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I look forward to seeing you around Town Hall!
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
This doesn't look like a very active board, but it's nice to see one devoted to hatchbacks! After a 20 year hiatus, I'm in a hatchback again. A few months back I bought a '99 Saab 9-3 as a second car and am really enjoying it. (My previous hatches were: '74 Vega, '75 B210, '76 Capri, and '80 310.) To be honest, I didn't buy the 9-3 because it was a hatchback, I just wanted to try a Saab. But now that I've had it a couple months, I remember what great utility these cars can be.
I wanted to toss this out to see if there were any strong feelings for or against.
We don't have our minds completely made up yet, but are leaning towards merging the two boards.
I look forward to your posts (really!)
Sylvia
1) Gives the perception that Hatchbacks are just as practical as Coupes, which is not necessarily true.
2) Coupes are two door notchback designs, Hatchbacks are two or four doors,
3) Hatchbacks need more specialized attention, so that they don't get "swept under the rug" and forgotten again, they need to stand out so the public can drive the automakers to bring more choices to us (the USA).
You asked..I told.
8-)
I have owned several hatchbacks. Don't laugh too hard, but my first was a '71 Vega. While living in Germany I actually owned 2 hatchbacks at the same time: A U.S. spec's 16V GTI (with performance mod's of course) and an Opel Kadett. That Opel only had a 1.3 liter engine, but it could still hit 160km/hr (99mph). Now I have a 300ZX, and another car that looks like a hatchback, but isn't ('83 Audi Quattro). Hatchbacks are very versatile - my GTI prowled all over the American Southwest with my wife, son, and parents-in-law; and all of our luggage!
Again, welcome to Town Hall and the Hatchbacks message board.
Welcome to the Hatchbacks board!
Last (and only) other hatchback owned: a 1984 Escort I bought for my wife to learn how to drive a stick and not wreck the clutch on my new '87 Accord! Functional? Yep. Fun? Nope.
Now, if Chevy could just figure a way to make the Malibu Maxx pretty........:)
Does anyone know if they made automatics for this model? Or does anyone know where I can buy one? :confuse:
Thank you all.
[Everyone else: "Hi, Doohickie!"]
Here is where I'm at: In August, my wife starts her teaching job. At that point, I will put my daily commuter, a 95 Ford Aspire with 115k miles, up for sale and be looking to replace it. Looking to spend about $14-18k on a car that I will likely drive myself for about 5 years, then turn over to my son who's just starting high school to use when he is away at college (figuring no car for him freshman year of college). Hope to get about 10 years out of the car in total.
Must have: Automatic (Mrs. Doohickie doesn't drive stick, which was a problem at times with the Aspire), Hatchback, A/C, Cruise, Pwr Windows/Locks, Keyless Entry, Rear Wiper & Defogger, must make 30+ mpg freeway.
Highly desireable but not show stoppers include: 6-disc CD Changer, Intermittent Wipers, Antilock Brakes, makes high 20's or better mpg in the city.
Nice to have: Leather, Side Airbags
I had a list of about 30 models and narrowed down to these finalists: Scion xA & xB, Hyundai Elantra 5 dr, Kia Spectra5, Suzuki Reno & Aerio SX, Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix, and Ford Focus ZX3.
I started posting around here looking for insights into the different models. I was geeked up by the Spectra5 and Elantra owners, figuring maybe these were good cars. Test drove both today and was sorely disappointed with both. Interior design and quality of materials was substandard, acceleration was poor on both, and both had a shimmy at 70 mph. Two peas in a pod.
I've also driven the xA. I will readily admit it is underpowered, but was impressed by the build quality and the way they got the most out of the little engine.
The Focus drives like a Ford. This isn't all bad, since I've had an Escort Wagon for 10 years (the car my older son now drives) and am used to it. My Escort with 110k miles has a better ride and better acceleration than either of the Korean cars I drove today.
I think the B in xB stands for Butt-ugly. Seriously. But after driving the Elantra, I went over to the Toyota dealer with my younger son (who may get this purchase as his college car) and he immediately fell in love with it. Althought it is butt-ugly on the outside, it's beautiful from the driver's seat. I may drive it tomorrow.
I have yet to really check out the Matrix/Vibe. I love the configuration of the Aerio SX wagon (especially the interior), but am worried about Suzuki reliability over the long haul. I plan to check it out, as well as the Reno; if they don't ride well I'll cross them off my list.
Any advice about these cars? Are there others I should consider (Mazda3 5-door is too pricey for what you get in my opinion). What should I look for?
After years (and I do mean YEARS) of research, kicking tires, and waiting until our ship came in, my husband and I finally took delivery of a 2005 Ford Focus ZX5 (SES) today. It's our first car together, and our first new car (he's bought used cars from friends and family before).
Even though I grew up in a Ford family, if it wasn't for the new Family price promotion, we probably would have ended up with a different car. But as it stands now, we really like our new car and look forward to learning all there is to know about it!
BTW, does anyone know of any other Focus forums on the web that aren't totally "racer and performance" oriented? We intend to keep the car mostly stock.
The automatic was rated number one by Consumer Reports I believe. Have a great summer!
Seems like you've been along for this whole wild ride while we decided on a car!
Enjoy your summer - I know we will!
GOLFACTOR
2001 Golf IV 8v 2dr Tornado Red
On the bright side of things, I bought a Mazda 3 a year ago.
#1: 2005 Hyundai GLS hatchback w/ AT. This car is my top choice not for the car itself (a solid choice but I think the styling is dated), but for the online support available, including access to Hyundai's technical data online as well as several forums that can help solve any issue that may come up. The problem here for me is availability, since local stocks of 05s are very low.
#2: 2005 Kia Spectra5 w/ AT. This car has better styling, resembling the more expensive Mazda3 wagon. It shares a lot of the Elantra's mechanicals. Local stocks are still high since my local dealer is the #2 volume Kia dealer in the country.
#3: 2006 Kia Rio5 w/ AT. This is kind of a wild card. Right now, only the new Rio sedans are at the dealer, no hatches yet. Once they get there, I don't know if I will have much bargaining power since they are a brand new model and there are no incentives from Kia yet (aside from owner loyalty). I like the car a lot. It is the direct descendent of my Aspire, and is much improved over that car. The mileage is great and the ride surprisingly good for a car that size, better than both the Scion xA (which is too stiff) and Chevy Aveo (too soft). If I were buying a year from now, there would be incentives in place to make it competitive, but I'm afraid I will end up paying more for a new Rio5 than for the larger Spectra5.
This is probably the most thought-about purchase of an economy hatchback in history! :surprise:
#2: 2005 Kia Spectra5 w/ AT.
From a reliability point of view, the order makes a lot of sense: the first has a good track history which trumps the second which has had poor reliability in years past and runs all the risks of the first year model.
p.s. You may want to check the latest issue of CR for a revealing look at how the model year relates to its rate of problems.
p.s. Spectra5 resembles but does not match the Mazda3
Ummm... that's why I used the word resembles. The Mazda3 price does not match that of the the Spec5 either. Which is a good thing for the Spec5.
FWIW, we ARE in the same boat. Two middle-aged guys not jumpin' on the Escalade/Beamer bandwagons of our peers. Kids, wife, dog(s) etc. etc. Just looking for the most bang for the buck. Gas mileage matters. Quality matters. Certain bells and whistles matter. And then of course there's that PRICE thing.
If I could close my eyes and see into the future it sure would help. I almost feel like I'm steppin' out on some thin ice on a pond somewhere looking at these non-[non-permissible content removed] economy cars (something they, the Japanese, have gotten VERY good at over the years), hoping it won't crack and get me all cold and wet. I think you get the picture. We know Mazda (Toy', Honda etc. etc. for that matter) make damn good products...for a price unfortunately. So much so, Zoom Zoom Inc. has taken me right out of the Zoomer fold I'm afraid.
That said, these Korean entrants do have appeal IF the quality is going up as so many have noted on these boards and various other publications. Mighty big IF!You've a much different situation then myself in that you've already been the happy owner of the highly esteemed, world reknown, impeccably assembled and regarded Ford product known as the late Aspire for all these years. IOW, your comfort level may in fact be considerably higher than mine at the moment in this search of ours. I've got all twenty fingers and toes crossed while you've only a couple touchin'.
I agree with you. It does finally come down to doors #1 & #2 as you've pointed out. Only Monty knows which is the better "deal" (BTW, what's your costume? Mine's a Jack Nicholson look-a-like from One Flew Over the Coo-Coo's Nest right now - going nutso!) and Monty ain't on the boob-tube anymore holding those big wads of cash in case you go chicken. You are doing exactly what I am at the moment my friend in this last week of the quarter...at the end of the model year... COUNTIN' HOW MANY BLEEPIN' DOOR #1's there are and how many BLEEPIN' DOOR #2's there are and going from there. Everyday there seems to be less and less doors! :mad:
I can't wait to see what happens the end of this week. After 9/30 the rebate game rolls into the next round. Pendulum might swing my way. Might not. Darn gas prices aren't helpin' the situation any sending all these SUV/Big Truck freaks OUR way on the neighborhood econo-box lots. Grrrrr...Heck, with my zoomer crossin' 177,000 this week without a hiccup, if things don't go my way, might just have to wait 'til year end (12/31) in the middle of a snow storm to go in and see what Mr. & Mrs. Kia have to offer on that candy red lil' Spec5 of theirs. Hold together baby...three more months of zoomin'...maybe.
I think my window will likely be Oct 1 to Oct 14 for my purchase, simply because I would like to have the deal closed before my son comes home from college for his high school homecoming (that way, he will have a car to drive around while he's home).
I think my window will likely be Oct 1 to Oct 14 for my purchase, simply because I would like to have the deal closed before my son comes home from college for his high school homecoming (that way, he will have a car to drive around while he's home).
The Kia Amanti was the highest-ranked midsize car in a customer-satisfaction survey released Wednesday by J.D. Power and Associates, marking the first time an entry from Korean automaker Kia Motor Co. had made it to the top of the list.
if there was anyone here who also owned one? It's been a great little car for me, though some of the cheaper trim items are showing their years. I'm concerned about what might start going wrong with it, and what other people may have experienced, even though I know that engine's solid!
Now a days, CUV's are gaining fast at the expense of SUV's.
CUV have 56 % market share among CUV/SUV combination in Feb-2007 sales.