Honda Car Forum

Hey there...

I was just wondering; being British, why Americans don't seem to have the
same fad as we do with smaller vehicles? Such as super-minis, Vauxhall Corsa
for example, Nissan Micra, Toyota Yarris, and so on...

The reason I'm asking is that most teenagers over here tend to drive
super-minis, not only because of driving inexperience, but also because
insurance on cars with bigger than 1.4L engines is extremely high. I was in
Boston recently and was surprised that basically everybody drives a 'big'
car so it would seem, even if they live on their own. I was told this was
just how it was; seems a bit strange considering the environmental issues
concerned, etc.

Ah well back to work ;-)

Complicated to answer as we have been indoctrinated into big engines
big cars and formerly low gas prices. Fortunately the big engine
philosophy still lives. I love my Dodge truck with a FI 5.9L and auto
trans. Rides like a car, handles well, smooth quiet inside and will
haul an all up weight of 13,000lbs like it doesn't know it is there. On
a trip back to AZ from TX I had a trailer with a 4800lb milling machine
on it. Doing 80mph on the freeway I was getting 18 miles to the gallon.
Enuff said about big. <vbg>

Having said that there is a trend with some youth, to be looking at
things like the Pontiac Vibe, (actually a Toyota Matrix) the Ford Focus
and some of the Japanese vehicles, Honda and Nissan in particular.
Chrysler also makes one but can't think of the model name, (might be
the Neon GS) but I am pretty sure it is a Mitsubishi.

As gas prices stay high, more and more "kids" will gravitate to the
smaller cars I guess. We have an awful lot of freeways here and sitting
in one of those little buzz-bombs revving their hearts out to hold
85mph, just ain't attractive to many I guess.

Ah well, retired. :-O

Dave

Taylor wrote:
> Hey there...
>
> I was just wondering;

Lots of thoughts here. First one is because Jay-Z doesn't drive a small
car. Trying to avoid generalizations, but lots of kids here today feel
that if they "pass" high school, they're entitled to a new whip. An SUV
with 20's. Another thought: American roads, streets, and parking spaces
are comparatively large and we're not faced with the limited space of
old city centers in European cities. Gas has always been cheap here as
well. Also, older larger American sedans have really cheap purchase
prices. Very affordable to buy for youngsters.

All generalizations of course. I'm a high school teacher and tomorrow
I'll ask what they think of some micro cars. Already know the answer.
Sigh.

Another factor is one of the U.S. Government's regulations. This fact
alone is what keeps some of the nicest European cars from the hands of
U.S. citizens. This is what caused Citroen, FIAT, Peugeot, and Renault
to leave the market, and they've yet to return. And, that's not even
addressing the Brit car market.

Taylor wrote:
> Hey there...
>
> I was just wondering; being British, why Americans don't seem to have the
> same fad as we do with smaller vehicles? Such as super-minis, Vauxhall Corsa
> for example, Nissan Micra, Toyota Yarris, and so on...

Ever seen the aftermath of a super-mini vs. full-sized pickup truck
collision?
>
> The reason I'm asking is that most teenagers over here tend to drive
> super-minis, not only because of driving inexperience, but also because
> insurance on cars with bigger than 1.4L engines is extremely high.

Insurance here doesn't work that way. My kids found their insurance is
cheapest for new mid-sized sedans like the Honda Accord or used mid to
large sized sedans like the Buick LeSabre. Insurance premiums for the
smallest cars was considerably higher due to higher claims.

I was in
> Boston recently and was surprised that basically everybody drives a 'big'
> car so it would seem, even if they live on their own. I was told this was
> just how it was; seems a bit strange considering the environmental issues
> concerned, etc.
>
Fuel prices in the USA are still fairly cheap.

> Ah well back to work ;-)

"Taylor" <taylor_m@NOSPAMntlworld.com> wrote in
news:OJMBf.8227$Y6.4579@newsfe3-win.ntli.net:

> Hey there...
>
> I was just wondering; being British, why Americans don't seem to have
> the same fad as we do with smaller vehicles? Such as super-minis,
> Vauxhall Corsa for example, Nissan Micra, Toyota Yarris, and so on...




One reason: Because our gas taxes (sorry, "petrol taxes") aren't nearly
what yours are, so our gas prices are about half yours. Or less.

Also, at least in my province of Ontario, our annual "road tax" does not
follow a sliding scale based on engine displacement and CO2 emissions,
unlike yours. For us it's a consistent $75 per year (about 35 UK pounds),
whether you've got a Daihatsu Charade or a Lincoln Navigator. Nobody here
pays $355 for "road tax".

Many European countries have always had stupid tax penalties that lead to a
culture of tiny cars with tiny engines. France, Italy, and the UK all come
to mind as prime examples. This means tiny cars with sewing-machine engines
are the norm over there. People are used to it and that's what they expect.

Anywhere in the world where big cars are not (or were not at one time)
penalized, that's what people buy. Australia, South Africa, Turkey, etc.
Few people voluntarily buy a sardine can.



>
> The reason I'm asking is that most teenagers over here tend to drive
> super-minis, not only because of driving inexperience, but also
> because insurance on cars with bigger than 1.4L engines is extremely
> high.



There you go. We don't have that problem. Insurance for teenagers here is
usually high *regardless* of the vehicle they drive.

In fact, here, older cars are popular purchases with the younger crowd, and
are often preferred because they are cheap to buy and are exempt from
emissions testing if they're over 19 model years old. That they're often
bigger is a coincidental matter.



> I was in Boston recently and was surprised that basically
> everybody drives a 'big' car



Define "big". Honda Civic? Ford Taurus? Minivan? Cadillac Escalade?

We've got a big country here. Everything is very spread out. Once you get
out of the city, or off rush-hour, traffic density falls to zero. Even our
houses are bigger than yours. Surely you must have noticed this when you
were in Boston, unless you never left the downtown core. Even my wife's
girlfriend from Wales remarked on these things (without being asked, I
might add).





--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

I just did one of those online insurance quotes with a Smart car vs. V8
Mustang GT.

I got $2150/year for the Smart car vs. $2636 for the Mustang. It
doesn't seem like much
Of difference when considering that the Mustang is a sports car and has
an engine
That is over six times larger then the Smart car. I suppose here in
North America, the
Insurance companies are unwilling to blatantly infringe on purchasing
decisions.

I'm still kind of leery about any safety stats that are trumped up my
the insurance
companies, but I think they wouldn't want lock horns with the Makers by
infringing
on their territory.

Pars

Fuel is still a resonable price here in the states compared to yours,
someday , maybe that will change. Here in Arizona, when a 16 yo. gets
their license they can drive any size or hp car or light truck they want
to. I know that this is not the policy in some other countries. As far as
the environment, most Americans do not consider the environment when they
purchase their cars and trucks , they feel they need to buy big to be
"safe" . Toyota is starting to sell the Yaris here. I'm hoping more car
companies will follow suit . I would'nt mind seeing some Vauxhalls here
but you guys can keep all the French and Italian cars there.
Cheers,
Scott

Taylor wrote:
> Hey there...
>
> I was just wondering; being British, why Americans don't seem to have the
> same fad as we do with smaller vehicles? Such as super-minis, Vauxhall Corsa
> for example, Nissan Micra, Toyota Yarris, and so on...
>
> The reason I'm asking is that most teenagers over here tend to drive
> super-minis, not only because of driving inexperience, but also because
> insurance on cars with bigger than 1.4L engines is extremely high. I was in
> Boston recently and was surprised that basically everybody drives a 'big'
> car so it would seem, even if they live on their own. I was told this was
> just how it was; seems a bit strange considering the environmental issues
> concerned, etc.
>
> Ah well back to work ;-)

Well here on Canada's Wet Coast, at least, insurance rates aren't so
disparate between large and small cars, or large and small engines.
Young people also often drive big cars because most *big* cars are also
older and tend to be cheaper. Or their owners are unloading them
cheaper because of their higher gas consumption.

And of course, until recently, most "small" cars haven't been considered
"cool". With rising gas prices and environmental concerns, a good
hybrid is becoming more a chick magnet than your muscle cars.



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Taylor wrote:
> Hey there...
>
> I was just wondering; being British, why Americans don't seem to have the
> same fad as we do with smaller vehicles? Such as super-minis, Vauxhall Corsa
> for example, Nissan Micra, Toyota Yarris, and so on...

im a big fan of sporty hatchbacks myself. theyre the TRUE "sport utility
vehicles". unfortunately, most americans arent. especially the 4 door
hatches, like the mazda protege5, scion xA/xB, toyota matrix, etc. i
currently drive a 98 civic hatch, bought new. from what i remember, it
was designed in europe, while the 2dr was designed in japan, and the 4
door in the USA.

the yaris is going to be sold in america this spring. it replaces the
toyota echo, which had the same drivetrain, but was a tall, narrow,
skinny-tired, tippy looking thing. i saw one at the LA auto show, and
liked it. i REALLY wish it came with an optional sunroof
>
> The reason I'm asking is that most teenagers over here tend to drive
> super-minis, not only because of driving inexperience, but also because
> insurance on cars with bigger than 1.4L engines is extremely high. I was in

insurance on a new car is basically based on car value, drivers age,
tickets, coverage desired, etc.

> Boston recently and was surprised that basically everybody drives a 'big'
> car so it would seem, even if they live on their own. I was told this was
> just how it was; seems a bit strange considering the environmental issues
> concerned, etc.

as long as gas is under $3/gallon, thats the only "issue" at hand.
unfortunately. i get no big thrill out of gasoline. id rather spend my
money on toys, like MP3 players, digital cameras, computers, and stuff.
>
> Ah well back to work ;-)
>
>