REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

hk20000 · 07-02-2009, 12:07 AM

I am in the market right now for a tiny sub compact thing that I use solely for commute. We are talking about something that I am going to buy, drive, thrash and not mod single screw on it. Hopefully sell it for decent money by the end of the warranty/by the time I'm tired of it.

What's on my shopping list are these:

1. Honda Fit
2. Nissan Cube
3. Toyota Yaris
4. Kia Soul

SPL consideration:

5. Mazda2 (not released yet)
6. Toyota iQ (if it ever gets released to begin with)
7. Scion xB (again Scion seems to have given us the "not for you" stick)

in descending order of interest. Now my macho friends are saying that the Cube looks gay... But from the way it drove the Nissan Cube seems to make most sense because it's not retardedly slow (0-60 in under 10 seconds), and most spacious of them all. The Fit is on top of my interest list solely because it has the government rebate and it is quite new, having a model change recently. Kia is not my cup of tea when it comes to driving feel but it is the cheapest out of the 4 - which means its value is going to sink like a rock by the time I want to sell it. The Toyota does everything but it's not particularly good at anything....Also a slightly used Yaris would be quite good bang for the money too.

So where I'm getting is that what do you think of the Cube? Does it look like I lost my balls because I drive one of those? My macho friends certainly think so but I really don't mind it after having test driven it and had a taste of its excellent smooth CVT transmission and "1 foot above my head" openness. Also where does it stand when you want to pick an everyday just A-to-B car? Why should/shouldn't I pick the other cars in my list?

Overall I hear good reviews for the Cube other than how its looks is really "love it or hate it"..... That hot tub interior is really not bad I have like 5 cup holders for the rear row and like 4 for the front...

I know this is Revscene not Commutescene but your common sense input is highly appreciated.

skyxx · 07-02-2009, 12:40 AM

It's offers great Fuel milelage plus the back seats are movable for more leg room.

It's a looker and it's a great commuter car/road trip car. Pricing on the Cube isn't too shabby

Nightwalker · 07-02-2009, 12:53 AM

It's so terrible looking, I could never consider one.

asian_XL · 07-02-2009, 01:04 AM

[youtube]Bm13vmMJ7Cc[/youtube]

another review

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/285446...ley_blue_book/

smk · 07-02-2009, 01:04 AM

I believe the Ford Fiesta was just released (or coming soon)... I would consider that one

too_slow · 07-02-2009, 06:26 AM

The Kia Soul looks cool.. but value wise: a used Toyota Yaris RS makes more sense.... used car prices on the Fit are ridiculous..

68style · 07-02-2009, 06:34 AM

Dude, I am telling you... maybe the 2009+ models have improved on this, but I have a 2008 Honda Fit Sport... the mileage claims are not what I was hoping for... I have a 5spd manual and I no matter how nicely I drive it I cannot get it to budge over 32mpg and that is primarily highway!!! Just for reference, you can see in my signature that I get 9.8L/100km on my MR2 Turbo which is quite above average, so it is not a driver problem... my friends with Toyota Yaris hatchbacks can get almost 200km farther than me on a tank of gas (I get 460km and my friends get almost 700km and that's on nearly equivalent litres of gas).

Between that and the gas tank sploshing sound from under the driver's seat after a fill, complete lack of power, rough shifter (you can't shift fast from 1st to 2nd without it feeling like it's grinding) and mine being delivered with air in the coolant lines............. I think the Honda Fit is not as great as people make it seem.

Stick with the Yaris in my opinion, just the centre guages drive me nuts, but I wish my wife had bought that instead of the Fit sooo much.

I think the Cube is cool, but I'm not much of a fan of Nissans as far as ownership and maintenance goes... too many friends with Altima's and Sentra's that end up with huge bills 3-4 years down the road... but I do like the Cube... and fuck what you "macho" friends think, they'll all be driving CR-V's and pricing out Sienna's in a few years when they're 30+ and having kids and shit anyway.

pandalove · 07-02-2009, 06:35 AM

looks like honda element....
jus get a fit please

!Aznboi128 · 07-02-2009, 06:51 AM

wait for the ford fiesta

sonick · 07-02-2009, 06:56 AM

Your friends are insecure homophobic douchebags.

thumper · 07-02-2009, 07:49 AM

what about a hyundai elantra touring?

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/0...ra-touring.htm

or maybe a vw jetta tdi?

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2008/0...etta-wagon.htm

i know they aren't exactly subcompact but if u need something that can actually haul...not sure what your budget is.

hk20000 · 07-02-2009, 08:26 AM

Budget is kind of 23 24 out the door if it's new, tighter if it's slightly used.

@68style thanks for the heads up actually I haven't test driven the new Fit yet. (I rented a 1.3L CVT version in Japan for a day but I haven't driven a 1.5 4AT version) Maybe I should go do that.

Elantra and Jetta are not really in my consideration because Elantra being a Hyundai and not even in a special segment like the Soul would be worth next to nothing by the time I sell it....It's like the difference between the price of a 2004 Corolla and a 2004 xB...You wanna pick the xB up just coz you can sell it for a lot more down the road.

As for the Jetta, let's say I have had friends with quite a bit of trouble with theirs... the TDI engine is probably great but problems with the car around it is where it troubles me. I really don't want a car that comes loaded with problems, I mean it's a VW...Not exactly the brand associated with "weld the hood shut and go reliability".

Also the VW is cleanly out of my budget range.

shenmecar · 07-02-2009, 08:33 AM

i think asymmetrical cars are just the new fad. It'll be over in a few years. I personally think the Cube is ugly as sin. I rather take a Versa with CVT over it.

hk20000 · 07-02-2009, 08:53 AM

oh yes Versa CVT is under considerations too. The only real difference is that the Versa is made in Mexico and Cube is from Japan. And I drive a JDM car on top of that you know where my favoritism comes from. :P

thumper · 07-02-2009, 09:03 AM

oh ic okay... i was thinking hyundai because i personally would get a hyundai over a kia product. and being the euro model (ie. not the same as the standard north american elantra).

someone mentioned matrix... i'm not a big fan of the matrix. i had a base model rental of the last-gen and it was like punishment

is it true it's more daihatsu than toyota?

InvisibleSoul · 07-02-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68style

my friends with Toyota Yaris hatchbacks can get almost 200km farther than me on a tank of gas (I get 460km and my friends get almost 700km and that's on nearly equivalent litres of gas).

The only time I've been able to get more than 700km on a tank in my Yaris RS was on pure conservative highway driving on a trip down to Portland. Otherwise, I generally get about 475km on average, but that's mainly city. If mixed in with a significant amount of highway driving, then I expect up to about 550km...

sulos · 07-02-2009, 11:22 AM

I bought a 2009 versa SL with the CVT. It is a great car for the city so you should really take a look at it. I think it looks better than the fit because unless you get the top model fit it looks cheap. The versa is also cheaper than the fit when I was looking around.

When I went to honda if you wanted anything other than just the engine and a seat you needed to put on a thousand options.

One thing to be care with the versa is I am not getting great gas milage like they advertise. I am doing mostly city driving so I don't expect it to be great but I have no complaints other than that with the car.

ToyotaPowah · 07-02-2009, 12:25 PM

I would vote for the Fit or the Cube. I personally love the look of both of them.

taylor192 · 07-02-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznboi128

wait for the ford fiesta

and watch the Top Gear video on it! Its a tank!

donot521 · 07-02-2009, 02:11 PM

I saw The Cube on Motoring on TSN.

I must say the look caught my attention to Google up the car. Looks odd enough to create some interest I think. I can't wait to see one that's done up. Car has potential as gas prices and mileage matter more and more each year.

ilvtofu · 07-02-2009, 05:07 PM

The cube certainly doesn't look gay, it's too ugly for that, but it's also got a lot of character, I like the style, but if only they could've carried that style inside, where it's just plain bland. CVT transmission is meh.

My fave would be the Kia Soul, it's really funky inside and out, tall but not big, good value for money, and has some pretty neat features. Also has a bit more power

Fits and yaris are too common, and most likely when the fiesta comes that'll be all over the place too. But these 3 are also proven performers with great numbers to back them up.

hk20000 · 07-02-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulos

I bought a 2009 versa SL with the CVT. It is a great car for the city so you should really take a look at it. I think it looks better than the fit because unless you get the top model fit it looks cheap. The versa is also cheaper than the fit when I was looking around.

When I went to honda if you wanted anything other than just the engine and a seat you needed to put on a thousand options.

One thing to be care with the versa is I am not getting great gas milage like they advertise. I am doing mostly city driving so I don't expect it to be great but I have no complaints other than that with the car.

Yes I'm sort of aware of the fuel mileage in those. There's a reason the Versa and Cube don't qualify for the government subsidiary for fuel efficient vehicle.

But most cars that qualify for that are like...cookie cans with a lawnmower engine. Versa / Cube is one step up from there without being overly bad on gas. I mean Fit is still a great choice and those which got mods look pretty good but I'm not into the tuning potential for this car...and the Cube turns heads stock, which is another selling point for me.

Rich Sandor · 07-02-2009, 05:51 PM

If you need it NOW, get a new or slightly used Yaris or Fit, and forget about the rest. They are fun to drive, for what they are.

If you can wait until Sept/Oct I can cut you a deal on a new Fiesta, which will be way more fun to drive. (The Mazda2 is much farther away)

The Cube is fun for the first little while but then it becomes a boring ass box on wheels, and drives like a bag of ass. If you don't NEED the storage space, don't get it. And FYI, you want people to "turn heads" and say "oooooh" like when they see a Ferrari or Lambo. When they see a Cube they say "ewwwww"

Right sound but very different spelling and meaning.

skholla · 07-02-2009, 06:10 PM

I'm in the market for a new vehicle as well, I originally wanted a used Element but I'm keen on getting something brand new. For a few thousand more than a used low mileage Element I can get a Cube fully loaded with bluetooth speakerphone, keyless start, Rockford Fosgate sound system with sub. The Cube is $23k with all fees before taxes, and to me its the best value amongst its class. The Kia Soul also seems like a great value and puts out more power than the Cube but to me its ugly... the front isn't bad but the rear is gross!

The Fit is cool but feels a bit tight in the rear seats, lacks a bit on cargo space, and the whole rear seat mechanism seems cheaply built to me. It's a Honda which is a plus but also a curse... overpriced and lacking features like the Cube! Also I've heard from quite a few owners that gas mileage is pretty shitty, with those numbers I might as well get an Element... I would love a new one but they start at $27k, that's $32k after fees and taxes for the base model.

I've test driven the Cube a few times and it has a nice ride and is fun to drive. It is not a sporty vehicle so don't expect amazing performance, it's a great and practical daily driver with cool looks and a whole wack of cargo space, with all of the features in the SL model with Tech Package it is also a great value... tell your macho friends just that! You can't knock the Cube unless you can't stand the look of it, doing so would be like knocking a Nissan GTR because it lacks cargo space... oh yeah, Lamborghini and Ferrari owners probably can't stand the look of the GTR, so when it comes to looks it really "to each their own".

I can't wait to get my Cube, I'm looking forward to owning a brand new cool looking daily driver and dressing it up a bit... window visors, splash guards, rims and springs... hmmm H&R Sport, Tanabe NF210, or Eibach Pro-Kit ???

GordonTse · 07-02-2009, 08:59 PM

cube is pretty much a versa with a different body.