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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

#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.
#3485 of 3820 it's funny by nippononly Apr 14, 2006 (6:41 am)
all I hear about the Yaris here on the boards is people looking for 3-doors, and all the dealers are getting is sedans, mostly because that is 80% of what Toyota is building.   It's also funny how people, especially reviewers, are getting hung up on the center-mount IP. I appreciate they are not everyone's cup of tea, but it might be going a little far to say that "consumers and critics alike" are barking about them. Scions have been selling briskly to consumers that clearly didn't think the gauges were such a problem that they didn't want the car. I suspect the Yaris will sell decently as well, regardless of the gauge locations.   Now, will it outsell Aveo and Accent? Nope, I think not. If you are a safety gear fan, as so many are these days, both of those and the Fit also will prove cheaper to buy (and easier to find) the way you want them than the Yaris. And I agree, the Yaris S is such a waste of time - it is the only model that is not a good value proposition - too high-priced relative to other cars in the market, including the Corolla. All it does is add the convenience package from the base model, plus the cosmetic skirts and other junk. For about $1500 extra, I will skip that, thank you very much.   I do love the looks of the 3-door, though. It may yet tempt me to a purchase. But not the sedan.
#3486 of 3820 I love the 3-door Yaris by randydriver Apr 14, 2006 (7:43 pm)
I love the 3-door and would think about getting one. I do not care for the sedan though it looks .....old. I was at the Dallas Auto Show last week and there were a lot of people around the 3-door Yaris and over at the Honda Fit.....I felt bad for the Honda guy, he was actually being mobbed by people that wanted to know more about the car. That's what they get for have a car there and no information about it. The 3-door Accent was there up on a pedistal and people standing around it complained they could not see it because it was 3 feet off the ground...stupid..Didn't see Nissans car there thought...to bad. Does anyone know if Ford or Chrysler is ever going to have a small car....... Replies to this message: backy (Apr 14, 2006 7:46 pm)

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