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

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8694 messages,  Last post on Dec 07, 2009 at 6:51 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

#8525 of 8694 Re: cliche pic? [colloquor] by steve_ HOST Sep 17, 2009 (7:25 am)
Replying to: colloquor (Sep 17, 2009 5:53 am) My old '70s era Bugs didn't have hanging brake pedals?   Obviously they didn't make a huge impression on me. Replies to this message: nippononly (Sep 17, 2009 7:34 am)
#8526 of 8694 Re: cliche pic? [steve_] by nippononly Sep 17, 2009 (7:34 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Sep 17, 2009 7:25 am) No, Bugs had their pedals attached to the floor, a configuration I personally don't like very much.   The current Civic SI has taken a lot of reviewer flack for having the pedals attached to the floor.
#8527 of 8694 The Bug had pedals attached to the floor... by iluvmysephia1 Sep 17, 2009 (9:47 am)
wow. IIRC Dad's 1966 VW Fastback, in baby blue, had footpedals coming down from up above the floorboard. But it's been awhile since I've driven that car. Interesting about the Bug, I didn't know that about it.
#8528 of 8694 Re: IMO... [iluvmysephia1] by ateixeira Sep 17, 2009 (10:00 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Sep 16, 2009 8:50 pm) I prefer to drive small cars, too, but Big can be efficient as well.   We have an 8 passenger Sienna and on many, many occasions we've taken 2 whole families on road trips to places. The kids have friends to play with and with 26-27 mpg even 2 hybrids would seriously struggle to use so little gas.
#8529 of 8694 press request by kirstie_h HOST Sep 17, 2009 (1:40 pm)
A reporter is looking to speak to consumers who drive conventional vehicles but encounter low-speed vehicles when driving. Low-speed vehicles include: Chrysler GEM, ZAP, Zenn or similar vehicles. Please send your daytime phone number to ctalatiedmunds.com by Friday, September 25, 2009. Thanks, Chintan Corporate Communications Edmunds.com
#8530 of 8694 yay! by nippononly Sep 18, 2009 (2:42 pm)
Mazda 2 small car to arrive in U.S. in 2010   Mazda will bring the Mazda 2 small car to the U.S. market starting late next year, the Japanese automaker said on Thursday.   The Mazda 2--named Demio in Japan--also will be sold in Canada. The car will compete against vehicles such as the Honda Fit, the Nissan Versa and the upcoming Ford Fiesta in the B-car segment. The Mazda 2 and the Fiesta share the same platform.   http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090917/CARNEWS/909179990#ixzz0RV6RihKa   This is the cloth from which the fairly promising Fiesta was woven! And judging by history, Mazda's version will be the sportier and better equipped of the two. I was so sad when Mazda NA announced they weren't bringing it here. I wonder what made them change their mind. Subcompact sales haven't picked up THAT much. Maybe with everyone bringing new subcompacts out for the North American market, they were just afraid of being the last ones in the pool.   Or maybe it gets great gas mileage (let's hope so) and they want it for CAFE credits under the new stricter 2016 plan. Replies to this message: steve_ (Sep 18, 2009 2:44 pm) ateixeira (Sep 21, 2009 7:27 am)
#8531 of 8694 Re: yay! [nippononly] by steve_ HOST Sep 18, 2009 (2:44 pm)
Replying to: nippononly (Sep 18, 2009 2:42 pm) I wonder what made them change their mind.   Maybe they decided they could live with the "Mazda 2 small" jokes?   Here's the Inside Line story:   Confirmed: Mazda 2 Is Coming to the States
#8532 of 8694 Re: yay! [nippononly] by ateixeira Sep 21, 2009 (7:27 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Sep 18, 2009 2:42 pm) Even if sales volumes are small, having the 2 automatically pushes the 3 a little upscale. People will not perceive the 3 as being entry-level if it is slotted above another car.   Subaru has the same problem with the Impreza.
#8533 of 8694 fiesta performance by eldaino2 Sep 21, 2009 (9:50 am)
there has not been a link posted, unless i missed it, but the fiesta versus fit article is on insideline.   to be honest with you this article highlights why its not all about the numbers and more about feel....because the 'so much better' fiesta BARELY put out better numbers than the fit. ON SUPER AGRESSIVE SUMMER TIRES no less!   where would the fit have been if equipped with the same tires? Replies to this message: steve_ (Sep 21, 2009 10:00 am) tifighter (Sep 21, 2009 2:52 pm) lilengineerboy (Sep 21, 2009 5:59 pm) and 19 more... nippononly (Sep 21, 2009 10:18 am) ateixeira (Sep 21, 2009 10:27 am)
#8534 of 8694 Re: fiesta performance [eldaino2] by steve_ HOST Sep 21, 2009 (10:00 am)
Replying to: eldaino2 (Sep 21, 2009 9:50 am) Here's the link:   Comparison Test: 2009 Ford Fiesta Titanium vs. 2009 Honda Fit Sport   Replies to this message: tifighter (Sep 21, 2009 2:52 pm) lilengineerboy (Sep 21, 2009 5:59 pm) nippononly (Sep 21, 2009 9:05 pm) and 18 more...

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