Current day equivalent?

[shawnw]

Just wondering if anybody can think of a modern day equivalent to the Festiva? Or at least something sold in North America.
I was racking my brain earlier and couldn't come up with anything.
All the Hondas have gotten expensive and a bit too yuppie for my taste.
KIA's Rio seems to be the closest but that just doesn't seem quite right.
Maybe when Chrysler starts selling chinese cars in the next few year?

Can anybody come up with a accurate comparison?

[Pocket_Rocket]

First thing that comes to mind is the Toyota Echo Hatchback, and maybe the Yaris hatchback also...

[Damkid]

Chevy Aveo??

[batstiva]

Some guys where I work has a new Hyundai something or other. Don't even know what it's called. Small, I would assume good on gas. May be the new Accent, not sure tho. Kinda reminds me of a Festiva without the personality. :lol:

[neanderpaul]

Rabbit, Mini Cooper, fit, smart, focus

[stefan]

nothing comes close :wink:

[shawnw]

Rabbit, Mini Cooper, fit, smart, focus

I can't think of any similarities other than the fact that those cars are small. With the exception of the focus those are all overpriced status items.
The Yaris is also vastly overpriced too as far as quality goes

What I think is different about the Festiva is that it does not pretend to be something it isn't. It was just small, efficient, cheap, reliable transport.

Some guys where I work has a new Hyundai something or other. Don't even know what it's called. Small, I would assume good on gas. May be the new Accent, not sure tho. Kinda reminds me of a Festiva without the personality

I've also got one of the 2007 Accent hatch, your description I'd say is fairly accurate. Slightly lacking in personality but I found it much more fun than the other sterile compact offerings.

[gtd2000]

Chevy Aveo would probably be a candidate in todays market...

Oops never noticed the earlier post ops:

Chevy Aveo??

[Safety Guy]

The Accent, Rio, Aveo and Yaris/Echo base models all come about the closest to the Festiva's ideals, without quite making it, IMO.

The MINI is not really a "small car" as it weighs over 2500 pounds. It bears no similarity to the original other than the name and general shape.

The Fit comes in right after the first ones I mentioned, but still comes nowhere near the original Civic, either CVCC or later models up to '86. After that, the weight just kept going up, up and away, as did the cost.

Until the Cherys make their debut, there may not be anything that comes close. For that matter, the Cherys may go upscale a bit too much.

"Little, light, cheap and simple" does not seem to be around any more.

Karl

[Pocket_Rocket]

Rabbit, Mini Cooper, fit, smart, focus

I can't think of any similarities other than the fact that those cars are small. With the exception of the focus those are all overpriced status items.
The Yaris is also vastly overpriced too as far as quality goes

What I think is different about the Festiva is that it does not pretend to be something it isn't. It was just small, efficient, cheap, reliable transport.

Some guys where I work has a new Hyundai something or other. Don't even know what it's called. Small, I would assume good on gas. May be the new Accent, not sure tho. Kinda reminds me of a Festiva without the personality

I've also got one of the 2007 Accent hatch, your description I'd say is fairly accurate. Slightly lacking in personality but I found it much more fun than the other sterile compact offerings.

The Yaris is pretty much on par with its competitors when it comes with pricing, however you can't exactly compare a 14 year old Festiva with a modern day car, because what makes a Festiva a Festiva can't be done nowadays...What I mean is what makes the Festiva cool is its no-nonsense , simple is cheap and reliable, form follows function-kind of car...No gimmicks, just the basic stuff to get the job done. But cars have evolved, and you just can't sell a car without airbags, power steering,passenger side mirror, door beams, intermitent wipers, a hatch washer/wiper, an engine with less than 95hp or a body with less room than the previous generation; so all this stuff costs money and add weight...So you lose that nimble feeling, and with that higher price you end up with a low grins-to-cost ratio. Cuz after all, what makes a Festiva fun is the fact that you don't expect to have fun with a car that simple and cheap to buy, but you do . That's why I don't think we can compare the Festy with anything in showrooms now. Sorry for that long paragraph :lol:

[gtd2000]

If they brought these $6000 Renaults to the USA - I reckon you would have a contender (supposedly they only cost $3000 to manufacture)

http://www.biz-architect.com/renault_logan.htm

[Pocket_Rocket]

Nice find!!! At least one manufacturer got the idea!!!

[FB71]

The chinese Geelys that Malcom Bricklin and the Cherys that Chrysler are trying to bring to the US would be very close. And I agree, I'd take a hard look at the Logan, if it were available here...

[neanderpaul]

Pocket_Rocket summed it up well. You can't compare modern cars to the festiva because of modern automotive requirements. The cars I listed are similar due to shape and size and yes the cooper is much heavier, because it is much safer. The aveo is the closest.

[gtd2000]

If they brought these $6000 Renaults to the USA - I reckon you would have a contender (supposedly they only cost $3000 to manufacture)

http://www.biz-architect.com/renault_logan.htm

This is ridiculous....

Deutsche Bank estimates that Renault can produce the Logan for $1089 per car; equivalent autos produced in Western Europe run about $2500.