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
 

Robert wrote:

>> 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.)

But that's a rear-wheel drive car. An Element is front-wheel drive, so it's
still better in snow than a rear-wheel drive car.

I live in central Canada, so obviously I've experienced winter weather too.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

Robert wrote:

>> 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.)

But that's a rear-wheel drive car. An Element is front-wheel drive, so it's
still better in snow than a rear-wheel drive car.

I live in central Canada, so obviously I've experienced winter weather too.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

Robert wrote:

>> 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.)

But that's a rear-wheel drive car. An Element is front-wheel drive, so it's
still better in snow than a rear-wheel drive car.

I live in central Canada, so obviously I've experienced winter weather too.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

FWIW - I bought a 2006 used Saturn Ion 2 with all the options,
sunroof, 11000 miles. It just came off 1 year lease. I was very
interested in either a FIT or YARIS, however every one of those
vehicles coming into this area until the end of the year is already
sold. I had the option to buy one sight unseen, and I would have
received it in January. The Saturn I got, in a new 2007 version costs
$17000. I got it for $12000. It will be garaged and cared for so
even though I would agree F/Y are better quality, this vehicle should
certainly provide satisfactory service to us. Also, it will tow 1000#
in case we want to pull a small fishing boat to the lake, which is
only 3 blocks from the house. Thanks to everyone for your input. It
was valuable information in making my decision.

On Mon, 02 Oct 2006 14:58:35 GMT, clamb1@new.rr.com (Chris Lamb)
wrote:

>I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
>spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
>gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
>fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
>I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
>But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.
>
>This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
>vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
>is just a nice to have.
>
>I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.
>
>Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
>YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
>would you buy and why?

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

FWIW - I bought a 2006 used Saturn Ion 2 with all the options,
sunroof, 11000 miles. It just came off 1 year lease. I was very
interested in either a FIT or YARIS, however every one of those
vehicles coming into this area until the end of the year is already
sold. I had the option to buy one sight unseen, and I would have
received it in January. The Saturn I got, in a new 2007 version costs
$17000. I got it for $12000. It will be garaged and cared for so
even though I would agree F/Y are better quality, this vehicle should
certainly provide satisfactory service to us. Also, it will tow 1000#
in case we want to pull a small fishing boat to the lake, which is
only 3 blocks from the house. Thanks to everyone for your input. It
was valuable information in making my decision.

On Mon, 02 Oct 2006 14:58:35 GMT, clamb1@new.rr.com (Chris Lamb)
wrote:

>I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
>spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
>gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
>fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
>I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
>But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.
>
>This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
>vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
>is just a nice to have.
>
>I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.
>
>Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
>YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
>would you buy and why?

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

FWIW - I bought a 2006 used Saturn Ion 2 with all the options,
sunroof, 11000 miles. It just came off 1 year lease. I was very
interested in either a FIT or YARIS, however every one of those
vehicles coming into this area until the end of the year is already
sold. I had the option to buy one sight unseen, and I would have
received it in January. The Saturn I got, in a new 2007 version costs
$17000. I got it for $12000. It will be garaged and cared for so
even though I would agree F/Y are better quality, this vehicle should
certainly provide satisfactory service to us. Also, it will tow 1000#
in case we want to pull a small fishing boat to the lake, which is
only 3 blocks from the house. Thanks to everyone for your input. It
was valuable information in making my decision.

On Mon, 02 Oct 2006 14:58:35 GMT, clamb1@new.rr.com (Chris Lamb)
wrote:

>I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
>spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
>gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
>fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
>I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
>But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.
>
>This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
>vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
>is just a nice to have.
>
>I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.
>
>Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
>YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
>would you buy and why?

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

tww wrote:
> "ego" <jung@freud.id> wrote in message
> news:Z3QUg.228$gU6.77@tornado.socal.rr.com...
>> 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.
>
> Off topic -- but you probably remember the Sunbeam Tiger given your
> background.
>
>

Wasn't exactly SCCA, but what a rocketship. And even further from topic
was a friend with an MGTC sporting a (gasp) Studebaker V8. Hopefully,
someone somewhere has returned that car to its proper state... Those
were the days... Now, how to get a V8 into a Fit, and back on topic.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

tww wrote:
> "ego" <jung@freud.id> wrote in message
> news:Z3QUg.228$gU6.77@tornado.socal.rr.com...
>> 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.
>
> Off topic -- but you probably remember the Sunbeam Tiger given your
> background.
>
>

Wasn't exactly SCCA, but what a rocketship. And even further from topic
was a friend with an MGTC sporting a (gasp) Studebaker V8. Hopefully,
someone somewhere has returned that car to its proper state... Those
were the days... Now, how to get a V8 into a Fit, and back on topic.

Re: FIT or Yaris - Element or xB
 

tww wrote:
> "ego" <jung@freud.id> wrote in message
> news:Z3QUg.228$gU6.77@tornado.socal.rr.com...
>> 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.
>
> Off topic -- but you probably remember the Sunbeam Tiger given your
> background.
>
>

Wasn't exactly SCCA, but what a rocketship. And even further from topic
was a friend with an MGTC sporting a (gasp) Studebaker V8. Hopefully,
someone somewhere has returned that car to its proper state... Those
were the days... Now, how to get a V8 into a Fit, and back on topic.