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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8691 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 1:39 PM

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

#6546 of 8691 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 8691 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 8691 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 8691 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.
#6550 of 8691 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [dromedarius] by boaz47 Dec 09, 2007 (3:49 pm)
Replying to: dromedarius (Dec 09, 2007 7:45 am) California is not your typical Snow state and in the mountains when it snows they require chains. You can get by with studded tires if you live up in the mountains but only from October through April. I have had good luck with FWD as well. Better than RWD for going up hilly streets because the weight is over the drive wheels. But AWD and 4WD get a pass by the CHP at the chain check stations. In my opinion after 19 years in the Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead area 4WD works best then AWD followed by FWD and lastly RWD. 4WD gets the nod because of ground clearance and low range for deeper snow. When you see that third track from your pumpkin in the snow you are about finished.   So if I were going to travel much and might get caught in the winter at the Very least I would want a 4X4 and a AWD second car. With the snow we got last night I wasn't going anywhere till the ice melted with our FWD sedan.   Are you telling me the Fit is already looking to add 31 more HP next time out? Sort of proves a point. Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Dec 09, 2007 4:09 pm) boaz47 (Dec 09, 2007 4:22 pm) tiff_c (Dec 09, 2007 9:21 pm) lilengineerboy (Dec 10, 2007 4:58 am) and 1 more... dromedarius (Dec 09, 2007 7:46 pm)
#6551 of 8691 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [boaz47] by lilengineerboy Dec 09, 2007 (4:09 pm)
Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 09, 2007 3:49 pm) So if I were going to travel much and might get caught in the winter at the Very least I would want a 4X4 and a AWD second car. With the snow we got last night I wasn't going anywhere till the ice melted with our FWD sedan.   Our AWD wagon and FWD sedan will stay parked until the ice melts in SE MI. The freeways were fine but our sub-division (and especially our street and driveway) were frightening. I wouldn't want to be out there without snows. Replies to this message: boaz47 (Dec 09, 2007 4:22 pm) tiff_c (Dec 09, 2007 9:21 pm) lilengineerboy (Dec 10, 2007 4:58 am) tiff_c (Dec 11, 2007 7:17 am)
#6552 of 8691 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [lilengineerboy] by boaz47 Dec 09, 2007 (4:22 pm)
Replying to: lilengineerboy (Dec 09, 2007 4:09 pm) I agree with staying home if you can. I had some obligations at the hospital today so I had to borrow a friends Suburban for the two or three hours I needed to be out. Still even though I would rather not be out on the road in the snow, if I have to be out in it I want at least AWD. It may only become an Issue five or six times a year but on the days you need it having all wheels pulling beats only two.
#6553 of 8691 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [boaz47] by dromedarius Dec 09, 2007 (7:46 pm)
Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 09, 2007 3:49 pm) Are you telling me the Fit is already looking to add 31 more HP next time out? Sort of proves a point.   No, the Fit is adding about 12 HP because they are switching from the old VTEC engine to the new iVTEC. There will still be a 20 HP gap. The current Fit engine is already an old one and the next generation one is more fuel efficient and on par w/the more powerful Civic engine, which is bigger for a bigger car.   So if I were going to travel much and might get caught in the winter at the Very least I would want a 4X4 and a AWD second car. With the snow we got last night I wasn't going anywhere till the ice melted with our FWD sedan.   Granted, if one were going to drive a lot in the mountains I would advise AWD. In any case if you are driving places where you transfer case is dragging then you are driving when and where you shouldn't be. And if you shouldn't be driving w/one car you shouldn't be driving w/two.
#6555 of 8691 Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [lilengineerboy] by tiff_c Dec 09, 2007 (9:21 pm)
Replying to: lilengineerboy (Dec 09, 2007 4:09 pm) Our AWD wagon and FWD sedan will stay parked until the ice melts in SE MI. The freeways were fine but our sub-division (and especially our street and driveway) were frightening. I wouldn't want to be out there without snows.   Seriously you leave you AWD car at home?! I mean why do that a decent set of snows and it will tackle anything. Upper New England we have lots of hills and we sure get a lot of snow and I've had RWD cars with good snow tires and no problems. My Rex with snows has gone through weather that stops most SUV's. Now FWD is only good in light snow but with snow tires it's ok as well. Only deep snow is an issue for the subie. Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Dec 10, 2007 4:58 am) tiff_c (Dec 11, 2007 7:17 am)

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