Has anyone thought of getting a Yaris, Fit etc..
02-12-2008, 07:20 AM
#1
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Has anyone thought of getting a Yaris, Fit etc..
I have been toying with the idea of something like this. I know they are not balls of fire but just the idea of having something super practical like this, at a low cost.
I know (low cost) would be better to look at a $10K used civic which I have even thought of.
I drove the 07 Fit and found some things not to my liking, but the basic idea was good. Also I know this Fit is a 6-year old design, I like the next Fit both looks and said to have nicer materials and will have 10% more power and 20% more TQ for similar size engine and said to gain just 22 lbs while being 160% stiffer.. better faster stronger etc..
Now I know this is not the type of car that gearheads like, but we owned an Escort hatchback which we sold to a neighbor. I don't miss that particular car but the idea of having a 2500 lb cheap car that's semi fun to drive has some appeal.
Also I like funky (some would say ugly) little hatchbacks like the previous Si and the Fit and the new xD.
I have not driven these particular cars but I do know what it's like to drive a small low powered fwd car.
I do go back and forth say if I was spending $15K for a new Fit wouldn't it be better to spend another $6K and get a GTi (etc.) it's the slippery slope meaning yes it's just another $6k but you end up with another 500 lbs of car and turbo needs premium gas and gets worse mileage etc... then if I spend $22K for a GTI why not $28K and get a 128i etc.. there is always something better for a bit more.
So thats it. Do other people think about getting a little bugger just since it's cheap and good fuel economy. Not that you can't afford something nicer or can't afford to buy gas just because it's a little but different, small and could be fun with a MT.
Plus, sometimes I think I am always thinking about getting something different, doesn't mean it has to be an ISF or M3 or GTR but just something new that is different that what I already have such as a 04 Si or a 09-Fit would be.
I know (low cost) would be better to look at a $10K used civic which I have even thought of.
I drove the 07 Fit and found some things not to my liking, but the basic idea was good. Also I know this Fit is a 6-year old design, I like the next Fit both looks and said to have nicer materials and will have 10% more power and 20% more TQ for similar size engine and said to gain just 22 lbs while being 160% stiffer.. better faster stronger etc..
Now I know this is not the type of car that gearheads like, but we owned an Escort hatchback which we sold to a neighbor. I don't miss that particular car but the idea of having a 2500 lb cheap car that's semi fun to drive has some appeal.
Also I like funky (some would say ugly) little hatchbacks like the previous Si and the Fit and the new xD.
I have not driven these particular cars but I do know what it's like to drive a small low powered fwd car.
I do go back and forth say if I was spending $15K for a new Fit wouldn't it be better to spend another $6K and get a GTi (etc.) it's the slippery slope meaning yes it's just another $6k but you end up with another 500 lbs of car and turbo needs premium gas and gets worse mileage etc... then if I spend $22K for a GTI why not $28K and get a 128i etc.. there is always something better for a bit more.
So thats it. Do other people think about getting a little bugger just since it's cheap and good fuel economy. Not that you can't afford something nicer or can't afford to buy gas just because it's a little but different, small and could be fun with a MT.
Plus, sometimes I think I am always thinking about getting something different, doesn't mean it has to be an ISF or M3 or GTR but just something new that is different that what I already have such as a 04 Si or a 09-Fit would be.
02-12-2008, 07:25 AM
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The Fit seems OK but I wouldn't want to pay what I have seen they are asking. When I looked the price was just to high.
If I wanted a cheap, new car I would try to find a let over '07 Focus manual hatchback. Great chassis and utility for a little over $10k. Also, the SVT suspension can be had for cheap.
I believe it was Consumer Reports who said basically as much. They did a review with the Fit and other cars of that size. They said to look at the Focus as an alternative. They were going for really cheap. They felt it drove better than any car other than the Fit and the mileage differences were very small. I would tend to agree.
If I wanted a cheap, new car I would try to find a let over '07 Focus manual hatchback. Great chassis and utility for a little over $10k. Also, the SVT suspension can be had for cheap.
I believe it was Consumer Reports who said basically as much. They did a review with the Fit and other cars of that size. They said to look at the Focus as an alternative. They were going for really cheap. They felt it drove better than any car other than the Fit and the mileage differences were very small. I would tend to agree.
02-12-2008, 07:43 AM
#3
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I've been toying with the idea of trading in my DD for a Fit. I haven't driven a Fit, so I don't know if I'd even like it. My biggest problem is that I keep coming back to the fact that I really have no reason to get rid of my current DD. It's a 95 Accord EX with ~200K on it, but it has no mechanical issues, and it's perfect for a beater since it's in less than pristine condition.
Even if I could get past the fact that I don't need a new DD, I think I would then run into the same issue that you're having. For 15K I could get a Fit, but for a few thou more, I could get a Civic and have a bit more room and a bit more power, and still get good fuel economy. From there, I could spend a few thousand more and get an Accord and be in a car comparable to what I'm in now. But if I'm going to be spending in the 20s, I might as well spend a few thousand more and get a G35 Sedan so I could have something more stylish, but still have the utility of a comfortable 4-door. But now I'm in the 30's, I might as well bump up my price range some more and start looking for a deal on a 335 and have something I'd really enjoy driving every day.
But then I realize that I'd spend too much time worrying about door dings and other issues if I had a nice, new car... so I decide to just stick with my current beater.
Even if I could get past the fact that I don't need a new DD, I think I would then run into the same issue that you're having. For 15K I could get a Fit, but for a few thou more, I could get a Civic and have a bit more room and a bit more power, and still get good fuel economy. From there, I could spend a few thousand more and get an Accord and be in a car comparable to what I'm in now. But if I'm going to be spending in the 20s, I might as well spend a few thousand more and get a G35 Sedan so I could have something more stylish, but still have the utility of a comfortable 4-door. But now I'm in the 30's, I might as well bump up my price range some more and start looking for a deal on a 335 and have something I'd really enjoy driving every day.
But then I realize that I'd spend too much time worrying about door dings and other issues if I had a nice, new car... so I decide to just stick with my current beater.
02-12-2008, 07:44 AM
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yea, the Fit (I drove) was fun to drive which was one thing I took away from the test drive I also drove a GTi the same day.
I didn't like the power of the Fit as I drive the new Civic at the same time, I wished the Fit had the Civic engine. I was reading about the new Fit (2009 may be here this summer) which has the 1.5L engine but 9 more HP and more than 20-TQ more than the current Fit (something like 118hp and 128-TQ for the 09). Doesn't seem like much but it's a small car.
I guess taken to the extreme if it's just about getting the cheapest thing a Focus would be good but I mean something both cheap (doesn't have to be the cheapest) and some fun to drive (and the Fit did seem to be fun to drive and well built).
I thought of the Mini too but it's just a bit too small and costly when at least a Fit has OK rear seats, the Mini IDK looks real tiny (mini) to me.
I think of something high quality and fun, I don't go by CR who would more look at just what's the cheapest or has the best power for the lowest price. Driving feel/fun is most important for me.
I didn't like the power of the Fit as I drive the new Civic at the same time, I wished the Fit had the Civic engine. I was reading about the new Fit (2009 may be here this summer) which has the 1.5L engine but 9 more HP and more than 20-TQ more than the current Fit (something like 118hp and 128-TQ for the 09). Doesn't seem like much but it's a small car.
I guess taken to the extreme if it's just about getting the cheapest thing a Focus would be good but I mean something both cheap (doesn't have to be the cheapest) and some fun to drive (and the Fit did seem to be fun to drive and well built).
I thought of the Mini too but it's just a bit too small and costly when at least a Fit has OK rear seats, the Mini IDK looks real tiny (mini) to me.
I think of something high quality and fun, I don't go by CR who would more look at just what's the cheapest or has the best power for the lowest price. Driving feel/fun is most important for me.
02-12-2008, 07:52 AM
#5
I went to lunch with a friend the other day that has a Silverado and was saying he was tired of wasting so much gas. He uses the truck for hunting and wanted a second car to commute in and saw th Chevy Aveos were to be had for about $9k for a strippo. He had $3500 on his gm card and walked out with a beater for about $6k with tax and title.
He says it is kind of fun, but is a cheap POS crunch bucket. But for $6k he got a new point A to point B car with a warranty and 35 mpg so he is happy with it.
If it were my I would look for a good Volks TDI of some model for about $10k used that has a little more safety and a few bells and whistles.
He says it is kind of fun, but is a cheap POS crunch bucket. But for $6k he got a new point A to point B car with a warranty and 35 mpg so he is happy with it.
If it were my I would look for a good Volks TDI of some model for about $10k used that has a little more safety and a few bells and whistles.
02-12-2008, 07:52 AM
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[QUOTE=mxt_77,Feb 12 2008, 08:43 AM]
Even if I could get past the fact that I don't need a new DD, I think I would then run into the same issue that you're having.
Even if I could get past the fact that I don't need a new DD, I think I would then run into the same issue that you're having.
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02-12-2008, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by vader1,Feb 12 2008, 04:52 PM
I went to lunch with a friend the other day that has a Silverado and was saying he was tired of wasting so much gas. He uses the truck for hunting and wanted a second car to commute in and saw th Chevy Aveos were to be had for about $9k for a strippo. He had $3500 on his gm card and walked out with a beater for about $6k with tax and title.
He says it is kind of fun, but is a cheap POS crunch bucket. But for $6k he got a new point A to point B car with a warranty and 35 mpg so he is happy with it.
If it were my I would look for a good Volks TDI of some model for about $10k used that has a little more safety and a few bells and whistles.
He says it is kind of fun, but is a cheap POS crunch bucket. But for $6k he got a new point A to point B car with a warranty and 35 mpg so he is happy with it.
If it were my I would look for a good Volks TDI of some model for about $10k used that has a little more safety and a few bells and whistles.
