Honda Car Forum

<rschng@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:20582-3F3A6EE3-59@storefull-2178.public.lawson.webtv.net...
> Could you knowledgable folk suggest a replacement for my '89 Dodge Omni
> America (aka Plymouth Horizon)? It's an automatic, 4 door hatchback. I
> want a similar, or slightly larger, 3 to 4 year old used car with good
> cargo space, to drive 5,000 miles/yr. without too much aggravation,
> despite my NYC metro location.
>
> I like my Omni and want similar features:
> 1- Good mpg - 24/28 (better is better);
> 2- Small outside, roomy inside
> (15.6 cu.ft. "trunk" - more is more);
> 3- Hatchback & folding seat let me lug bulky or long stuff; hard hatch
> cover keeps stuff out of sight;
> 4- Peppy driving - always first away from red light w/o trying;
> 5- Inexpensive - to buy, operate & insure (relatively speaking);
> 6- Convenient - good visibility, easy to park, rear washer/wiper;
> 7- Simple & Sturdy - real bumpers, manual windows, locks, mirrors, etc.
> (only power steering), fuel injection, stainless steel exhaust (still
> OEM.)

Ahhh... the good ol' Dodge Omni. Did it happen to be light blue? Those
seem to be the only ones left on the road... Dodge must have got a bargain
on that paint color back then. ;-)

Anyway, have you checked out the new Toyota Echo Hatchback? Inexpensive,
and accomplishes most of the requirements you mention (except maybe #4...
:-P). But then again, 108hp in a car of that weight (~2775lbs) is not *so*
bad...

However, the hatchback is brand new, so it wouldn't qualify under the "3 or
4 years old" critieria... but then you could always opt for the 2000 Echo
sedan without the versatility of the hatch.

That being said, when I visited the www.toyota.com, I don't see any mention
of the hatch...? Is it not (yet) released in the US? I believe it is in
Canada, though I have to see one on the road...

http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObje...Vehicles.Go.Ec
hoHatchback


Kevin

> Anyway, have you checked out the new Toyota Echo Hatchback? Inexpensive,
> and accomplishes most of the requirements you mention (except maybe #4...
> :-P). But then again, 108hp in a car of that weight (~2775lbs) is not
*so*
> bad...
>
> However, the hatchback is brand new, so it wouldn't qualify under the "3
or
> 4 years old" critieria... but then you could always opt for the 2000 Echo
> sedan without the versatility of the hatch.
>
> That being said, when I visited the www.toyota.com, I don't see any
mention
> of the hatch...? Is it not (yet) released in the US? I believe it is in
> Canada, though I have to see one on the road...

havent seen one in so cal, either. we do have the scion line tho. based on
the echo

<rschng@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:20582-3F3A6EE3-59@storefull-2178.public.lawson.webtv.net...
> Could you knowledgable folk suggest a replacement for my '89 Dodge Omni
> America (aka Plymouth Horizon)? It's an automatic, 4 door hatchback. I
> want a similar, or slightly larger, 3 to 4 year old used car with good
> cargo space, to drive 5,000 miles/yr. without too much aggravation,
> despite my NYC metro location.

Unfortunatly your choices are somewhat limited. Hatchbacks in this country
are much harder to come by then they were in the '80s. I feel this is a shame.
The Echo hatchback may be a good choice if they sell it in the US and is in
your price range. You may also want to consider a small wagon. Toyota sold a
Corolla wagon from '93-'97. Look or the LE version which had 115 hp versus the
DX's 102. The Subaru Imprezza is also a good choice and has AWD. I don't
rememeber which year the wagon came out though. Even the late '90s Ford Escort
and Mercury Tracer wagons weren't too bad. Get one with the Mazda 1.8 liter
engine if you can. Check out www.edmunds.com to get the details.