To say that the 1981 Colt is not a big car is a bit of an understatement. Though it is supposed to seat four comfortably, two of those four would have to be either very small children or very large cats. But the Colt's small size is also an advantage for budget-conscious drivers, who love the Colt for its fuel economy and parking versatility in the city. Its light weight also makes it peppy enough on the road to qualify it as a fun drive.

The 1981 Colt came as a 2-door hatchback or 4-door Vista wagon. Seeing no need to mess with a good thing, the Colt kept its engine choices -- a 1.4, 1.6-liter I4. Both models were paired with a 4-speed twin stick manual transmission or optional 3-speed auto tran.

Not one to be ostentatious, the 1981 Colt offered few luxuries inside. Most desired features, such as air conditioning, power windows, and cassette player were optional. While the front seat was relatively roomy and comfortable, the back seat in the hatch was almost useless. The Vista wagon offered more practical cargo room for small families.