You are here: Forums Automotive News & Views What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8679 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 11:21 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, smart fortwo, MINI Cooper

#6439 of 8679 Get your smart now by steve_ HOST Dec 06, 2007 (11:34 am)
Some dealer here in Boise is selling a last year's Smart imported by Zap with low, low miles on it for $27,995. Weird link that probably won't work long.   I hope I'm not caught dead in my minivan - I'd rather die in my bed at home. The Sprinters interest me from a conversion standpoint, but they are too big for home use. My Quest barely fits in my garage as it is. Replies to this message: robertsmx (Dec 06, 2007 11:49 am) steve_ (Dec 06, 2007 11:51 am)
#6440 of 8679 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [tiff_c] by robertsmx Dec 06, 2007 (11:48 am)
Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 06, 2007 9:47 am) 75 dealers for a niche/city vehicle doesn't sound too bad, considering that Lexus has only 180 (or so I read a while ago).   The real problem may be... is that too many?
#6441 of 8679 Re: Get your smart now [steve_] by robertsmx Dec 06, 2007 (11:49 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Dec 06, 2007 11:34 am) That is quite an "MB S-Class" for $279,999. Replies to this message: steve_ (Dec 06, 2007 11:51 am)
#6442 of 8679 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [dromedarius] by bumpy Dec 06, 2007 (11:51 am)
Replying to: dromedarius (Dec 06, 2007 11:33 am) The whole concept doesn't make sense to me.   The real-world mileage is about 15-20% better, it's a quarter-ton lighter, and it's RWD.
#6443 of 8679 Re: Get your smart now [robertsmx] by steve_ HOST Dec 06, 2007 (11:51 am)
Replying to: robertsmx (Dec 06, 2007 11:49 am) Just a "minor" typo but the $28k real asking price is pretty pie in the sky too!
#6444 of 8679 Dodge Sprinter by michaell Dec 06, 2007 (12:30 pm)
On the TLC channel there is a show entitled "Jon and Kate Plus 8", which profiles a family in PA who have a set of twins (age 7) and a set of sextuplets (age 3).   The family has two vans ... the "small" van is either a Honda Odyssey or Mazda MPV, while the "large" van is a Dodge Sprinter. It's got seats for 11 (I think), and it takes them about 30 minutes to get everyone buckled in.   There was an episode on recently where they had rear a/c added to the Sprinter ... I can't imagine having those kids in there in the heat of a PA summer without it.   I've looked on-line at the RV conversions that are done on the Sprinter chassis .. I believe the starting price is somewhere around $68K. Replies to this message: jlawrence01 (Dec 06, 2007 7:33 pm) lilengineerboy (Dec 06, 2007 7:49 pm)
#6445 of 8679 Re: before this goes [Mr_Shiftright] by texases Dec 06, 2007 (1:05 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 06, 2007 8:49 am) Those aren't sales or orders, those are refundable deposits   Two reasons they could sell out this year with no long-term implications: 1. It's new - just about every new thing/fad has huge, temporary demand that quickly goes away. 2. The "PS3 flip" syndrome - folks were lining up to buy PS3 at release with no intention of owning/using them, just selling them on Ebay. A failed strategy in most cases. Replies to this message: oregonboy (Dec 06, 2007 1:30 pm) texases (Dec 06, 2007 1:42 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Dec 06, 2007 2:03 pm)
#6446 of 8679 Re: before this goes [texases] by oregonboy Dec 06, 2007 (1:30 pm)
Replying to: texases (Dec 06, 2007 1:05 pm) off topic: my younger daughter successfully flipped 2 Nintendo Wiis last Christmas season for a tidy profit. Let's hear it for a young entrepreneur identifying and exploiting a mismatch between supply and demand in our market economy.   On topic: don't you hate it when car dealers do that with ADM stickers?   james Replies to this message: texases (Dec 06, 2007 1:42 pm)
#6447 of 8679 Re: before this goes [oregonboy] by texases Dec 06, 2007 (1:42 pm)
Replying to: oregonboy (Dec 06, 2007 1:30 pm) What's sauce for the goose...   I hear he could still do that this year with the Wii...no chance with a PS3!
#6448 of 8679 Re: before this goes [texases] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Dec 06, 2007 (2:03 pm)
Replying to: texases (Dec 06, 2007 1:05 pm) You might flip a Smart for a few bucks if you catch that narrow window...but unless the deposit receipts are salable and tranferable, or unless you have a dealer's license, you're going to have to pay sales tax before you flip, so there goes that profit--if you take possession of the car.

You are here: Forums Automotive News & Views What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?