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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8674 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 11:23 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

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

#7850 of 8674 CR roasts the smart by texases Jun 30, 2008 (9:08 am)
This month's issue has this to say:   "A car like this should be fun and zippy. Sadly, the Smart is neither. The ride is harsh, and broken urban pavement, this car's natural habitat, pummels occupants mercilessly. The transmission shifts strangely, with pauses and heaves between gears. Handling is not so responsive, and it takes a lot of wheel winding to coax the Smart through corners. The slow, noisy engine makes it necessary to plan ahead when merging into traffic, although once on the highway it can keep up the pace." Replies to this message: ateixeira (Jun 30, 2008 9:14 am)
#7851 of 8674 Re: CR roasts the smart [texases] by ateixeira Jun 30, 2008 (9:14 am)
Replying to: texases (Jun 30, 2008 9:08 am) I think it's good that they stick to their guns and list all the criticisms, to be honest. I think a lot of other media have sort of given it a pass because of the trend towards small cars.   The Today Show had a Smart as an example of the cheapest cars to operate in terms of fuel costs, and never once mentioned it requires premium fuel.
#7852 of 8674 Smart service by acheyfeet Jun 30, 2008 (12:15 pm)
Any Smart drivers out there who have had their cars serviced?? any info on who services them and how reliable they are? Thanks Replies to this message: steve_ (Jun 30, 2008 12:24 pm)
#7853 of 8674 Re: Smart service [acheyfeet] by steve_ HOST Jun 30, 2008 (12:24 pm)
Replying to: acheyfeet (Jun 30, 2008 12:15 pm) Try the Smart Fortwo discussion where you should find more owners hanging out.
#7854 of 8674 Re: 10k since January [ateixeira] by podred Jun 30, 2008 (2:02 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 30, 2008 8:57 am) Bet they could squeeze 30 in a convertible if limbs can stick out.   Yikes......your right!   Wow, I was off by a whopping 18 people.....Sheesh   I'm glad that you're thinking here, I was asleep at the wheel...ha...ha...ha...
#7855 of 8674 This should make nippononly happy. by bumpy Jul 01, 2008 (10:09 am)
Toyota adds 5-door Yaris to U.S. lineup Replies to this message: ateixeira (Jul 01, 2008 11:26 am) kyfdx (Jul 01, 2008 11:29 am)
#7856 of 8674 Re: This should make nippononly happy. [bumpy] by ateixeira Jul 01, 2008 (11:26 am)
Replying to: bumpy (Jul 01, 2008 10:09 am) Finally...that was a no-brainer. Bring all the small cars you have, may as well.
#7857 of 8674 Re: This should make nippononly happy. [bumpy] by kyfdx HOST Jul 01, 2008 (11:29 am)
Replying to: bumpy (Jul 01, 2008 10:09 am) At least now when I catch the occasional episode of Psych, I won't be muttering that the blue 5-door Yaris the Santa Barbara-based lead characters drive isn't available in the U.S.   I'll be happy, too... The 5-door configuration is what you need in a sub.. (see FIT)..
#7858 of 8674 Yay by plekto Jul 01, 2008 (2:03 pm)
I was waiting for this. The Yaris 5 door is great as the combination of the rear sliding and reclining seat makes for a very large rear seat area. Being able to get a typical American in the rear is a godsend.   Actually it's EXACTLY the same as the 3 door in every way other than the addition of two rear doors. But what a difference those doors make in how it looks. I predict it will gouge into the Fit's sales as the base model will barely eek in at $12K.   The Toyota IQ is also coming, evidently. This looks to be a Smart killer. Toyota reliability, space for that all important child or passenger in back(or cargo!), and tons more power. Oh, and less expensive by oh, about 3-5K!. All with 50-60mpg - a clear 10mpg gain over the Smart.   http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-iq.html Let's hope that Toyota can pull a miracle off and get this to the U.S. It'll sell like crazy for the above mentioned reasons.(plus IMO, it looks better - less like a toy and more like a shrunk-down mini wagon.   My only gripe is   TOYOTA - If anyone from your HQ is reading this by some miracle - bring it to the U.S. *now*. Don't wait a year or two. I'd buy one in an instant.So would several people I know. Replies to this message: podred (Jul 02, 2008 8:05 am)
#7859 of 8674 5 door yaris by nwng Jul 01, 2008 (2:14 pm)
I was in canada a couple weeks ago and the yaris 5 door is everywhere. Since they don't have the xD up there, I wonder if it will eat into xD sales or toyota thinks they are two separate markets.   And the 5 door got all the bags standard, it's about time!

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