Recently learned my Honda Fit has a timing chain that requires no replacement ("life of the engine") and according to the dealer, the water pump only needs inspection for the shaft play. Apparently the only thing I get to do to this car is change the oil and tires. At 100k it's valve adjustment... where's the fun in this? I'll tell ya: taking an on/off ramp faster than the 458 behind you can.
So I checked out that URL of Bobzilla's. Only on the GRM board can you get a link to a Hyundai Accent with 25 pounds of boost running very low 11s at a drag strip in Malta. I love this place. (GRM, I mean, although I'm sure Malta is nice too.)
Pretty sure Honda Fits are going to outlast us all.
Stealthtercel wrote: So I checked out that URL of Bobzilla's. Only on the GRM board can you get a link to a Hyundai Accent with 25 pounds of boost running very low 11s at a drag strip in Malta. I love this place. (GRM, I mean, although I'm sure Malta is nice too.)
IIRC, those guys pushed it to 35psi with a custom intake manifold before the bottom end let go. They were changing transmissions every other pass. Launched in second, ate 3rd and 4th. It was very impressive.
Also, to the durability of that engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZsflYVV3s0
In reply to Bobzilla:
That was great! Didn't look where that was but redneck fun is redneck fun no matter where you're from!
I knew it was a lost cause to try to extinguish that blowtorch shooting out under that thing.
Always been a closet fan of Hyundai. What would you recommend if one had ~$1,500 to spend? Just curious.
Trackmouse wrote: Recently learned my Honda Fit has a timing chain that requires no replacement ("life of the engine")
Whaaa??? Is that all Fits? You own a 2nd gen, right? I was kind of getting geared up to do a chain in another 20K miles.
ebonyandivory wrote: In reply to Bobzilla: That was great! Didn't look where that was but redneck fun is redneck fun no matter where you're from! I knew it was a lost cause to try to extinguish that blowtorch shooting out under that thing. Always been a closet fan of Hyundai. What would you recommend if one had ~$1,500 to spend? Just curious.
cleanest car you can find! seriously though, the Accent and ELantra of the early 2000's while prone to rust are dead nuts reliable. They had the same problems the early hondas and toyota's had. Will run forever, easy to work on but rust away in no time. The wife's 00 Accent rear sway bar had rusted down to under 9mm at the bushings from the stock 13mm
Escorts for years. Now two Fiesta's , an '11 sedan that got totaled, now a '13 hatch.
I really enjoy driving it. Surprising what you can do with only 120 hp.
No serious problems.
Size comparisons are interesting. My ZX2SR compact and my sub-compact Fiesta have almost the same measurements.
Even weighs the same.
wheelsmithy wrote:Trackmouse wrote: Recently learned my Honda Fit has a timing chain that requires no replacement ("life of the engine")Whaaa??? Is that all Fits? You own a 2nd gen, right? I was kind of getting geared up to do a chain in another 20K miles.
Yes, all Fits of all generations have timing chains. I have a second gen too. Considering how many there are out there at 200k+ on original chains I think we'll all be OK (unless you are real bad about regular oil changes). Hell, they even come with Iridium plugs so you'd only have to do those with every valve adjustment! The valve adjustments are the only engine thing you really need to stay on top of.
Two of the most fun to drive cars I've had were my partner's old k11 micra and my mk2 Suzuki Swift gti.
There are probably faster, better handling subcompacts out there, but they put a smile on my face Neary every time I drove them.
VW Fox, Mazda 323, Mercury Tracer S/W, Toyota Echo: These were my daily drivers for the past 20 years. Great MPG, not noticed by LEOs, very little maintenance (except Fox). Drove them hard/always started in extreme cold (-35 degrees). And sold them all when I was done with them.
My friend used to "borrow" his sisters 80's Datsun B210 manual and man did we have fun. It sure seemed fast at the time When I was 18. My buddy was a crazy driver (on empty rural roads) and a very good driver to boot.
Maybe a modern version of that would bring back my youth. A midlife crisis minus the red sports car.
I suppose my only subcompacts so far have been 'enthusiast' vehicles but i certainly haven't found any of my tiny cars unsafe or uncomfortable or un-useful, but i do agree with the earlier statement that modern subcompacts are very tall and you just CANT get the same kind of small-car feel you can get in older cars.
I love my Fiesta ST. An honest 40 USMPG (5.7L/100km), and about a ton of fun.
Saw an interesting picture in the morning paper.
Head on collision of what looked like a Fiesta/Focus, couldn't tell from the damage, and a crew cab pickup. Major damage to both. To see what that sub or compact car did to that pickup was interesting.
No serious injuries to drivers or passengers.
In reply to Coldsnap:
I think it is going to be another year or two before you see them in that price range. They are still going for $10k with 100k miles or more. I bought a 6 speed manual model in August and it is a blast to drive. Handles pretty well for a compact SUV and gets almost as good gas mileage as my Honda Fit did (low 30's).
Honda Fit was probably my favorite smaller car I have ever owned. The space that thing had was incredible. That magic seat in the back was pure gold.
Come on in, the best drive of your life is waiting...
92dxman wrote: In reply to Coldsnap: I think it is going to be another year or two before you see them in that price range. They are still going for $10k with 100k miles or more. I bought a 6 speed manual model in August and it is a blast to drive. Handles pretty well for a compact SUV and gets almost as good gas mileage as my Honda Fit did (low 30's). Honda Fit was probably my favorite smaller car I have ever owned. The space that thing had was incredible. That magic seat in the back was pure gold.
Oh nice, if I had to buy a newish car it would either be one of those two a fit or manual cx5. What one would you recommend for a single guy with no kids?
You'll need to log in to post.
