Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

Robert wrote:

> I'd go with the Element, solely for its safety and four-wheel drive.
> You could definitely tow a boat with this one, it's safer than the Fit
> (both in side-impact and front-impact), and the AWD system is a
> necessary componet where I live...I don't know about your location, but
> that's just my opinion.

Why exactly is AWD necessary in your area? If you are referring to winter
conditions, all you need is a good set of winter tires.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

I too raced SCCA. I know exactly what you are talking about. Problem
in this part of Wisconsin is that no one has any FITs. One dealer in
Appleton yesterday said that everyone they were getting in until the
end of 2006 was already sold, but when the shipment came in he would
call me and let me sit in one.

Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner. Stopped at
Chevy dealer just for kicks to check out an Aveo. I understand they
are made in Kora. For $9400 it was too tempting not to look at. I
have two bids in on bank repos. That end tomorrow, If I don't win
one of those, I am inclined to go Saturn at this point, just because
it is available and quite a decent car.

On Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:04:25 GMT, ego <jung@freud.id> wrote:

>We drove Yaris(2), Fit(sport), Scions(2), Hyundai - and the Fit stood
>out as more solid-feeling when stressed. 45 years ago I raced SCCA (all
>RWD), and it's my inclination to push a car pretty hard. The Fit did
>great, the Hyundai was flaky, and the several Toyotas were in between.
>I'll go further - pushed hard, the Hyundai was so scary at the edge that
>I pulled over to check tire pressure. The Fit came loose gently and
>predictably, and never felt out of control. The brakes were about the
>same but I didn't measure. Overall, the Fit seemed safest in emergencies
>and with its superior handling and adequate engine would win most Class
>H or so of the early 60s.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

I too raced SCCA. I know exactly what you are talking about. Problem
in this part of Wisconsin is that no one has any FITs. One dealer in
Appleton yesterday said that everyone they were getting in until the
end of 2006 was already sold, but when the shipment came in he would
call me and let me sit in one.

Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner. Stopped at
Chevy dealer just for kicks to check out an Aveo. I understand they
are made in Kora. For $9400 it was too tempting not to look at. I
have two bids in on bank repos. That end tomorrow, If I don't win
one of those, I am inclined to go Saturn at this point, just because
it is available and quite a decent car.

On Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:04:25 GMT, ego <jung@freud.id> wrote:

>We drove Yaris(2), Fit(sport), Scions(2), Hyundai - and the Fit stood
>out as more solid-feeling when stressed. 45 years ago I raced SCCA (all
>RWD), and it's my inclination to push a car pretty hard. The Fit did
>great, the Hyundai was flaky, and the several Toyotas were in between.
>I'll go further - pushed hard, the Hyundai was so scary at the edge that
>I pulled over to check tire pressure. The Fit came loose gently and
>predictably, and never felt out of control. The brakes were about the
>same but I didn't measure. Overall, the Fit seemed safest in emergencies
>and with its superior handling and adequate engine would win most Class
>H or so of the early 60s.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

I too raced SCCA. I know exactly what you are talking about. Problem
in this part of Wisconsin is that no one has any FITs. One dealer in
Appleton yesterday said that everyone they were getting in until the
end of 2006 was already sold, but when the shipment came in he would
call me and let me sit in one.

Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner. Stopped at
Chevy dealer just for kicks to check out an Aveo. I understand they
are made in Kora. For $9400 it was too tempting not to look at. I
have two bids in on bank repos. That end tomorrow, If I don't win
one of those, I am inclined to go Saturn at this point, just because
it is available and quite a decent car.

On Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:04:25 GMT, ego <jung@freud.id> wrote:

>We drove Yaris(2), Fit(sport), Scions(2), Hyundai - and the Fit stood
>out as more solid-feeling when stressed. 45 years ago I raced SCCA (all
>RWD), and it's my inclination to push a car pretty hard. The Fit did
>great, the Hyundai was flaky, and the several Toyotas were in between.
>I'll go further - pushed hard, the Hyundai was so scary at the edge that
>I pulled over to check tire pressure. The Fit came loose gently and
>predictably, and never felt out of control. The brakes were about the
>same but I didn't measure. Overall, the Fit seemed safest in emergencies
>and with its superior handling and adequate engine would win most Class
>H or so of the early 60s.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

I'm in North Central Wisconsin. I have a Grand Cherokee now and the
AWD does come in handy. Problem with the Element, which I like, is
that the price goes into the low to mid 20's with AWD.

On 5 Oct 2006 03:23:34 -0700, "Robert" <kraft.fhs@gmail.com> wrote:

>I'd go with the Element, solely for its safety and four-wheel drive.
>You could definitely tow a boat with this one, it's safer than the Fit
>(both in side-impact and front-impact), and the AWD system is a
>necessary componet where I live...I don't know about your location, but
>that's just my opinion.
>

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

I'm in North Central Wisconsin. I have a Grand Cherokee now and the
AWD does come in handy. Problem with the Element, which I like, is
that the price goes into the low to mid 20's with AWD.

On 5 Oct 2006 03:23:34 -0700, "Robert" <kraft.fhs@gmail.com> wrote:

>I'd go with the Element, solely for its safety and four-wheel drive.
>You could definitely tow a boat with this one, it's safer than the Fit
>(both in side-impact and front-impact), and the AWD system is a
>necessary componet where I live...I don't know about your location, but
>that's just my opinion.
>

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

I'm in North Central Wisconsin. I have a Grand Cherokee now and the
AWD does come in handy. Problem with the Element, which I like, is
that the price goes into the low to mid 20's with AWD.

On 5 Oct 2006 03:23:34 -0700, "Robert" <kraft.fhs@gmail.com> wrote:

>I'd go with the Element, solely for its safety and four-wheel drive.
>You could definitely tow a boat with this one, it's safer than the Fit
>(both in side-impact and front-impact), and the AWD system is a
>necessary componet where I live...I don't know about your location, but
>that's just my opinion.
>

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

Chris Lamb wrote:

> Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
> buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner. Stopped at
> Chevy dealer just for kicks to check out an Aveo. I understand they
> are made in Kora. For $9400 it was too tempting not to look at. I
> have two bids in on bank repos. That end tomorrow, If I don't win
> one of those, I am inclined to go Saturn at this point, just because
> it is available and quite a decent car.

I would avoid Saturn and the Aveo. If you cannot wait for a Fit, I would
suggest to spend the extra bit of money to get a Toyota Yaris which is much
more solidly built and much more fuel efficient than Aveo and Ion.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

Chris Lamb wrote:

> Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
> buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner. Stopped at
> Chevy dealer just for kicks to check out an Aveo. I understand they
> are made in Kora. For $9400 it was too tempting not to look at. I
> have two bids in on bank repos. That end tomorrow, If I don't win
> one of those, I am inclined to go Saturn at this point, just because
> it is available and quite a decent car.

I would avoid Saturn and the Aveo. If you cannot wait for a Fit, I would
suggest to spend the extra bit of money to get a Toyota Yaris which is much
more solidly built and much more fuel efficient than Aveo and Ion.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

Chris Lamb wrote:

> Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
> buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner. Stopped at
> Chevy dealer just for kicks to check out an Aveo. I understand they
> are made in Kora. For $9400 it was too tempting not to look at. I
> have two bids in on bank repos. That end tomorrow, If I don't win
> one of those, I am inclined to go Saturn at this point, just because
> it is available and quite a decent car.

I would avoid Saturn and the Aveo. If you cannot wait for a Fit, I would
suggest to spend the extra bit of money to get a Toyota Yaris which is much
more solidly built and much more fuel efficient than Aveo and Ion.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

On Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:15:00 GMT, clamb1@new.rr.com (Chris Lamb)
wrote:

>Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
>buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner.

I liked the Saturn VUE which, I admit, is more money - and the 2006 6
cyl has a Honda engine in it; don't know about the 2007.
Even liked the 4 cyl VUE with 30 mpg
Just replaced 88 Civic hatchback with 2006 Civic 4-door.
Need to replace 1994 Mercury Villager with something.
So far the VUE is out in front

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

On Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:15:00 GMT, clamb1@new.rr.com (Chris Lamb)
wrote:

>Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
>buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner.

I liked the Saturn VUE which, I admit, is more money - and the 2006 6
cyl has a Honda engine in it; don't know about the 2007.
Even liked the 4 cyl VUE with 30 mpg
Just replaced 88 Civic hatchback with 2006 Civic 4-door.
Need to replace 1994 Mercury Villager with something.
So far the VUE is out in front

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

On Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:15:00 GMT, clamb1@new.rr.com (Chris Lamb)
wrote:

>Oddly we stopped at Saturn and I was very impressed what $16000 would
>buy in a 2007 Ion 2. It may wind up being the winner.

I liked the Saturn VUE which, I admit, is more money - and the 2006 6
cyl has a Honda engine in it; don't know about the 2007.
Even liked the 4 cyl VUE with 30 mpg
Just replaced 88 Civic hatchback with 2006 Civic 4-door.
Need to replace 1994 Mercury Villager with something.
So far the VUE is out in front

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

> Why exactly is AWD necessary in your area? If you are referring to winter
> conditions, all you need is a good set of winter tires.

I live in northwestern Connecticut, and my other car is a 1993 Volvo
940 -- excellent in the summer, but it has a huge weight bias and rear
wheel drive...even with winter tires it is one of the worst cars I've
ever driven in winter conditions (unfortunately, I overlooked this when
I bought in the summer, and I fell in love with it ever since.)

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

> Why exactly is AWD necessary in your area? If you are referring to winter
> conditions, all you need is a good set of winter tires.

I live in northwestern Connecticut, and my other car is a 1993 Volvo
940 -- excellent in the summer, but it has a huge weight bias and rear
wheel drive...even with winter tires it is one of the worst cars I've
ever driven in winter conditions (unfortunately, I overlooked this when
I bought in the summer, and I fell in love with it ever since.)