The UK version has a lot of upmarket equipment available. Leather seats, keyless ignition, etc... We won't get that here on a Scion-branded vehicle.
The standard 1-liter engine does 0-60 in over 14 seconds, with a manual transmission. I'm sure it's worse with the automatic that over half the buyers in the US will want. I think this makes it even slower than the first-gen Scion XB.
I'm thinking about putting a smaller Nuvi in that little crevice in front of the shifter. It's low and not the best for access, but where else can it go?
Now look what you've done! I'm salivating over the Miata!
You might still be surprised how that little bean bag thing stays put. It still might work.
If not you probably have the best alternate in front of the shifter unless you don't mind the windshield mount. The windshield mount is fine for me when i have it in the Celica. The only reason I use the beanbag in the van is that the windshield is too far away for my poor old eyes.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Ok. my brother the neat freak has his GPS plugged into 12v and runs the cord over the steering wheel column neatly against the dash and places his Garmin on a small round disk.The disk has an adhesive on bottom to suction cup mount. It's mounted in the left corner of front windshield. Garmin sells the 2" metal disk. Now,Mr Pefect has an Audi TT and made sure his dash wouln't be harmed when he took the garmin off.It hasn't hurt his car because that disk adhesive wears out and comes off alot, when he pulls the garmin for the glove box.So, he has a few disk in his motor car. I would put it in a beanbag on you console(armrest) The bean bag has 3 octopus arms on it. I have a six speed you put in front of shifter and you might cause some damageIMAO :shades:
I saw that article this morning...Civic Hybrids even worse off, and don't ask about Aveos (more than a year's inventory). Unfortunately it's extremely simple: low gas price = no need for small cars. Just got back from a 5 day trip in a rental Avalon. Lots of room, truely fast, and 27 mpgs. At $2/gallon, what's not to like? Over on the Fusion Hybrid discussion a dealer said that all his allocation of the regular 2010s are presold, none of the Hybrids.
The 2009 Honda Fit Sport is selling at $224 under MSRP
Whoa, look out Honda dealers! Seriously, every segment of the market is down like crazy right now, and with midsize sedans selling at prices thousands below sticker, is this a case of manufacturing news on a slow news day or what?
I like how it ends though. ;-)
As soon as gas prices go back up again, these cars will start selling. Plan ahead and be ready. There is big car utility in these "small" packages.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I am into subcompacts and microcars and bringing more of them to the U.S., I fear this one could tarnish the reputation of the whole class irreparably if they bring it over:
Nice Tata: Driving the Nano four-seater is OK, but slow
We're finally getting to drive the Tata Nano, and the first thing that impresses is the space. Four adults can sit comfortably in the simple and spartan interior. The seats are thin and flat but surprisingly comfortable. Plastic and fabric quality is better than expected, though the carpet looks cheap.
To get to the trunk, the rear seat has to be folded forward. Access to the engine is even more difficult; a panel secured with six wing nuts needs to be removed to access the tiny two-cylinder engine.
Start up the Nano and you immediately know it's powered by a rear-mounted engine. The all-aluminum twin uses a single balance shaft, yet it is not very smooth or refined and sounds a bit like a lawn mower. The passenger compartment has been well isolated from the sound but not from all of the harshness. Even at idle, you can feel the engine rocking, and under hard acceleration the vibrations become quite evident. Thankfully, the four-speed gearbox is precise, light and pleasing.
Push the accelerator and the Nano launches with all the grace it can muster, but with redline fuel cutoff coming at a somewhat-low 5,600 rpm, you have to upshift quickly to keep up momentum. Tata says that unlike other cars, the benchmark for the Nano was not the acceleration figure of 0 to 62 mph, but 0 to 38 mph because it will primarily be used as an urban vehicle. In our tests, 38 mph arrived in about 10 seconds, but getting to 62 mph took nearly 33 seconds. Top speed is limited to 65 mph.
Now they DO plan to modify the car for Europe and possibly the U.S. in ways that would make it more amenable, I think. And with a price that is still projected to be under $5000, I guess it would be tempting to some? I dunno:
For Europe (and potentially for the United States if the car makes it to our shores), the Nano Europa (when it arrives in 2011) will have a bigger, 934-cc, 60-hp three-cylinder engine and have a top speed of 95 mph, a five-speed automatic, a wider track, disc brakes, ABS, stability control, improved driving dynamics and ride, better equipment and a finished interior, along with driver and passenger airbags. It will also be slightly longer and comply with all safety and crash-test standards, while still being the cheapest car in the world at less than $ 5,000. Add an estimated fuel economy of at least 67 mpg, and the Nano Europa may be right for many an economy buyer's shopping list.
"we were heartened the other day when market researchers at AutoPacific released a forecast flatly stating that small cars, which right now are outselling mid-sized cars (not that anything is selling all that well), would continue to be the volume leader in the market for years to come."
"Everyone always uses Europe as an example, but you know what rich people in Europe drive? S-Class sedans, and 7 Series sedans and A8s. And if they're really rich - Jeep Grand Cherokees. So yeah, they drive small cars when they have to, not because they really want to."
I enjoyed the "musings" from the Green Car Advisor link. I, like the author, am cautiously optimistic that small cars will become more popular in the States in the future, for many of the same reasons as he is.
I was intrigued to see that Auto Pacific's prediction of a continuing upward trend in small car sales (ignoring month to month spikes in one direction or the other) was NOT predicated on high gas prices, and I hope they're right. I DO think the urbanization of Americans will continue and that as such there will be more and more room in the market for small cars like the subcompacts we are discussing here, and perhaps even for microcars.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
How come Europe gets better American company compacts than we do? What has happened to the 2 door hatch back. The Ford Focus that had moonroof@ heated seats.The Acura RSX a bullit proof 2dr Hatch.Saturn has the Astra from Belgium in 2 or 4dr HB but for a moonroff you have to buy a 4dr. Hydundai offers the Accent with a 1.6 liter so you'll get run over on the freeway. Mini has a 2dr HB but no spare or room to get much at Home Depot. The small cars imported here ride rough and force you to buy more exspensive cross overs.It appears the Japanese makers are going for bigger is better and more horse power. Finally, the Versa ,Scion,Yaris and theFitneed more padding in their seats ,more comfortable ride and alot more options.We will never becom a nation of small cars. How many Baby Boomers are going to buy a 170 HP Rabbit? I hope gas goes to $5.00 a gallon.
It's now the Honda Civic Si. Similar power, better handling, less money (around $22,000). You want navigation? The RSX didn't offer it; the Civic does, as well as bluetooth link and a USB music interface, for around $24,000. It doesn't offer leather (you can get that in a regular Civic, as well as heated seats and NAVI). The Si offers sport seats with red stitching; they look sharp and feel great, but that's just me.
The Civic is within 3 inches of the RSX's length and 60 lbs of its weight. The Civic would weigh less than the RSX (i'd bet) if it did without the 6 airbags and VSA.
Its not a hatch, though, which you seem pretty hung-up on.
Just thought I'd throw that out there. The Civic Si and RSX would overlap, except the price of the Acura would be notably higher.
Hydundai offers the Accent with a 1.6 liter so you'll get run over on the freeway.
Its not fast, but it is certainly competitive with others in the class (Yaris, Fit, Aveo, Base Mini, even the midsize Versa which offers a 1.8L 122hp engine, the biggest and most powerful of the group). 110hp is more than enough to keep from "getting run over." If people can survive in 15-20 year old Ranger pickups I see all the time (which run 0-60 in... well... wait, its still trying to get there... now - 16 seconds or so), an Accent that runs it in 10-11 will be just fine.
How many Baby Boomers are going to buy a 170 HP Rabbit? I hope gas goes to $5.00 a gallon.
I'm confused now, what's the argument? You want or don't want powerful small cars?
that's the same goofy argument for GM pick-em-up trucks and Tahoe SUV's we've heard for years. You'll get run over in that Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent. Umm, run over? Get real, 110 horses and a light body to push will propel you safely out of harms way, overly large and ugly vehicle lovers.
I figure with high gas prices,a better peppier more comfotable compact will be made.The RSX Type S I have will get me 30 mpg Hiway.I'm stuck on HB's and now I have to buy a GTI with a turbo.My Type S is naturally aspirated and I can take it up to 45 in 3rd and shift into 6th gear.I drove the Gunbarell from New Mexico back to Vail and got 33 mpg.Nothing but road kill and desert.I'd like to find a car beside a GTI or I S lexus with the same gear ratio and high end torque. I built A Mini Cooper s with all seasons on it and before I knew it I was up to 27k. I wish I wasn't afraid of VW's quality.I don't under stand Mazda you have to buy a GT to get what u want,plus add the moonroof.The Astra a1.8l is under powered and same engine for 2@3dr HB.they both come with heated seats,but for moonroof,you have to buy a four door.I'm shopping the Kia Soul it's so ugly it looks good. I thought I could make a tuner out of it. It just seems to me that the Euopeans get their pick of small,fast flexible cars, Ford is bring 100 cars over for 100 under 40 people to try out. I bet it's not the best seller in Germany the 2dr. HB. :confuse:
oh, wait, maybe it's a compact, that I feel needs to hit this thread. Take a look. I believe we're looking at a compact crossover here, really.
Many of you already know what car this is, but, it's one day going to make an impact in the U.S. This is the BYD (Build Your Dreams) e6 crossover. Compact crossover, I would estimate. Get this, gentlemen. It has an all-electric powertrain, but listen to the range in mileage the BYD e6 has. It has a 249 mile range!
Because of that I may have just elevated it above the 2010 Pininfarina-Bollore BlueCar, which has a range of "only" 153 miles, on my "future possibility to buy one of 'em" list.
The e6 has a top speed of 99mph. One report said 100mph, one I just happened across said 99mph. Charge-up from a 220V service(clothes dryer plug-in) takes 5 hours, one report said 9 hours(could this be on a lesser-powered plug-in? Dunno.). But, like all of these EV's, BYD will sell you as an option, or possibly as standard equipment, a charger rig that will give you 50% charge-up in only 15 minutes. That jibes with the reported range built-in, because that same report said that you could go 120 miles on that half-charge. Cool! So things are actually making comparitive sense in my research on this crossover. That same report said only 1 hour more gives you a full charge, I don't know how they can say that, unless it's using this super-duper BYD-supplied charging unit. At any rate, I have read 9 hours for an overnight charge-up, too, in another report. So some more intense study in to re-charging needs to be done. I'll probably have that for you soon, since I'm following this BYD e6's development like Gary Payton glued to Michael Jordan in the 1996 NBA Finals. That's close, believe you me.
I spose I'd have to say that this pup will re-charge painlessly overnight, and allow my wife and I travel extension to funtime city Tucson, AZ, and back to our Willcox, AZ, home again, all on one charge. This is what I've been looking for, and, the BYD e6 is the only all-electric car in development right now that will meet this requirement of mine. I want off of the ghastly gravy-train, guys. I am tired of playing their "we'll just hold-you'all-hostage" for gasoline game, raise the price just because we can, you get my picture.
The e6 is apparently able to fit 7 people inside. Comfortably, you might ask? I'll get back to ya on that one. But the vehicle weighs in at some 4,400 pounds, a true hefer. And that tells me that it may very well be built well. I mean, a crossover weighing 4,400 pounds, going 0-60 in 8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 99mph and possessing a range of 249 miles?
Oh, I happen to dig it's simple body design. And Warren Buffett has invested about $220M in to BYD. Apprarently our rich man sees something down the road worth investing in. If you research BYD a bit I think you might find a lot to like about them, too. We're looking at 2011 till the e6 and a hybrid rig from BYD go on sale here. And they will come here, this is a serious endevour that will bear fruitage for BYD in the States.
I happen to think the 2010 Pininfarina-Bollore BlueCar will resound positively in the U.S., too. That is not a flash-in-the-pan project, they've been developing the LMP Battery pack for the BlueCar for 15 years now!
That's the Focus CC. It has a folding tin-top not a soft top so is only "convertible" when you want it to be. Here in Europe it's available with 1.6 and 2.0 petrol, (gasser), engines and a 2.0 diesel too. Of course, VW, Vauxhall/Opel, (GM), Renault, Peugeot and Audi, (A3) have similar offerings. They all come in LHD for mainland Europe, (and RHD for UK/Ireland), so hardly a big stretch to send them to USA - if the manufacturers had an ounce of savvy. The Vauxhall/Opel Astra even comes in 200bhp gasser form and the 3-door Astra VXR coupe sports a meaty 240bhp which is fairly brutal in a car that size. :surprise:
You're right; Europe does have an enormous choice of fun and practical small hatches.............and all from global players.
Then why won't they send them across the pond.Are they trying to protect American made cars? Instead of flying arond in Lear jets they ought to test drive their world cars. I wouldn't bail them out. :mad:
Hey, I read a 2008 post of yours. You owned a GSR and so did I. I had a 2001 Integra GS Yup, so why have the good gone with gas so volitile? Greed or stupidity? Find me a hot hatch. :sick:
Then why won't they send them across the pond.Are they trying to protect American made cars? Instead of flying around in Lear jets they ought to test drive their world cars. I wouldn't bail them out
Because you wouldn't pay $25,000 for a Focus. We will see if people will pony up for the Fiesta. If the Fiesta sells, hopefully they will bring over the C-Max and some of the diesels. Buy a Fiesta, heck buy 4 or 5, then maybe we can get them to bring over more.
Given the whining on autoblog about the price of the Astra (which is a European model in every measure) doesn't give me a lot of confidence.
That could be - they closed for a whole month last November and then cut production some this February. It's hard keeping up with UK news in a NA centric (to me) world. :shades:
Given the whining on autoblog about the price of the Astra (which is a European model in every measure) doesn't give me a lot of confidence.
+1
I had a rental Astra in the UK...same 1.8 they bring here I believe. And it was a lot of fun to drive...you had to work the engine a bit, but it had more than enough power handled nicely. Problem is, the power doesn't look good enough on paper, nor does it give it back in MPG. Add the 'made in Belgium' price and potential buyers will never make it to test drive.
Actually, I don't think the smile can be removed surgically.
Mrs Plan Man has been remarkably understanding. I've given up the pretense of running errands; nobody takes an hour an twenty minutes to buy a box of BandAids. Now I just tell her I'm going driving.
"A utility vehicle will debut in several months, followed next year by a two-seater called the Twinpod; previously the company had planned to introduce them in reverse order.
"There's huge demand for the utility vehicle first," Arnell said. "A lot of small businesses have indicated they want a Peapod-type vehicle for their activities."
Peapod models will be classified as NEVs, which means their top speed can be only 25 mph, but Arnell has said that the company eventually wants to manufacture and market city electric vehicles, which can go faster.peapod 2.JPG
The single version of the four-seat, all-electric Peapod will retail for a suggested $12,500. It soon will be available in seven colors. The first deliveries are scheduled for October. ***** FAIL. A Yaris goes faster, costs less, and, well, that's enough right there.
the Smart Cars president is saying this test is so violent that less than 1% of real-world crashes would be equally bad:
Dave Schembri, president of Smart, says, "If you carry this to the nth degree, we'd all be driving 18-wheelers." And, he says, fewer than 1% of crashes are as violent as the IIHS test.
(IIHS President Adrian) Lund says the car vs. car tests are meant to mimic killer crashes, not fender benders. He also says that the only difference between the barrier test, in which Smart got a "good," and the latest test is the size of the obstacle the Smart ran into.
Basically, the usual test is 40 mph into a fixed barrier, and this one is twice the net speed: a 40 mph car into another 40 mph car going in the opposite direction. Still, it can't be good for PR. :-(
• Fit vs. Accord. The Fit crash-test dummy registered severe leg injuries. The dummy's head also slapped through the air bag and whacked the steering wheel.
• Toyota Yaris vs. Camry. Yaris nearly lost a door. Its driver's seat tipped forward. The dummy's head hammered into the steering wheel.
(IIHS President Adrian) Lund says the car vs. car tests are meant to mimic killer crashes, not fender benders. He also says that the only difference between the barrier test, in which Smart got a "good," and the latest test is the size of the obstacle the Smart ran into.
Also, the dynamics of HITTING something at 40 mph are different from BEING HIT by something at 40 mph. If you run into a parked Camry at 40 mph in a Smart, chances are you'd be better off than if you were in a parked Smart, and got hit by a Camry doing 40 mph.
Yeah, it makes me think: what if I ran a Camry into a Sequoia at the same speeds, or ran the Sequoia into a city bus? Would all the results be equally bad? I believe they would.
No matter how gargantuan a vehicle one buys, there will always still be PLENTY of much larger vehicles on the road for one to tangle with, and there is some chance under 1% that the vehicle will not be able to protect you from serious injury or death.
Of course, I believe that the smaller and more agile the vehicle, the more likely the accident can be entirely avoided in the first place.....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Comments
The standard 1-liter engine does 0-60 in over 14 seconds, with a manual transmission. I'm sure it's worse with the automatic that over half the buyers in the US will want. I think this makes it even slower than the first-gen Scion XB.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
Or, give it the 1.3l and price it $1800 or so lower.
No bean bag mount for the Miata, the dash is angled towards me so it would slide off, I think. Pic if anyone wants a closer look:
http://image.motortrend.com/f/9483382/112_0712_04z+2006_mazda_miata+interior.jpg-
I'm thinking about putting a smaller Nuvi in that little crevice in front of the shifter. It's low and not the best for access, but where else can it go?
You might still be surprised how that little bean bag thing stays put. It still might work.
If not you probably have the best alternate in front of the shifter unless you don't mind the windshield mount. The windshield mount is fine for me when i have it in the Celica. The only reason I use the beanbag in the van is that the windshield is too far away for my poor old eyes.
I guess it's a trade-off of small cars...
S. I set it and just listen to it. :shades:
Now,Mr Pefect has an Audi TT and made sure his dash wouln't be harmed when he took the garmin off.It hasn't hurt his car because that disk adhesive wears out and comes off alot, when he pulls the garmin for the glove box.So, he has a few disk in his motor car.
I would put it in a beanbag on you console(armrest) The bean bag has 3 octopus arms on it. I have a six speed you put in front of shifter and you might cause some damageIMAO :shades:
The 2009 Honda Fit Sport is selling at $224 under MSRP
Whoa, look out Honda dealers! Seriously, every segment of the market is down like crazy right now, and with midsize sedans selling at prices thousands below sticker, is this a case of manufacturing news on a slow news day or what?
I like how it ends though. ;-)
As soon as gas prices go back up again, these cars will start selling. Plan ahead and be ready. There is big car utility in these "small" packages.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Nice Tata: Driving the Nano four-seater is OK, but slow
We're finally getting to drive the Tata Nano, and the first thing that impresses is the space. Four adults can sit comfortably in the simple and spartan interior. The seats are thin and flat but surprisingly comfortable. Plastic and fabric quality is better than expected, though the carpet looks cheap.
To get to the trunk, the rear seat has to be folded forward. Access to the engine is even more difficult; a panel secured with six wing nuts needs to be removed to access the tiny two-cylinder engine.
Start up the Nano and you immediately know it's powered by a rear-mounted engine. The all-aluminum twin uses a single balance shaft, yet it is not very smooth or refined and sounds a bit like a lawn mower. The passenger compartment has been well isolated from the sound but not from all of the harshness. Even at idle, you can feel the engine rocking, and under hard acceleration the vibrations become quite evident. Thankfully, the four-speed gearbox is precise, light and pleasing.
Push the accelerator and the Nano launches with all the grace it can muster, but with redline fuel cutoff coming at a somewhat-low 5,600 rpm, you have to upshift quickly to keep up momentum. Tata says that unlike other cars, the benchmark for the Nano was not the acceleration figure of 0 to 62 mph, but 0 to 38 mph because it will primarily be used as an urban vehicle. In our tests, 38 mph arrived in about 10 seconds, but getting to 62 mph took nearly 33 seconds. Top speed is limited to 65 mph.
Now they DO plan to modify the car for Europe and possibly the U.S. in ways that would make it more amenable, I think. And with a price that is still projected to be under $5000, I guess it would be tempting to some? I dunno:
For Europe (and potentially for the United States if the car makes it to our shores), the Nano Europa (when it arrives in 2011) will have a bigger, 934-cc, 60-hp three-cylinder engine and have a top speed of 95 mph, a five-speed automatic, a wider track, disc brakes, ABS, stability control, improved driving dynamics and ride, better equipment and a finished interior, along with driver and passenger airbags. It will also be slightly longer and comply with all safety and crash-test standards, while still being the cheapest car in the world at less than $ 5,000. Add an estimated fuel economy of at least 67 mpg, and the Nano Europa may be right for many an economy buyer's shopping list.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090323/CARREVIEWS/903239997
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Tata Launches Nano In India; U.S. Intro May Follow (AutoObserver)
And more small car stuff:
"we were heartened the other day when market researchers at AutoPacific released a forecast flatly stating that small cars, which right now are outselling mid-sized cars (not that anything is selling all that well), would continue to be the volume leader in the market for years to come."
Morning Musings: Are Small Cars Here to Stay, Or Just a Flash in the Pan? (Green Car Advisor)
"Everyone always uses Europe as an example, but you know what rich people in Europe drive? S-Class sedans, and 7 Series sedans and A8s. And if they're really rich - Jeep Grand Cherokees. So yeah, they drive small cars when they have to, not because they really want to."
Do You Like Small Cars? Does Anybody? (Straightline)
The Nano coming to the US would be kind of fitting regarding the consequences of globalization.
I was intrigued to see that Auto Pacific's prediction of a continuing upward trend in small car sales (ignoring month to month spikes in one direction or the other) was NOT predicated on high gas prices, and I hope they're right. I DO think the urbanization of Americans will continue and that as such there will be more and more room in the market for small cars like the subcompacts we are discussing here, and perhaps even for microcars.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
This just means dealers have to realize they will have to discount them more.
Ideal supply is ~60 days, so they have double.
What has happened to the 2 door hatch back. The Ford Focus that had moonroof@ heated seats.The Acura RSX a bullit proof 2dr Hatch.Saturn has the Astra from Belgium in 2 or 4dr HB but for a moonroff you have to buy a 4dr. Hydundai offers the Accent with a 1.6 liter so you'll get run over on the freeway. Mini has a 2dr HB but no spare or room to get much at Home Depot.
The small cars imported here ride rough and force you to buy more exspensive cross overs.It appears the Japanese makers are going for bigger is better and more horse power.
Finally, the Versa ,Scion,Yaris and theFitneed more padding in their seats ,more comfortable ride and alot more options.We will never becom a nation of small cars. How many Baby Boomers are going to buy a 170 HP Rabbit? I hope gas goes to $5.00 a gallon.
It's now the Honda Civic Si. Similar power, better handling, less money (around $22,000). You want navigation? The RSX didn't offer it; the Civic does, as well as bluetooth link and a USB music interface, for around $24,000. It doesn't offer leather (you can get that in a regular Civic, as well as heated seats and NAVI). The Si offers sport seats with red stitching; they look sharp and feel great, but that's just me.
The Civic is within 3 inches of the RSX's length and 60 lbs of its weight. The Civic would weigh less than the RSX (i'd bet) if it did without the 6 airbags and VSA.
Its not a hatch, though, which you seem pretty hung-up on.
Just thought I'd throw that out there. The Civic Si and RSX would overlap, except the price of the Acura would be notably higher.
Hydundai offers the Accent with a 1.6 liter so you'll get run over on the freeway.
Its not fast, but it is certainly competitive with others in the class (Yaris, Fit, Aveo, Base Mini, even the midsize Versa which offers a 1.8L 122hp engine, the biggest and most powerful of the group). 110hp is more than enough to keep from "getting run over." If people can survive in 15-20 year old Ranger pickups I see all the time (which run 0-60 in... well... wait, its still trying to get there... now - 16 seconds or so), an Accent that runs it in 10-11 will be just fine.
How many Baby Boomers are going to buy a 170 HP Rabbit? I hope gas goes to $5.00 a gallon.
I'm confused now, what's the argument? You want or don't want powerful small cars?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I built A Mini Cooper s with all seasons on it and before I knew it I was up to 27k.
I wish I wasn't afraid of VW's quality.I don't under stand Mazda you have to buy a GT to get what u want,plus add the moonroof.The Astra a1.8l is under powered and same engine for 2@3dr HB.they both come with heated seats,but for moonroof,you have to buy a four door.I'm shopping the Kia Soul it's so ugly it looks good. I thought I could make a tuner out of it.
It just seems to me that the Euopeans get their pick of small,fast flexible cars, Ford is bring 100 cars over for 100 under 40 people to try out. I bet it's not the best seller in Germany the 2dr. HB. :confuse:
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I'd be right in line...
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Oh, and subcomapacts (just to be on topic...)
Many of you already know what car this is, but, it's one day going to make an impact in the U.S. This is the BYD (Build Your Dreams) e6 crossover. Compact crossover, I would estimate. Get this, gentlemen. It has an all-electric powertrain, but listen to the range in mileage the BYD e6 has. It has a 249 mile range!
Because of that I may have just elevated it above the 2010 Pininfarina-Bollore BlueCar, which has a range of "only" 153 miles, on my "future possibility to buy one of 'em" list.
The e6 has a top speed of 99mph. One report said 100mph, one I just happened across said 99mph. Charge-up from a 220V service(clothes dryer plug-in) takes 5 hours, one report said 9 hours(could this be on a lesser-powered plug-in? Dunno.). But, like all of these EV's, BYD will sell you as an option, or possibly as standard equipment, a charger rig that will give you 50% charge-up in only 15 minutes. That jibes with the reported range built-in, because that same report said that you could go 120 miles on that half-charge. Cool! So things are actually making comparitive sense in my research on this crossover. That same report said only 1 hour more gives you a full charge, I don't know how they can say that, unless it's using this super-duper BYD-supplied charging unit. At any rate, I have read 9 hours for an overnight charge-up, too, in another report. So some more intense study in to re-charging needs to be done. I'll probably have that for you soon, since I'm following this BYD e6's development like Gary Payton glued to Michael Jordan in the 1996 NBA Finals. That's close, believe you me.
I spose I'd have to say that this pup will re-charge painlessly overnight, and allow my wife and I travel extension to funtime city Tucson, AZ, and back to our Willcox, AZ, home again, all on one charge. This is what I've been looking for, and, the BYD e6 is the only all-electric car in development right now that will meet this requirement of mine. I want off of the ghastly gravy-train, guys. I am tired of playing their "we'll just hold-you'all-hostage" for gasoline game, raise the price just because we can, you get my picture.
The e6 is apparently able to fit 7 people inside. Comfortably, you might ask? I'll get back to ya on that one. But the vehicle weighs in at some 4,400 pounds, a true hefer. And that tells me that it may very well be built well. I mean, a crossover weighing 4,400 pounds, going 0-60 in 8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 99mph and possessing a range of 249 miles?
Oh, I happen to dig it's simple body design. And Warren Buffett has invested about $220M in to BYD. Apprarently our rich man sees something down the road worth investing in. If you research BYD a bit I think you might find a lot to like about them, too. We're looking at 2011 till the e6 and a hybrid rig from BYD go on sale here. And they will come here, this is a serious endevour that will bear fruitage for BYD in the States.
I happen to think the 2010 Pininfarina-Bollore BlueCar will resound positively in the U.S., too. That is not a flash-in-the-pan project, they've been developing the LMP Battery pack for the BlueCar for 15 years now!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
You're right; Europe does have an enormous choice of fun and practical small hatches.............and all from global players.
Instead of flying arond in Lear jets they ought to test drive their world cars. I wouldn't bail them out. :mad:
MINI just introduced redesigned convertibles this week, including a new Cooper Works edition. Haven't seen any news of stopping production.
2009 Mini John Cooper Works Convertible: On Sale March 28
Because you wouldn't pay $25,000 for a Focus. We will see if people will pony up for the Fiesta. If the Fiesta sells, hopefully they will bring over the C-Max and some of the diesels. Buy a Fiesta, heck buy 4 or 5, then maybe we can get them to bring over more.
Given the whining on autoblog about the price of the Astra (which is a European model in every measure) doesn't give me a lot of confidence.
+1
I had a rental Astra in the UK...same 1.8 they bring here I believe. And it was a lot of fun to drive...you had to work the engine a bit, but it had more than enough power handled nicely. Problem is, the power doesn't look good enough on paper, nor does it give it back in MPG. Add the 'made in Belgium' price and potential buyers will never make it to test drive.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
Mrs Plan Man has been remarkably understanding. I've given up the pretense of running errands; nobody takes an hour an twenty minutes to buy a box of BandAids. Now I just tell her I'm going driving.
Nothing wrong with that subcompact.....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
"There's huge demand for the utility vehicle first," Arnell said. "A lot of small businesses have indicated they want a Peapod-type vehicle for their activities."
Exclusive: First Peapod Photos and Update on Planned Model Launches (Green Car Advisor)
The single version of the four-seat, all-electric Peapod will retail for a suggested $12,500. It soon will be available in seven colors. The first deliveries are scheduled for October.
*****
FAIL. A Yaris goes faster, costs less, and, well, that's enough right there.
They might want to check in with Chrysler and see how that is workin out for them.
There are plenty I can think of...
WRX
MazdaSpeed3 (saw one for $20.9k when I was buying my Miata)
GTI
Cooper S
I'm not as fond of the Cobalt SS or Caliber, but there you go - 2 from Asia, 2 from Europe, and 2 American options, right off the top of my head.
And it's a big difference
Dave Schembri, president of Smart, says, "If you carry this to the nth degree, we'd all be driving 18-wheelers." And, he says, fewer than 1% of crashes are as violent as the IIHS test.
(IIHS President Adrian) Lund says the car vs. car tests are meant to mimic killer crashes, not fender benders. He also says that the only difference between the barrier test, in which Smart got a "good," and the latest test is the size of the obstacle the Smart ran into.
Basically, the usual test is 40 mph into a fixed barrier, and this one is twice the net speed: a 40 mph car into another 40 mph car going in the opposite direction. Still, it can't be good for PR. :-(
• Fit vs. Accord. The Fit crash-test dummy registered severe leg injuries. The dummy's head also slapped through the air bag and whacked the steering wheel.
• Toyota Yaris vs. Camry. Yaris nearly lost a door. Its driver's seat tipped forward. The dummy's head hammered into the steering wheel.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-04-14-big-cars-safer_N.htm
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Also, the dynamics of HITTING something at 40 mph are different from BEING HIT by something at 40 mph. If you run into a parked Camry at 40 mph in a Smart, chances are you'd be better off than if you were in a parked Smart, and got hit by a Camry doing 40 mph.
No matter how gargantuan a vehicle one buys, there will always still be PLENTY of much larger vehicles on the road for one to tangle with, and there is some chance under 1% that the vehicle will not be able to protect you from serious injury or death.
Of course, I believe that the smaller and more agile the vehicle, the more likely the accident can be entirely avoided in the first place.....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)