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ziglifler, Don't worry, you're not the only one. I got a surprising compliment on my rental Accent yesterday, which through me off.
While the materials in this car are mostly cheap plastic (what can you expect for this price) the car is put together surprising well, and there isn't a squeek or a rattle to be heard. It is in almost every way better then the Cavalier I rented last time, which is just about the worst car I've ever driven. I can hardly say the Accent performs well, but then it isn't supposed to, but what a great commuter.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I started the Corolla class shootout to rank compacts top to bottom. I guess I should have called it something else to get more interest. I ranked the Corolla first, ahead of the E., even though I just sat in it, and didn't drive it. Really remarkable build quality, although looks aren't great-- I do like it better than the Camry with its dorky Avalon-like C-pillar.
There is a price point at which I would buy a Leganza or Nubira, but it is right around $9,000, not the $10,500 (Nubira) or $12,000 (Leganza) that the base models typically fetch these days.
Any of those four cars I jsut mentioned, or any car on the market with the possible exception of the Cavalier/Sunfire, is totally competent at the job of transportation. Even the Cav will likley go from A to B for many, many years reliably.
Back to the Galant, I was doing about 85 on the freeway and I realized how absolutely quiet it was. No vibration in the steering wheel, in fact, the only way to know the engine was running was to look at the tach, AND THIS IS THE FOUR CYLINDER. My Sentra was the same way, though there was some road and wind noise at speed and the car got blown around a little more by big trucks.
Think about it though, the 997 Sentra was a plain, ordinary, boring and cheap little car with a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine, comfortable seating for four adults in a body size that would be cramped and impractical ten years before (squeeze into the back seat of an 87 Civic some time).
I drove that Sentra from LA to San Francisco (400 miles) with 3 adults and a child inside, the AC on and my speed never dropping below 75 except to stop for lunch or gas, and it gave 32 MPG for the trip. Everyone was comfortable, and it was quiet enough for normal conversation.
I realize that my Galant is in the next class up the size ladder, but I've driven the new Sentra and it is every bit as quiet as my Galant, as is the Mitsubishi Lancer. The improvement in refinement and ride quality I think is more the 5 years of progress in manufacturing than the size or price.
Even cheaper cars like the Hyundai Accent (rented a 2001 last year), while a bit noisy at high speed, are wonderful to drive locally. Even for a trip, I wouldn't hesitate, as that 2001 Accent is far quieter than the 1988 Accord I used to have.
I really think its hard to buy a bad car these days (Cavalier excepted), and have a lot of respect for modern offerings in every price range.
Oh, drove a classmate's Echo today (2001 four door, automatic). I thought it was VERY nice. I had as much room behind the wheel as in my much larger Galant (maybe more?), and while it felt a bit tippy, I think thats more the skinny tires than anything else. It had plenty of power, and while noisier than my car, was by no means intrusive or annoying (about the same as my Sentra was). The best part was the overall feel of extreme quality in everything I touched or felt. While I could feel the engine's vibration, it was the sort of vibration that suggests finely tuned machinery rather than a crude and primitive gyrations of a Sunfire.
You might wonder why I hold the J-cars (Cavalier, Sunfire nee J-2000) in such low regard? Well I;'ve rented those too, and when I pulled the latch to open the door and get inside, the latch came off in my hand. The accellerator was actually more like a vollume control as it made more noise, but no more power, and the interior was the least hospitable I can recall ever being in, with thin, flacid seats that were entirely too low, cheap looking and feeling plastics everywhere, and a complete lack of a comfortable driving position (seat too low with no height adjust). I can't think of a new car I've ever hated that much.
It's true, It's tough to find a bad car anymore. We've just been shopping for a new car for my girlfriend, and between the Protege, Sentra, Civic and Imprezza it's just not an easy choice. I will continue avoiding GM and Dodge, who unlike the Korean companies, don't seem to want to improve anything other then design, and in the case of Pontiac, even the design keeps degrading.
(BTW, we chose the Imprezza, a beautiful car to drive, even if hideous on the surface)
Powertrain - a tough one, as I haven't driven the new Corolla yet. From what I know of the '02 model and what I've read of the '03, the Corolla may have it. Other candidates would be the Elantra (power) and Civic (smoothness).
Shifter - Civic, but again, I haven't tried the new Corolla's 5-speed. If it tops the Civic it's a great one.
Interior fit/finish - Corolla
Interior room - ECHO, because it packs so much into such a small space
Driver's seat - Elantra, to me the most comfortable I've sat in this side of $30k. Now if they could just bolt them to the floorpan a little better...
Dashboard - Corolla, especially in LE trim
Front styling - Protege
Side styling - Neon (it looks fast)
Rear styling - Elantra GLS
Trunk/cargo area - Elantra GT
Ride - The Focus is excellent, but I expect from what I have read that the Corolla may be very good also.
Handling - Protege
NVH - Corolla (again a guess based on reading not driving)
Audio - A tough one. The Focus has a good stereo, but it's hard to compare. The Corolla, and any other car that offers one, gets points for its radio/CD/cassette unit.
Wheels - Elantra GT probably has the best standard wheels (alloys) for the money. Protege EX's are nice too but more $$$. Several cars have nice optional wheels. Elantra GLS has some of the nicest plastic wheel covers.
Brakes - Cavalier (let's give GM credit for making ABS standard on an entry-level car)
Safety - Civic
Economy - ECHO
Overall quality - Corolla
Warranty - Accent/Elantra/Rio/Spectra
Price - Rio!
Civic
Corolla (although no crash test scores yet for the '03 model, Toyota sedans typically do well)
ECHO
Elantra
Focus
Lancer
Neon
Protege
So maybe the good news is, there's lots of perfect entry-level cars for buyers to choose from.
Maybe not a dream. Maybe the '03 Corolla? (With jury still out on safety, and depending on how much excitement one needs.)
-Major Tom
An accident scene: early 2003
"Sorry sir, I must of banga your Topanga." HEHE, :-)))
Don't beleive the hype. Test it out for yourself and keep an open mind.
HOWEVER,..... the 2003 Toyota LE is BY FAR the best small sedan in this segment! BY FAR...the B.E.S.T! I was treated very well at DIEHL TOYOTA in York PA. The sales guy Tom Kerns did every thing the Honda guy did and more (a voucher for a free car wash). I drove the LE Sedan, 4 speed Automatic, with alloy wheels, weather guard pac, cruise, stero combo w/th 6 speaker,moon roof, VIP security/keyless entry pac and wheel locks. The car was Indigo Ink Pearl with the stone interior. I loved this car, a baby CAMRY indeed! Handled much better than, I expected. Almost like a upscale mid size car inside (think Volkswagen) and a very smooth drive train/engine combo! How can they sell these so cheap. I really think anyone shopping for a 2002/2003 Vee Dub Jetta GL 2.0 would be a fool to spend the extra $3,000 to $4,000 for that car. The 2003 Corolla is solid, very smart looking and well built.
I was offered $8,500 for my trade (2000 Mazda PRO-ES w/th 35,000 miles) which is Edmunds TMV. Here is the kicker, Diehl Toyota was selling all their LE's for $400.00 under MRSP. That is pretty good for a brand new redesigned Corolla. I declined, but...it was tough!!!
-Larry
Respectfully,
Larry
-Larry
Meadeball
;->
Meade
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
-Larry
-Larry
Take a gander:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=4676&n=156,173&sid=173
A VW Beetle type nose? Humm....over here in 2004 or 2005.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
My 2000 Kia Sephia is approaching 2 years on the road. I turned 40,400 miles and sought to replace the original tires. One seller, with a reasonable price for a 65,000 mile 185/65/14R ("s") rating would not sell the tire to me because Kia originals are a ("h") rating which I was told has a speed rating of 130 mph. Come now,
I think they just didnt want to honor the $42.95 per tire selling price. So without raising my blood pressure I went on to the next dealer who sold me a 60,000 mile ("s") rated tire $44.95 @ four for the price of three. Do you think I'm gonna violate my Sephia with a tire that cant handle 130mph? Help me understand. Supreme.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick