Small cars are making a come back

[ericsmith32]

The Toyota Yaris


The Honda Fit


The yaris has a 1.3L and the fit 1.5L. To bad I don't like either company. I hope Mazda will come out with one soon.

[Safety Guy]

They're still "uplevelled" with options you can't delete and neither one is close to 2000 pounds. The Fit is about 2400 pounds and the Yaris models just barely bracket 2300 pounds. I like the looks of both but I don't like the specs of either. Too heavy and over-optioned.

(Hmmm, I just looked at the Yaris site and maybe it isn't standard with power windows. Maybe it ain't "overoptioned.")

I don't think there's anything under 2200 pounds any more. The Echo may have been around 2100 pounds, but it's gone.

Nothing really cheap and simple anymore. They all have to be "upscale."

I've long wanted a 2000 pound, 2 liter car with good suspension and no frills. The closest I'll come is what I'll make myself. My ideal engine for the Festiva would be a 2L all aluminum DOHC.

Karl

[project b6t]

karl what about this

http://www.arielatom.com/ariel/site.php

[takeone51]

I've seen pix of that toyota in japan fixed up to look like a wrx...

[takeone51]

karl what about this


http://www.arielatom.com/ariel/site.php

I've seen that before.. that thing is not practial and kinda dumb.. I'd own one if i was rich and wanted to play around.. and being faster then a cbr 600 doesn't impress me, i ride a gsxr1000 and i can tell you that thing wont stand a chance against me..

[shorestiva]

from what Ive been reading the fit has a pretty big aftermarket in japan i think mugen makes a supercharger it

[gdawgs]

Here's my other little car.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=66

1972 MG Midget. The Festiva almost looks big parked next to this.
Curb weight = 1,701 lb
Engine = 1275 cc 4 cyl, I think around 50 hp.
length = 11' 4.5"
width = 4' 5.5"
height = 4' .25"

Nothing fast, but they are a blast to drive.

I currently have the engine/tranny out of the car as I'm replacing the clutch. I'm just waiting on a clutch slave cylinder(hopefully arriving either tomorrow or Wednesday) then I'll be putting it back together. Should be back on the road in a couple days.

[Taylor_cook]

japan has an great aftermarket parts for all there cars... its kind of a way around their legal system. in japan until just last year i think, they had a 250 HP restriction on all factory engines... this explains why no v8s are made in japan... most wouldnt make the cutoff. because of this the japanese companies invest millions on other performance upgrade like turbos and all that jazz

[Safety Guy]

Nice Midget Gdawg! I love those triple wipers.

Karl