I've just gotten this little car and yes it is small but seems to me to have enough power for what it is. this is the 16 valve version and moves pretty well. You say your mother had two... something she must have liked about the first to purchase another? This is a familiar story with these from speaking with people. My brother had one, then when it was time for a new car again he bought another and a Vue for his wife. My neighbor had one given to him, beat the snot out of it, gave it to his nephew with 245,000 miles on it and... bought another. If i can get near 25/36 mpg I will be very happy. BTW, this one is loaded with a/c, power moonroof, power windows , cruise and the back seats fold down to join the trunk so I can carry light but bulky loads. Did I mention the color is purple? I didn't buy it as a chick magnet... thats what the 745t (eeewwwww a station wagon) is for.