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Compact Sedans

296 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2012 at 7:00 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Mazda MAZDA3, Nissan Sentra, Kia, Volkswagen Jetta, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 9 of 30

#77 of 296 Re: KIa Optima [backy] by igozoomzoom

Jan 29, 2011 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 25, 2011 8:15 pm)
You are correct, the Golf is a compact but isn't a sedan. But there are several compact sedans that are also offered in a 5-door hatchback (or wagon) bodystyle. The Mazda3 5-door is currently the most successful of its type, but the 2012 Focus 5-door will almost certainly be a hit also. The Kia Forte is now offered as a 5-door, but it's not nearly as successful in the styling department as the Mazda3, Focus or VW Golf. The current Hyundai Elantra Touring will be around for one more year, then a brand-new 2013 version will be introduced in Jan-Feb 2012.
 
When I went to buy my Mazda3, I had every intention of buying the 's' 4-door sedan. But when I saw it parked next to an 's' 5-door (identical color), I was sold....hatchback all the way! =)

#78 of 296 Re: Mid-sized cars seem too big lately [lilengineerboy] by igozoomzoom

Jan 29, 2011 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jan 26, 2011 6:07 am)
"I am very excited about the new Focus, the Mazda3 (excepting the smiley front end)...."
 
The 2012 Mazda will be getting a facelift and the smiley-face front-end will be toned down substantially!!! I was ready to pull the trigger on a 2011 Mazda3 s Sport 5-door, but I've decided to hold off and see how the 2012 're-fresh' turns out first.

#79 of 296 Re: Mid-sized cars seem too big lately [igozoomzoom] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 29, 2011 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 29, 2011 5:10 pm)
I have been researching the 5 lately. I have to say, Mazda was endulging in some pretty powerful drugs, IMO, when whomever authorized the mass production of all those smiley grills. I would not let the looks of it sway my ultimayte decision to buy 'anything really' as long as the rest of the pkg works for me. The 5 actually strikes me as very effeminate from the front, side and especially the rear
But I like the concept of upright roomy seating and being able to sleep or camp in the back and haul stuff in a pinch. Affordably. And I love the fact that it comes with a std. If only it was AWD there would probably already be one in my drive.
 
Anyway, if i do end up with one, I'm going to get about 2 or 3 molded white Billy-Bob teeth made up professionally, and I'm going to randomly stagger-mount them in the grill. They're gonna be so white no one will miss them. Altho, maybe I should have them yellowed? lol (Hopefully no one tries to steel them though )
It's the best thing anyone with a smiley could do. That is if you're comfortable being able to laugh at yourself in the mirror. I am and do all the time..

#80 of 296 Re: KIa Optima [igozoomzoom] by backy

Jan 29, 2011 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 29, 2011 5:02 pm)
The Kia Forte is now offered as a 5-door, but it's not nearly as successful in the styling department as the Mazda3, Focus or VW Golf.
 
Styling is subjective. I happen to like the crisp lines of the Forte hatch.

#81 of 296 Re: Mid-sized cars seem too big lately [igozoomzoom] by puffin1

Feb 02, 2011 (9:23 am)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 29, 2011 5:10 pm)
They should of used the grill that the Mazda Speed has.

#82 of 296 Fiat 1.4 by puffin1

Feb 02, 2011 (9:25 am)

what kind of gas milage does it put out? I can't find specs for it.

#83 of 296 Re: Fiat 1.4 [puffin1] by m6user

Feb 02, 2011 (11:21 am)

Replying to: puffin1 (Feb 02, 2011 9:25 am)
If you read several of the reviews out there they all say that the EPA hasn't completed testing so the numbers aren't out yet. Most auto mags/reviewers have been guessing something around 26/27city and 37/38hwy. The high mpg version is due out later this year and is supposed to be over 40mpg hwy like the Cruze Eco.

#86 of 296 The "new" Civic and Corolla? by backy

Feb 05, 2011 (6:51 pm)

Automobile magazine has an article in its March 2011 issue that is very appropriate for this discussion: a review of the 2012 Focus and 2011 Elantra. In the article, they point out that, 15 years ago, the two cars at the top of the compact class were the Civic and Corolla. Now, the mag opines, the top two cars in the compact class are the 2012 Focus and 2011 Elantra. The article is mostly about those two cars, but they also briefly review most of the rest of the cars in the class and explain why they are NOT on top of the class, in their opinion.
 
This article is not yet online (I couldn't find it, anyway), but I did find two first-drive articles, and a lot of the content from these two reviews shows up in the March article. Check them out, if you want to see why Automobile thinks Focus and Elantra are at the top of the class:
 
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1101_2012_ford_focus_drive/index.htm- - - l
 
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1012_2011_hyundai_elantra_drive/inde- - - x.html
 
From the looks and description of the Focus hatch, it looks like a great small car--great handling, plenty of power, excellent fuel economy, high-quality interior, versatility of a hatch. The sedan isn't bad looking either, but I think I like the looks of the Elantra sedan better. Plus given the choice between a sedan and hatch, I'll take the hatch--especially when it looks better than the sedan, which the Focus hatch does to me. I just wonder what the Focus will end up listing at, with a modicum of equipment.
 
Edit: I see pricing for the Focus is up on Edmunds.com, so I priced an SE hatch with 6AT and cruise control--so pretty basic, but something I could live with. MSRP is $20.3k! Or about the same as a well-equipped Cruze 1LT, or an Elantra Limited. Adding options to get the Focus' equipment level up to, say, the Elantra Limited puts the MSRP to nearly $24k. It will have to be a really great car to justify that price premium, IMO.

Messages Page 9 of 30

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