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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

#3810 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [backy] by micweb Apr 30, 2008 (8:05 am)
Replying to: backy (Apr 29, 2008 7:01 pm) Backy, one of the magazines (Car and Driver?) just concluded a long term Versa test and they noted that the stopping distances came way down (improved a lot) after the brakes had seated in and worn in a bit. It was good to see, since most magazines reported significantly longer stopping distances with the Versa compared to its competitors. Replies to this message: backy (Apr 30, 2008 10:17 am) jacksan1 (Apr 30, 2008 2:58 pm) micweb (May 01, 2008 1:23 pm)
#3811 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [micweb] by backy Apr 30, 2008 (10:17 am)
Replying to: micweb (Apr 30, 2008 8:05 am) That is good news! So the key is to make sure you don't need to do an emergency stop until the Versa's brakes are worn in.   Personally I'd get the ABS. Replies to this message: jacksan1 (Apr 30, 2008 2:58 pm) micweb (May 01, 2008 1:23 pm)
#3812 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [backy] by jacksan1 Apr 30, 2008 (2:58 pm)
Replying to: backy (Apr 30, 2008 10:17 am) Consumer Reports guys drive their test vehicles a lot before subjecting to them the tests whose results are released in their publications. In other words, they don't test brand-spanking new vehicles. Their breaking tests revealed that their non-ABS Versa had a rather long stopping distance despite having driven it for months before the test. Replies to this message: micweb (May 01, 2008 1:23 pm)
#3813 of 3820 Re: All Over the Board! [jacksan1] by micweb May 01, 2008 (1:23 pm)
Replying to: jacksan1 (Apr 30, 2008 2:58 pm) The long time Versa test I mentioned was - ironically - right here on Edmunds and not on Car and Driver.   Here is what Edmunds has to say:   Standardized performance testing showed the 2007 Nissan Versa improved with age.   "At 16,000 miles the Versa's acceleration from zero to 60 mph took 9.4 seconds, 1/10th of a second quicker than during its first test at 1,000 miles. In the quarter-mile, the Versa lost 2/10ths of a second and more than 2 mph, recording a final mark of 17.2 seconds at 80.2 mph.   "Most remarkable is the Versa's improvement in braking performance. The distance required to stop from 60 mph shrank from 152 feet to 135 feet. We attribute this to normal brake pad break-in and the lack of optional ABS on our Versa. As a side note, an ABS-equipped 2007 Nissan Versa in a prior test needed only 123 feet to stop."   So the improvement in braking performance is substantial, and I can't explain Consumer Reports results - maybe they test performance parameters first.   Backy was right, that the ABS version is a better stopped from the get-go.
#3814 of 3820 Nissan Versa 1.8S, Scion xD by thegraduate May 03, 2008 (4:17 pm)
I went with the folks today on two test drives, of the cars listed in the subject line.   The Scion:   Quick enough, about the same about of noise as the Civic mom and dad currently drive, although my head was in the ceiling in the back seat. I never actually drove either of them, but mom and dad's comments said a lot. The room was ok-ish, the stereo was great, and they felt this car was the best they had driven (effectively writing the Accent off their list).   The Versa:   We went by the Nissan dealer nearby, and drove a Versa S, with the Power Package ($15,400 MSRP). The Versa had enough room for me to sit in the back seat with the front seat all the way back, and my head was out of the roof. The 4-speed automatic was smooth, and the interior was quieter than the Civic. They are excited about the Versa, and will likely go back to drive a CVT model, so that they can get the center armrest. He's just not sure about the CVT yet.   Frankly, the Versa caught them by surprise, especially since I practically made them stop by and look at it. Replies to this message: backy (May 03, 2008 5:32 pm) thegraduate (May 05, 2008 8:46 pm)
#3815 of 3820 Re: Nissan Versa 1.8S, Scion xD [thegraduate] by backy May 03, 2008 (5:32 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (May 03, 2008 4:17 pm) The other thing I like about the Versa SL is the height-adjustable driver's seat. As it raises the seat cushion, it stays pretty parallel to the floor, unlike many manual seats that tip forward as they're raised. A benefit of it is that you can raise the seat and slide it forward, and get a comfy driving position (if you're not too tall) with truly limo-like leg room behind it.   Plus there's many other comfort/convenience features in the SL, including a rear center armrest.   If they do mostly highway driving, they might prefer the S with its 4AT. In tests done by C/D, the 4AT got better fuel economy on the highway than the CVT. Replies to this message: thegraduate (May 05, 2008 8:46 pm)
#3816 of 3820 Re: Nissan Versa 1.8S, Scion xD [backy] by thegraduate May 05, 2008 (8:46 pm)
Replying to: backy (May 03, 2008 5:32 pm) Well, mom and dad seem to think this will be the car that never leaves the island (Pleasure Island, in Gulf Shores, Alabama). Mainly a city car they'll use the quicker Civic for highway driving... that's what they say right now anyway! You know they change their idea weekly .
#3817 of 3820 Hello? by thegraduate May 29, 2008 (10:53 am)
With such a spike in small car sales, this forum should be hopping! Replies to this message: backy (May 29, 2008 4:04 pm) thegraduate (May 29, 2008 7:42 pm)
#3818 of 3820 Re: Hello? [thegraduate] by backy May 29, 2008 (4:04 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (May 29, 2008 10:53 am) You'd think so, wouldn't you? Unless folks already have their minds made up to get a Fit, or Yaris, or whatever.   I got to take an Aveo 5-door around Chicago for a day last week. I lost the car rental lottery. That is where you reserve a "compact" car, and hope to either get the free 1-class upgrade ("sorry, no bigger cars available") or a compact like the Elantra. I got the Aveo. It was bright yellow with a black interior. In fact, it looked just like the photo to the right! At least it had power windows and locks--the last Aveo I rented had neither. The ride was pretty smooth for a small car, and it had enough power for around-town driving. But I wouldn't buy one. Lack of curtain airbags, cheap interior materials, tiny cargo hold with the rear seats up, and not high enough fuel economy for its size are the main reasons. I'd rather spend the extra money for something like the Fit. Replies to this message: thegraduate (May 29, 2008 7:42 pm)
#3819 of 3820 Re: Hello? [backy] by thegraduate May 29, 2008 (7:42 pm)
Replying to: backy (May 29, 2008 4:04 pm) With a car like that, you might say you "buzzed around town" in it since it looks like something that dwells in a hive.

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