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Low End Sedans (under $16k)

3820 messages,  Last post on Nov 24, 2008 at 9:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota ECHO, Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio, Nissan Sentra, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Kia Spectra, Suzuki Forenza, Sedan

#3425 of 3820 C&D comparison by ctalk Mar 27, 2006 (2:59 pm)
1) Honda Fit 2) Nissan Versa 3) Kia Rio5 4) Toyota Yaris 5) Hyundai Accent 6) Dodge Caliber 7) Suzuki Reno   The Fit Sport was listed as such: Highs: Overtly sporty handling, classy interior, quick-witted in all its moves.   Lows: Mediocre rear-three-quarter visability, no dead pedal   "What truly set the Fit apart was its handling-Not a pretense of handling but the real deal, with springs and struts that allowed one gentle rebound and no more, the only car here that felt happy storming the switchback. We later confirmed this when the Fit sailed through our lane change test 6 mph faster than anything else here-faster in fact, than a Corvette Z06."   The Verdict: The go-kart of economobiles.   Basically it wasn't even close, the Fit won the test by 25 points. The only other car that was given any cred was the Versa, which is supposed to have good ride quality and a nice back seat. The honda had the highest score in the following categories:   Driver comfort Ergonomics Fit and Finish Interior styling Exterior styling 1/4 mile acceleration Fuel economy (tied with Yaris) Engine NVH (noise vibration and harshness) Transmission Performance Steering feel Brake feel Handling Ride Gotta-have-it-factor Fun to drive   - Taken from C&D forum Replies to this message: backy (Apr 01, 2006 8:15 pm) alpha01 (Apr 02, 2006 10:10 am)
#3426 of 3820 ross 14 by ross14 Apr 01, 2006 (6:08 pm)
Showroom observations: 4 door Accent is acceptable. Exterior nice, & front seat adjustable. 4 door Yaris is uninspired, & carries on as a restyled Echo. It makes the discounted Corolla look very attractive. My jaw dropped on seeing the Yaris hatchback. Original design, with tons of "Panache". I've owned a Fiat 600, bug-eyed Sprite, & a Citroen ID-19. This 2 door Yaris will begin another legend. The interior is HUGE. The seat cloth is rich in color, texture, & design. From the drivers seat, everything appears artfully designed, with a vast sense of openess. The back seats feel as comfortable, & spacious as the front. The car is a winner on the showroom floor. Hope its a winner on the move.
#3427 of 3820 Re: C&D comparison [ctalk] by backy Apr 01, 2006 (8:15 pm)
Replying to: ctalk (Mar 27, 2006 2:59 pm) The way I read the review, the Fit is the little car to have if you spend your time in the car carving canyons. And the Versa is the little car to have if you spend your time in the car commuting and running errands. Hmmm... which of those sounds more typical? There aren't many canyons to carve where I live, in the Midwest.   The Rio5 came out surprisingly well... beat Toyota even. The main rub on the Rio5 seemed to be the stick shift. I've driven the automatic and it was pretty smooth, and peppy enough. Plus it returns better fuel economy than the stick. Same negative on the Accent, but it didn't have the hatch versatility and was also softer sprung than the Rio5... again, fine for commuting over pot-holed roads, not so good for canyon carving.   I find it very interesting that the article couldn't spare even a few words to note that the Accent and Rio5 (and I think the Reno) have the most adjustable driver's seats of the bunch, with a two-way height adjuster. They mentioned the down side of not having that feature--e.g. the Versa's front seat cushions were "flat"--but I find it odd they neglected to mention this important aspect of a car--driving position and comfort. Probably were too busy raving about how many ways the Fit's back seat adjusts.   I still think rating a car that has no dead pedal and no seat height adjuster tops in driver comfort and ergonomics is very odd. They also noted the Versa has a superior ride, so I am not sure how they could rate the Fit tops in ride. Replies to this message: alpha01 (Apr 02, 2006 10:10 am)
#3428 of 3820 Easy, backy... by iluvmysephia1 Apr 02, 2006 (7:48 am)
Honda's their pet. Anything Honda cranks out wins, hands down. Their reviews really have to be taken with a grain of sea-salt. Replies to this message: alpha01 (Apr 02, 2006 10:08 am) backy (Apr 02, 2006 11:12 am)
#3429 of 3820 Re: Easy, backy... [iluvmysephia1] by alpha01 Apr 02, 2006 (10:08 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Apr 02, 2006 7:48 am) Thats such BS. Honda makes cars that cater to their preferences- precision oriented, finely tuned driving machines. Hmmnn... come to think of it... Honda tops Consumer Reports' ratings for most of the categories it competes in as well... maybe C/D and CR have some crazy alliance that none of us knows about, since C/D routinely mocks CR (but makes similar recommendations).   ~alpha
#3430 of 3820 Re: C&D comparison [backy] by alpha01 Apr 02, 2006 (10:10 am)
Replying to: backy (Apr 01, 2006 8:15 pm) The Rio5 and Accent were pretty dang slow, too, given similar power outputs to the other vehicles. 10.2 seconds to 60 with a manual transmission is really anemic these days. They also weren't that great in fuel efficiency, but the braking numbers posted were REALLY impressive (same could be said for Yaris).   165 from 70! Thats practically sports car territory!   ~alpha
#3431 of 3820 alpha01... by iluvmysephia1 Apr 02, 2006 (10:31 am)
does that include the 2007 Toyota Yaris sedan?   A 5-speed one in Barcelona Red Metallic just came in to my local dealer and I'm considering a test drive.   Yeah, I have heard of the 2006 Rio's great braking and slaloming abilites, besting the 2006 Audi A3 even.   Slow 0-60 times mean absolutely nothing to me as I like to drive in a humane, civil way (usually).
#3432 of 3820 Re: Easy, backy... [iluvmysephia1] by backy Apr 02, 2006 (11:12 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Apr 02, 2006 7:48 am) I don't think it's Honda so much as anything that handles great, C/D loves, no matter what. So a few years ago they ranked the Protege the top small car because it had the best handling, even though it had a harsh ride, not very good fuel economy, and a relatively high price for the field. The Civic finished fifth in that comparo I think, and they called it "a loser." So C/D doesn't always put Honda on top. But in this comparo, the Fit was the best handling car so that's what wound up as their #1. Very predictable.
#3433 of 3820 Handling in nyc by ross14 Apr 02, 2006 (3:16 pm)
Also took a test drive in a Mazda protege top model. Best handling small car, but useless on city streets, because of horrendous ride. If you want handling throw on Konis. I prefer a manufacturer that can make a car that is quiet, comfortable, & supple riding. City streets, with potholes, & highways congested with traffic, require topnotch brakes, & minimal handling. I'm hoping the Accent Hatchback, with some suspension tweaks, will be a econo wiz. Replies to this message: backy (Apr 02, 2006 4:59 pm)
#3434 of 3820 Re: Handling in nyc [ross14] by backy Apr 02, 2006 (4:59 pm)
Replying to: ross14 (Apr 02, 2006 3:16 pm) The Accent SE is supposed to have a "sport suspension", so it might give you want you want without any tweaks needed. It will be interesting to see what C/D says about that car. It's also interesting they did not include it in their small car comparo, since it is due out before the Versa is. Maybe they decided to test only 4-door (or 5-door) cars.

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