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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8564 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2009 at 10:37 AM

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

#7839 of 8564 Re: Fits are UP [thegraduate] by nippononly Jun 27, 2008 (10:42 pm)
Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 27, 2008 9:33 am) "The difference in highway mileage and city mileage is 2-3 mpg either direction; City in favor of the Fit, with Hwy in favor of the Civic;"   In stick shift, it's in the Fit's favor for city and a TIE for highway: 26/34 Civic, 28/34 for Fit. In the old numbers it even looked a little better for Fit: 33/38 vs 30/38 for Civic.   But yes, in automatic it's a couple points either way, neither model gets the clear advantage. Replies to this message: oregonboy (Jun 28, 2008 7:08 am)
#7840 of 8564 Re: Fits are UP [nippononly] by oregonboy Jun 28, 2008 (7:08 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Jun 27, 2008 10:42 pm) For my type of driving, (a lot of long-distance trips), I think that the Civic would be the more comfortable alternative. Too bad they don't offer it here as a 5-door. The Fit would get the nod for its utility, and I suspect lower insurance rates.   Personally, I would wait a year or so because I imagine that the auto manufacturers are scrambling now to bring out models tweaked for better fuel economy; things like: lighter, narrower wheel/tire combos, improved aero, taller gearing, and engine mods.   jamez
#7841 of 8564 Re: Fits are UP [thegraduate] by thegreatoz Jun 28, 2008 (8:29 am)
Replying to: thegraduate (Jun 27, 2008 9:10 am) Urban sprawl...thanks for the definition and description in relation to these crazy gas prices. Am I correct in assuming there's a difference between urban sprawl and "the suburbs"? Or are they the same, with just different names?   I saw a news story on line that said the high gas prices will result in the "end of suburban living." Would that be the same as "the end of urban sprawl"? Replies to this message: andre1969 (Jun 28, 2008 9:09 am) snakeweasel (Jun 28, 2008 4:06 pm)
#7842 of 8564 Re: Fits are UP [thegreatoz] by andre1969 Jun 28, 2008 (9:09 am)
Replying to: thegreatoz (Jun 28, 2008 8:29 am) Urban sprawl...thanks for the definition and description in relation to these crazy gas prices. Am I correct in assuming there's a difference between urban sprawl and "the suburbs"? Or are they the same, with just different names?   I always looked at a suburb as a place where people live, but it's not necessarily a self-sustaining city. For the most part, just residential areas, and some commercial areas like gas stations, grocery stores, maybe a mall or two, but by and large, its residents have to go elsewhere to find work.   When suburbs started popping up, they tended to be out a bit from the cities, where public transportation usually didn't go, or was limited. But as more and more land gets developed, and new suburbs pop up, they sort of all just run together, and that becomes urban sprawl. Just nothing but suburb after suburb, with very little open space to separate them.   There's another term popping up, called the "Exurbs", which I think is a suburb, but one that's way out on the fringe, and requires a long commute to find work. It's these Exurbs that are going to suffer the most. People are going to avoid them like a plague, and they might even be too far out for the gangs and other low-lifes to move into. They might just become ghost towns. Or heck, put up a wall around them and turn them into prison camps!
#7843 of 8564 Re: Fits are UP [nippononly] by lilengineerboy Jun 28, 2008 (2:51 pm)
Replying to: nippononly (Jun 26, 2008 10:54 pm) And graduate is right - around town the Fit will do better regardless of transmission. And around town is where most people do most of their driving...   According to gas buddy, my commute in the Accord (all highway) nets ~32-33 mpg (at slightly but not excessively extra-legal speeds) while the same commute in the Legacy wagon nets 29-30. Adding more city to the mix drops things considerably, with the Accord at 27-28 and the Subaru at 26-27. I think all city in the Legacy would be brutal.
#7844 of 8564 Re: Fits are UP [thegreatoz] by snakeweasel Jun 28, 2008 (4:06 pm)
Replying to: thegreatoz (Jun 28, 2008 8:29 am) I saw a news story on line that said the high gas prices will result in the "end of suburban living.   I seriously doubt it, I live in the suburbs and work in them too. Its a 21 mile round trip. The vast majority of the people I know also work in the suburbs and have similar commutes (some longer some shorter).   The few people I know that work in the city take the train to and from work.   I also work with a few people that live in the city and commute to the burbs.   The high gas prices will not mean the end of the suburbs by any means.
#7845 of 8564 10k since January by steve_ HOST Jun 28, 2008 (10:41 pm)
smart USA Delivers Its 10,000th fortwo Since January   Is it really a subcompact if you can fit 13 people in one?   Replies to this message: nippononly (Jun 28, 2008 10:47 pm) thegraduate (Jun 29, 2008 7:17 am) podred (Jun 29, 2008 11:19 am) ateixeira (Jun 30, 2008 8:57 am) podred (Jun 30, 2008 2:02 pm)
#7846 of 8564 Re: 10k since January [steve_] by nippononly Jun 28, 2008 (10:47 pm)
Replying to: steve_ (Jun 28, 2008 10:41 pm) And they said Smart wouldn't sell any! Replies to this message: thegraduate (Jun 29, 2008 7:17 am)
#7847 of 8564 Re: 10k since January [nippononly] by thegraduate Jun 29, 2008 (7:17 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Jun 28, 2008 10:47 pm) If they only sell one for every thirteen people who want them, they're in trouble!
#7848 of 8564 Re: 10k since January [steve_] by podred Jun 29, 2008 (11:19 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Jun 28, 2008 10:41 pm) Is it really a subcompact if you can fit 13 people in one?   EPA's new size classifications allows 12 in a subcompact, your off by just one... Replies to this message: ateixeira (Jun 30, 2008 8:57 am) podred (Jun 30, 2008 2:02 pm)

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