Madman's Shed of the Week

[ifcar]

"Reviews of the Rio are universal in their praise of the spacious cabin and the abundance of rear seat leg room in particular. "

I guarantee you that they are not! The Accent/Rio is on the small side of today's subcompacts, a far cry from something like a Fit or a Versa. Somewhere in between a Sonic and a Fiesta.

[Madman]

14-20 February 2016:

Give the gift of economical motoring this Valentine's Day!



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So, you want to give your Significant Other a gift they're sure to appreciate?  Don't bother with flowers.  They'll just wilt and die within a few days.  And forget the box of chocolates, too.  They're fattening and, once eaten, all you're left with is an empty box.  What you need is a gift that will endure and prove it's worth every single day.  A gift like this stunning 2013 Mazda 2 Touring.

Driving the front wheels of this diminutive hatchback is a 16 valve DOHC 1.5 litre inline four with variable valve control producing an even 100 horsepower on cheapo regular unleaded.  A five speed manual was standard but some lazy fool ordered this one with the less desirable four speed slushbox.  Okay, that may make it better for city driving but it really does kill the fun factor.  With the auto, fuel consumption is rated at 28 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway.  That's a one mile-per-gallon decrease on both City and Highway mileage versus getting the manual gearbox.  Not terrible, but it could be better considering this car's small size and light weight.  And remember, the less fuel you burn, the less CO2 you emit into the atmosphere.  The 2 puffs out just 292 grams of CO2 per mile, helping it to achieve a ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating from the EPA.

The great thing about the Mazda 2 is that it doesn't ask you to make sacrifices.  You get all the bells 'n whistles the big cars have but without the needless and wasteful bulk.  Inside this neat little package you will find independent front strut suspension and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, speed sensing electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, 15 inch eight-spoke alloy wheels, power operated outside mirrors, rear lip spoiler, air conditioning, cabin air filter, cruise control, power operated windows and door locks, keyless entry, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, reclining front seats, 60/40 split-fold rear seats, black fabric upholstery, piano black and metal-effect cabin trim, leather trimmed steering wheel, CD stereo with speed sensitive volume control and MP3 decoder, six audio speakers, halogen headlamps, front fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with three channel ABS, electronic brake assist, daytime running lights, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, security system with alarm, electronic traction control and electronic stability control.

It's almost hard to believe you can get all of that (and more, if you want) in an economy car these days.  For someone like me, who can still remember the days when even an AM radio was an extra-cost option on most econocars, this is nothing short of mind-blowing!  The Liquid Silver Metallic paint on this little Mazda 2 (same paint as my own Mazda 5, BTW) helps to give the car a more grown-up look.  Overall, it looks to be in as-new condition despite it's 50,824 miles.  Back in 2013, a Mazda 2 Touring cost $16,210 plus another $840 for the automatic, bringing the total to $17,050.  Just three years after it rolled off the assembly line, you can buy this car for only $9,267.  That's a $7,783 savings!  Don't you just LOVE depreciation?

So don't be a chump this Valentine's Day.  Give the gift of a practical and economical shed to that special person in your life!

[2o6]

Too bad it's an auto.

[280Z Turbo]

No water temp gauge? Wtf?

[2o6]

No water temp gauge? Wtf?

What modern car have you driven that has a water temp gauge? Most Asian cars in this price range have a Hot/Cold light. My Yaris does.

[280Z Turbo]

I guess I don't drive modern cars.

[ifcar]

What modern car have you driven that has a water temp gauge? Most Asian cars in this price range have a Hot/Cold light. My Yaris does.

"Most" may be an exaggeration, but it's definitely not rare.

[Madman]

SOTW Update!




The one-in-a-hundred in the USA 2013 Smart ForTwo SharpRed edition has yet to find a buyer tempted by its rarity, so the posh used car emporium charged with selling it has seen fit to drop the price of this 22,711 mile specimen from $8,851 to $7,992.

[Madman]

21-27 February 2016:

Go mental in a former rental.



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Rental cars.  Some say to avoid them like a contagious disease.  Others swear by them.  Personally, I've always been on the fence when it comes to buying an ex-rental until I bought my Mazda 5, itself a former rental car.  My Mazda has been trouble-free and shows absolutely no sign of having been thrashed by dozens of unsympathetic renters upset because they couldn't get upgraded to a Cadillac DTS "or similar" at the airport.

This week we visit the same chain of rental car outlets selling last week's Mazda 2.  The company, whose name rhymes with Nertz, is selling this rather spiffy looking 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV.  This is the sort of car you can normally tool around in for $29.95 a day but now you can own this one for a relative pittance when compared to what you would pay for a freshly-minted one at the Nissan dealership.

As befitting such a roomy yet eminently practical ride such as this, the Versa Note is powered by the fuel-sipping 16 valve DOHC 1.6 litre HR16DE variant of the Renault-Nissan HR engine.  It produces 109 horses on regular unleaded, which is perfectly adequate for a small, lightweight car such as this.  I'd prefer a proper manual gearbox but, this being America (home of the lazy and clueless motorist), finding one is next to impossible.  The problem is all but the poverty-spec S model came with a CVT transmission, so it's not as if you really have any choice.  This particular Nissan gets 31 MPG City and 40 MPG Highway.  Plus, it's EPA-rated as a ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) thanks, in part, to it emitting only 249 grams of CO2 per mile.

The Versa Note comes with independent front strut and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, speed-sensing electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, 15 inch steel wheels with plastic covers, power adjustable outside mirrors, front and rear mudflaps, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, auto-locking doors, tilt adjustable steering wheel, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, Charcoal fabric upholstery, metal-look cabin trim, CD stereo with speed sensitive volume and four speakers, halogen headlights, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with four channel ABs and electronic brake assist, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, electronic stability control and electronic traction control.

Aspen White Pearl is Nissan's name for their particular brand of refrigerator white, which seems appropriate for a somewhat appliance-like device like the one you see here.  The interior looks like it could use attacking with a Hoover but is otherwise ready to go for the next owner.  Hertz has attached a clean AutoCheck report to their online ad and it appears their customers have resisted the temptation to crash it.  First titled in March 2014, this Versa Note has covered 49,389 miles since.  Last year, you could have bought this car brand new for $15,990 (plus $825 destination charge) but now you can have it for just $9,667.

A nearly six grand discount from new should make you seriously consider going mental for a formal rental!

[Madman]

28 February - 5 March 2015:

It's a car!



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Yep, it's a car, alright.  And it is as sparse as its advertising tagline.  It has the most standardly of standard features.  It has wheels.  And seats.  And a rather noisy thing up front that makes it go.  It will take you places.  Revel in the utilitarian excellence of this 2012 Toyota Yaris LE five door hatchback!

The third generation (XP130) Yaris was unleashed onto an unsuspecting world for the 2012 model year.  It was available in three distinct flavours.  There was the bare-bones Yaris L, a car nobody buys because it is so devoid of plushness and luxury it makes living in a cave look inviting.  At the other end of the spectrum, we have the Yaris SE, also a car nobody buys because it is priced dangerously close to Corolla territory.  And then we have this car, the Yaris LE.  The LE hits the sweet spot in the middle of the Yaris range.  It has everything you need and nothing you don't.

That noisy thing up front that makes it go is Toyota's 16 valve DOHC 1.5 litre 1NZ-FE engine augmented by variable valve timing, just like pretty much everything else these days.  This mill produces 106 horsepower on regular unleaded.  A five speed manual is theoretically available but most of these you will find have a four speed automatic.  No, I didn't mistype that last sentence.  I really did say a four speed automatic!  Now, those of you reading this who are under thirty years of age or thereabouts may not know this but there was once a time when a four speed automatic transmission was deemed acceptable in a real, honest-to-goodness road-going car.  Unfortunately, that time coincided with the release of Duran Duran's first album!  The thing is, transmission technology has come a long way since the early 1980s but somehow, Toyota never got the memo.  Or did they?  You see, outside North America, Toyota offers the Yaris with a Continuously Variable Transmission, otherwise known as a CVT.  So why does Toyota insist upon fobbing us off with a patently inferior gearbox when they could just as easily give us one that will, if nothing else, help the car improve upon its presently unspectacular fuel economy?  This auto-equipped Yaris gets a so-so 30 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway rating, which is pretty far adrift from the magic 40 MPG number many rivals in this segment like to brag about in their advertising.  A CVT would undoubtedly score better in the EPA's fuel economy tests, so why doesn't Toyota sell the CVT-equipped Yaris over here?  Even with the antiquated automatic, the Yaris puffs just 278 grams of CO2 per mile from its little pea-shooter tailpipe, helping it to score a commendable ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating from the Feds.

Being the middle child of the Yaris family, the LE brings to the party stuff like independent strut front suspension and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, electric power assist rack-and-pinion steering, 15 inch steel wheels with plastic covers, power operated outside mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, black and white fabric upholstery, metal-look cabin accents, CD stereo with speed sensitive volume and MP3 decoder, AM/FM/HD/Satellite radio receiver, six audio speakers, wireless phone connectivity, halogen headlights, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with three channel ABS, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, electronic stability control and electronic traction control.

Oh, there's also an aux outlet and a USB port, not-so-conveniently hidden all the way in the back of the glovebox as part of a game of automotive designer hide-and-seek.  As for the infotainment unit itself, it looks like the sort of aftermarket audio deck you could have bought from Circuit City's going-out-of-business sale, circa 2009.  The Chiclet-sized buttons and tiny digital display further add the to the dated and slightly low-rent ambiance.  Dash plastics have often been panned by reviewers as hard and scratchy, but what do you want for an MSRP of just $16,670 including destination charge?  But you won't pay anywhere near that much for this 2012 Yaris LE five door.  This 71,704 mile example can be yours from a nearby used car outfit for only $8,995.

So, the 2012 Yaris is indeed a car.  The plain white paint seems very appropriate.  Its not sexy but it gets the job done.

[Madman]

6-12 March 2016:

Bigger is not always better.



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Back in the 1950s, one of Volkswagen's first advertising campaigns in America encouraged buyers to "Think Small".  But Fiat want you to think even smaller.  They know less bulk and lower weight equals more fun.  And you'd be hard pressed to find a car that's more fun than this 2013 Fiat 500 Pop hatchback.

Fiat's purchase of Chrysler opened the door for all sorts of exotic Italiana to make its way to our shores.  And just as pizza and pasta have become as American as apple pie, the cheeky little 500 is another tasty Italian dish warmly embraced by the American public.  Seriously, if you don't love this car, you have no soul!

The base model Pop is motivated by a characterful 16 valve DOHC 1.4 litre engine endowed with Fiat's clever MultiAir variable valve timing and lift control technology.  Like a midget bodybuilder, the diminutive Fiat may be small but it packs some serious punch!  101 horsepower may not sound like much but, in a car this small and light, you'll be amazed by how quick it feels.  Many of you will object to this particular specimen not having the standard five speed manual gearbox.  I'll admit I had my doubts about this car's six speed automatic, too.  But, according to a lot of owners out there, its actually pretty decent.  At least there's a Tiptronic-style manual shift feature to appease those who insist upon rowing their own gears.  Besides, a quick search of my local AutoTrader listings revealed that finding a non-Abarth 500 with a stick is about as likely as striking oil in your back yard.

The auto-equipped 500 claims fuel consumption figures of 27 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway.  You will need to fill the 10.5 gallon tank with premium unleaded to get the best from it.  This 500 also emits just 295 grams of CO2 per mile, helping it achieve a LEV II (Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating from the powers that be in Washington.

I've recently had the opportunity to crawl inside a 500 Abarth and discovered this little pipsqueak of a car to be much roomier than initial appearances would suggest.  The driving position still has that traditional long arm and short leg "Italian Ape" stance I remember well from my old X-1/9, but you soon get used to it.  And yes, the back seat is tiny.  Hey, this is a city car.  What did you expect?

Some people still buy into the outdated mindset that small cars are unsafe.  Don't believe it.  The 500 has a strong chassis, seven airbags and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  You're more likely to be injured in your own home than you are in the Fiat 500.

Best of all, the 500 proves you can downsize without having to downgrade.  You get independent front strut and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, 15 inch steel wheels with plastic covers, heated and power operated outside mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, auto-locking doors, tilt adjustable steering wheel, reclining front seats, 50/50 split fold rear seats, red/white fabric upholstery, leather trimmed steering wheel, CD stereo with MP3 decoder and six speakers, wireless phone connectivity, projector beam halogen headlights, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, four wheel disc brakes with four channel ABS and electronic brake assist, daytime running lights, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, front seatbelt pretensioners, ignition immobiliser, security system, electronic stability control, electronic traction control and anti-whiplash front head restraints.

The "Rosso" paint on this 500 looks very classy and the inside is immaculately spotless.  A nearby purveyor of all things shed related has listed this car for sale.  It has done only 26,852 miles, which means it is still covered under Fiat's 48 month or 50,000 mile warranty.  The dealer is asking just $8,990.

This irresistible little Fiat is proof bigger is not always better!

[Morris Minor]

Mechanic spends £5,000 turning car into world's fastest shed
A mechanic enlisted the help of his local MP David Cameron when he made an ambitious bid to convert his car into a garden shed.
Kevin Nicks, a 51-year-old mechanic and gardener, decided to merge his two passions by transforming his Volkswagen Passat into a garden shed capable of travelling at more than 70mph.
The two-tonne drivable shed, complete with remote central locking, leather seats and air conditioning, was built for hiring and advertising, with some 20 companies expressing an interest in using the vehicle.

More:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/12186080/Mechanic-spends-5000-turning-car-into-worlds-fastest-shed-with-a-little-help-from-David-Cameron.html

[Madman]

It's been done already.......

[Madman]

SOTW Update!




The one-in-a-hundred in the USA 2013 Smart ForTwo SharpRed edition has yet to find a buyer tempted by its rarity, so the posh used car emporium charged with selling it has seen fit to drop the price of this 22,711 mile specimen from $8,851 to $7,992.

This special edition Smart ForTwo still hasn't sold.  So now the price has been cut to $7,553.

Looks like it takes more than luxurious upgrades and an eye-catching paint job to tempt buyers into one of these.  Still, if you were determined to buy a Smart, this is the one to have.  The problem is that everyone who had ever wanted one has already bought one!

[CaminoRacer]

Mechanic spends £5,000 turning car into world's fastest shed
A mechanic enlisted the help of his local MP David Cameron when he made an ambitious bid to convert his car into a garden shed.
Kevin Nicks, a 51-year-old mechanic and gardener, decided to merge his two passions by transforming his Volkswagen Passat into a garden shed capable of travelling at more than 70mph.
The two-tonne drivable shed, complete with remote central locking, leather seats and air conditioning, was built for hiring and advertising, with some 20 companies expressing an interest in using the vehicle.

More:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/12186080/Mechanic-spends-5000-turning-car-into-worlds-fastest-shed-with-a-little-help-from-David-Cameron.html

[Madman]

13-19 March 2016:

Sonic boom or bust?



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GM's track record of building small cars is somewhat patchy, to say the least.  But what about some of their newer offerings, like this 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ hatchback?  It this Sonic a boom or a bust?  Let's dig a little deeper and find out.

The Sonic arrived in 2012 to replace the almost universally loathed Aveo.  Although it bore a passing resemblance to its predecessor, the Sonic was in fact a very different kind of car.  With the smaller Spark assuming the role of bargain bucket transport, the all new Sonic was free to move slightly upmarket and pursue a more aggressive and sporty position within the Chevrolet range.  In many ways, the Sonic was a first for Chevy.  Here was a small car from GM's American-as-apple-pie brand that wasn't mind-blowingly awful.  You'd never believe this car follows in the footsteps of such craptacular efforts as the Vega, Monza and Chevette.  After these miserable turds, is it any wonder GM spent the next twenty years farming-out their small car production to Isuzu, Suzuki and Toyota?  But does the Sonic have what it takes to square-up against the Fiesta, Fit, Yaris, Rio and Versa?  Allow me to present the case for the prosecution.

The Sonic is built on GM's Gamma II global platform, which you will also know in jacked-up form from the Chevy Trax and Buick Encore.  It is also unique in that this is the only B-Segment car currently being built in the United States.  Specifically, at the Orion Township assembly plant in Michigan.  So go ahead and dig out all those old "Buy American" bumper stickers and feel free to slap them on this car!  The Sonic is still sold globally under the Aveo name but Australians insist on calling this car the Holden Barina because they simply can't resist the urge to be different.  Power for this LTZ trim Sonic comes by way of a 16 valve DOHC 1.8 litre I4 engine with variable valve control from GM's Ecotec engine family and sends its power to the front wheels through a GM 6T30 six speed automatic transaxle with sequential shift capability.  This proven powerplant churns out a respectable 138 horsepower and, with the six speed autobox changing gears for you, delivers 25 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway on regular unleaded.  This drivetrain also achieves ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) status from the EPA and emits just 317 grams of CO2 per mile.  It is worth noting that Sonic buyers can also opt for a 1.4 litre turbo engine that produces the same 138 horsepower but more torque.

The Sonic is a pretty roomy car for its size and the buyer of this one will get independent front strut and semi-independent rear torsion beam suspension, electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, 17 inch five-spoke alloy wheels, heated and power operated outside mirrors, rear lip spoiler, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, auto-locking doors, remote engine start, tilt/telescope steering wheel, OnStar communication system, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, black leatherette upholstery, metal-look cabin trim, leather wrapped steering wheel, anti-theft CD stereo with AM/FM/SiriusXM satellite radio receiver and MP3 decoder, speed sensitive volume control, six "performance" speakers, wireless phone connectivity, halogen headlamps, front fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, compass, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with four channel ABS, and electronic brake assist, daytime running lights, dual front airbags, dual front side torso airbags, dual rear side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, security system with alarm, Stabilitrak electronic stability control and electronic traction control.

Wow, can you believe all the stuff you get in a little economy car these days?  With all the safety and luxury features you get in humble bread-and-butter cars nowadays, what's the point in spending the extra money for a so-called luxury car?  Apart from a fancy badge and bragging rights, what's the point?

This dark metallic grey Chevy Sonic has just 51,199 miles under its radials.  The car has just been listed on Autotrader by a fairly professional looking used car emporium for the very reasonable price of $9,995.  That's the very top of the theoretical Shed budget but I think its worth it.

So what's the verdict on this one?  Is this Sonic a boom or will it be a bust?

[Madman]

20-26 March 2016:

Remember when coupes used to only have two doors?



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If car company spin doctors are to be believed, then damn near everything is a coupe these days.  Mercedes got the ball rolling with the CLS, which is what an E Class would look like if designers didn't have to worry about such mundane things as headroom, trunk space and fitting normally proportioned human beings in the back seat.  Yes, it appears all that is standing in the way of cars being as beautiful as they could be is the need to fit all those pesky people and their many annoying appendages such as heads, legs and shoulders inside the damn things.  If only we were more like amoeba or jellyfish, then we could mould ourselves into whatever shape car designers deemed suitable for us to have.

Well, multi-limbed organisms be damed, because car designers continue to sculpt exterior sheet metal with an eye towards aesthetics first and practicality second.  But, if such a philosophy produces cars as sensuous as this 2012 Volkswagen CC Sport, then all is forgiven.  I mean, just LOOK at it!  Have you ever seen a car that looked so beautiful.  Most amazing of all, it comes form a company best known for making dumpy-looking Jettas for sorority girls.  How could a company that, in recent years, gets almost everything else so wrong get this car so right?  Read on and I shall explain......

The Volkswagen CC was the last car born in an era when VW was aiming for the premium end of the mass market.  This was just before their radical shift downward, towards a new regimen of de-contented austerity which led to Mexican-built Jettas with hard plastic cabins and solid beam axles and bad Tennessee-made clones of the Chevy Impala masquerading in North America under the once-venerated Passat name.  The CC, on the other hand, was based on the real Passat and therefore, never suffered the indignity of the savage cost-cutting mindset that was pronounced by Herr Piëch as being "Good enough for America."  Most importantly of all, the CC's VIN begins with the letter W and these are the only Volkswagens you really want to consider.

Powering this rolling sculpture is a turbocharged 16 valve DOHC 2.0 litre engine with direct injection and variable valve control.  This unit produces 200 horsepower and, with the six speed DSG transmission seen here, gets 22 MPG City and 31 MPG Highway with premium gasoline.  Emissions are commendably low, too.  The CC produces just 355 grams of CO2 per mile.  The helps the CC qualify for a ULEV II (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle, generation II) rating from the EPA.

At six feet tall, I can just about sit behind myself in the CC.  Yes, I actually tried this with a CC on the VW dealer's showroom floor.  I'll admit I wouldn't like to spend a great deal of time back there, considering my head was brushing up against the headliner.  Fine for children but a bit snug for me.  Fortunately, VW did find room to pack a lot of luxurious amenities.  Stuff like four wheel independent suspension, speed-sensing electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, ten-spoke alloy wheels, heated and power operated outside mirrors, Climatic manual sir conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, auto-locking doors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated and power adjustable front seats, rear bucket seats with centre storage console and 60/40 split fold seat back, two-tone black/cream leatherette upholstery, metal-look cabin trim, leather gear knob and steering wheel, anti-theft CD stereo with AM/FM/SiriusXM satellite radio receiver and speed-sensitive volume control, MP3 decoder, eight audio speakers, wireless phone connectivity, projector beam halogen headlights, variable intermittent rain detecting wipers, rear window defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, four wheel disc brakes with three channel ABS and electronic brake assist, daytime running lights, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, rear door child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, security system with alarm, electronic stability control, electronic traction control and anti-whiplash front seats.

A previous owner stuck an R-Line badge on the back of this car but don't be fooled.  The dealer's ad and the car's VIN number confirm this is indeed the Sport model.  Sport may be the base version of the CC range but this car is far from basic.  The two-tone upholstery, in particular, give this car a decidedly upscale look.  Compare this cabin to the current so-called Passat and you'll discover there is no comparison at all.  I'll gladly put up with only having four seats and restricted rear seat room just so I wouldn't be forced to endure the plasticised wasteland of the Tennessee Passat's interior.

And even though the black paint will be impossible to keep clean for more than twelve seconds, I'll still put up with it.  This one has just 64,026 miles underneath it's new-looking Pirellis and the Shed Shop selling it is asking just $9,995 for the pleasure of owning the last great Volkswagen.

Yep, I'd have it, even if the Coupe moniker is a blatant lie!

[mzziaz]

That two tone leather is actually pretty nice.

10k sounds like a good price, too.

[2o6]

It's an ok price; my friend had one with 20k fewer miles bought for around the same price two years ago.

[Madman]

27 March - 2 April 2016:

Dude, where's my speedometer?



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For a brief period during the last decade, centrally mounted speedometers were something of a fad.  I blame the reborn MINI for starting this short-lived trend.  The MINI could get away with putting the speedo right smack in the middle of the dash because that's where Alec Issigonis stuck it way back in 1959.  Presumably, this made adapting the car for both left and right hand drive markets easier and cheaper.  But what excuse did the designers of the Saturn Ion have?  This plastic-bodied turd of a car was never sold anywhere outside of the North American continent, presumably because GM didn't want to give people in other countries yet another reason to hate America.  Since the Ion was only built in left hand drive, what purpose did plonking the speedo in the middle of the dash serve?

Lots of other cars succumbed to this brief fad.  Just off the top of my head, I can think of the Citroën C4, Citroën Xsara Picasso and Renault Espace all dabbling with centre speedos for a while.  Toyota really picked-up on the idea and ran with it, giving the Scion xB, Toyota Prius and the Echo centrally mounted speedometers.  The Echo's replacement, the 2007-2011 Yaris, got one too.  Which is why this week's shed, a very clean looking 2011 Toyota Yaris three-door liftback, features this unusual speedometer placement.

I've never driven a car with a mid-mounted speedo, so I'm really not sure how I'd like it.  I imagine it's something I would probably get used to.  However, I don't think everyone is as flexible as I am because, one by one, all those central speedos have been replaced by conventional instrument binnacles above the steering wheel.  Undoubtedly, this return to the status quo was driven by typical consumer resistance to anything new and unfamiliar.  Even the Yaris bowed to convention for the 2012 redesign.

This unusual feature was not without it's benefits.  Moving all the instruments to the middle of the dash cleared away enough space for another glovebox above the steering wheel.  This was in addition to the two others over on the passenger side.  Yep, three gloveboxes.  Automotive hoarders, rejoice!  Plus, back seat passengers could easily see how fast you're going and scold you for driving like a maniac.  Okay, so maybe that last one isn't really a benefit?

Speaking of speed, the 16 valve DOHC 1.5 litre engine will produce adequate forward momentum, eventually.  It's quick enough, but don't expect to win any drag races.  This 106 horsepower unit, combined with the standard five speed manual gearbox, will deliver 29 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway on regular unleaded.  It will also puff out just 278 grams per mile of CO2, helping the little Toyota achieve a ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating from Uncle Sam.

Besides that, the next owner of this car will get independent front and semi independent rear suspension, speed-sensing electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, steel wheels with plastic covers, air conditioning, manually operated side windows, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, grey fabric upholstery, metal-look cabin trim, CD stereo with MP3 decoder and speed sensitive volume control, four audio speakers, halogen headlights, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, front disc/rear drum brakes with four channel ABS and electronic brake assist, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, electronic stability control and electronic traction control.

This Yaris is about as basic as a car can get these days, but that just means there's less stuff to potentially go wrong.  And remember, this is a Toyota, so it is unlikely anything ever will.  Remarkably, for a black car, there doesn't appear to be a spot or a blemish anywhere on it.  It's being offered for sale by the local Mazda dealer and their detailing department looks to have done an outstanding job with it.  Hard to believe this car has only done 64,016 miles.  Best of all, this neat little Yaris can be yours for only $7,500.

That's worth it, even if you can't find the speedometer!

[93JC]

For a brief period during the last decade, centrally mounted speedometers were something of a fad.  I blame the reborn MINI for starting this short-lived trend.

:/

The Echo, this car's immediate predecessor, came out before the new MINI™.

[ifcar]

Yep, and it also seemed somewhat common among JDM and even some other European cars before the Mini.

[Madman]

SOTW Update!




The Mazda dealer selling this week's 2011 Toyota Yaris three-door liftback shed has dropped the price to $7,000.

They've had it for nearly a month now.  As I recall, it was originally priced somewhere in the $9K range but failed to sell because you can pick up a multitude of better equipped, new-shape 2012-on Yaris hatchbacks for the same money.  They've been steadily chopping a few hundred bucks off the price for every week it hasn't sold.  Only when it reached $7,500 did I deem it to be good enough value to earn SOTW status.  Now that it has fallen to $7K, it represents even better value.

If you're shopping for an A-to-B commuter hack, this little Yaris is tough to beat at seven grand!

[Madman]

3-9 April 2016:

Why not take up Golf this spring?



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This Golf will do.  What, you thought I was talking about that silly game played by old men in ugly clothes?  Well, I can assure you this 2011 Volkswagen Golf 3-Door will be much less embarrassing to be seen in than anything you can buy at the pro shop.

To the uninitiated, this sixth-generation Golf doesn't look very different from today's seventh-generation model, so your neighbours may very well think you've bought a brand new car!  Don't worry.  Your secret is safe with me.

In terms of the quality of materials used and overall fit an finish, nothing in it's class could touch the Mk VI Golf.  If this car does have an Achilles Heel, it lies under the hood.  The 20 valve DOHC 2.5 litre inline five cylinder powerplant is unloved by enthusiasts, delivering neither the performance nor the fuel economy for which Golfs have long been renowned.  However, having been designed exclusively for perceived North American tastes, this unit does embody the sort of qualities long sought after by American motorists.  Designed to be simple, rugged and reliable, the 2.5 is much less problematic than the more complicated engines offered in many other recent Volkswagens.  There's plenty of mid-range torque, but horsepower is rated at only 170.  With the standard five speed manual gearbox, the 2011 Golf 2.5 is rated at a pretty lacklustre 23 MPG City and 33 MPG Highway.  Compare this to the 24/33 MPG achieved by the more powerful 200 horsepower 2011 GTI's 2.0 turbo four and you begin to wonder what the point of the 2.5 is in the first place.

The five cylinder Golf also emits 342 grams of CO2 per mile.  Not too bad but not great, either.  Yet, this Golf still earns a ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating, courtesy of the EPA.  Plus, you can run it on cheapo 87 octane.  Don't try doing that with a GTI.

Even if the engine is a bit of a letdown, the rest of the car more than makes up for it.  For starters, you get four wheel independent suspension, speed sensing electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, 15 inch steel wheels with plastic covers, heated outside mirrors, rear lip spoiler, Climatic manual air conditioning, power operated tilt/slide glass sunroof, cruise control, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, auto-locking doors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, grey fabric upholstery, metal-look cabin trim, CD stereo with MP3 decoder and speed sensitive volume control, eight audio speakers, halogen headlights, variable intermittent wipers, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, four wheel disc brakes with three channel ABS, daytime running lights, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, ignition immobiliser, security system with alarm, electronic stability control, electronic traction control and anti-whiplash front head restraints.

Golfs have always been classy and understated and this car's dark blue paint holds true to that ethos.  Personally, I'd prefer the five door version but then you'd have to give up the five speed manual because Volkswagen of America would only sell you a five door 2.5 Golf with a DSG automatic.  Idiots.

Back in 2011, a base three-door Golf 2.5 was $17,995 plus a $770 destination charge.  Add $1,000 for the power sunroof and you arrive at a total sticker price of $19,765 before title, taxes and registration fees.  But you won't pay anywhere near that amount for this 67,294 mile example of German engineering.  A nearby beater emporium will sell you this car for only $8,500.

And you will have more fun with this car than you will whacking a little ball around a field with a stick!

[Madman]

10-16 April 2016:

Focusing on the numbers.



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When Ford introduced the current Focus for the 2012 model year, there was some concern as to whether consumers would be willing to pay more for a vastly upgraded and much improved car compared to the previous Focus, which sold almost exclusively by virtue of being cheap.  Well, as history has shown (and as I had correctly predicted at the time) the answer was an emphatic yes!

US sales of the Focus shot up to 245,992 units in 2012 compared to 175,717 in 2011.  That's a 40% increase!  The new Focus became the eleventh best-selling car in America for 2012.  By the end of 2015, the Focus still managed to shift 202,478 units for the year.  That's not bad at all for a car in it's fourth model year.  However, due to growth in the rest of the market, the Focus had slipped to number twenty-three on the 2015 US sales chart.

So what does all this mean to you?  Well, now that the Focus is no longer the newest kid on the block, prices for used examples have become temptingly attractive.  And, speaking of attractive, cast your eyes upon this Sterling Grey metallic 2012 Ford Focus SE 5-Door hatchback!

Ford's all-new-for-2012 Focus was a massive leap forward from the cheaply made, aesthetically challenged also-ran that preceded it.  In an instant, the Focus went from zero to hero, bringing sublime driving dynamics and a boatload of high-tech features to a segment better known for blandness and sparse equipment levels.  Beneath the stylish sheet metal lies a 16 valve DOHC 2.0 litre Duratec 20 direct injected, Ti-VCT inline four, promising 160 horsepower.  When fitted with the optional, and much more common Powershift automated dual clutch transmission, the Focus delivers 28 MPG City and 38 MPG Highway on regular unleaded.  CO2 emissions of just 287 grams per mile help the Focus earn a ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) rating from Uncle Sam.  If you are so inclined, you can also run this car on E85, although fuel economy will not be as good.

SE trim means you get four wheel independent suspension, electric power steering, steel wheels with plastic covers, power operated outside mirrors, rear lip spoiler, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, auto-locking doors, power operated windows and door locks, tilt/telescope steering wheel, grey fabric upholstery, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, metal look cabin trim, power operated tilt/slide glass sunroof, CD stereo with MP3 decoder and speed sensitive volume, four audio speakers, halogen headlights, front fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with four channel ABS and electronic brake assist, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, security alarm, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, electronic traction control and electronic stability control.

Sterling Grey Metallic is popular on the Focus, and it really looks good on this car.  If you wanted to buy this Focus SE new in 2012, the base price was $17,500 plus a $795 destination charge.  Add another $795 for the sunroof and $1,095 for the six speed Powershift automatic and you're looking at $20,185 before state and local taxes, title and registration.  But you won't have to spend anywhere near that amount four years and 80,149 miles later.  That's because this very car is being offered by a nearby purveyor of all things shed related for a very reasonable price of $9,500.

No matter how you crunch the numbers, that's a good deal!

[Raza]

I do like the CC, but it can be a tough sell. My friends have one and got it around the same time I had my Jetta. My Jetta, with the same engine, was lighter, quicker, sharper, with a better shifting transmission, and a roomier back seat with a smaller overall footprint. CC is a looker, though.

[Madman]

SOTW Update!




The 2013 Mazda 2 Touring automatic from February still hasn't sold, so it's price tag is getting a haircut.

The 50,824 mile Mazda was priced at $9,267 two months ago.  Now, it's being listed for $8,979.

Less than 300 bucks knocked off despite not moving for two months?  Methinks they'll have to do better than that if they want it to sell!

[cawimmer430]

Hey Madman,

Interested in a 1982 Talbot Solara?

http://ww3.autoscout24.de/classified/285323103?asrc=st


Have fun finding obscure European cars here! 

www.autoscout24.de

[2o6]

SOTW Update!




The 2013 Mazda 2 Touring automatic from February still hasn't sold, so it's price tag is getting a haircut.

The 50,824 mile Mazda was priced at $9,267 two months ago.  Now, it's being listed for $8,979.

Less than 300 bucks knocked off despite not moving for two months?  Methinks they'll have to do better than that if they want it to sell!

holy curb rash, batman

[Madman]

17-23 April 2016:

The Note fits your budget better than a Fit.



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The new Honda Fit is a very good small car.  Unfortunately, it's also a very expensive small car.  Look, I understand you get what you pay for, but you can't deny Honda doesn't have a history of charging top-dollar for their wares.  The fact many people are still willing to cough up the cash Honda is asking speaks volumes for both the cars themselves and Honda's effective marketing strategy.

But what if you're not willing to pay Honda prices for your next small car?  Well, you may have to settle for a car that looks a little like the Honda you've been wishing for.  And this 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV does bear a very strong resemblance to Honda's class-leading Fit.

True, the Nissan won't be as well-finished or as well-equipped as the Honda, but it won't be as expensive, either.   Honda will even sell you a Fit EX-L with leather upholstery for over twenty grand.  Whereas you can't get leather at all in the Note.  Also consider the additional savings you can get off the sticker price when comparing these two cars.  Let's face it, getting a discount at a Honda dealer is more difficult than getting a straight answer from a politician.  On the other hand, Nissan dealers will discount like crazy and frequently throw GM-levels of cash on the hood to move the metal out the door.  Of course, these differences also have a direct correlation to the used prices of both these cars, as well.

The 2014 Versa Note shown above is powered by the fuel-sipping 16 valve DOHC 1.6 litre HR16DE variant of the Renault-Nissan HR engine.  It produces 109 horses on regular unleaded, which falls short of Honda's Fit but is perfectly adequate for a small, lightweight car such as the Note.  And because you're not going to find a manual gearbox in a decently-equipped car these days, don't expect to find one here, either.  The problem is all but the poverty-spec S model came with a CVT transmission, so it's not as if you really have any choice in the matter.  This particular Nissan gets 31 MPG City and 40 MPG Highway.  Plus, it's EPA-rated as a ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, generation II) thanks, in part, to it emitting only 249 grams of CO2 per mile.

The Versa Note comes with independent front strut and semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension, speed-sensing electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, 15 inch steel wheels with plastic covers, power adjustable outside mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, power operated windows and door locks, auto-locking doors, tilt adjustable steering wheel, reclining front seats, 60/40 split fold rear seats, Charcoal fabric upholstery, metal-look cabin trim, CD stereo with speed sensitive volume and four speakers, halogen headlights, rear window wiper and defroster, light tinted windows, trip computer, front disc/rear drum brakes with four channel ABs and electronic brake assist, dual front airbags, dual side torso airbags, dual side curtain airbags, rear child safety locks, ignition immobiliser, electronic stability control and electronic traction control.

Super Black may sound like the name of a Hip-Hop artist but it's really Nissan's name for their own brand of black paint.  I'm not sure what makes it "super" but it appears to be in top-notch condition.  The interior looks like it could use attacking with a vacuum cleaner and a bottle of Fabreeze™ but is otherwise ready to go for the next owner.  This former rental appears to have dodged any mishaps at the hands of those who paid $29.95 a day for the privilege of sitting behind the wheel.  It has covered 46,249 miles and looks identical to a brand new one, just in case you want your neighbours to think you've splashed-out on a brand new car.  But you won't pay a brand new price for this one.  Last year, you could have bought this 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV right off the showroom floor for $15,990 (plus $825 destination charge) but now you can have it for just $8,979.  Just for comparison, a 2014 Honda Fit with similar mileage will set you back around $13,000 to $14,000, give or take a few bucks.

So, will this Nissan fit almost anyone's budget?  You bet it will!