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I was never really offended by Low-end, in the first place, though.
~alpha
The name started out being something like Low End Sedans: Japanese, American, German and Korean - something like that - and we shortened it to this a while back.
It was created as a counterpoint to the High End Luxury Sedan discussion.
I don't see any reason to change the name at this point.
Oh, leave the title to this thread like it is. It's fine.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
coming this summer
I'd get the Ford Focus for a few reasons. The Focus, I heard has some good crash test results. It's got a pretty good stereo, and excellent driving dynamics. It's got a relatively large interior for a car in its class.
The Spectra5 has a low price, a long warranty, like 10 years, and the build quality is supposed to be pretty good, and the interior materials are also above average.
However, there are some othe vehicles that you might not have considered. Consider the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. Both of those cars look great, have available AWD, plus a lot of cargo room. The Vibe has available satellite radio and I think even a NAV system.
There is also the Suzuki Reno, if you're looking for a budget hatchback. However, I'd take a Focus over the Reno, because of it's handling and interior volume,
My final recommendation to you is a Honda Element. If you can get over the styling, the vehicle has a lot to offer. Build one at the Honda website and you will see.
Hope this helps, and good luck on your car purchase!
P.S. I have to admit, I dont usually see 54 year old males driving compact hatchbacks. Males that age usually drive either a large SUV or a large luxury car.
But hey, nothing wrong with driving a hatchback
I think there's only one way to respond to that statement:
HUH!?!?!?!?
~alpha
'Bu/3/6
Mechanical Quality 5, 2,2
Feature and Accessory Quality 5,5,4
Body and Interior Quality 4,3,2
Overall Quality 5,2,2
My feelings exactly when I got the Maxx. Seemed too big and I actually curbed it once or twice-- long wheelbase. However, after a month I adjusted to it and the Maxx delights me more and more. I'm even getting used to the automatic.
As far as the interior, most people seem to like the neutral better than the gray. I have the neutral and have always had a pure hatred for phony wood but even that is growing on me since it's there in a limited way. Dash design sure isn't Lexus like, but it's pleasant to be in. Kind of like an Equinox. I do think the seat fabrics on the LS are cheap.
The mechanicals are universally fixable by a lot of different people. The exterior isn't pretty but at least its unique. It has a whole load of crap on it, things like adjustable pedals-- even on the base car.
Give me that Sonata wagon and I'd be a happy camper, the sedan is way too Camcordy.
even on the base car.
If you got the 4 cylinder, I'd appreciate a report on its handling, acceleration, noise level at cruise (at 80 if you drive that fast) and freeway gas mileage. I am interested in the 4 cylinder Malibu because it gets such great freeway gas mileage, accordig to reports, and because while both the 4 & 6 are reported to have good handling, the 4 has been reported to have better handling (lighter weight in the nose) than the 6 by Consumer Reports and also one of the car enthusiast magazines.
I only paid $16K for the Maxx. With a card and the new discounts it should be quite a bit lower than that. That's about 3K less than a Sonata four banger.
~alpha
Backy-- I know you said you sat in one (at an autoshow?) but I'd kind of like to see your thoughts after a test drive. Took me about a month to get used to after my Elantra. I'd like to see your thoughts v. the new Sonata. If that chopped Sonata wagon was available I'd be a lot more enthusiastic.
She was supposed to pay me $100 a month for it for 20 months. My son in law works for a towing company and it's still sitting down there-- he's worked out some kind of deal to have it sent to Mexico. Hopefully he'll check the car for left over identification, etc. before it's shipped out. I liked the car too much to view the corpse.
Anyway-- compared to the 01 GLS, the Maxx has a lot more doo-dads including a nifty trip computer with oil life monitor, auto headlights, radio presets tied to individual key fobs, adjustable pedals and steering column (in and out, not just up and down), 2 way power seat. Certainly no better than the new Sonata-- or maybe even your GT but slightly different.
Some people [non-permissible content removed] about the dash-- it's certainly no Lexus-- but it's pleasant. Seat surfaces may be durable but I like them less than the Elantra-- another car that got complaints but which I got to like. V-6 engine gets about 2 mpg less than my Elantra but has lots of low end torque. I'm sure it's less smooth than the new Sonata 6 will be, however. Compared to the Elantra, I like not having to lay out $700 for a 60K checkup with timing belt replacement.
Again-- I wasn't real crazy about the car on my first test drive, given the levels of stuff my mind made the call and not my heart--- plus I don't like automatics. But-- this car has really grown on me and I find it more and more pleasant as I own it. Believe me, I've had plenty of other cars that went the other way when it comes to satisfaction.
1. There's a little rubber thingy below the ignition switch that silences the keys from clanking on the fob (true, it lacks the Elantra's lighted ring).
2. There's a slot in the dash which holds your billfold perfectly-- reduces butt pain on long trips, yet it's not rattling around in a stowage area.
3. There's a little clip on the windshield to hold parking permits, etc.
These are all very small things but they exist by the dozen and help to make this a car that grows on you.
Last year I rented a previous gen. 'Bu and although rental cars are often abused, I came away after three days of driving missing my Elantra. The Elantra was not only more pleasant, it felt larger. Not so with this one, it really grows on you.
Since we're supposed to be talking basic sedans here, I rented a Dodge Neon last fall-- there was the most disagreeable car that I'd been in since my old '86 Tempo-- they need a replacement in the worst way. It was even cruder than my '97 Cavalier. These little detail glitches that make a car pleasant or unpleasant can take a couple of days to sort out. The curve on the Maxx is definitely pointing up!
2. The purchasing party is a scrap yard.
3. It wouldn't be worth fixing in the U.S, but if it can be fixed with cheaper Mexican labor, I don't see that as a problem. I haven't seen the car (too heartbreaking) but my take is that it can be fixed safely, just not at a price that would be justified in the States.
4. I'd feel better about it giving decent service in a third world country than I would about getting it scrapped.
power moonroof
heated seats/mirrors
air conditioning
2.3 pzev/5 speed manual trans
abs
cd/mp3 player
15" alloys w/ goodyear rsa tires
power/auto locking doors
remote entry/trunk release
perimiter alarm
power windows w/one touch down and lockout
power side mirrors
tilting/telescoping steering wheel
cruise control
power trunk release
5 year/100k power train warranty
split folding rear seat
paid 13k plus tax/title/reg
happy!
http://www.obvio.ind.br/obviona/home.htm
The 012 will cost around $28,000 and is coming here along with the 828/2.
These cars are small and evoke thoughts of the Smart cars that Mercedes-Benz decided not to import here to the U.S. The gearshift of the CVT transmission – front, park, neutral and reverse - is located at the left of the driver, between the door and the seat and electronic six speed “manual gearbox style” control in the steering wheel. The parking brake lever is located at the left of the driver also, between the door and the seat. The 828/2 is a rear driven rig with a mid mounted engine. Don't forget to read up on the detachable "Boblbee" backpack as part of the dash design. Yikes. Is this car for real or some kind of dream? I'm fresh out of seeing 'War of the Worlds' on July 4th!
The motor is the same one as in the Mini-Cooper. Read up on the body material on these cars, though, and the painting process. Scratchless and chip-free paint job? With all of the complaining lately about paint jobs being sub-par on all makes of vehicles this may be interesting to some of you.
This brand coming in 2006 and Malcom's Chery's coming shortly after that? Do we get to vote on it or do they just come over here? You can put your order in now for one if you wish. Actually, I was wondering when this was gonna start happening. Monster trucks and monster SUV's and $3.00/gal gas mix well for some, but not for all of us. It just keeps getting better!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
First, news of Chinese-built cars from Malcolm Bricklin coming here in 2007, selling for 30% less than competitors, and now these two from a Brazilian company, and very much pint-sized, no less. Maybe Mercedes did make the wrong decision not to import Smart cars here. I am one that thinks they should have imported them. We're drowning in large and ugly pick-em-up trucks and SUV's in the U.S.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Nothing like someone buying a SUV because his wife is pregnant......
I just looked at a pic of the 2006 Chevy Aveo sedan, it looks pretty good.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The "low-end" Obvious! car imported here will be named the 828/2. It is a two-door in a hatchback style, though very limited as to the hatchback form, so I will call it a two-door sedan until the manufacturer clears up how they will refer to the tiny car for us.
The $14,000 828/2 will include as standard equipment air conditioning, Wi-Fi/USB/Bluetooth/IPod connections, first class sound ambience and GPS/Cellular/FM antenna. Also standard will be a mobile PC fully installed with XM Satellite radio, DVD, Personal organizer, GPS navigation, wireless internet and a digital media player.
The 828/2 is coming here in 2006. This one is going to elicit some stares, to say the least! The Obvious! 012 model, retailing for $28,000, will be here in 2007. Do stay tuned on this one, it's gonna be interesting.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Regards,
Kyle
Is that a Chevy Malibu next to the 828/2? The Malibu just before this latest Malibu remodel? This car is small, gentlemen!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Let's see, for $14k I can buy something like a fully loaded Elantra GT (leather, moonroof, ABS/traction etc.), or a xA or xB, or a minimal-trim Corolla or Civic, or a Focus, or a Cobalt, or one of several other very nice cars. Next year I can buy a Honda Jazz/Fit that's small and economical but is roomy, has 5 doors, and is a Honda.
What is the point of this car, again?
Daewoo supplies Chevrolet with the Aveo subcompact car, of which 35,245 were sold in first half '05, a gain from 21,255 in the similar 2004 time period. The Aveo, which sports a "Low End Sedan-friendly" price of only $9995, is slated for a re-design for the 2006 model as Daewoo and its kit car exporting machine give GM a boost in the U.S. and China and around the globe.
A lot of us knew the Kalos-Aveo would work out, now didn't we? For those not around a couple two or three years ago, lots of Edmunds online regulars discussed Daewoo and it's impending collapse at length and ad naseum on this website. You can still look up the shut-down threads(displaying on your screen as READ-ONLY now) on Edmunds and read till your hearts content if you want, though. Bring some visine to your screen. We discussed Daewoo at length.
It seemed so obvious that the Daewoo Kalos would work out globally, even with GM running it's production (and Shanghai Motors of China and Suzuki Motors of Japan as a part GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Company). It will only grow more popular as ghastly prices stay high and possibly grow worse in the future.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Ross