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What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

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


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#7923 of 8691
So much for the 'good old days' by texases
Aug 01, 2008 (12:02 pm)
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I came across an archive article on the C/D web site where they tried to 'hypermile' a '74 Pinto. Amazing numbers:
Base car at steady 70 mph: 14.6 mpg (honest!)
Max with all add on (radial tires, aero ads, 2 blade fan): 18.1 mpg
 
Makes a 35 mpg Fit look pretty good....
#7925 of 8691
re: [lemmer] by ateixeira
Aug 01, 2008 (12:54 pm)
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Agreed, but what I'm saying is that I think folks like C&D don't realize that it is indeed subjective.
 
And when they evaluate minivans, maybe spend less time at the track, and more time car-pooling, carrying people and their stuff, which is what vans do.
 
They even complained that the 3rd row was hard to fold, and gushed over the Dodge's power folding ones - yet Toyota offered them first!
 
Most cases of beer! In all configurations. Game Over for me. LOL
 
Any how, rant over, back to subcompacts. Hopefully a few more people will understand that some people intentionally choose ride over handling.
#7926 of 8691
Re: So much for the 'good old days' [texases] by andre1969
Aug 01, 2008 (6:44 pm)
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Replying to: texases (Aug 01, 2008 12:02 pm)

That's really pretty sad when you consider I could get 22-23 mpg out of a '69 Dart slant six, doing 70-75 mph with the a/c going full blast, and a few passengers in the car.
 
Now sure, cars got worse in the 70's, but I've been able to get about 17.4 out of my '76 LeMans, 350-4bbl, and 18 out of my '79 New Yorker, 360-2bbl.
 
I have heard thought, that 1974 was about the worst year ever for fuel economy. All that rudimentary smog crap really hurt fuel economy, and when the catalytic converter came out for 1975, it actually improved things alot.
#7927 of 8691
Re: Civic vs Corolla [ateixeira] by irismg
Aug 02, 2008 (11:58 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 01, 2008 9:31 am)

I think your comments were well put, actually. I personally think "fun to drive" is overrated. Another condescending term is "appliance". My Corolla, and my rental Yaris, for that matter, are plain-jane, and I like them that way. I live in an apartment complex, and I don't want a car that says, "hey, look at me, I've got something to steal inside". So long as it's not ugly, the more people think my car is boring, the better!
#7928 of 8691
Re: Civic vs Corolla [irismg] by lilengineerboy
Aug 02, 2008 (12:49 pm)
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Replying to: irismg (Aug 02, 2008 11:58 am)

I think your comments were well put, actually. I personally think "fun to drive" is overrated. Another condescending term is "appliance". My Corolla, and my rental Yaris, for that matter, are plain-jane, and I like them that way. I live in an apartment complex, and I don't want a car that says, "hey, look at me, I've got something to steal inside". So long as it's not ugly, the more people think my car is boring, the better!
 
I personally feel that if I am going to spend time driving, it might as well be enjoyable. I am not talking about styling, I am talking about driving experience.
 
I don't understand your reference about stealing something out of one car more than another or what you feel would draw attention to one car more than the others. If you are getting your needs met, I think you made the right decision for your situation.
#7929 of 8691
Re: Civic vs Corolla [lilengineerboy] by irismg
Aug 02, 2008 (1:06 pm)
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Aug 02, 2008 12:49 pm)

Well, I wasn't addressing you, so that may have a lot to do with it. I'll try to explain what I was referring to, though.
 
I don't want a car that people are going to envy and want to steal all or part of it. I could have bought an "exciting" car that's maybe less reliable, or a "boring" car that I can count on and has lower insurance rates - the dreaded "appliance". I chose a boring, attractive car. My driving experience in my boring car is OK. It's the interior of the car that makes the driving experience for me rather than the exterior anyway, in my view, which for me means as long as I have my music and am comfortable and safe, I'm fine.
 
I personally equate "fun-to-drive" with "driving like an idiot". I don't need that. Slow and sensible wins the race.
 
I'm really not expecting anyone to "understand" this point of view. It's just that the other poster made some very good points that I agree with. And yes, I am getting my needs met by my choice.

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