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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8684 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 9:12 PM

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

#6548 of 8684 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 8684 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 8684 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 8684 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 8684 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 8684 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 8684 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)
#6556 of 8684 Well how do you like that? by nippononly Dec 09, 2007 (10:28 pm)
Subcompact sales up 21% for 11 months ending November this year.   http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071210/AUTO01/712100330/1148-   Compacts down 3% in the same timeframe, full-size pick-ups down some 20%. Hmm, if I wanted to draw spurious conclusions from incomplete data, I wonder what I could come up with here.....?     (Of course, subcompacts are still under 3% of the overall market, but hey, there's only a handful of models on sale so far!) Replies to this message: ttai (Dec 10, 2007 4:05 am)
#6557 of 8684 Re: Well how do you like that? [nippononly] by ttai Dec 10, 2007 (4:05 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Dec 09, 2007 10:28 pm) As long as the Federal Reserve continue to crash the dollar to save it's banker buddies, gas will continue to get more expensive. I hate to be bailing out greedy bankers. But at least it's getting the bloated unnecessary SUV's off the road. I saw another Suburban upside down yesterday blocking the highway. How symbolic.

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