9838 messages,
Last post on Feb 07, 2013 at 10:28 PM
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Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, smart fortwo, MINI Cooper
#9774 of 9838 Re: Versa: pretty simple really [bpizzuti]
by steve_ HOST
Oct 16, 2012 (8:02 am)
We really like the Elantra Touring wagon we looked at during Cash for Clunkers. Must have been an '09? Then I guess Hyundai just went to the hatch for the US. How has yours worked out?
Seems like our microcars are everyone else's subcompacts.
#9775 of 9838 Re: Versa: pretty simple really [steve_]
by bpizzuti
Oct 16, 2012 (8:06 am)
The Touring has been solid but boring. Underpowered, auto tranny isn't real smart, back end likes to kick out easily, jittery ride but the steering is extremely numb, no road feel.
Hasn't had a single mechanical issue, but I miss my Mazda3.
#9776 of 9838 Re: Versa: pretty simple really [bpizzuti]
by steve_ HOST
Oct 16, 2012 (8:08 am)
The one we tested was a fun six speed and well equipped for the price. Just couldn't handle the fire engine red.
#9777 of 9838 Re: Versa: pretty simple really [maxx4me]
by ateixeira
Oct 16, 2012 (10:13 am)
Mom has a Fit in Brazil, we took it on a 4 hour road trip with 5 people in the car, the room is impressive.
My complaint would be road noise. Space was abundant.
Actually, so was road noise.
Oct 18, 2012 (11:13 pm)
comes out next year, but of course by then they will be building the North American ones in Mexico....
Of course Versa will only be in year two, as will Sonic and Accent/Rio, and Fiesta will only be in year 3, so Honda might hold an edge for a while. IF they take the redesign seriously and stop making the customer pay extra for basic stuff (if it can even be had at any price).
However, taking redesigns seriously is not something they seem to remember how to do, judging by the last few years.
#9779 of 9838 Re: new Fit [nippononly]
by ateixeira
Oct 23, 2012 (11:51 am)
Interestingly, Fit is not seen as just a B-segment competitor in Brazil. It's called a "monovolume" there, in other words a very small minivan. They position it to compete with the Meriva, not the Corsa/Celta.
It's price position here is much lower in comparison.
#9780 of 9838 Re: new Fit [ateixeira]
by alltorque
Oct 23, 2012 (1:55 pm)
Honda Jazz, (Fit to you guys), is certainly a Meriva competitor here in Europe and certainly far roomier than any Corsa..............assuming Corsas are the same both sides of the pond, of course.
My wife's '06 Jazz continues to just get on with life. No drama, no surprises and is the car of choice vs my S60 if we are a party of 5x adults. Rear leg-room is tons better and the higher, more upright seating makes 5-up a breeze compared to the leather-clad Swede. Of course, it's the good old 1334cc 3-pot with 75bhp so sure isn't a fireball but it does do what it says on the tin and that buys a lot of forgiveness. A 2.0 Vtec would be a blast but I suspect we'll see a Bugatti TDi before that appears.
#9781 of 9838 make sure they get 40 mpg
by steve_ HOST
Oct 24, 2012 (12:41 pm)
Fiat USA re-engineered non-turbo engines to hit that psychological barrier, since some larger cars get 40mpg.
"Architect Scott Kula used to ride a Vespa scooter to catch a train from Montclair, N.J. to his office in Manhattan. Now, he drives a Fiat 500 for the first leg of his commute.
"It's my Vespa with four wheels," says Mr. Kula, 49, who works designing stores for Coach International, the luxury goods company.
The number of cars under 160 inches long offered in the U.S. has grown to 13 models from nine since 2009."
Dinky, Yes, But Don't Call Them Cheap (WSJ)
#9782 of 9838 Re: new Fit [alltorque]
by ateixeira
Oct 25, 2012 (11:52 am)
Mom's previous one was also a 1.3l. I think her latest one is a 1.5l.
Her sons helped her pay for them.