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

#7925 of 8564 re: [lemmer] by ateixeira Aug 01, 2008 (12:54 pm)
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 8564 Re: So much for the 'good old days' [texases] by andre1969 Aug 01, 2008 (6:44 pm)
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 8564 Re: Civic vs Corolla [ateixeira] by irismg Aug 02, 2008 (11:58 am)
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! Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Aug 02, 2008 12:49 pm) irismg (Aug 02, 2008 1:06 pm) lilengineerboy (Aug 02, 2008 7:50 pm) and 3 more... ateixeira (Aug 04, 2008 6:05 am)
#7928 of 8564 Re: Civic vs Corolla [irismg] by lilengineerboy Aug 02, 2008 (12:49 pm)
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. Replies to this message: irismg (Aug 02, 2008 1:06 pm) lilengineerboy (Aug 02, 2008 7:50 pm) irismg (Aug 03, 2008 8:10 am) and 2 more...
#7929 of 8564 Re: Civic vs Corolla [lilengineerboy] by irismg Aug 02, 2008 (1:06 pm)
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. Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Aug 02, 2008 7:50 pm) irismg (Aug 03, 2008 8:10 am) lilengineerboy (Aug 03, 2008 10:16 am) and 1 more...
#7930 of 8564 Re: Civic vs Corolla [irismg] by lilengineerboy Aug 02, 2008 (7:50 pm)
Replying to: irismg (Aug 02, 2008 1:06 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 understand, I didn't mean to come across as critical of your choices; thats why we have choices, so everyone can get their needs met.   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 think this might be where we differentiate things. An interesting or exciting car need not scream "steal me" nor spend all of its days in the service bay. I haven't lost a vehicle (or any part) to theft nor have I spent a lot of time in the dealer's service department waiting room, and yet I have still found rides I would consider enjoyable. With the exception of my current vehicle, I wouldn't have considered any of my cars as appliances.   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.   To that end, I definitely agree with your decision, the Corolla gives a Lexus-like feeling inside until you actually touch anything.   I personally equate "fun-to-drive" with "driving like an idiot". I don't need that. Slow and sensible wins the race.   Its interesting that you implied that enjoying a drive is "driving like an idiot" but compared your driving style with racing.   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.   That, my fellow forum contributor, is what its all about (to the contrary of those that feel putting your left foot in and shaking it around is what its all about). Replies to this message: irismg (Aug 03, 2008 8:10 am) lilengineerboy (Aug 03, 2008 10:16 am) nippononly (Aug 03, 2008 10:34 am)
#7931 of 8564 Re: Civic vs Corolla [lilengineerboy] by irismg Aug 03, 2008 (8:10 am)
Replying to: lilengineerboy (Aug 02, 2008 7:50 pm) Its interesting that you implied that enjoying a drive is "driving like an idiot" but compared your driving style with racing.    It's a fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare," about who wins in life, not just about racing: the hot shot showoff or the nondescript but reliable plodder. I thought the terminology was appropos! Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Aug 03, 2008 10:16 am) nippononly (Aug 03, 2008 10:34 am)
#7932 of 8564 Re: Civic vs Corolla [irismg] by lilengineerboy Aug 03, 2008 (10:16 am)
Replying to: irismg (Aug 03, 2008 8:10 am) It's a fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare," about who wins in life, not just about racing: the hot shot showoff or the nondescript but reliable plodder.   Its the link between fun cars and exhibitionism I don't understand.   And that somehow driving a penalty box gets you further ahead. Replies to this message: nippononly (Aug 03, 2008 10:34 am)
#7933 of 8564 Re: Civic vs Corolla [lilengineerboy] by nippononly Aug 03, 2008 (10:34 am)
Replying to: lilengineerboy (Aug 03, 2008 10:16 am) The Fit is notably more fun to drive than the Yaris, for about the same money and without anything in the way of exhibitionism. You usually don't get too much flashiness in a $15K hatchback, and the Fit is no exception.   Some of the upcoming subs will fit that mold too, like the Fiesta, the new Aveo5 and the Beat that will replace it in a couple of years. Others like the Hornet and of course the existing Mini Cooper give you more flash, but often you pay extra for "flash", and the Mini is no exception. I wonder how they will price the Hornet when it arrives (courtesy of Chery Motors Inc). Seeing as its Chinese, I expect it will be low-priced.
#7934 of 8564 Re: Civic vs Corolla [irismg] by ateixeira Aug 04, 2008 (6:05 am)
Replying to: irismg (Aug 02, 2008 11:58 am) Thanks for the vote of confidence.   Your response was timely because either last night or the night before someone broke in to my flashy convertible (Miata) and stole all the change out of the center console.   It unfortunately does draw unwanted attention.   At least there wasn't anything valuable in it.

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