regfootball

The Mazda2 and Fiesta yes should have been part also. Their rationale was that the Fit beat them in last year's comparo, so why bother..though it would have been interesting to see where they ranked relative to the newer models. As far as 'hot hatches', the only models in the NA market today that fit that label IMO are the Mini JCW, Mazdaspeed3 and VW GTI.....the cars in the C&D comparo are more 'lukewarm hatches'. Will be interesting to see how the Focus ST and Fiesta ST turn out. yeah it would have been nice to see how the rio and yaris compared with the 2 and fiesta.

SX4 is essentially third world market automobile...a useful upgrade from a 125cc ten year old motorbike, but just barely. Not sure they can sell it in rural China as the jury is still out on whether or not it is an upgrade over a water buffalo in terms of transportation. Versa and Rio are pretty much rolling trashcans....Yaris is not much better. Calling these cars hot hatches is sort of like putting a less attractive, hevier version of rosanne bar in Playboy...ugh..... of course you would say that, not having actually driven one. but faster, more solid and secure on the road, better 4 wheel disc brakes, better build, and quieter not tinny like the fit...for less money....of course you wouldn't know that.... http://www.autoweek....VIEWS/100519984 the fiesta wasn't even included, and the fit is not that great to begin with. how does the fiesta lose to the Fit? and to the mazda2 for that matter?

The Mazda2 and Fiesta yes should have been part also.

CAR AND DRIVER did a hot hatch or subcompact comparo. Sonic, Fit, Yaris, Rio, Accent, Versa (where the hell was the SX4 sportback) 1. Fit 2. SOnic 3. Yaris (sport) 4. Accent 5. Rio 6. Versa I may have the Rio and Accent mixed up, but anyways, if i do i will correct it. article is not online yet. Yaris makes a surprise showing. Sonic gains praise but barely still loses to Fit. Versa is trashed and new Korean twins are underwhelming. First showing out of the gate and the Sonic does well.

but the car is more expensive than its competition

You just described every Hyundai ever... yes even the Equus. Yeah but in pics the Genesis and Equus even look like they have cheap insides.

I was in the Veloster the other day too. Hyundai and Kia have become the masters at putting just enough nice into the places you see or touch often but then their trunks and such are trimmed out dismally. The Veloster has a fantastic design on the dash and door panels and seats etc. The quality of plastics and details and textures were alright and certainly ok for the price point. But if you touched them they feel a bit cheap (nicer than the Sonic for example). But everything in back of the driver's head while not old GM bad was definitely sparse and bare necessity. the trunk in the veloster in particular is not trimmed out lavishly at all. The design inside the Veloster is so fantastic for Hyundai and overall, it's really a let down that Hyundai at some point doesn't try to bring their interior quality up above good enough and into something that just wows you. I'm ok with the Sonic taking some material quality hits because its the sacrificial cheap car for GM now. As long as we still have cars like the Cruze and Regal with their super nice interiors. Money for money and i know its not all apples to apples surely, but i think for the same or similar money that veloster would be in my drive instead of the sonic (without driving them of course) Sonic is way nicer than the super dull accent though.

40 bucks...............not sure i would risk unproven for 40 bucks....

I had a chance to survey the inside of a new Sonic yesterday. Be assured, there is no cross over between the Sonic and Cruze. The interior quality and environment in the Cruze is far better more spacious and very different. The Sonic is interesting for what they had to work with. That said, it's cheap inside.....they have done very well making the cheap look acceptable and interesting. The Sonic is tight inside still though. Spacewise and packaging is different. About the only thing these cars will share is engines. There is no mistaking the difference and the presentation between the two. They did a nice job making cheap seem alright in the Sonic. But it's definitely an entry level car. Chevy did a great job beancounting on the car and still getting it to seem interesting. Once you dig, you find all sorts of places on how they cheaped it out.

They all must be coming to central Ohio, as I see a billion or so on the road here. What I am not seeing sell here in Honda country is the civic...I still haven't seen a new SI out in the wild, and Civics are becoming MUCH less common here in Columbus. Fiesta should have the low price market for Ford... we took in an 010 civic recently, i had never driven a recent gen video game one. it only had 10k miles on it, i can't believe how junky and crappy the car is..i don't see the 012 being much better. what a pile of junk those recent civics are. ford has gone way too far upscale with it out of the box. maybe in the long run that helps but right now, people are getting into base fusions for less.

I checked out the new beetle last week. it's really cool the way they re did the interior. the exterior is still a bit feminine.....but this car makes so much more sense than a mini. the passat i would be interested in, a S manual.......really cheap ass inside....no biggie, though....the price reflects it. what sucks is the boat anchor 5 cylinder turd box under the hood.

Have been for awhile. I can get u a great deal on a sportback right now ......more hp than a fiesta....more space save u some dough...... They are starting to loose resale value.... Are you working as a salesman for Suzuki now, reg?

LIKE i just remember back when people were appalled at the 2008 redo, ford continued to sell that car like gangbusters despite that it was not the euro version. now we have the euro version, its new, it's loaded, and its also overpriced and not selling.

VW's reposition of the Passat is paying off.

1 series is too close in price. they do truly need to focus a bit on making the 1 more entry level......A3 is picking up steam i think as Audi's entry vehicle.

we had an SRT8 trade recently, a smart car, a Cube Krom etc. there are some folks out there checking it out despite the advertising. had 2 folks buy who already had newest outbacks in the family too..... what's even more humorous is the mini cooper s we took in several months ago, we can't give away, even after many price drops. no one is interested in the minis

Kizashi is decent, but too little too late. Bingo! go ahead test out that Fiesta......and then you can try that sportback i can get you into for 2-3 grand less......

my preference is malibu over fusion. fusion has monster incentives and backing from ford right now. ford is buying a lot of its fusion business........ Hate to say it but I think the Fusion is a better car. Both are great designs...the Camaro is edgier... Great car, but ready for an update.

over 2.5 million units annually......... no 1 in emerging market india and still strong in japan.........

the damage caused for the name by those last three models has been irreperable......GM and Daewoo really killed a lot of any good will that the brand had gained steam with

so much for my plan to slam you into an SX4 sportback........

AMERICAN SUZUKI SEPTEMBER 2011 SALES UP 23 PERCENT o Suzuki celebrates twelfth consecutive monthly year-over-year sales increase o SX4 sales increase 33 percent, Equator sales climb 58 percent over September 2010 <table style="width: 560px;height: 387px" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:254px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> SEPTEMBER </td> <td colspan="3" style="width:244px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> CYTD </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:26px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:135px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:26px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:52px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> 2011 </td> <td style="width:62px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> 2010 </td> <td style="width:140px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> MTD VS. </td> <td style="width:59px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> 2011 </td> <td style="width:63px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> 2010 </td> <td style="width:121px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> YTD VS. </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:26px;height:.25in" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:135px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:26px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:52px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:62px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:140px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> MTD PRIOR YR. </td> <td style="width:59px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:63px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:130px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> YTD PRIOR YR. </td> <td style="width:17px;height:25px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:135px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> GRAND VITARA: </td> <td style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:52px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 372 </td> <td style="width:62px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 290 </td> <td style="width:140px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 28% </td> <td style="width:59px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 3,779 </td> <td style="width:63px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 3,374 </td> <td style="width:121px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 12% </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:135px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> EQUATOR: </td> <td style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:52px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 187 </td> <td style="width:62px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 118 </td> <td style="width:140px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 58% </td> <td style="width:59px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 1,599 </td> <td style="width:63px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 1,083 </td> <td style="width:121px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 48% </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:135px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> SX4: </td> <td style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:52px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 997 </td> <td style="width:62px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 749 </td> <td style="width:140px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 33% </td> <td style="width:59px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 9,415 </td> <td style="width:63px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 8,246 </td> <td style="width:121px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 14% </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:135px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> KIZASHI </td> <td style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:52px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 468 </td> <td style="width:62px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 477 </td> <td style="width:140px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> -2% </td> <td style="width:59px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 5,445 </td> <td style="width:63px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 3,957 </td> <td style="width:121px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 38% </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:135px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> OTHER*: </td> <td style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:52px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 1 </td> <td style="width:62px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 7 </td> <td style="width:140px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> -86% </td> <td style="width:59px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 45 </td> <td style="width:63px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 312 </td> <td style="width:121px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> -86% </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:135px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> TOTAL: </td> <td style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td style="width:52px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 2,026 </td> <td style="width:62px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 1,641 </td> <td style="width:140px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 23% </td> <td style="width:59px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 20,284 </td> <td style="width:63px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 16,972 </td> <td style="width:121px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> 20% </td> <td colspan="2" style="width:26px;height:22px" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> *Other/discontinued models include the XL7, Forenza, Reno and Verona. 2011 Suzuki Auto Product Line Suzuki is proud to offer the most affordable all-wheel-drive lineup available in the U.S. and maintains a versatile array of vehicles, including the spirited SX4 Sport sedan, multipurpose five-door SX4 Crossover, SX4 SportBack hot hatch, refined Grand Vitara compact SUV, award-winning Equator pickup truck and performance-oriented Kizashi Sport. Every vehicle in the line provides Suzuki's standout virtues of durability, leading-edge style and high-content at a competitive price. All 2011 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty. About Suzuki Auto The Brea, Calif.-based Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 300 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2010, SMC sold more than 2.5 million new cars and trucks and more than three million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 193 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com. Suzuki can also be found on Twitter (@SuzukiAuto), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/SuzukiAutomotive). # # #

fusion is killing the malibu

yeah, in my 7 mo. in the biz i am astounded at how crappy some keep their rides..........

Where I am at, I noticed a bit of a bubble starting a few weeks ago. I think things have topped out some. The mfr's have been getting a little desperate to move new stuff too. Trades even, we've had to back off slightly so as not to overpay. As mentioned, credit and money flow is the real issue. A lot of folks can only afford payments on used. Everyone is hanging on to their cars. And no one has confidence to take loans even if they can get one.