friends that will end up buying/leasing one. I still have my ICE car - mainly because it's not worth selling, and it's a Mercedes, and my female friend tells me I have to keep it because women like nice cars... Women, are, for the most part, idiots. (OK, that wasn't very nice!) I mean, is there a single woman on this forum?
My guy friends are all over it. Female friends think it's "cute". If it was a Tesla, there'd be no issue. But, I don't care. I'll take the woman out a few times in the MBZ and if we get something going longer term, it's the Spark from then on.
Things I love about it:
1) Surprisingly clean and loud stereo.
2) SPEED. So fun to drive. It accelerates effortlessly. so smooth.
3) Gauge package. The best on ANY car I've ever owned or seen, period. Personally, I prefer it over the Tesla. Big, colorful, easy to read, very intuitive, and fun/functional.
4) Bluetooth apps, so I can run Pandora from my phone, and actually see the songs on the dash. Bringo is pretty cool, but it's not Google; doesn't give you the time estimates, which I rely on, but it's cool looking and functional.
5) Hatchback. You can fit tons of stuff in a hatchback.
6) Head-room. And it comfortable fits four people. I'm 6'4" and it's comfy enough for me even in the back seat.
7) I like the body style. It's quirky, but it's not kinda goofy, like the Leaf.
8) The price. I mean... it's a free car. The savings in gas and maintenance completely covers the full - and I mean everything - expense of owning this even as a SECOND car, (extra insurance and registration, etc). Assuming you fill up your tank in your ICE car once a week,m anyway.
Overall, it's just a really, really, well thought out car. If this thing went 200 miles on a charge - even 150 - I'd never trade it in. But, the main thing is it's just plain FUN to drive.
If I had to pick a thing or two I don't lkike, it would be:
1) Obviously, battery life. It works for me for 80%, or more, of my needs, but it's JUST a tiny bit short. Another 20 mile range and it would be perfect. But, I can deal with it, and it's not a deal-breaker.
2) Quality of the doors. I like something that feels solid and shuts with a satisfying thud, like a luxury car does. But, again, minor, especially given the price point - comparatively speaking. For $28k, you expect a little more in the door-closing satisfaction department.
3) No arm rest on the left for the passenger seat. What's up with that? I have long arms and could use it, myself, from the drivers side. And, the door arm rests could be better padded.
4) The car could be a few inches wider.
But, the negatives are truly minor. You can't have everything in any car - or anyTHING, in life.