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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8700 messages,  Last post on Dec 08, 2009 at 7:41 PM

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

#7995 of 8700 Re: Test Drove a 2009 Fit Sport (No Navi) [snakeweasel] by nortsr1 Sep 07, 2008 (3:09 am)
Replying to: snakeweasel (Sep 06, 2008 5:12 am) thank you, Snakeweasel for backing me up!!! on my opinion. He, as he later stated, did not sign anything, so it was refunded, however; if he HAD signed an agreement and it specifically stated "NON-REFUNDABLE", than it would have been enforceable!!!!   I also agree with you that it is a good business practice to refund the deposit as a goodwill jester.
#7996 of 8700 Re: real nice review [nippononly] by lilengineerboy Sep 07, 2008 (5:32 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Sep 06, 2008 9:54 pm) My guess is this is another case of totally failing to plan ahead or offer a diversified line-up of cars, then making a half-assed attempt to catch up to the current trends.   1/11/07 Ave price/gallon $2.10 6/23/08 Ave price/gallon $4.01   Gas prices doubling in 18 months is relatively unprecedented.   It is ashame that the automakers with large, high profit vehicles didn't invest some of those proceeds in methods to make a profit on smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. Instead they provided vehicles like the Aveo and Cobalt that lack any feeling of quality, the Focus, which is okay if you can get past the styling.   So the automakers adjust to the market, try to create smaller, more fuel efficient cars and then they get beat up for not doing it fast enough Replies to this message: nippononly (Sep 07, 2008 8:11 pm) andre1969 (Sep 08, 2008 12:44 pm) lilengineerboy (Sep 08, 2008 5:21 pm) podred (Sep 09, 2008 2:51 pm)
#7997 of 8700 lilengineerboy... by iluvmysephia1 Sep 07, 2008 (11:29 am)
but, come on, weren't people somewhat forecasting higher ghastly prices for years leading up to this? Were they or weren't they? Maybe they were clueless that China, India, Russia, the like, were going to demand their come-uppings fast and good, like they are. And make the cash-poor(Yeah, Right)oil companies have to jump up, shake their fists, and demand more cash-per-gallon.   Ford should have been on this about 10 years ago. Divert some more cash from truck and SUV winnings to small car research and design. Seriously, it is too bad, I've been a Ford guy primarily, and my last two Ford's, a '94 Escort wagon and a '97 Escort sedan, were reasonably all right cars. Part of what turned me to Kia and their Sephia was better gas mileage and part of it was bodystyle design. Apparently a lot of Americans didn't see the body design part of it, but, I knew that Kia made the Festiva for Ford in the late 1980's, and I liked the Festiva's body design...even.   So there ya go, I now look to Mitsubishi of Japan and Kia of South Korea for my rig purchases. The new Ford Fiesta is a great new look IMO, but, really, Ford, 2010? At least revise that to come to the U.S. sometime in 2009! Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Sep 07, 2008 2:52 pm)
#7998 of 8700 Re: lilengineerboy... [iluvmysephia1] by lilengineerboy Sep 07, 2008 (2:52 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Sep 07, 2008 11:29 am) but, come on, weren't people somewhat forecasting higher ghastly prices for years leading up to this? Were they or weren't they?   There is a guy I pass every day on my way to work (and I used to pass him on my way to school) that has a sign that says Jesus is coming. I am assuming that is his prediction, but he is still standing there so I assume it hasn't happened yet.   Seriously, it is too bad, I've been a Ford guy primarily, and my last two Ford's, a '94 Escort wagon and a '97 Escort sedan, were reasonably all right cars.   The Escorts and Contour and Tauri I have been responsible for have been alright for me as well. I think the previous generation Focus SVT 5-door is a fantastic car and high on my target list (although the MazdaSpeed6 is still a stretch target).
#7999 of 8700 Re: real nice review [lilengineerboy] by nippononly Sep 07, 2008 (8:11 pm)
Replying to: lilengineerboy (Sep 07, 2008 5:32 am) So the automakers adjust to the market, try to create smaller, more fuel efficient cars and then they get beat up for not doing it fast enough   Yes, but you miss the point. They weren't offering a diverse line-up before. They were offering 26 different versions of the same 18 mpg, 7-seat truck, and a couple of cars to go with it (I am exaggerating of course, but I hope you get my drift)   Who made out like bandits this year? The ones who offered a FULL line-up of cars all along, and already had small fuel-efficient cars in the showroom when the fit hit the shan.   Ford has had more than 100 years to offer a proper diversity of cars. But trucks was where they wanted to hang their hats, trucks trucks trucks. I have thought many a time in the last 3 years that they might do well to just abandon the car market altogether and focus on being a niche truck manufacturer. Replies to this message: andre1969 (Sep 08, 2008 12:44 pm) lilengineerboy (Sep 08, 2008 5:21 pm)
#8000 of 8700 Deposit by ateixeira Sep 08, 2008 (7:48 am)
I bet they were making empty threats to keep the money to see if you'd cave. Once they figured the deal was out of the question, they sent the money back to avoid litigation.   Jesters, indeed. Replies to this message: thegreatoz (Sep 08, 2008 12:35 pm)
#8001 of 8700 Re: Deposit [ateixeira] by thegreatoz Sep 08, 2008 (12:35 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 08, 2008 7:48 am) ateixeira wrote: I bet they were making empty threats to keep the money to see if you'd cave.   You're probably right. Spending $19,000 to recover $500 is 'fuzzy math'!   Guess which Honda dealer I won't be visiting when the 2010 Insight comes out?
#8002 of 8700 Re: real nice review [nippononly] by andre1969 Sep 08, 2008 (12:44 pm)
Replying to: nippononly (Sep 07, 2008 8:11 pm) Who made out like bandits this year? The ones who offered a FULL line-up of cars all along, and already had small fuel-efficient cars in the showroom when the fit hit the shan.   I'll at least give Ford credit for having the Focus, and GM credit for having the Cobalt and Aveo. Chrysler, however, was really caught with their pants down, dumping the so-so Neon for the relatively thirsty, chunky, heavy Caliber.   But the Civic and Corolla are mopping the floor with them. How is the Sentra selling these days? I imagine it's doing pretty well too, although nowhere near Civic or Corolla volume. Replies to this message: lilengineerboy (Sep 08, 2008 5:21 pm)
#8003 of 8700 Re: real nice review [andre1969] by lilengineerboy Sep 08, 2008 (5:21 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Sep 08, 2008 12:44 pm) I'll at least give Ford credit for having the Focus, and GM credit for having the Cobalt and Aveo. Chrysler, however, was really caught with their pants down, dumping the so-so Neon for the relatively thirsty, chunky, heavy Caliber.   I thought the Focus was a great ride in the previous generation. The SVT 5 door is intriguing to me. The Cobalt felt pretty miserable whenever I touched anything (cilmate control and radio, especially), and the Aveo was very uncomfortable for me. At under 10k though, it might still be a bargain for those who can't bring themselves to get a used Civic.   The Neon is an especially bad case IMHO. A 130 or 150 hp small coupe or sedan that was fun to drive and had reasonable fuel economy gets axed for McCrossover Happy Meal. I thought the first generation Neon had a lot going for it, especially the ACR and Sport editions.
#8004 of 8700 Re: real nice review [lilengineerboy] by podred Sep 08, 2008 (7:21 pm)
Replying to: lilengineerboy (Sep 06, 2008 6:23 pm) Yes yes, that must be it. I am sure that a company like Ford losing market share like my dog sheds fur wouldn't be interested in bringing a vehicle that promises to be a huge hit to market as fast as possible.   Yes, now you get it. All one must do is look at their track record of denial.   After all, Ford of Europe (now UK) has been building world class fun to drive small cars for decades. And yet they have a zillion excuses for not bringing them over to the US. All the while Toyota and Honda laugh all the way to the bank with cars that are not half as exciting.   It's no wonder that Ford and GM have lost their way. Poor Greedy Old Boys Network... Truck / SUV ~ Dealer / Addicts. Replies to this message: nippononly (Sep 08, 2008 7:40 pm) nortsr1 (Sep 09, 2008 5:38 am)

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