Honda Car Forum

I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.

This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
is just a nice to have.

I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.

Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
would you buy and why?

If towing the small boat is a realistic possibility, buy the Element...it
can tow 1500 lbs. What horror stories have you heard about the Fit? I have
heard nothing but good things about both the Fit and Yaris. Expect to pay
MSRP for either as they are highly popular and in short supply. Consider
the xA or Corolla for low cost and/or excellent fuel mileage. Corollas are
easy to find that are significantly cheaper than either of the other 2 cars.

"Chris Lamb" <clamb1@new.rr.com> wrote in message
news:452127b4.20704150@news-server.new.rr.com...
>I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
> spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
> gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
> fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
> I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
> But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.
>
> This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
> vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
> is just a nice to have.
>
> I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.
>
> Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
> YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
> would you buy and why?

Along the lines of economy consider the CR-V a cheaper alternative to the
Element.

Earle

"Larry" <ziggy_calif@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news3cUg.9092$e66.2049@newssvr13.news.prodigy.co m...
> If towing the small boat is a realistic possibility, buy the Element...it
> can tow 1500 lbs. What horror stories have you heard about the Fit? I
have
> heard nothing but good things about both the Fit and Yaris. Expect to pay
> MSRP for either as they are highly popular and in short supply. Consider
> the xA or Corolla for low cost and/or excellent fuel mileage. Corollas
are
> easy to find that are significantly cheaper than either of the other 2
cars.
>
> "Chris Lamb" <clamb1@new.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:452127b4.20704150@news-server.new.rr.com...
> >I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
> > spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
> > gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
> > fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
> > I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
> > But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.
> >
> > This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
> > vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
> > is just a nice to have.
> >
> > I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.
> >
> > Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
> > YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
> > would you buy and why?
>
>

Actually, that is not the case. A 2007 Element LX starts at $18,900 MSRP
and a 2006 LX CR-V starts at $20,395. The 2007 CR-V has higher prices than
that.


"Earle Horton" <anglocapitalista@usa.com> wrote in message
news:45217115$0$20251$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> Along the lines of economy consider the CR-V a cheaper alternative to the
> Element.
>
> Earle
>
> "Larry" <ziggy_calif@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news3cUg.9092$e66.2049@newssvr13.news.prodigy.co m...
>> If towing the small boat is a realistic possibility, buy the Element...it
>> can tow 1500 lbs. What horror stories have you heard about the Fit? I
> have
>> heard nothing but good things about both the Fit and Yaris. Expect to
>> pay
>> MSRP for either as they are highly popular and in short supply. Consider
>> the xA or Corolla for low cost and/or excellent fuel mileage. Corollas
> are
>> easy to find that are significantly cheaper than either of the other 2
> cars.
>>
>> "Chris Lamb" <clamb1@new.rr.com> wrote in message
>> news:452127b4.20704150@news-server.new.rr.com...
>> >I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
>> > spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
>> > gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
>> > fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
>> > I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
>> > But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.
>> >
>> > This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
>> > vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
>> > is just a nice to have.
>> >
>> > I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.
>> >
>> > Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
>> > YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
>> > would you buy and why?
>>
>>
>
>

Chris Lamb wrote:
>
> Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
> YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
> would you buy and why?

Nissan Versa has a larger engine than its competitors so it may be able
to tow your boat and still provide decent mpg.

Element is not especially fuel efficient - a 2007 Camry delivers better
mpg and is a much safer vehicle; Camry can tow 1000 lb.

If you drive in town the new tiny cars offer some advantages. If you
drive on the highway you should try to verify that the tiny cars will
actually deliver the rated mpg and you should test drive them to see if
you are satisfied with their highway performance.

I'd probably buy a used Camry or Accord or Corolla rather than a new
Fit, Yaris or Versa if I needed a commuter car (but I need highway
performance/safety for my commute).

FWIW - I bought a 2006 used Saturn Ion 2 with all the options,
sunroof, 11000 miles. It just came off 1 year lease. I was very
interested in either a FIT or YARIS, however every one of those
vehicles coming into this area until the end of the year is already
sold. I had the option to buy one sight unseen, and I would have
received it in January. The Saturn I got, in a new 2007 version costs
$17000. I got it for $12000. It will be garaged and cared for so
even though I would agree F/Y are better quality, this vehicle should
certainly provide satisfactory service to us. Also, it will tow 1000#
in case we want to pull a small fishing boat to the lake, which is
only 3 blocks from the house. Thanks to everyone for your input. It
was valuable information in making my decision.

On 2 Oct 2006 19:26:55 -0700, "ACAR" <getoutanpush@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>Chris Lamb wrote:
>>
>> Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
>> YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
>> would you buy and why?
>
>Nissan Versa has a larger engine than its competitors so it may be able
>to tow your boat and still provide decent mpg.
>
>Element is not especially fuel efficient - a 2007 Camry delivers better
>mpg and is a much safer vehicle; Camry can tow 1000 lb.
>
>If you drive in town the new tiny cars offer some advantages. If you
>drive on the highway you should try to verify that the tiny cars will
>actually deliver the rated mpg and you should test drive them to see if
>you are satisfied with their highway performance.
>
>I'd probably buy a used Camry or Accord or Corolla rather than a new
>Fit, Yaris or Versa if I needed a commuter car (but I need highway
>performance/safety for my commute).
>

Agreed. The Element is not only cheaper, but offers more utility in many
ways. Plus it will haul more than the brochures actually say... that's all
about hardcore, extreme heat conditions. The Element is Honda's utility SUV
with good MPG while the CR-V is their more upscale SUV that you may not want
to get dirty w/ the carpet, etc.

Either way, good luck to you.

"Earle Horton" <anglocapitalista@usa.com> wrote in message
news:45217115$0$20251$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> Along the lines of economy consider the CR-V a cheaper alternative to the
> Element.
>
> Earle
>
> "Larry" <ziggy_calif@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news3cUg.9092$e66.2049@newssvr13.news.prodigy.co m...
>> If towing the small boat is a realistic possibility, buy the Element...it
>> can tow 1500 lbs. What horror stories have you heard about the Fit? I
> have
>> heard nothing but good things about both the Fit and Yaris. Expect to
>> pay
>> MSRP for either as they are highly popular and in short supply. Consider
>> the xA or Corolla for low cost and/or excellent fuel mileage. Corollas
> are
>> easy to find that are significantly cheaper than either of the other 2
> cars.
>>
>> "Chris Lamb" <clamb1@new.rr.com> wrote in message
>> news:452127b4.20704150@news-server.new.rr.com...
>> >I need some wheels. Cost is the primary determinant, but I want to
>> > spend my money wisely, and a couple thousand more for a vehicle that
>> > gives me more utility may be money well spent. Second determinant is
>> > fuel economy. I don't haul anything, it is just me going many miles.
>> > I have looked at the Fit and Yaris and they fit for cost and economy.
>> > But I have read some real horror stories about the FIT.
>> >
>> > This does not HAVE TO be a determinant, but it would be nice if the
>> > vehicle could pull say a 1000# trailer, little fishing boat. But that
>> > is just a nice to have.
>> >
>> > I like the looks of both the Element and the Scion xB.
>> >
>> > Of those 4 vehicles, and understanding my determinants, and hopefully
>> > YOU knowing a whole lot more about these vehicles than I do, which
>> > would you buy and why?
>>
>>
>
>