YSSMAN's Infinite Crisis: Blackest Night (Post #816)

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TheCracker
...if you are a understeer enthusiast :sly:
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That's one of the biggest complaint I'm hearing from people that own these now. That and the insanely cheap feeling interior.
 
nd 4 holden spd
If you don't like the pace of them- go a turbo version. They have plenty enough pep.
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No turbo models in the US, yet. We may get the 260 BHP DIG I4 from the HHR SS, eventually, but it won't happen any time soon.

===

We had a bit of a snow storm today, and I had to turn in one of my finals for exams in the middle of the afternoon. I wanted to go down and have a look at the MINI with the "nice" weather, but tomorrow is looking better for that.

I'm leaning pretty heavily towards the MINI, I just don't want to have to wait. I may need to make a trip to Detroit...
 
I was at Motor City Mini two days ago and they have a couple on the lot both standard and S models. Also a couple used ones that were in pretty good shape.
 
I checked their website and they didn't have any "cheap" ones. I'm pretty much looking for a completely stripped model, the only real options being foglights and heated seats (maybe). Oh, and the sport suspension. Gotta have that.

As configued on the website, I want to say its $18,990 or something like that. So, like you, I'd likely have to have one sent over from England.
 
The wait does suck, but the good thing is you are kept well informed throughout the whole process so you know when you should have it.

Also you'll want the heated seats, best money I have ever spent.
 
Ok, I'm back-> Why did I choose the Fit hands down?

Honda Fit S
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-> First of all is the long-term ownership, the Fit has the best ownership costs than most cars in the US.

-> Second the drive is not overly sporty like the Mini Cooper (not S), and not lazy as the USDM Astra XE, power shouldn't be too much of a consideration in this vehicle class.

-> Third, who could top its cargo flexablitity? Sure, the Astra and the Rabbit offers more space for junk on your trunk, but the Fits access is so easy.

-> Fourth, value-for-dollar ratio, the Fit wins by a significant margin.

VW Rabbit 2.5
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-> I'd take the Rabbit (I hope theres a TDI version), given you have past experience with the Jetta, but options could quickly raise its price quite drastically. And if you use the freeway more than side-streets, I'd take the Golf *cough-ahem* I mean the Rabbit.

Mini Cooper
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-> I've always consider the Mini as a toy more than a good commuter car, but its a fun razor-sharp little tyke. If you plan some auto-xing often, then its a good choice. Cargo can be a real challenge here though.

Saturn Astra
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-> Astra, um, well, its not all that. In fact I saw this car at the LA show and it was somewhat of a disapointment. But if your GM fanboy blood runs though, I'd take this than any Cobalt/G5 just because it a sporty hatch.

-> Here are the rank of the best econo-cars according to US News and World Report

;)
 
Based on the four cars above, I would likely go with the MINI if it was in my price range.
Even the Cooper S gets 30+ MPG.
It has much COOL factor.
There's even room in one (the earlier, smaller model) for a guy my size.

If you're considering a Fit, consider a Civic.
The fuel economy is not enough different to give up the higher comfort level that the new Civic offers over the Fit. And a Civic DX has more cool stuff and if you don't go crazy on the option sheet you can get one out the door fairly reasonably.
The only Caveat in buying a Honda, is you'd best get your financing before you ever hit the dealer.
Honda has no incentives at this time and they are offering near used car financing (as much as 9% APR) on a New car.
 
Yeah, Honda isn't particularly nice when it comes to financing. It drives me crazy...

I personally would choose to skip the Civic, I've been in them, and the Fit has a much nicer interior. Odd really, because the Civic usually is up towards the top of the class, but that clearly isn't the case anymore.

===

So I've managed to create a spreadsheet to attempt to estimate what the overall cost (to me) it will be to have one of these new cars in the garage. Based on some rough estimations of what my income will be based on tables of my hours, pay rates, and taxes, it should (in theory) help me adjust my budget. Under the current times (no car, no insurance, kicking in a bit of cash for gas now and then), I'll be pocketing about $500 a month (after taxes, bills, etc). Current estimations with the added cost of a car and the removal of some bills, that figure gets cut in half.

...So I'm not sure if thats a good idea or not...

I've got some time to play with the numbers a bit, but the difference as always is that even if I finance a used car, its only going to be an extra $50-75 a month to lease a new car in some cases (insurance is roughly the same, oddly).

*sigh*

Yay math!
 
YSSMAN
Yeah, Honda isn't particularly nice when it comes to financing. It drives me crazy...

I personally would choose to skip the Civic, I've been in them, and the Fit has a much nicer interior. Odd really, because the Civic usually is up towards the top of the class, but that clearly isn't the case anymore.
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Did you see any DX models with no A/C?
 
I haven't seen one like that in a long, long time. I'm going after the "nice" LX and EX models here. I'm not impressed with the interior quality whatsoever...
 
How come financing is such a issue. When I financed my car I told them eitehr how long a peroid I want to pay it of for, or instead told them how much I want to pay each month and they would build a package around that.
 
Eh? Not everyone gets to swim in their parent's pockets for their new car...

Financing vs leasing a new car (for me) is about a $100 a month difference. Thats HUGE for me, personally. I'd have to finance it out for six years to make it anything close to reasonable for a car like this, and even then, its still too much. I should be able to get them to flex a little bit on the price, maybe making the down payment a bit more manageable, but I've definitely gotta save some extra cash between now and then to get it.
 
Awesome Cooper S, now go join North American Motoring if you have not already done so. Congrats on the purchase, you will love it!
 
I already do love it! haha, its amazing. Mine has the LSD, Xenon lamps, Black leather, sunroof, ipod hookup and crossdrilled front rotors, and of course, its 6 speed stick.
 
YSSMAN
Eh? Not everyone gets to swim in their parent's pockets for their new car...

Financing vs leasing a new car (for me) is about a $100 a month difference. Thats HUGE for me, personally. I'd have to finance it out for six years to make it anything close to reasonable for a car like this, and even then, its still too much. I should be able to get them to flex a little bit on the price, maybe making the down payment a bit more manageable, but I've definitely gotta save some extra cash between now and then to get it.
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I dont swim in my parents pockets either. Im just saying I thought the consumer had more of a say on how much interest he wants to pay and how much he wants to pay per month. Dont they do 0% interest deals in the state?
 
Not at a MINI dealer... No way in hell...

If it was a GM dealer, maybe. I've been approved for as little as 2.9% APR by Volkswagen, so one would hope that MINI could do the same. Either way, its still very expensive.
 
Now that it's a new month, hit the dealer website.
Build your "dream car" and when you are done, go to "finance options and incentives" If any incentives are available that's where you'll find them.
 
So, I drove the Fit Sport today...

I have to say that it impressed me more than I thought it would. I had previously spent some time in the car before at different auto shows and on the lot, but this was my first time driving one.

I love it!

The chassis seemed to be "just right," a very good trade off of handling and overall good ride quality. I tossed her into a few corners, and I honestly didn't expect it to hold on that well. I will have to get used to the driving position if I get it, but other than that, I'd say everything else is just about perfect. I loved that car...

Better yet? They say I can get it for about $220 a month, which would be awesome.

====

Per the MINI question, the guys at the dealer wouldn't let me drive one today. Odd...

I have to wait a week to see what "used" ones they can get. That didn't make me a happy camper, and I may just end up going with a Fit instead.
 
My situation might be a bit different than yours but I'd say the Fit is too small. I mean it's not quite a car and it's too small to fit say my bike into. With that said yeah, I can't fit my bike in it but I know I'd have a lot more fun in a mini than a FIT.

I don't think any of what I just said helps either way. lol
 
You should be able to put a bike in a Fit. My mountain bike fits in my Mazda 3 sedan, so there’s no reason it shouldn’t fit in the Fit (ha).

Brad, why are you looking at a Fit and a Mini but not a Mazda 3? The 3 goes right in between them – a tad more expensive than the Fit, but has way more HP and doesn’t look dorky, and less expensive than the Mini.
 
Sage
My mountain bike fits in my Mazda 3 sedan
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Without taking the wheels off or having someone else help you? My friend has a Mazda 3 wagon and although I've never tried mine, I doubt it would be done as easily as in say... the new xB.
 
I have to take the front wheel off, but the back one can stay on. I can do it by myself (in fact, I’ve only done it by myself, a number of times).
 
ROAD_DOGG33J
What does the Sport add on top of the regular Fit? I thought it was just a bodykit.
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The big thing is the greatly updated suspension and the short-throw shifter, not to mention the body kit and a few other excellent pieces of standard trim (I really liked the leather steering wheel). It has an AUX input somewhere, which is crucial to my iPod listening...

V1P3R
My situation might be a bit different than yours but I'd say the Fit is too small. I mean it's not quite a car and it's too small to fit say my bike into. With that said yeah, I can't fit my bike in it but I know I'd have a lot more fun in a mini than a FIT.
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The interior is actually cavernous if you fold the seats down, easily swallowing a bike with the front wheel still attached; Something that my Jetta was not able to accomplish.

As for it being less fun than a MINI? Its hard to say, I haven't driven one by comparison yet. I'm not about to throw any money down without having a comparison test, but I'm pretty damn sure that the Fit Sport could hold its own in a handling contest against the MINI. The Fit, more often than not, is regarded as the "Cooper on a Budget" with a lot of folks.

Sage
Brad, why are you looking at a Fit and a Mini but not a Mazda 3? The 3 goes right in between them – a tad more expensive than the Fit, but has way more HP and doesn’t look dorky, and less expensive than the Mini.
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Its a good question that I don't have a particularly good answer to. I'd have to see what kind of deal Mazda could cut for me (they're part of the same dealer network as Honda and Nissan here) and go from there. A friend of mine had a 3i back in high school, and while it was a good car, it always seemed a bit too "dorky" for me. Anything less than the hatch just wasn't going to do it.

...We'll see. I've got more free time tomorrow, I may go take one for a spin...

Which reminds me: I need to find out what the insurance rates would be on one.
 
The Fit is great for cargo if you're single. A bike would fit the Fit :lol: if you took the wheel off and put down the rear seat. If you don't feel like taking the front wheel off, it might still slot in there... The Fit has almost six feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded... that's huge.

We were at this occassion where a friend won a big flat screen TV. A girl also won the same kind. As we were leaving the parking lot, it was amusing to note that he'd brought the Fit, and she had a Mazda3 hatchback... almost like they were expecting something... almost like the raffle was rigged... :D

Another acquaintance uses his Fit for deliveries, everything from sports seats to a full set of mags will sit in the rear hatch area.

------

I'm glad you liked the car... it's a great toy, and one of those cars you can hold on to for an unfeasibly long time. :thumbup:
 
I'll cut you a deal, you take me along and I'll let you do a little handling test/race against my Integra. Would that help? Of course, I'd have to take the Fit for a little drive too... or maybe a Civic Si... :sly: Just kidding, good luck on whatever you get. I like the Fit too, and it seems to be a hit with my girlfriend too. I know someone that owns a Fit and he's happy with it.
 

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