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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8698 messages,  Last post on Dec 08, 2009 at 11:02 AM

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

#8340 of 8698 Re: Well... [kyfdx] by andre1969 Apr 20, 2009 (10:18 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Apr 20, 2009 9:58 am) The question for all the black helicopter fans: Are economy car insurance rates higher because of higher insurance payouts, or some sort of red-lining of lower income clients?   I dunno...my insurance rate has tended to be affected more by my driving record, age (dropped when I turned 30, again when I turned 35, and I think it drops again when I turn 40), where I live (it went up when I moved to a different zipcode in 2004), and distance to work (always fairly close...had been about 13 miles, now 3.5), rather than the type of car I had.   But then, I've never had a small car. The smallest car I've ever owned was a 1988 LeBaron turbo coupe, but I was married then and got a cheaper rate. I think that car was around $800-900 per year for full coverage. Replies to this message: kyfdx (Apr 20, 2009 10:21 am) nippononly (Apr 20, 2009 12:32 pm) kyfdx (Apr 20, 2009 6:42 pm)
#8341 of 8698 Re: Well... [andre1969] by kyfdx HOST Apr 20, 2009 (10:21 am)
Replying to: andre1969 (Apr 20, 2009 10:18 am) I traded a CR-V for an Impreza, and my rates went up 25% on that car.. The Subaru (base 4-cyl) is more than our BMW X3...   I thought I just picked the wrong car, until I started looking at State Farm's website.. Within each make, the SUV models are almost always the cheapest rates, and economy cars the highest.   The comparisons were with all other factors being equal (same driver, same commute, etc). Replies to this message: nippononly (Apr 20, 2009 12:32 pm) kyfdx (Apr 20, 2009 6:42 pm)
#8342 of 8698 Ratings by kyfdx HOST Apr 20, 2009 (10:26 am)
State Farm make/model insurance ratings Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 21, 2009 7:26 am) kyfdx (Apr 21, 2009 7:51 am) ateixeira (Apr 21, 2009 10:40 am)
#8343 of 8698 One reason... by andre1969 Apr 20, 2009 (10:39 am)
that big trucks and SUVs might carry such low premiums is simply because the majority of accidents are single-car accidents. So in the overall scheme of things, how much damage a big hulking Yukon can do to a petite little Aveo, or any car for that matter, is relatively moot. Of course, that's little consolation if you happen to get hit by one!
#8344 of 8698 Re: Well... [kyfdx] by nippononly Apr 20, 2009 (12:32 pm)
Replying to: kyfdx (Apr 20, 2009 10:21 am) It also may be no coincidence that the Impreza is built in Japan while the CRV and X3 are built here. That makes replacement parts cheaper for the BMW and Honda than for the cheapest-of-the-three Impreza, which is a factor in your rates for collision and comp.   None of the subs sold here today are built here. Honda may be the first to change that, with their current plans to open a new plant here. Of course, that may be on hold, I can't recall the last thing I read on that.   By contrast, most compacts sold here are built in North America.... Replies to this message: kyfdx (Apr 20, 2009 6:42 pm)
#8345 of 8698 Re: Well... [nippononly] by kyfdx HOST Apr 20, 2009 (6:42 pm)
Replying to: nippononly (Apr 20, 2009 12:32 pm) Hmm... X3 is built in Austria... The new model (whenever that happens) will be constructed in South Carolina, but almost all of the parts will still come from Germany (80% or more).   Most older CR-Vs were built in England and Japan... It's just the new model that's being built here..   I'm going with the demographics theory... , though it's likely a combination of many factors..
#8346 of 8698 Re: Ratings [kyfdx] by ateixeira Apr 21, 2009 (7:26 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Apr 20, 2009 10:26 am) Score one for small cars...   My fleet includes:   Car Vehicle Safety Discount Sienna 10% Forester 20% Miata 30%   The smallest car has the biggest discount, with State Farm, at least. Replies to this message: kyfdx (Apr 21, 2009 7:51 am) ateixeira (Apr 21, 2009 10:40 am)
#8347 of 8698 Re: Ratings [ateixeira] by kyfdx HOST Apr 21, 2009 (7:51 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 21, 2009 7:26 am) I noticed a lot of specialty cars had low rates...   Caymans and Boxsters, etc...   Again, I think it's the demographics, and that possibly those cars are used less for commuting.. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 21, 2009 10:40 am)
#8348 of 8698 Re: Ratings [kyfdx] by ateixeira Apr 21, 2009 (10:40 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Apr 21, 2009 7:51 am) My 93 Miata was the cheapest of my 3 cars to insure.   Now with a new 2008 it's in the middle.   I guess small cars have lower liability.
#8349 of 8698 Re: Soulless [steve_] by ateixeira Apr 21, 2009 (11:18 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Apr 14, 2009 2:28 pm) Steve: perhaps this is purely a matter of expectations, but I checked one out at the NY Auto Show and I had the opposite impression. I was pleasantly surprised.   I liked it better than the Cube we saw, though we could not get in the Cube.   Materials are nothing to brag about, but there were all put together well, and fit and finish were impressive for the price.   The boxy design is practical and roomy, the interior is airy and seems almost mid-sized. The center console and dash look like a snow board - a neat design feature.   That plus I thought the fabrics used were playful and fun.   Again, for the price, you sort of expect an unassuming, boring car, and the Soul actually had a little spunk.   Just my $0.02. Replies to this message: steve_ (Apr 21, 2009 12:38 pm) fintail (Apr 21, 2009 1:26 pm) steve_ (Apr 21, 2009 3:14 pm) and 14 more...

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