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

#7955 of 8564 Re: just finished [ateixeira] by nippononly Aug 15, 2008 (8:29 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 15, 2008 7:50 am) I don't suppose we will unless they can find a way to distribute them in the U.S., and they can find the money to federalize them.   I guess there is some rumor that they are thinking they might establish a sort of one-model Abarth brand in the States? I would like that! Mini sales are always constrained by supply, and there would be room for both brands I would think.   As for the MiTo, Alfa would show Americans there is more than one way to make a premium small hatch. Mini, Abarth, and Alfa could share this niche and none would suffer for the others, I think.   andre: I have already lost the link for the trucks, as I saved both as pdfs then dumped my original source. If you go to http://autonews.com and search on it, I bet you could find it. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Aug 15, 2008 8:54 am)
#7956 of 8564 Re: just finished [nippononly] by ateixeira Aug 15, 2008 (8:54 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Aug 15, 2008 8:29 am) Even though Cooper demand is high, supply is still sort of small. It's not really a volume model, may never be.   I doubt they'll increase supply that much so we may not ever find out.
#7957 of 8564 Nippon Only is an Old Sage by joem5 Aug 17, 2008 (2:39 pm)
If I were you I'd listen to the guy. You might learn something.          Four or 5 years ago Himmler, Syder and I use to pull his chain. I think the Yaris,Fit and Scion are the way to go. Let's see the Fiesta and why is the Focus HB in Europe? Why are we the last country to get world cars?            I understand the Mini is cute,but is it reliable,now that the Germans are building it? There trannys and cluches are blown at 50k and no waranty,plus 5k to 7k to fix out of owners pocket. Americans are suckers not cheap.               Nippon, Americans maybe cheap,but look At Mazda 3, felt carpeting, styrofoam between recycled plastic grill and radiator,velcroed floor mats, an ash tray and cigarette lighter,RSA Eagle tires wowser dangerous on 1" of snow, also treadlife 18k to 25k if you're lucky.205 5017 low profiles on a sedan.Yes, I know the lighter the car the MPG goes up.               Beef up the Yaris ,Fit and Scion put heated seats, sunroof.,Or leave them alone just offer a lumbar support.Ford,GM, and Chrysler will never get it.              Gas will be back at $4.00 again,but how soon we forget. Replies to this message: nippononly (Aug 17, 2008 8:56 pm)
#7958 of 8564 Re: Nippon Only is an Old Sage [joem5] by nippononly Aug 17, 2008 (8:56 pm)
Replying to: joem5 (Aug 17, 2008 2:39 pm) Gas will be back at $4.00 again,but how soon we forget   Agreed, how soon we forget.   It is frustrating how long it takes automakers to bring their world cars to America, especially Toyota and Honda which each have about 48 models smaller than a Corolla that are already sold elsewhere.   What does Honda do? Does it bring any of them here? No, it will spend more than two more years reinventing the CRZ, and develop a new small hybrid from whole cloth rather than just offer us some of its more interesting models.   As for Toyota, I had so heartily hoped that Scion would be a permanent outlet for interesting and wacky small JDM vehicles in America, and instead they turned it into Boresville in less than three years.   I do applaud the return of the Fiesta though, even if that ALSO will take about a decade to accomplish, and I do wish VW would consider selling the Polo in the States, and that MB goes ahead with its rumored plans for the A-class, or whatever.
#7959 of 8564 has anyone by nippononly Aug 20, 2008 (8:39 am)
heard about these plans Hyundai has to start selling its i10, a small 5-door hatch halfway in size between a ForTwo and a Fit, in the U.S.? It currently weighs under 1900 pounds, although they estimate it will need 400 pounds of modifications to meet American crash safety standards. It has a 1.1L and a 1.2L engine, the latter with 82 hp (more than enough for such a light car) currently making 47 mpg combined.   Sale prices for the top model are in the $11K range currently. They build them in India and sell them in 70 countries as of now. I could see this making a go of it in the States. Yes, it would probably be slow, but OTOH it could very well give hybrids and diesels a serious run for their money on the fuel economy front...and Hyundai sounds pretty serious about selling it here as soon as next year.
#7960 of 8564 Mazda 3 Sedan I New Vaue 2.0 by joem5 Aug 20, 2008 (12:53 pm)
The car comes with 205 50 17 VR tires . This is a sedan? The tires are made for dry pavement ,even if they are rated all season. Try 1" inch of of snow and grab your rosary beads. The tires cost at dealer $227.00 a piece and $60.00 a pair to be mounted and balanced.     Now, I just bought 4 Dunlops all season to put on to morrow at $ 60.00 a pair mounted and balanced.Dunlop Sport Signatures :Tire rack reccomended).     These tires are beefy and will a 2.0 engine handle them ? I think not as far as cornering and mpg,but I'm trying to stay alive.                Come spring the Mazda is going. I've read horror stories about the tires they go through. I know I'm going to take a losss on a 1 year old car, but I'm not spending $2000.00 a year in 17 inch performance tires.    Thay's what you get when you don't do your homework.     So Honda, Fit,Yaris ,Scion,Versa, or Fiesta here I come hat in hand.A Ford Focus HB with a moon roof ,heated seats is history here,but not in Europe.    The Dumbing Down of American car know how is here. Replies to this message: bumpy (Aug 21, 2008 7:14 am) ateixeira (Aug 27, 2008 11:30 am) alltorque (Aug 30, 2008 5:53 am) texases (Aug 30, 2008 7:40 am) and 2 more...
#7961 of 8564 Re: Mazda 3 Sedan I New Vaue 2.0 [joem5] by bumpy Aug 21, 2008 (7:14 am)
Replying to: joem5 (Aug 20, 2008 12:53 pm) Changing the wheels would be cheaper than dumping the car. I'd bet that the el cheapo steel wheels off a base Focus or something would fit. Main thing is to keep the overall tire diameter about the same.
#7962 of 8564 Re: What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts? [harrychezt] by kchaney Aug 24, 2008 (3:11 pm)
Replying to: harrychezt (Jan 10, 2006 9:55 pm) sound's like some exercise is in order. My wife, my sister and my son in his childseat rode around tulsa all day in the backseat with no problems. My nephew at 6foot two sit behind me (I'm 6 foot) on a three hour trip with no problems. maybe we're just real poor and ain't real picky.
#7963 of 8564 Re: Mazda 3 Sedan I New Vaue 2.0 [joem5] by ateixeira Aug 27, 2008 (11:30 am)
Replying to: joem5 (Aug 20, 2008 12:53 pm) Forget the sedan...but why haven't they come out with a 2.0l 5 door? That would seem to appeal to the frugal crowd with gas prices nowadays. Replies to this message: alltorque (Aug 30, 2008 5:53 am) texases (Aug 30, 2008 7:40 am) ateixeira (Sep 02, 2008 9:29 am) and 1 more...
#7964 of 8564 Re: Mazda 3 Sedan I New Vaue 2.0 [ateixeira] by alltorque Aug 30, 2008 (5:53 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 27, 2008 11:30 am) I almost hate myself for saying this - but only "almost" - here in Europe the Mazda 3 5-door hatch is available with 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 gassers and 1.6 and 2.0 diesels, the latter with 143bhp.   I really do not understand why they aren't available in USA. Hopefully they will be ere long. Replies to this message: texases (Aug 30, 2008 7:40 am) ateixeira (Sep 02, 2008 9:29 am) alltorque (Sep 02, 2008 12:55 pm)

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