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Which Hatchback?

768 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2012 at 2:54 PM

You are in the Hatchbacks Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Mazda Protege5, Suzuki Aerio, Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 75 of 77

#739 of 768 Re: Elantra Touring [backy] by doohickie

Aug 25, 2008 (4:02 pm)

Replying to: backy (Aug 24, 2008 10:03 am)
The other cars I would put into the discussion alongside the Fit are the Kia Rio5 and Spectra5. The Spectra at this point is essentially a last-generation Elantra with a different skin. If you're an Elantra lover (back, this means you), the Spec5 is a very comparable car. The Rio5 is a little smaller, about the size of the Fit. I test drove the Rio Sedan when I was car shopping in 05, and if the hatch version had been available I might have gone for it.

#740 of 768 Re: Elantra Touring [doohickie] by backy

Aug 25, 2008 (6:22 pm)

Replying to: doohickie (Aug 25, 2008 4:02 pm)
Given the rather high price point of the Spectra5, and the fact it doesn't have some equipment I consider essential e.g. ESC, I'd rather wait a bit for the new Elantra Touring. Also the Spectra will be replaced soon--not sure if the new car will still be called Spectra here, or Forte.
 
The Rio5 doesn't cost much less than the base Fit but has inferior crash protection, among several other deficiencies compared to the Fit. So I'll pass on that one too.

#741 of 768 Re: Elantra Touring [backy] by gregg_vw

Aug 29, 2008 (11:07 am)

Replying to: backy (Aug 25, 2008 6:22 pm)
Have you considered the Suzuki SX4 hatchback? You can get it in FWD (better mpg than AWD) with ESC and lots of other goodies (keyless go, standard nav system).

#742 of 768 Re: Elantra Touring [gregg_vw] by backy

Aug 29, 2008 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Aug 29, 2008 11:07 am)
Yes, I did consider it but from what I've seen I prefer the Elantra Touring or even something like the Rabbit or Impreza 2.5i wagon.

#743 of 768 Mazda3 vs. Honda Fit??? by tacostand

Sep 18, 2008 (7:31 am)

I've been looking for a new car and after driving the 2009 Matrix, 2009 Fit, and Mazda3 hatch, it's between the Fit and the Mazda. I'm also interested in the Elantra Touring. But I haven't been able to find anything about an anticipated release date.
 
For driving alone, I really prefer the Mazda3. I need to try the Honda again, because the dealer was a jerk and didn't give me much time with the car. But the Mazda has a much nicer finish on the inside, and I really like the way it drives. I guess another plus for the Mazda is that I can get ESC. I don't know how important this is - but if it really is an important safety feature, I'll get it. (I know ESC is available with the Fit, but I'm not going to pay an extra $1500 for ESC with Nav.)
 
The big issue for me with the Mazda is gas mileage. From a Mazda thread on MPG, it sounds like most people in the hatchback get about 25mpg combines, and around 30 on the highway. I'm in an old Civic hatch now, and get about 32 combined. So going down 7mpg to 25 sounds pretty bad.
 
The main plus for the Fit is fuel economy. I also have more confidence in Honda reliability than Mazda (my current civic has 178k with few problems). But for a new car, I think they should both be pretty good. Before my tests drives yesterday, I was really prepared to love the Fit over everything else. But I was just a little disappointed with the finish on the inside and the way it drove. It felt a little cheap to me on the inside. I know it's an economy car - so cheap isn't bad. But the Mazda finish was a lot nicer. The driving on the Fit was ok. But as I said, I really didn't have much time in it, and the dealer was kind of distracting with his chatter. But it wasn't nearly as fun as the Mazda. I realize that the 3 vs the Fit may not be a fair comparison - maybe it's a little bit of apples vs oranges. The Mazda engine is much bigger - so it makes sense that it's more fun to drive and also gets worse mpg.
 
Anyone else comparing these two vehicles side by side? Thoughts?

#744 of 768 Re: Mazda3 vs. Honda Fit??? [tacostand] by backy

Sep 18, 2008 (7:52 am)

Replying to: tacostand (Sep 18, 2008 7:31 am)
As you've already realized I think, it comes down to a car you prefer driving more vs. fuel economy, and maybe reliability (although the 3 has been pretty reliable and is a mature design, while the Fit is a brand-new design and new Honda designs are not unknown to have teething pains, cf. 2006 Civic). So do the math, figure out how much more the gas for the 3 will cost you based on how you drive, and decide if the extra cost is worth it for a car you like better overall except for FE.
 
Another thought: the 3 hasn't changed much since 2004. So you could get a pre-owned 3s hatch for less than the Fit, and the savings could make up for the FE difference. You could get the extended Mazda warranty if you are concerned about repairs, and it would still probably come out less than the Fit Sport.

#745 of 768 PLEASE HELP! THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM by thirdgennewie

Sep 26, 2009 (9:33 pm)

Hi i just bought a 91 camaro rs 305 and it drove fine for an hour then i turned it off and back on and alot of fuel is being dumoed onto the butterfly valves and the car just shuts off within a couple of seconds, the throttle body also makes a loud hissing noise but another time i started her up ttheir wasnt as much fuel on top and the noise was gone but the car shut right back off....if you could give me any advice that would be greatly appreciated. thnx joey

#746 of 768 Re: PLEASE HELP! THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM [thirdgennewie] by backy

Sep 27, 2009 (9:51 am)

Replying to: thirdgennewie (Sep 26, 2009 9:33 pm)
You might have better luck finding someone who can answer your question in one of the Camaro discussions, like this one:
 
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f116e5c/42#MSG42

#747 of 768 What Happened to REAL Hatchbacks? by compensate

Jul 21, 2010 (8:31 pm)

I currently own a 2001 Elantra GT. I bought it because I wanted a 5-door with a true hatchback. I am nearing 225,000 miles and would like another 5-door, but every one I have seen is what I call a wagon.
 
A true hatchback has a rear window/hatch that is sloped around 45 degrees (give or take) and has a hard hatch deck (cargo cover) that hangs from the hatch door and drops into place when the hatch is closed. The 2001-2005 Elantra GTs were like this, as were the Mazda 626 hatchbacks of the late 80s.
 
Every 5-door I see now has gone the "wagon" approach. The rear window/hatch is much more vertical and the cargo cover is some sort of soft retractable material. I really do not like this design and am very sad to see that the true hatchback design seems to have disappeared.
 
Does anyone know if there are any true 5-door hatchbacks out there (for sale in the USA) that I have missed (based on my definition above)? If so, you will make my day if you can point me in the right direction!

#748 of 768 Re: What Happened to REAL Hatchbacks? [compensate] by la4mead

Jul 22, 2010 (9:44 am)

Replying to: compensate (Jul 21, 2010 8:31 pm)
I like the Mazda 3 (wagon?) which comes in a hatchback. I'm not sure if they use the more desirable hard cover or if it's the roller-shade type. I've owned both and also prefer the swinging cover to the roller shade type, but I've gotten over that. I also prefer the long, flatter angled 5 door style like your GT, but these days there aren't many like that.
Good luck!

Messages Page 75 of 77

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