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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8670 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 3:54 PM

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

#7423 of 8670 Re: 18" wheels on a Toyota Yaris hatch? [iluvmysephia1] by plekto Mar 28, 2008 (4:38 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Mar 28, 2008 8:15 am) Oh man... You're right. Canada does get that car right now.   WHY can't we get that in the U.S.? How come Canada gets better cars than the U.S.?   P.S. How hard would it be to import to the U.S., given that it's basically only different in the number of doors?(same engine, same exact dimensions...)   Yes, look at the specs. It's exactly the same size as a 2 door - just extra doors and a few minor interior changes to accommodate them. Yet it looks worlds better. Like a true competitor to the Fit.
#7424 of 8670 Re: 2009 Honda Fit [ateixeira] by busiris Mar 28, 2008 (6:26 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Mar 28, 2008 6:12 am) I understand that bluetooth isn't an option that is important to everyone, but I like it because once the phone has been paired with the car, you can forget about it. No distractions from having to put the earpiece in, and I can move from car to car without having to do anything extra.   My wife has a Mini w 5-speed manual and w/o bluetooth, and she always seems to get a call on those "short trips" to a nearby location, so she doesn't have the earpiece on and activated. Obviously, when that happens, the phone is much more of a distraction than it would be had she factory bluetooth installed. Replies to this message: snakeweasel (Mar 28, 2008 8:28 pm) busiris (Mar 29, 2008 1:54 pm) podred (Mar 29, 2008 2:45 pm) ateixeira (Mar 31, 2008 8:16 am) nwng (Mar 31, 2008 9:03 am) lilengineerboy (Apr 01, 2008 3:15 am)
#7425 of 8670 Re: 2009 Honda Fit [busiris] by snakeweasel Mar 28, 2008 (8:28 pm)
Replying to: busiris (Mar 28, 2008 6:26 pm) Simple solution to that, there is no law that says that you have to answer the phone when it rings. If she is driving and it rings don't answer it, thats why God invented voice mail. Replies to this message: busiris (Mar 29, 2008 1:54 pm) podred (Mar 29, 2008 2:45 pm) ateixeira (Mar 31, 2008 8:16 am)
#7426 of 8670 Re: 2009 Honda Fit [snakeweasel] by busiris Mar 29, 2008 (1:54 pm)
Replying to: snakeweasel (Mar 28, 2008 8:28 pm) Simple solution to that, there is no law that says that you have to answer the phone when it rings   Well, thats one way to handle the issue. And, until handsfree capability came out, that's what I would usually do.   However, having teenage kids as well as ones in college tends to make a parent desire to be as available as possible, and I would hate to miss that one call that was the "real emergency" call. And we all know those types of calls come at the most inconvenient times. Problem is, my kids' definition of "emergency" is often at odds with mine....I bet that little rule applies widely...   Having said that, I personally used handsfree phones in cars for "incomming" calls ONLY. I feel that bluetooth capability makes for a happy "medium" in that regard.   Of course, since I said that, I think its a reasonable attitude...but, I will say this...I have no use for drivers that seem to suffer from "OCD (Obcessive Cellphone Distraction)". A general conversation over a cellphone while driving just isn't necessary in my opinion. If someone is really that important, they should hire a driver so that they can spend all their attention to yaking on the phone.
#7427 of 8670 Re: 2009 Honda Fit [snakeweasel] by podred Mar 29, 2008 (2:45 pm)
Replying to: snakeweasel (Mar 28, 2008 8:28 pm) Well Said !   Seems like here in America, we have passengers that just happen to be sitting in the drivers seat while the vehicle is hurtling down the street, applying makeup, shaving , blow drying their hair, eating and drinking. All while on the ever present cell phone.......YIKES !   Me? I have two cell phones (on silent) neatly tucked away in the center console, while I DRIVE THE CAR! And I find driving the car quite fun! My insurance company loves me too, as I have avoided accidents instead of participating in them, finally when it comes to officer Bob we haven't visited in years........ Replies to this message: ateixeira (Mar 31, 2008 8:16 am)
#7428 of 8670 Re: 2009 Honda Fit [podred] by ateixeira Mar 31, 2008 (8:16 am)
Replying to: podred (Mar 29, 2008 2:45 pm) I'm going to offer a counterpoint from my hand-held but I have to pull over first....
#7429 of 8670 Oh, podred... by iluvmysephia1 Mar 31, 2008 (8:37 am)
you're no fun!   On a particular 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer website a month or two ago I happened upon a post about a horrible accident. The author of the post provided a link to pictures taken after the accident, with a lot of warnings to not look if you get queasy looking at graphic pictures. Apparently a young man just couldn't find a way to just drive his car...he had to text-message while he drove. Umm...he didn't see the semi stopped in traffic in front of him, unfortunately. The truck driver wasn't hurt but this young man was...ummm...torn up horribly. Enuff said about that one. I believe he was drivng a compact vehicle, not a subcompact, although not very much was said about what type of vehicle he was driving while distracted with text-messaging. Replies to this message: podred (Mar 31, 2008 2:17 pm) dake (Mar 31, 2008 3:22 pm) nippononly (Mar 31, 2008 7:54 pm) andre1969 (Apr 01, 2008 6:06 am)
#7430 of 8670 Re: 2009 Honda Fit [busiris] by nwng Mar 31, 2008 (9:03 am)
Replying to: busiris (Mar 28, 2008 6:26 pm) have you tried calling people in a car with integrated BT? The sound quality is terrible. Same holds true when people calls you from their auto with integrated BT, like they're yelling at you in a cave you're standing 20 ft from the entrance. God forbid if they're on the highway, you can hear all the wind and road noise plus your caller's yelling.   I'll take the BT earpiece anyday. Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Apr 01, 2008 3:15 am)
#7431 of 8670 press request by kirstie_h HOST Mar 31, 2008 (12:04 pm)
A reporter from a large newspaper hopes to speak with consumers who just purchased or are looking to purchase a car in the near future. If you are looking to buy or just bought, please respond to ctalatiedmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
#7432 of 8670 Re: Oh, podred... [iluvmysephia1] by podred Mar 31, 2008 (2:17 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Mar 31, 2008 8:37 am) Nice response! I enjoyed reading your post....   I would like to offer a counter, to your counter point. I am the founder and President of a line of automotive body shops in California. I have been in business over 20 years. We have over 15 large body shops located in two major metro areas of CA where there is tremendous traffic, a very high number of vehicles on the freeways, and lots of accidents. We receive on average over a hundred wrecked vehicles per day. Since one of our specialties is working with dealerships, the brands we see the most of, are Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Lexus, Infinity, and the usual assortment of MBZ and BMW's.   At the end of the day, we are seeing that the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Versa all hold up very well in accidents. Every bit as well as the Corolla's and Civics. And in many cases equally as well as, (or better than) an Accord or Camry. And believe me we see some pretty gory things. Due to our huge volume we have the opportunity to see cars that have been hit at a variety of angles, speeds, and under a wide variety of circumstances.   The point I'm making here is not that you are 100% as safe in a smaller car than in larger one, however there are so many variables (which is why it's called an "accident") that no two are the same. Ever. No matter what vehicle class and size we are discussing. In fact as a side bar, until the 2005 year model, Land Rovers were amongst the most damaged, unsafe in a crash, vehicles one could own.   On point, while I fully support the government crash tests, they in no way represent the "average crash" if there is such a thing and there is....to a certain degree.   Now as we move on to discuss the drivers role, how alert they were or were not, their car control skills, their management of the driving conditions around them. Well, as you can imagine I could go on and on for hours. Thus based on my years of car racing, in cars ranging from Sprint Cars, Road Race Cars, Formula Cars, and my observation of what has been, sadly, many thousands of crashed passenger vehicles, the steps that one can take to become an experienced, alert, knowledgeable driver have much more to do with the outcome in most (not all) cases, than the type of cars involved.   There will never be a "textbook crash". There will never be a school where one can practice crashing, therefore unless you have a lot of racing experience which teaches you car control ( based on instruction, time you spend on the track and in practice) the results are tragic. Most of the driving public are " just along for the ride" prior to & after impact.   After it's all said and done, and as you all know it's called "risk". Myself, I would rather take the "risk" and drive what I enjoy, small or large. This as opposed to mislead myself (regarding perceived safety of sheer vehicle size) by choosing to give up a fun drive for a big, cumbersome, sluggish, gas sucking SUV ....... Replies to this message: dake (Mar 31, 2008 3:22 pm) nippononly (Mar 31, 2008 7:54 pm) andre1969 (Apr 01, 2008 6:06 am)

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