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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 76 of 77

#749 of 768 Re: What Happened to REAL Hatchbacks? [compensate] by iamz

Jul 22, 2010 (9:45 am)

Replying to: compensate (Jul 21, 2010 8:31 pm)
Scion TC is close to what you want but only three doors. The Fiesta's hatch isn't at 45 degrees but does have the hard cover. Check it out.

#750 of 768 Re: What Happened to REAL Hatchbacks? [compensate] by backy

Jul 22, 2010 (10:03 am)

Replying to: compensate (Jul 21, 2010 8:31 pm)
The Impreza is sloped in the back (not quite as much as the Elantra, which I have also), and looks pretty good I think.
 
Probably the closest to the old Elantra in anything priced reasonably is the Honda Crosstour. BMW has a 5 Series hatch that to my eyes has similar lines to the Elantra's, but real pricey.

#751 of 768 Re: What Happened to REAL Hatchbacks? [backy] by compensate

Jul 22, 2010 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jul 22, 2010 10:03 am)
I am glad to see someone else who like the traditional "hatchback" styling.
 
I am avoiding the expensive models - could never see the benefit of paying so much for a BMW or Mercedes when the quality of the Japanese and Korean cars is just as good (and the replacement parts are MUCH cheaper, too).
 
I looked at the Imprezza, but was not impressed with the gas mileage. It does have more slope to its hatch, looking better than the competition, but it still uses the soft retractable cargo cover.
 
I also looked at the Honda Crosstour, but it is out of my price range and does not come with a manual transmission option. I don't think you can get one any cheaper than about $29,000.
 
Thanks for the reply!!

#752 of 768 Re: What Happened to REAL Hatchbacks? [compensate] by backy

Jul 27, 2010 (8:15 am)

Replying to: compensate (Jul 22, 2010 12:38 pm)
I just heard about another option: 2011 Forte hatch. From photos, it looks not quite as swept back as the old Elantra, but moreso than most other hatches now. More like the Impreza. Might be worth a look--certainly should be in the right price range for you, and the FE on the Forte sedan is very good plust it should have a stick variant.

#753 of 768 Re: What Happened to REAL Hatchbacks? [backy] by compensate

Jul 27, 2010 (9:03 am)

Replying to: backy (Jul 27, 2010 8:15 am)
Thanks so much for the info! I will check into it!

#754 of 768 Re: What Happened to REAL Hatchbacks? [compensate] by backy

Aug 06, 2010 (6:12 pm)

Replying to: compensate (Jul 27, 2010 9:03 am)
I think I found the perfect hatch for you: Lancer Sportback. It has the fastback profile you want, comes with a stick, and isn't too expensive (under $18k with current incentives). I saw one the other day at my local Hyundai/Kia/Mitsu dealer when I brought my Elantra GT hatch in for an oil change. Pretty good looking hatch. Rare, also, if that is a plus for you.

#755 of 768 Re: whoops! [leomort] by genericaccount

Dec 20, 2010 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: leomort (Jan 25, 2001 11:38 am)
I lke that cor

#756 of 768 Forte hatch by backy

Dec 21, 2010 (7:51 am)

I saw the new Forte hatch while at my Hyundai/Kia dealer to have my Sonata serviced. It was a white EX, and covered with snow/ice, but even in plain white I really liked the lines of the car--reminded me of my '04 Elantra GT, and also the Impreza hatch. The back is a fastback style, but not so extreme to eliminate rear headroom. Could not see the interior due to the ice coating, but the sticker was about $19.5k and that was pretty loaded, with the 6AT, moonroof, Homelink, remote start, and wheel locks (standard alloys on the EX). I could do w/o all of those options except the AT, although I would not mind the moonroof. So l could see getting one of these for under $16k w/o the extras, once supply builds. Will have to take one for a drive once the weather improves--almost 4 feet of snow so far and it's not even winter yet!

#757 of 768 Helloooo, anyone there? by backy

Jan 07, 2012 (5:16 pm)

Kinda dead here. But this is a pertinent topic for me as I am working on narrowing down the choice of my next car among several compact hatches. The main candidates right now, in alphabetical order, are:
 
Ford Focus SE 5MT: Plusses are a slick 5-speed stick, composed chassis, excellent EPA fuel economy numbers, and a flat load floor. Also it will likely be the lowest priced car (if purchased new) with available discounts and incentives. Minuses are, I'm not crazy about the dash design, the rear seat is a little tight for legroom, and the standard wheel covers aren't very nice looking (and alloys are an expensive option).
 
Mazda3i Touring 6MT: Plusses are a sweet 6-speed short-throw stick, great handling, excellent EPA fuel economy numbers, standard alloys, and standard Bluetooth. Minuses are limited exterior colors (no red for example), no USB port, and price is high in the group.
 
Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 5MT: Plusses are AWD, good handling (based on a drive of a Limited sedan), standard alloys and Bluetooth, and a flat load floor. Minuses are low EPA fuel economy for the group, and a high price for the group.
 
VW Golf 2-door 5MT: Plusses are great interior quality, composed ride and handling, exceptional driver's seat, smooth shifter, low list price for the group, and 3 years of covered maintenance. Minuses are only 2 doors, low EPA fuel economy for the group, limited interior colors (black only), and a center console and Bluetooth are extra cost ($600, which includes bun warmers).
 
I've driven all of these except the Impreza, which I've only driven in Limited sedan trim with the CVT. The ride of that car was a little harsh, but it had 17" alloys vs. the 16" wheels on the Premium.
 
FE is important in the decision, but I've found I can't go only by the EPA numbers. For example, when I tested the Golf I got over 40 mpg on the highway, at 60-65 mph. That plus my experience owning a somewhat similar car (2007 Rabbit) tells me I should be able to exceed the car's EPA ratings. The Focus exceeded its EPA highway rating in my test (mostly highway), while the Mazda3 was just under but it was a cold day and my route included some suburban streets in addition to highways. The Impreza Premium also exceed its EPA highway number in my test (mostly highway).
 
One advantage of the Golf is that it's available as a VW CPO car with the same design as the current car, at a considerable savings over a new car. The Focus, Impreza, and Mazda3 Skyactiv are all brand-new so would not be easily available as a used car.
 
Next I plan to drive the Impreza 5MT, as soon as I can find one!

#758 of 768 Re: Helloooo, anyone there? [backy] by joegiant

Jan 09, 2012 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 07, 2012 5:16 pm)
No "sub-compacts" in the group for consideration, backy? That new 2012 Kia Rio hatch kinda caught my eye when I drove by the dealership the other day. Appears to be leap years ahead of the old Rio. Direct injection engine hitting 40mpg and all and the pricepoint appears to be very reasonable. Not sure what the Big Sis Hyundai is up to with their full MSRP prices of late. Could today's Kia be yesterday's Hyundai in the "value" department? One problem though on the Rio, you seem to be looking only at MT's. Unfotunately one can only get the manual in the lower level LX version. Not the upper level EX and SX models. Grrrrr...

Messages Page 76 of 77

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