Not sure exactly what the argument is about.

The article gave FIT the win on functionality category so they agree with you. And my memory of the actual stats seemed like most of the other numbers were pretty close, so the Fiesta's 4points were just barely wins.

I'm not going to defend the article, and you're just getting my lousy 2nd hand summary from my 2min scan of it and not really reading the text too closely. So go give it a read if you get a chance, then comment. Or perhaps wait awhile and it'll show up on the popular mechanics website.

 

No argument here.
My comment was on the Fiesta seating and it's marketing appeal to the children of their customer base.
As far as the car goes - other than the engine/drive train - it sucks.
And I don't say that to defend the Fit, it needs no defense when up against a Ford...

I'll read the review - you go sit in one.

I think we'll agree, we own Fit's...

 

Can you honestly say that the opposite doesn't happen frequently? That is

some people firmly believe that Foreign cars are better than American cars, no
matter what. I agree, it's mildly irritating, but expected.

Besides, today, what is foreign and what is domestic. I have a VW made in Mexico, a Nissan mostly made in Mexico, partly in Japan, and partly in the USA and Canada. What is it? Domestiported? Foreinican?
There is no more black and white, it's all gray.


Flea

 

German American British Italian at least I knew where they were made.

Then I bought an Eagle Summit from Lee Iaccoca back when he took over and was telling everyone to buy American cars but was selling Japanese. The Summit was a Mitsu - even made in Japan.

I figured he knew something and he did. I put well over 125Kmiles on that car till age finally took it out. Then started my Cadillac experience which ended with me buying another Made in Japan car, my FIT.

Today when you say buy an American car you're hoping that most of it was at least assembled in this country. Certainly all the parts weren't made here. I wonder, is any car 100% made in America?? Tons of windshields come in from Mexico.

Who remembers who sang See the USA in your Chevrolet? Guarantee those Chevies were all American, right down to the spring steel in the leaf springs.

 

ever let someone drive your honda, who is used to driving domestics ?

when I owned my 00 typeR, the few people I actually let drive it... would pretty much shift the moment it hit vtec. I would have to brow beat them to hold it to redline before shifting. Then you're scooting.

I could let my dad drive my Fit and he would probably say the same thing. My gawd this thing has no power. Well... not if you shift at 4,000 rpm~ He drives an auto-Altima.

 

I can't say the opposite doesn't happen frequently Some people are just so entrenched in their opinions of how american/imported cars are they can't evaluate cars objectively. He even stated that he was expecting Civic/Accord quality in a lower line car at the beginning.

I'll stick to reading car and driver reviews

 

There's something to be said for an engine that produces plenty of power without having to resort to gee-whiz technology. No leaf-blower feeding the intake, no clicky-switchy cams, no spinning it like a dentist drill... Just honest, grunty power. You know, where you skip a bit past the peak torque as you run up the gears and upshift right into the fat point of the torque curve, and feel the surge kick you square in the ass. Asian and European companies are good at squeezing a lot of power from a tiny block because tax-codes often encourage them to limit displacement.

When I was in high school, Dad had a Cherokee with a 4.0L straight six. It only had 190 hp, but the thing weighed in under 3000 lbs, and it had 235 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm. I learned to drive in that car - it certainly taught me to be gentle when I first put my foot into it, because it would lurch like a maniac if you weren't smooth.

You hear the same discussions among motorcyclists. Cruiser guy tries a sport-bike and complains that it feels gutless, even though it has an unbelievable amount of power compared to a big twin. Sportbike guy tries a cruiser and is disappointed that there's nothing to wring out of it.

I try not to kick my engine into the zone where the VTEC engages. If I wanted something fast, I wouldn't have bought a cheapie hatchback. I plan on keeping this car for a while, and I want many years of reliable service, not damaged engine mounts, torn up piston rings, and blown head-gaskets. I'm hoping to have my car paid off within a year (about 2.5 years from purchase) and get many years of cheap transportation out of it. I know that lots of people on here don't really care about the long term reliability (we have people actually leasing... LEASING!... an entry-class car. Just when you thought you'd heard it all. Yes, I'd like to put this case of Coors on layaway!)

I save the abuse for my motorcycle - revving makes noise AND fast on there, not just the former. If it takes a few thousand miles off it's life... oh well, it's a $5000 toy, one that I'll likely replace long before it dies.

 

its cause they drove a base. HA! (lol i'm just kidding, please base owners don't kill me i know there's no real difference.) or maybe he was born into a ford family. i mean if i had to analyze the fiesta it will get a bad review reguardless just, because its a ford. (not serious, just making a point)

 

does it still count as "all american" if all these "all american" parts were assembled with mexican and chinese labor? lol. sorry couldn't help it.

 

You hear that all the time about the new Kia Optima, which is by most accounts a pretty damn impressive car. 24/34 city/hwy with an auto (24/35 with the auto, 200HP 2.4L. And, somewhat amazing for an Asian car, which usually have lilliputian interiors - OVER 45 inches of legroom in the front . But just the word Kia and people shudder a bit, almost like hearing someone talk about the time they filed for bankruptcy, or how they have Herpes, or got a GED. They sorta nod and try really, really hard not to say anything that sounds judgmental.

 

Hey now! It was the only one with a standard left in Louisiana and I didn't want to wait!

Now for the review. That person is an idiot. I loved his "under powered" comment and the part about making passing tricky. Really? So why then was I able to pass with a Audi Q7 on my trip back from Lafayette Sunday night and never had trouble keeping up with him even through tight spots? The car has plenty of power you just have to know how to drive it. Going to pass at 55-60 drop it in third . She'll be at 80 in a blink .

Engine noise too loud? What are you doing?! Riding with no radio? AWKWARD!!! Turn the flippin radio on or start talking! No one likes a silent car ride(unless you are a parent).

Don't see what they meant by the stiff suspension part. I don't think its the suspensions fault as much as it is the wheel base. Short wheel base=better maneuverability= bumpy ride. Just how it works.

Some people gonna hate. Let em. Not worth the time arguing. Like dad always says, "can't fix stupid."

 

So true. Same thing with Hyundai, but the '96 G4EK I had went 130k hard miles including several track sessions before any problems came about.

Though some of the ones that popped up were pretty goofy and one of them probably would've terrified most owners into a lawsuit or selling the car.. I had a problem where the dipstick tube cracked and eventually broke at the block where it was mounted behind the exhaust manifold.

So coming up to a hard corner or braking late and it would splash oil on the exhaust, sometimes starting a fire

It took two (minor) engine bay fires to figure that one out.

 

I've known quite a few people who bought Kia Sedona minivans (I'm in the military - lots of young families) and loved them. I find it admirable that they are willing to put their money where their mouth is, so to speak, with the long warranty.

I want to take the new Optima for a test drive. It really is a nice looking car, and the reviews have been extremely positive.





Those wheels are a bit distracting, but otherwise, it looks really, really sharp. 200 hp from a 2.4L or 273hp from a 2.0L Turbo. And unlike many Korean cars of years gone by, it's not a bloated monster. They improved their materials, assembly, etc., but their cars were quite heavy for a bit there. They seem to have refined that... These guys are in it to excel, and this should put some good pressure on Honda, Ford, et al in the midsize segment. 24/34... 200 hp with a 6 speed automatic. Cars are getting nuts.

 

I've seen a couple over hear, including the new mid-size hyunda with the GDI "Theta" 2.4L

Kia and Hyundai have really upped their game.

Direct Injection and Turbocharging are going to be mainstream soon just to meet emissions and consumer expectations at the same time.

There are some BMWs without throttle bodies now.. and they aren't diesel!

BMW Technology Guide : Valvetronic

We are going to see some really cool stuff come out of the woodwork over the next 5 years.

Porsches recent hybrid GT car and the Diesel Le Mans cars from Peugeot and Audi from the early 2000's are also going to be lending some neat stuff it looks like.

Check this out, the hybrid system powers it's own wheels for a nitrous like boost AND regen braking through their "flywheel system"


There is video of it on a circuit already, but not at the time MT released this:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...rid/index.html

Reminds me of this for some reason:

 

Krimson, we're two birds of a feather. The only other car that I bought when new besides the FIT was a 1990 Dodge Colt, the same car as your Summit (a Mitsubishi Mirage). It was a REAL economy car. Paid only $6500 for a new car. No air conditioning, 4 speed manual instead of the optional 5 speed, crank windows, no paint on the bumpers, dinky little pressed steel wheels. The only luxury was an AM/FM radio (no CD or cassette). The Fit and Fiesta are not econoboxes.

 

I'll throw my 2 cents in on what I don't like and what I do like about the Fit...and this is coming from a prospective buyer....

My wife has the Fit....I own an HHR..I drive the Fit on occasion

I find that the Fit actually rides better and handles better to me at HIGHER speeds...I dropped my wife off at the airport last week and driving home I found myself doing 80mph on 93 on the way home without realizing it. I like the gas mpg, I like the looks too and the paddle shifting and the Si steering wheel

What I don't like is (compared to my HHR) No heated seat option, louder ride, wind noise from doors, dash rattles, no standard center console.....and really F'ed up floor mat options


So in any event I see the Fit as what it is...an econobox that I more than likely will purchase this weekend


That is all

 

sorry, but i drove a HHR and i felt like i was in a coffin... small windows and no sound or input from the road...

As for the Fiesta, the interior screams cheap plastics! and it uses mechanically timed ignition... (enough said)

 

Oh yeah, the HHR is definitely a different cup of tea for sure. Everyone I give a ride to says they get the cave like feeling.....quite a difference to the humongous shield on a Fit

I'm just used to it I guess...have not sat in a Fiesta

 

One thing I will say is the FIT is a relatively noisy car [interior noise level @ cruising speed]. My daughters 07 base Yaris is quieter. It is the engine/drive train that contributes the most, then the tires, then the door/window seals.

 

The HHR is a retro-Suburban body on a Cobalt, pretty clever in my book. Having driven rental Cobalts, other than the scary brakes, they are a fine, boring compact sedan. They are also C-segment cars, similar to the Civic, not B-segment like the Fit. Drive a Korean-made Chevy Aveo for what GM offers in the Fit class.

Maybe it has already been stated somewhere in this thread, the Fiesta sold in the US is Hecho en Mexico. While the Mazda 2 is on the same platform, its Japanese-made.