Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
US vs. European vs. Japanese vs. Korean (Hatchbacks)
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
that is a beautiful vehicle.will it ever hit the u.s. shores?
thank you
I haven't heard of the 'Vetta' - I guess you are referring to 'Vento' which may be one of the names used for the 'Jetta' model in some markets.
When the 'new' Jetta model came out in Europe, VW decided to rename it 'Bora'. Simply different names on the same car.
The smallest car (really tiny by US standards) is the LUPO. Next up is the POLO, just around the size of the original GOLF I! (the Beetle is somewhere in there too!)
The Polo is a rather conservatively styled car, albeit many regard it as the 'true GTI' because the GOLF has put on so much size and weight over the years. All these cars are available in Europe in two and four door hatches (I even think you get the Polo in a wagon version, like the Golf Wagon).
On VW's UK site, you may see the range of cars. However, VW markets slightly different versions even within European countries. Thus, engines may vary (some countries like France have a five cylinder 2.5 engine in the GTI) and the VR6 is to my knowledge not available since the V6-motion came out.
http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/
http://www.seat-stpoelten.at/nw.htm
In my opinion, this is a lot closer to the initial GTI concept than today's GOLF!
Excuse me, but what is 'RV'?
http://www.worldrallychampionship.net/
It wouldn't surprise me that VW produces such vehicles - or at least provides parts for them. They may be assembled in specialized factories though and in limited numbers. I know that the Puch (austrian) brand produced such vehicles for a while, alongside off-road vehicles with Mercedes engines I believe. If you're interested, I can check it out!
http://www.napi.com/euroq/trakka/image/trakka.jpg
Dates back 15 years, and had loads of reliability problems!!!
Nevertheless, for the time, Volvo came out with a rather appealing design for a small hatch:
http://hem.passagen.se/plisse/evolvo3.htm
i realize that i wandered off the topic, so forget about it.
as far as those proton's aren't those malaysian cars?
the volvo 480 looks fast. reminds me of honda aerodeck. i kind of wish that honda had brought aerodeck to USA in the 80's. i think it would have been a success.
http://www.max.tele.ru/photo/honda/imagepage13.htm
Regarding the Protons, yes, I believe they are Malaysian. Wasn't there something about them buying the English 'Lotus' brand just a little while ago?
I have always found the hatchback layout of the GLH useful. I have carried a lot of big stuff in that Omni. Especially when it was my only car.
The Alfa Sprint Veloce
http://www.swarbrick.com/~alfa/images/old_sprint.jpg
http://www.swarbrick.com/~alfa/images/sp_black.jpg
http://www.swarbrick.com/~alfa/images/Sprint_Offside.jpg
I've enjoyed reading all previous comments. I'm a hatchback fan, too. I lived in Germany for four years, 88-92, and go back for a few weeks every other year. As Alfa implies, it really is fun to look at all of the various models. And it is amazing how beautifully some of these so called "boxes" can be styled. The Peugeot 206 is my personal favorite for looks. (My head is continually turned by the cars and women over there.)
For real car lovers, it is worth the price of a plane ticket to simply go to the Frankfurt Auto Show. It takes place every other year (the odd year) in September. It lasts about two weeks. The next show is in Sep 01. It covers 10 connected buildings. Nothing like it anywhere else. You need at least 2 days to see it all. It is heaven for a car guy. All the hatchbacks and everything else are there. It gives one a real appreciation for the cars around the world, especially the European ones. There is great competition there. The Americans are included in the show, but are not a big presence.
That said, I still feel that we in the US have a great hatch in the new Focus ZX3. The Focus was the Car of the Year in Europe in 1999. We here get the big engine at 2.0 liters, not some smaller version for gas mileage reasons. Also, the price of the Focus here is very good. Over in Europe, after a car has it Value Added Tax (VAT) put on top of it (varies by country), I've found that car prices in the US are perhaps the best going. Also, I've found that there is little negotiation of price at the dealerships in Europe. Pay sticker or forget it. Much like at Saturn. The ZX3 is a great car for America. If I lived in Germany, I would look closely at VW Polo as it is much the size and weight of the original Golf. My European brother-in-law is looking at a new car next year. His top choice - Focus. He loves the handling. Nothing like competition!
Alfa, I would especially appreciate your comments.
Over.....
I will be 'away' for a week, and will look forward to pick up the discussion upon my return!
take care
Alfa
Host
Hatchbacks/Station Wagons Message Boards
Thanks for your comments. ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks/Station Wagons Message Boards
If they ever outgrow it and stay competitive, they just might become a more popular car.
-RAVvie4me
The way I see it:
Korean - OK value if you pick carefully, cheapest cars by far, MUST PICK VERY CAREFULLY!
Japanese - generally better build quality, better warranties, will last longer, feel more sophisticated
American - make cars that drive better than the Koreans when they are new, but break down and die sooner, have more recalls.
European - feel very sophisticated, heavy, luxurious even if they are not a luxury brand (i.e. VW Golf). Run well, but not light like the Japanese models, you'd better be loaded if you want to buy one
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
My brother would be well-advised to look at the Tiburon at least, although Honda and Nissan are tops on the list for a new car.
Hyundai is, already, the 'next Honda.' New plant being built... gonna see volume. The Hyundai deluge is coming.