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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

#3475 of 3820 ronald711... by iluvmysephia1 Apr 10, 2006 (8:15 pm)
I look forward to seeing what happens with your Yaris base sedan. The two I am looking at are both 2007 Toyota Yaris base sedans, both in 5-speed form and Power Packages. The question I will have when test driving is this: the one in Barcelona Red paint job includes a "Northwest" dealer prep.package that runs $500. The sticker on that one(I won't bother detailing everything it does and does not have on it)comes to $14,589. BTW-it has the airbag option that includes rear side curtain and front-seat mounted side and side curtain airbags, a nice thing to have installed from the get-go.   Along comes this one in Nautical Blue, a very dark blue metallic paint job that looks very good to me, it comes in just a few days ago and they have yet to post it up on their website as a Yaris that they have for sale now. Obviously it is, though, because it's on their lot with the sticker on the window. This one has the Power Package, stereo, airbags, etc., like the Barcelona Red one but this blue one doesn't add the NW Protection package of $500. It's sticker price is $14,080. Wow, $500 less. As soon as I find a salesman to talk about the Yarii with I'm gonna ask them what gives there? Will they knock the $500 NW Protection Package price off the red one and sell it to me for the $14,080 the blue one costs? How do I really know that they did anything to the red Yaris sedan that should cost $500 more?   Oh, I'm gonna have to watch the tracking on the Yaris steering. According to C&D the steering is too sensitive, the new electronic-assist steering overdoes it to the point that the lightweight sedan(the Yaris sedan only weighs 2,377 lbs.)is not able to track on the freeway properly. They say that over 55mph you will want to have two hands constantly on the wheel. I'll want to "feel" that one for myself. Also, evidently the seat doesn't properly support your full thigh. Reminds me of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata problem. One that I wonder if Hyundai has taken care of yet. Or retro-fitted a TSB fix or something.   Anyhoo-go check out that Honda Fit if it interests you. I don't like it's styling much so I won't pursue it. C&D raves on and on about what a great rig the Fit is.
#3476 of 3820 Re: Edmunds' test [backy] by tenpin288 Apr 11, 2006 (4:23 am)
Replying to: backy (Apr 10, 2006 7:22 pm) If you can get your hands on the current issue of Autoweek, they have something about the Fit, Versa, and Yaris. Long story short, they are impressed by the Fit, don't have much to say yet on the Versa as it was only a preview, and the 3 drivers that tested the Yaris for a week in the Driver's Log were somewhat less than impressed. In fact they were 2 to 1 that there are better buys for your money than the Yaris. The same info should be on their website next week.
#3477 of 3820 Re: The one thing I will say about the edmunds.com review of the Yaris [alpha01] by backy Apr 11, 2006 (4:40 am)
Replying to: alpha01 (Apr 10, 2006 7:24 pm) alpha, what are your driving impressions of the Yaris and its competitors like the Accent? Do you prefer the Yaris?
#3478 of 3820 I have not driven the Yaris or Accent by alpha01 Apr 11, 2006 (7:52 am)
However, I continue to applaud Hyundai's excellent recent offerings, and the Accent is not an exception. I enjoyed your review, backy, because I thought it took the vehicles into account for what they are- small, commuter cars. What I mean by this is that Car and Driver dinged the Accent and Reno, and less so, the Yaris, for body roll and less than sporting handling. Yes, I'm used to this from C/D, but there comes a point in which professionals should disassociate their priorties from the journalism, and take into account more of what the buyers of the group of cars is going to look after. Certainly an idealistic view, and sorry for the rant... getting back.   I am impressed by the Accent. I am not impressed with Hyundai's decision to decontent next year and make ABS optional, just as I am disappointed that neither ABS or Side Curtains are standard on the Yaris. Most of what I don't like about the Yaris has to do with price- the way I've configured them, the Yaris is about $800 more than a comparably equipped Accent at MSRP. In my opinion, the "S" Yaris is a terrible marketing choice for Toyota, at least at its ridiculous premium over the base Sedan. So many reviews now have stated that the Yaris is overpriced, thats going to quickly become perception. The reality is that a similar base sedan is not disporportionately more expensive than Toyotas have been vs. Hyundais in the past.   The issue now is that Hyundais of the past left much to be desired, the new ones do not.   Not having driven the Yaris, on paper if I had the extra cash I'd take it on the following: 1) Stronger Motor (in terms of actual acceleration) 2) Better Manual Trans 4) Better Real World MPG 3) Personal Preference- Styling. I'd say I like the Yaris' instrumentation better, but the placement leaves much to be desired. Toyota is foolhardy to continue placing guages on the center stack when consumers and critics alike (in this country) have voiced discontent.   The distinct advantages likely in resale and MPG would offset the price difference, but theres no way in hell I would buy the overpriced "S" model.   Honestly, both the Versa and Fit interest me more. Having obviously not driven both, from what I've read, both are very appealing. Unfortunately, I find the sedan and hatch versions of the Versa so unattractive, I don't know if I could buy them.   Thanks for asking my opinion, I appreciated yours.   ~alpha Replies to this message: backy (Apr 11, 2006 8:09 am)
#3479 of 3820 Re: I have not driven the Yaris or Accent [alpha01] by backy Apr 11, 2006 (8:09 am)
Replying to: alpha01 (Apr 11, 2006 7:52 am) If the Yaris had a more adjustable driver's seat, I could live with the car. I'm not crazy about the dash layout and little things like placement of cupholders and lack of little cubbies for stuff, but I could live with it. I'd take the tan interior to avoid the austerity of the all-black interior. I could stick some bodyside moldings on. Performance-wise, I thought the Yaris was fine for what it is--a small, economical around-town car. Power was adequate for me even with the automatic. Handling was acceptable; the Fit is probably better based on what I've read, but for my needs the Yaris would do just fine. The other main issue is price, as you have noted also. It would be hard for me to justify the extra money over an Accent, given that I don't put that many miles on a car and I'll be keeping it for many years, so the resale value of the Yaris doesn't help me but the Accent's long warranty does.   The Fit and Versa look more appealing to me right now than anything else in this class, although I was disappointed by the recent downgrading of the Versa's estimated fuel economy. I'll drive both when I can. But the urgency is not there for me anymore, since I decided last Saturday to get my DW a used minivan and take her '04 Elantra GT until it is time to turn it over to my middle child in 2.5-3 years. So I'll have a lot of time to study the small-car market, get all the owner experiences and crash test results, and see what happens with the hybrid options (Accent, Rio, maybe the Fit) before I have to plunk down my money for one. Meanwhile I will enjoy my Rally Red Elantra GT.
#3480 of 3820 It's cool to not have to make by iluvmysephia1 Apr 11, 2006 (8:15 am)
purchase decisions and just casually watch for reviews and test drive, etc., isn't it?   I remain interested in the Yaris base sedan and now know which things to look out for in the test drive. The Rio twins would no doubt get a test drive from me, too.   The Fit looks choppy and weak in the looks department to me. No way I'd buy one. The Versa earned 2nd place among the 7 econo-cars in the C&D test, but it has that goofy Nissan look to it that doesn't work for me. Nissan and I don't see eye-to-eye...their little Micra is an exception, but they are afraid nobody will buy it in America because it's too small. They're probably right.   Kia and Toyota remain my two front-runners until a nice $8,000 Chinese subcompact can push them out of the way.   Just kidding. Sort of. Replies to this message: alpha01 (Apr 11, 2006 9:55 am)
#3481 of 3820 Re: It's cool to not have to make [iluvmysephia1] by alpha01 Apr 11, 2006 (9:55 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Apr 11, 2006 8:15 am) "Kia and Toyota remain my two front-runners until a nice $8,000 Chinese subcompact can push them out of the way. "   I've read that the Geely's safety is no where NEAR US-spec, so that might be some time.   ~alpha
#3482 of 3820 I know, alpha01... by iluvmysephia1 Apr 11, 2006 (10:38 am)
fortunately, like I said, I'm in no rush.   It's gonna be fun to see who's gonna be brave with their cash first regarding Chinese car purchases.   I am not against trying a new product, heck, I bought a Kia Sephia in 1999 when a lot of people would just as soon jump off a tall building with an extra-long bungee cord tied to their ankles than buy a Kia, hence my interest in the new Chinese attempts...I...I mean Chinese vehicles on their way to America.   Their sedans will pert-near all fit in this thread's purchase cost confines, BTW, huh? Replies to this message: randydriver (Apr 12, 2006 7:47 pm)
#3483 of 3820 Re: I know, alpha01... [iluvmysephia1] by randydriver Apr 12, 2006 (7:47 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Apr 11, 2006 10:38 am) what cars are you talking about from china?
#3484 of 3820 I'm talking about the message the by iluvmysephia1 Apr 12, 2006 (8:55 pm)
other day from Geely Motors in China that they are going to branch out and not just make cars with GM, VW, etc. in joint ventures but make their own vehicle product themselves and ship them to the U.S. for sale. Also S.A.I.C.has made similar pronouncements.   Probably the most prominent one and the one that I first heard about was the Visionary Vehicles Ltd.group from Malcolm Bricklin. Read about them here:   http://www.vvcars.com/main.html   The latest announcement was that Geely Motors of China was going to beat Bricklin's Visionary Vehicles Ltd.group (Chery Chinese-made automobiles)to America by a good 6-12 months or so. Stay tuned on that one.   If you have a fortune laying around and want to start up your own Chery dealership through Bricklin you certainly can. Read about the stipulations at the link I provided there.   BTW-I don't think that Bricklin's Chery's can be called Chery's here in the States. Chevy raised hell about it and sued so Bricklin agreed to use another name. Stay tuned and you'll be seeing the stories of Chinese cars plastered all over the news here, it's really not that long before they arrive here.

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