Small / economy car deathwatch: we've passed "peak econobox" again

[redpoint5]

The Acura TSX is the best manual I've driven (I hear the S2000 is even better). The TSX is called the Euro Accord abroad.

I imagine the manual Accord was a good car.

Recently I dropped the axe on a vehicle, and it landed on the Prius instead of the TSX. I miss the Prius terribly, but I think I made the right decision.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I can't say the phaseout of the MT Accord in the American market would surprise me as much as the Civic Coupé getting a similar fate. When it comes to the Fit, presumably the lack of a size-tiered tax which is enforced in Japan might be a reason for Honda to prefer trying to push former Fit customers to the Civic hatch.

[freebeard]

People and their new cars.

I'm making payments on a 1990 Metro. I'm still not convinced water cooling isn't a mistake — it took forever to get the Dasher to not spew steam on the underside of the hood.

It needs to go to make a parking space for the Metro, but I suspect any buyer would expect a working inside driver's door handle.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I'm still not convinced water cooling isn't a mistake — it took forever to get the Dasher to not spew steam on the underside of the hood.

Sometimes it seems quite dumb that Volkswagen didn't seem to try oil cooling in a way similar to the SACS system fitted to some Suzuki motorcycles.

[Xist]

Air cooling didn't turn out well for my Civic.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by CR

Sometimes it seems quite dumb that Volkswagen didn't seem to try oil cooling in a way similar to the SACS system fitted to some Suzuki motorcycles.

My Notchback had an external oil cooler tucked behind the left rear wheel, and braided stainless steel lines.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

The Acura TSX is the best manual I've driven (I hear the S2000 is even better).

Honda used to be known for (at least the autojournos raved about) the best shifters in the business. Late 80's early 90's era. My parents had a manual Accord back then and I remember it being pretty sublime. Better than a base Integra they had later (shoulda kept that one - used values are going up, up, up).



With ~1% of new cars sold in the States last year being manuals, I guess it really doesn't matter.


What I find more interesting is automakers seem to be dropping "entry level" cars. The next cheapest car in the line-up is often many thousands more expensive. For people whose budget is $10-15k for a new car, several thousand dollars isn't insignificant.



Then again with 96 month loans, the difference between a Fit and a Civic essentially "disappears" when you only look at the monthly payment amount.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

... Then again with 96 month loans, the difference between a Fit and a Civic essentially "disappears" when you only look at the monthly payment amount.

The debt load, though. I know you know this but it has to be said. People are borrowing for a car the way they used to only borrow for a house. Last year, I remember hearing about 72 and 84 month loans for the first time. Apparently USAnians were on average rolling-over $5,000 of debt (on average) from their trade ins. The debt outlives the car! Pure exploitation of the financially inexperienced and automotively unskilled.

[JSH]

The death of the Civic Coupe doesn't surprise me at all. Coupe sales have been in decline for decades and coupe models have been discontinued one after another.

Today 4-door "coupes" are all the rage. The profile of a coupe with 4 doors so you can actually get in the backseat.

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by JSH

The death of the Civic Coupe doesn't surprise me at all. Coupe sales have been in decline for decades and coupe models have been discontinued one after another.

Today 4-door "coupes" are all the rage. The profile of a coupe with 4 doors so you can actually get in the backseat.

I have a full camper in a 4-door Metro. I access the back via the driver's door, with the seat full forward.