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Re: Small Car recommendations...
2x6spds #346079 04/25/11 09:57 PM
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The new Civic Si is using a larger displacement 4cyl, with lower revs(7000 redline vs 8000, I think), probably for more driveability with higher torque at lower engine speeds.


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Re: Small Car recommendations...
Adrian #346080 04/25/11 10:18 PM
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The 2.0 liter S2000 engine (the F20C) red lines at 8900 rpm, fuel cut off at 9,100 rpm. The lower revving 2.2 liter engine in later S2000s red lines at 8,000 rpm. Very disappointing.

The 2010 Si had a 2.0 liter 4, put out a tick under 200 HP, and red lined at a tick under 8,000 rpm.

The 2012 Si is not as high strung or high revving. Also very disappointing.

Last edited by 2x6spds; 04/25/11 10:31 PM.

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Re: Small Car recommendations...
2x6spds #346405 04/27/11 10:07 PM
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This isn't really a 'small' car, but it's small to me so I'll mention it. I just rented a Chrysler 200 (ya, that's a 2, not a 3). It had 4 miles on it and it was a bare bones ride. I was very impressed with its acceleration. Damn thing winds up to 6500 quicker than hell and pulls pretty darn hard from about 3000 up. It had crappy tires so it was soft in the cornering, but I'm sure it would handle pretty good with real tires. Deceivingly large trunk space as well as good interior room. Anyone looking for a car this size might want to take one of these for a spin. I'd like to see what the loaded models are like.

Re: Small Car recommendations...
michael_d #351399 07/05/11 02:33 AM
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Browsed through my local Honda dealer's lot this past weekend. They're a fairly large dealer with a huge inventory (esp Civics, Accords, CRVs) but I guess the disaster in Japan has hit them hard...the other dealers in the automall are leasing space off of them because their inventory has all but dried up. Now, Focuses, Fusions, F150s and a combination of Mazdas, Subarus ect, populate the lot that used to have a good 100 or so Civics and 30 or more Accords sitting on it.


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Re: Small Car recommendations...
Adrian #385305 11/08/12 10:50 PM
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I'm just going to recycle and repurpose this thread.

Now, I need an SUV. We have a 1999 Ford Windstar van that has served us well, but it's starting to do really weird electrical stuff and it has ~170k miles on it.

So, we need something for Mrs. Tuttle to drive. She is used to having the van at her disposal, which means never having to pack light for a road trip. Also, the dog seems to be immortal. We anticipate additional road trips for kids' swim meets, and we need to be able to take ice chests, pop-up canopies, chairs, etc. The Missus also has an annoying weakness for catering meets that our club hosts. I think that we're both still in denial about empty-nesthood in a few years, and want to entertain the idea that all four of us might go somewhere for fun. She doesn't seem to be responding to my inquiries as to the relative importance of seating more than 5 people (which comes up rarely).

I wouldn't mind having AWD, but I'm not sure I'm prepared to pay extra for it. We stay on the road. It rarely snows in Western WA.

We both like the idea of the Fords because they are made in America by union workers at a company that didn't take bailout money. Also, the back seats fold FLAT. Not just down, flat. I poked at but have not yet driven newer Explorer, Flex and Edge. I think the Escape might be too small. I seriously need to figure out what will and will not fit in the garage.

We would probably buy something 2-3 years old for ~$25k or less.

Subarus are a non-starter. Every time I ask Mrs. Tuttle about them, she says "did I become a lesbian?" to which I enthusiastically say "it does not seem so". Pity. About the Subaru, I mean.

Now, I think nothing is better for these purposes than a van. I think we should probably get an Odyssey or a Sienna. But there's some stigma there, and I think she's ready to not have a minivan just for the sake of not having a minivan.

I like the looks of the Mazda CX-9 and Volvo XC90 (I still haven't gotten over the seats in the S60 I didn't buy. Dreamy). Of course, also considering the CR-V and the RAV4, but I'm not sure they are big enough. My sister-in-law has a Highlander and it is "too small". Man, I hope gas gets cheaper, because I feel like I'm looking at 14mpg.

I'm pretty sure that we'll dance around this thing for a while and then get a Flex unless she absolutely hates driving it. Mrs. Tuttle thinks they're cool. They look like a bloated Mini Cooper to me. Or a station wagon on steroids. Whatever. Happy wife, happy life.

What say you?


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Re: Small Car recommendations...
Adrian #385307 11/08/12 11:31 PM
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Tom:

Due to continuing reliability issues with an early production CUV from a big name Asian manufacturer, a couple of years ago I happily traded it in for a 2011 Toyota Venza AWD. It's designed in America, built only in America solely for the North American market.

I've taken it on a long trip to the desert southwest with 3 adults last fall & it is simply a wonderful vehicle. The 270 HP V6 has been used for eons in many of their models & is therefore now quite bullet-proof. It maintains good power up in the high country that might make the the 180 HP 4 Cyl strain a bit. The AWD is a must even though we infrequently get snow here either. But when we do - it's always that wet, heavy stuff & lots of it - AWD is worth every penny.

The only downside that I've found is that I'm kinda dreading having to change the rubber down the road as the rims are big 20 inchers. Could be expensive; however, these OEM tires seem to be wearing much better than my previous CUV that were toast in 20,000 miles - ridiculous.

Check the Venza out...

TAM

Re: Small Car recommendations...
Adrian #385308 11/08/12 11:42 PM
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Thank you, Tom! We will definitely look into it. I appreciate you taking the time to give me the benefit of your experience.


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Re: Small Car recommendations...
exlabdriver #385309 11/08/12 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted By: exlabdriver
...
Check the Venza out...

TAM

Station wagons are cool, right? Particularly if you play one of those cool albums you own while driving them... Say, Perry Como. wink

On a serious note, how much extra cargo space does the hatch buy you over the Camry? I'm quite happy with my Matrix because of the extra space the hatch gives me. I would imagine you gain quite a bit with the larger Camry.


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Re: Small Car recommendations...
Adrian #385310 11/08/12 11:52 PM
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Tom, Ford does seem to be on a roll. Even being a Honda fanboy, they certainly have my attention with their latest offerings.

My wife has a thing for the new SantaFe, but with 3 kids, space (seating with tag along friends) would be a concern. The Sorento is based on the same platform, but has an available 3rd row. It would definitely be on our list. *Disclaimer - I haven't driven either one.


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Re: Small Car recommendations...
Adrian #385314 11/09/12 12:31 AM
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Quote:
Station wagons are cool, right?


I know, right? How is it any cooler than a van? Opinions vary on how hideous the Flex is, but it's clearly that same mold.

I looked at (but didn't drive) a Sorento. I liked it, but with the equipment I wanted, it wasn't really meaningfully cheaper than some of the other alternatives that I liked a bit more. I didn't know it was the same platform as the Santa Fe; I thought the Santa Fe was "smaller".

We're really at the beginning of the process. Thanks, guys.


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