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What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

9847 messages,  Last post on Jun 15, 2013 at 5:51 AM

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

Messages Page 979 of 985

#9781 of 9847 make sure they get 40 mpg by Stever@Edmunds 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 9847 Re: new Fit [alltorque] by ateixeira

Oct 25, 2012 (11:52 am)

Replying to: alltorque (Oct 23, 2012 1:55 pm)
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.

#9783 of 9847 Microcar Comparison by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jan 11, 2013 (2:10 pm)


 
Finding the Best Teeny Car

#9784 of 9847 Re: Microcar Comparison [steve_] by ateixeira

Jan 11, 2013 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Jan 11, 2013 2:10 pm)
I'd like to see a Spark SS, even with just a slight bump in output.
 
I'd pick 500, Spark, iQ, and walking, in that order.

#9785 of 9847 still waiting by nippononly

Jan 12, 2013 (10:46 am)

for them to offer a manual in the iQ, would make it my choice. I think I will be waiting a long long time though (read: never).
 
Almost bought a 500, but hated the fact that the only way that car is acceptable to drive is if you press the "Sport" button every time you drive it - you can't program it to default to Sport. It truly is a stylish little bugger. I bet the Abarth is a hoot, but then you are spending enough money where a Cooper S begins to be in reach, and I would go with the Mini.

#9786 of 9847 Re: still waiting [nippononly] by ateixeira

Jan 12, 2013 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 12, 2013 10:46 am)
Is it me or does the 500 feel a little tinny? Base models are cheap, but Abarths can get up there.

#9787 of 9847 Re: still waiting [ateixeira] by nippononly

Jan 13, 2013 (1:28 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 12, 2013 3:20 pm)
I only drove a Sport, but it didn't feel particularly tinny. I imagine all the really little cars feel a bit unsubstantial if you are used to bigger cars, but the super low weight also makes them a lot more fun to drive.

#9788 of 9847 Re: still waiting [nippononly] by ateixeira

Jan 13, 2013 (9:04 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 13, 2013 1:28 am)
For mid teens price, no complaints. Once you hit $20k I'd be looking at more substantial cars.

#9789 of 9847 Re: still waiting [ateixeira] by nippononly

Jan 13, 2013 (10:47 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 13, 2013 9:04 am)
Well the Sport only runs about $18K and change...
 
As for me, I am all about lightweight transpo - my Yaris weighs 2300 pounds. If they stuffed a 1.8 turbo under the hood with 180 hp or so, and held the weight to 2500 pounds or less, I would be there no matter if the price went into the $20Ks. The thing already drives like a roller skate, it carves corners almost as well as an '02 Celica I had once upon a time....all it lacks is the power to really have fun.
 
I would have two, a lo-po version to get me 40 mpg in my commute like the one I have now, and one more with the turbo for fun on weekends!

#9790 of 9847 Re: still waiting [nippononly] by michaell

Jan 14, 2013 (6:40 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 13, 2013 10:47 pm)
s for me, I am all about lightweight transpo - my Yaris weighs 2300 pounds. If they stuffed a 1.8 turbo under the hood with 180 hp or so, and held the weight to 2500 pounds or less, I would be there no matter if the price went into the $20Ks. The thing already drives like a roller skate, it carves corners almost as well as an '02 Celica I had once upon a time....all it lacks is the power to really have fun.
  
I would have two, a lo-po version to get me 40 mpg in my commute like the one I have now, and one more with the turbo for fun on weekends!
 
Can you say Fiesta ST? 197HP with the 1.6L EcoBoost and I suspect mid-30's on the highway. Haven't seen any official pricing yet, but I would think somewhere in the low 20's to start.

Messages Page 979 of 985

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