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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8654 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 10:39 AM

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

#6540 of 8654 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [snakeweasel] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Dec 08, 2007 (8:43 am)
Replying to: snakeweasel (Dec 08, 2007 8:29 am) I just did it again and this time *carefully* matched up all options.   SMART with AC power steering and radio is $13815   FIT with same options (plus more features that are standard) is $14316   So we are $500 difference for a faster, bigger, more freeway capable subcompact car with a great reputation and dealers all over the world.   No contest IMO. Replies to this message: robertsmx (Dec 08, 2007 12:01 pm) texases (Dec 08, 2007 12:01 pm)
#6541 of 8654 Fit versus Smart [Mr_Shiftright] by robertsmx Dec 08, 2007 (12:01 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 08, 2007 8:43 am) Yep. Getting a smaller car for the sake of it wouldn't be smart. Fit (and like) is a car that can be a lot more than pure commuter cars. Fit is fit enough to be a first car for many, and makes for a good second car as well, given the versatility of the package.   While we are drawing similarities (second car, fuel economy, size, price etc), the more I think about it, the more contrast I see between Fit and Smart. Smart fails badly in the utility aspect, while I would get Fit over even an Accord for that reason alone!
#6542 of 8654 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [Mr_Shiftright] by texases Dec 08, 2007 (12:01 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 08, 2007 8:43 am) Also, there may be enough 'new thing' demand to see ADM on Smarts for a while, so the $500 differential may actually be $0, or -$500.
#6543 of 8654 Re: grad... [andeet] by tiff_c Dec 08, 2007 (1:28 pm)
Replying to: andeet (Dec 08, 2007 4:52 am) As ex '06 Scion xA owner..I was getting 39-40 mpg. I was driving close to 45 miles one way to work and I only had to fill up once week. It was good little car but being young...I wanted something more better & something more youthful so I went with a '07 Scion tC. Now I fill up about twice or even three times driving around & commuting to work. Scion are just as good as Toyota's...I've done some stupid things with both cars and they seem they want to start up the next day. In fact this week, I accidently left on one of my dome lights on during work....I hit the keyless remote: car unlocked. Lights were still on. Went to start the car: Car started and ran for second then died. I was amazed that my battery wasn't totally dead.   This is all part of the buyers happy experience, a satisfied customer is what the companies strive for "true believers" in their products. My wife likes the Scion xD. I think she'd be better off with a Civic but she really wants a MINI (unlikely to get one) But it's great when you can really enjoy what you own. For me I buy cars for the long haul. My friend gets bored quickly with cars once they are out of warranty or sooner he trades them in. we all have brands we like and brands we hate. I have brands I will never buy again, others maybe and some of course. Mitsubishi has come a long way but they still have work to do to make a full comeback. Glad you enjoy your tC,
#6544 of 8654 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [robertsmx] by dromedarius Dec 08, 2007 (10:32 pm)
Replying to: robertsmx (Dec 07, 2007 5:15 pm) I completely agree, a family's 2nd car has to be able to step in and do duty if the 1st car goes down which is why I would never consider the smart, not to mention it's terrible winter reputation which just wouldn't do in my part of the country. That's why our next car will probably be a Honda Fit. It would be a squeeze when our 3rd child comes along but it's utility would be enough if our 1st vehicle were out of commission.   Unfortunately, a lot of people's first vehicle is a Tahoe or Suburban so in their minds a 2nd vehicle HAS to be a full size 4 dr pickup because you never know when you will have to pull a mobile home or put a Clydesdale in the bed of your truck. Replies to this message: boaz47 (Dec 08, 2007 11:14 pm) dromedarius (Dec 09, 2007 7:45 am) boaz47 (Dec 09, 2007 3:49 pm) and 6 more... snakeweasel (Dec 09, 2007 7:54 am) ateixeira (Dec 10, 2007 3:42 pm)
#6545 of 8654 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [dromedarius] by boaz47 Dec 08, 2007 (11:14 pm)
Replying to: dromedarius (Dec 08, 2007 10:32 pm) Or for many the second car has to have AWD. Plus if you are a two car family why would you want your wife to have less of a car than you have?   If I lived in the city I can see why someone might get a Fit but as a second car a Civic would seem more practical. The Yaris is still just a touch homely for me and doesn't offer much over the Corolla as a second car. The Civic and the Fit get the same fuel mileage and yet you get 31 HP more with the Civic. Plus I think you can buy aftermarket parts at the local 7/11. Pep boys and Auto zone stock cold air intakes for Civics on their shelves. If fuel mileage is your goal get a Hybrid or even a hybrid Civic. For me I am beginning to think a good second car would be a Rav4 or a Impreza Hatchback. It snowed last night and I don't feel much like putting chains on the FWD sedan. I will be looking for another 4x4 truck next week. Replies to this message: dromedarius (Dec 09, 2007 7:45 am) boaz47 (Dec 09, 2007 3:49 pm) lilengineerboy (Dec 09, 2007 4:09 pm) and 4 more... dromedarius (Dec 09, 2007 7:46 pm) snakeweasel (Dec 09, 2007 7:54 am) ateixeira (Dec 10, 2007 3:42 pm)
#6546 of 8654 Re: grad... [lilengineerboy] by andeet Dec 09, 2007 (6:30 am)
Replying to: lilengineerboy (Dec 08, 2007 6:53 am) I'm just saying...I rather own my tC than '08 Lancer because it's better buy. "More bang for buck." I don't care about the "Fun things;" I care more what's under the hood than 40 GB hard drive music server. It's not like I said "Mitsubishi's suck!" Even my brother complained about the engine since he did own '04 Ralliart Lancer (which had 2.4 liter/161hp engine) then before that he had '02 OZ Editon Lancer. He's been in four accidents with both Lancers; came out with only bruises.   My oldest sister owns '04 Galant...she already has 115k miles on it. She's been in two accidents with it. She never had problems with it.   They are good cars: in fact when I was shopping for my tC. My sales consultant and I were talking about Mitsubishi's. First thing; she told me about them was "They are built like Japanese tanks." She used to sell them so I know she knew what she was talking about. Our family has VERY good business relationship with our local Mitsubishi dealer since we did buy six cars from them. I bet if I was to lose my tC, I had to buy new car with major negitive...they would find a way to get me into Mitsu.   I don't hate them. I actually wanted to buy Lancer EVO when I was shopping for better car. But I figured it would of been very hard to learn stick-shift on one of them. I wasn't worried about Insurance; I was more worried about what big brother would of said ( jealously), how quick I would need to buy new clutch, and how soon my sales consultant (who sold me both my Scion's. We became good business friends doing both deals) would kill me. LOL I could of gotten '06 EVO RS for $24k at the dealer about 4 grand more than my fully loaded accessory tC. Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Dec 09, 2007 7:56 am)
#6547 of 8654 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [boaz47] by dromedarius Dec 09, 2007 (7:45 am)
Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 08, 2007 11:14 pm) My wife doesn't have less car than I have. She drives a CR-V and I drive a Prizm. When we move up to the Odyssey she'll drive that as well.       The reason I like the Fit is the utility, and while the Civic currently gets 30 more HP it won't when the next generation Fit comes out. Plus the Fit will allow me to put my 100 lb. dog in the back in her kennel when I take her to the vet; can't do that w/a Civic.   I've never been convinced by hybrid technology and until I am I won't spend the $5000 premium. I get better mileage w/my Prizm than many people get w/their a hybrid and economics come into play at some point.   Why would you need chains??? I've never driven w/chains and we have bad weather from November to April. A FWD sedan is your BEST bet when the roads get nasty. Replies to this message: boaz47 (Dec 09, 2007 3:49 pm) lilengineerboy (Dec 09, 2007 4:09 pm) boaz47 (Dec 09, 2007 4:22 pm) tiff_c (Dec 09, 2007 9:21 pm) and 2 more... dromedarius (Dec 09, 2007 7:46 pm)
#6548 of 8654 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [boaz47] by snakeweasel Dec 09, 2007 (7:54 am)
Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 08, 2007 11:14 pm) Or for many the second car has to have AWD.   But for 99% of the people they don't need AWD even in their primary vehicle.
#6549 of 8654 Re: grad... [andeet] by lilengineerboy Dec 09, 2007 (7:56 am)
Replying to: andeet (Dec 09, 2007 6:30 am) I'm just saying...I rather own my tC than '08 Lancer because it's better buy. "More bang for buck." I don't care about the "Fun things;" I care more what's under the hood than 40 GB hard drive music server.   No worries, just gotta realize what makes it a better buy for your might not make it a better buy for others. Its cool you have something that meets your needs and you feel good about driving.

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