spinner

Post edited by mod for spring cleaning.

You know that with the exception of the smart cdi most vehicles will never reach their NRCAN estimates. But they will do so with the updated EPA estimates.Earlier you said the rear headroom was extremely poor (your emphasis) on the new Insight. That is not true. Maybe you would like the Fit better because its roof line isn't designed for aerodynamics. I don't know why it bugs you so much because it's very unlikely you would let yourself sit in the rear seats of your own cars. Yes, the Insight's rear tapers inward, but there are tonnes of other cars that are worse. Rear seats are for smaller people. The Civic Hybrid is the best of the hybrids. Its interior is better than anything Toyota can produce in a vehicle for $40,000 or less. It is an excellent cruiser -- not suitable for sport driving -- and does as well as a Prius without the pretence. Edited by mod for spring cleaning.

Other issues: Chrome trim running the length of the front dashboard looks nice but it catches the sun and blinds you; And, coin holder in glove box doesn't because of road bumps, and fishing out coins can be bad if they fall through the crack where it pivots. I see these as faults in design, particularly in regard to a lack of experience.

Edited by mod for spring cleaning.

It's not just the dealership that is calling it something more than it is -- see attached image:... dual-zone even!(updated post to fix attachment)

Prius was way over-priced since day one. Its interior is nasty and inferior to the Insight. As a hybrid the Prius excelled, but as a car it was mediocre.

Indeed... I think. Huh?THERMOTRONIC on the B200 (non-Turbo) is a joke! It's just a thermostat, and an ineffective one at that. Driver has to constantly tweak the fan and other settings to get what they want. A/C can't be toggled with the A/C switch -- what were those crazy German engineers thinking? This will probably lead to a mold and mildew (smelly ventilation) problem.Whereas the auto climate control on the Honda Civic Hybrid or the Acura CSX -- both vehicles priced less than the B -- is as smart and automated as one could ever want, which makes it much less of a distraction to the driver. It has no problem with you telling it to force the A/C on or off. It just works around those parameters.

Furthermore, and consistent with Mercedes-Benz Canada's level of support on the smart, parts won't be stocked and will require overseas shipping. Every problem will be two visits if it requires a replacement part.

Harsh, tossing ride, like being on the end of a metronome needle. Rear bench seats are hard as a wooden bench. Side mirrors are too low. The controls are unintuitive. It doesn't make sense to require premium gas. If the B is too low class or too uncomfortable for you, then have a look at the GLK.

2009 redesign is a bloody disgrace, which is probably why Nissan got all the North American journalist hype over with in 2008, while the Cube was still attractive. The cited reviews on their micro-site suggest that they're using opinions of the 2008 model to sell a 2009 one.

"MY SMART", mk II, or Freitag's new smart fortwo is a 2008 passion cabrio in yellow. Seen on Victoria St. N. (Hwy 7) in Kitchener this evening. Previous fortwo was written off after an accident.

I'd be in favour of instant revocation of a driver's license if, let's say, holding a handset to one's ear caused them to fail to signal or respond to driving conditions, even if it doesn't lead to an accident. Such a person has become careless and lost interest in the seriousness of driving. More often than not they are visibly tuned out. So, if they want to continue to drive they should have to earn that privilege over again. Otherwise, someone else should be driving them.You know, baby, driving is a serious game

Official press release from Honda today, with a couple teaser pictures (click the link below for the complete article): http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/4722

Why should he be skeptical?(Dave in a C-Class coupe, nearly three years ago)

Freitag (most of you won't know or remember him) replaced his city lights with decorative blue LED gumdrop-size lights. They give the headlight assemblies a shot of blue that reflects off a dozen points, which is cool and serves no practical purpose.

2010 Honda Insight spied: http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-insight.html

Going north from Toronto, take Hwy. 27. Suggestion: Take Major Mackenzie Drive from Hwy 400 to Kleinburg. Alternately, take Hwy. 11, but only after Newmarket.Going north from Barrie, take Shanty Bay Road towards Orillia. If you get lost, just find Hwy. 11 and continue. I think it gets more scenic after Washago. If you have some time, try to stop and watch the locks at Severn Bridge.

It's more than a matter of luxury. Why did they continue to charge people $890 for the A/C option (or whatever it is worth in the passion package) when they were aware that it was inherently flawed? How dare they keep mum on this issue while promoting the vehicle as a Winter driver? Owners should demand a refund. This is the stuff of class actions.

What part of the Auto Talk forum description did I not understand? If there is a hierarchy to who gets to say what, such that smart car owners can say whatever they like without challenge while others should piss-off, then this forum should at least be made non-visible to guests. I have been on multiple car-related forums and CsC is the most insular and conceited of them all.Consumer Reports is not the problem. People being told what they don't want to hear is the problem. I do not have to explain myself every time my constructive criticism is interpreted as a slight to others. Some have already made up their minds to shoot the messenger in spite of the message. It's like having an open mind ceased at the point of purchase.

The Euro Accord is known as the Acura TSX in North America.Dave: Consumer Reports knows nothing about cars? They buy (in stealth) the vehicles they evaluate, they built their own test labs and procedures, and they survey over a million subscribers for their input. This nets an informed evaluation which is advanced over an auto journalist being handed the keys for a weekend test drive. There are lots of people in lots of places who will ignore scientific approach and fact for the electric thrill of their own hyperbole. Say what you want, but truth doesn't bend for opinion.

Link

LinkLots of items of interest in that article, and they may surprise you.

Did you hear low-frequency "booming" at lower RPMs (1500 to 1800)? Its volume is proportional to engine load on the diesel, and the driver's position is more likely to hear it than the passenger. It's some kind of resonance thing and only happens within the cabin. If you notice it, the next question would be, is it annoying?

Gah! Scratch that. Craig has had five fewer services than one who gets theirs done every 8,000 km. Or, he goes 32% further. Which is awesome.

One topic on one forum doesn't represent the masses. There have been previous discussion threads here on the Fit. Taste is an individual thing and not worth getting upset about. The astonishing thing is that the Made In China rumour keeps cropping up here, despite the facts. I blame one person in particular, whose personal prejudices causes them to incite trouble like this, even at the cost of truth. But trolling isn't so black-and-white that it can be easily managed -- even long-term members can sometimes be a troll. All any critical reader of forums can really do is to not put any individual on too high of a pedestal. You can't assume so much about them.