The Great Toyota Cut-And-Paste: The Great Wall Florid

Chinese autocopier ... er ... automaker Great Wall showed yet another vehicle that not only knocks off one vehicle, but two (actually more than two). The Florid (I think they forgot the "a" at the end), has a front end similar to a Toyota Yaris, and a rear end that looks like a Scion xA. On top of that, the vehicle has headlights that mimic the JDM Toyota Ractis. Talk about killing 2-3 birds with one stone. It's supposed to be released this year according to Automotive News.



You can check out Great Wall Motors' Web site at www.gwm.com.cn/eng. Be sure to click on the "models" page, and check out the "Hover." Who wouldn't want that?

Small Cars, Big Demand

According to U.S. News and World Report, small car demand is at near record levels, and deals are hard to come by. The article also gives tips to find bargains, and such. It's quick read, so read it -- you've obviously got nothing better to do.

LINK
Small Car Demand Keeps Prices High

Upated list of "Least Expensive Cars to Own"

A few posts down, I mentioned Forbes came out with their "Least Expensive Cars to Own" list. However, the list I posted was from 2007. I've edited the list to reflect the 2008s.

There were a few changes. Plus, there were seven subcompacts this year as opposed to six from last year.

Jalopnik.com drives the Suzuki Swift

The folks over at Jalopnik were able to get their hands on a European-market Suzuki Swift to drive here in the U.S. It's a great write up on the 'lil Zuki and makes me want one even more! They're supposed to come State side in the next couple of years.

The new Swifts are a far cry from the old "Geo Metro" Swifts we are familiar with in the U.S. The new Swifts are internationally heralded as being a top-notch subcompact. Anyway, it's definitely worth the read.

LINK
2008 Suzuki Swift: Around The Blodk

Suzuki SX4 turbo kit available through dealerships?

Wow -- how cool is this? Suzuki has partnered with Road Race Motorsports, and may be selling a turbo kit through Suzuki dealers for the SX4. I'm a big fan of the SX4, and this is just too cool in my opinion. According to the post on Autoblog.com, Suzuki claims 0-60 in less than seven seconds. Not asphalt melting, but a good bit faster than the stock SX4. The kit ups horsepower from 143 to 221, and toruqe up from 136 ft./lbs. to 208 ft./lbs. The kit will cost around $5,400 with everything need to install, according to this story. Whether that's from dealers or Roade Race Motorsports itself, was not stated.

Road Race Motorsports and Suzuki have had a relationship for a couple of years, as RRM has built a couple of concept cars for Suzuki that have beens shown at various autoshows, including SEMA in Las Vegas.

LINK
Road Race Motorsports' SX4t

Forbes: Toyota Yaris is the least expensive car to own.

Score another one for subcompacts! According to Forbes magazine, 7 of the 10 cars on the list were b-segments!

1. Toyota Yaris*
2. Honda Fit*
3. Chevrolet Aveo*
4. Nissan Versa*
5. Hyundai Accent*
6. Dodge Caliber
7. Kia Rio*
8. Chevrolet Cobalt
9. Scion xD*
10. Honda Civic DX sedan
*Subcompacts

LINK
The 10 Least Expensive Vechiles to Own of 2008

Chinese Ford Fiesta Unveiled

Daddy likey! Here's a picture of the Chinese-version Ford Fiesta S, which is a sportier version of the Fiesta shown in Europe. Ford – please bring this to the U.S. Pretty Please?

More photos and info can be found over at Autoblog.

Autoweek on the upcoming Ford Fiesta

Autoweek.com has an interesting article on the upcoming Ford Fiesta. It's the first time since the demise of the Korean-made Aspire that Ford will have a subcompact on the United States domestic market. The article provides some insight on Ford's thoughts on the segment, too.

LINK
"Wanna B?" (on Autoweek.com)

RWD Mitsubishi Subcompact?

According to Autoblog and Automotive News, Mitsubishi is developing a rear-wheel drive sub-compact for the SE Asia market. Apparently, to no surprise, there was no mention of the U.S. getting such a vehicle. According to the article, the vehicle will be around Kei car dimensions, so it'll be tiny.

What was the last RWD subcompact in the U.S.? I think it would've been either the early 1980s Toyota Tercel or perhaps the Chevrolet Chevette family.

The squeaky wheel ... er ... suspension gets the grease

I've developed a really annoying squeak in my driver's side rear suspension. I can't figure it out. It's pretty intermittent, but is loud when it happens.

I've been trying to troubleshoot this thing for nearly a week now. I started by simply jacking the car up, and rotating the coilover perches. That seemed to take care of it for a few days. Heck, I took an 800 mile road trip to Northern California, and never heard the squeak.

After returning to Portland, the squeak came back. I jacked the car up and removed the rear spring and shock. I took the mounts off and used "disc brake lube" (as recommended by the guy at Baxter's Auto Parts) to lubricate all of the bushings (top and bottom mounts on the coilovers). Reassembled, test drove, and the squeak is still there. Grrrr...

Next, I made sure the tops on the shocks were tight. I noticed the squeaking side wasn't at tight as the non-squeaking side, so once everything was snugged up, it was off for a test drive. And yet again, the damn thing squeaked.

Angered, I drove to work, listening to all the squeaking. When I left work yesterday, I headed home and noticed no squeaking. Okay. I set off to run some errands that evening, and again, no squeaking. Whatever.

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the temperature outside. On my road trip, it was in the 70s. The squeak returned when it got cooler. Yesterday it was warmer. We'll have to see what today brings.

Yaris to Participate in "One Lap of America"

Some of the guys over at Yaris World are going to competing in Car and Driver's One Lap of America. How very cool to see a new subcompact doing the Lap! The Yaris' owner, Loren, has set up a blog to document the whole experience! Check it out at http://yarisonelap.net. Good luck guys!

"MPG Challenge" adds competition to fuel economy

On Saturday, April 12, Russ Beaverton/Scion of Beaverton, OR will be holding the "MPG Challenge 08," a road rally with an emphasis on getting the best possible fuel mileage. There will be different classes so different vehicles such as hybrids, Scions, gas guzzlers (their words not mine) can compete equally. In addition, there will be a free lunch. (Does it get any better than this?) The rally will be about 125, according the the organizers.

There will also be prizes and trophies for the following categories:

• Best Hybrid SUV
• Best Hybrid Car
• Best All Electric Car
• Best Gas Only Car
• Best Scion 1.5/1.8 liter
• Best Scion 2.4 liter

Cost is $10 for pre registration; $15 the day of the event to help offset any costs and to raise support for the Providence Child Center Foundation.

For more information, visit www.MPGpdx.com

This will be a great place for subcompacts to represent, and it should be a lot of fun.

Subcompact see sales gains in March

While many in the auto industry saw big-time losses, there were a few standouts in March sales. Namely the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris (above).

According to ReportOnBusiness.com's, story entitled "U.S. auto sales tank," March 2008 Honda Fit sales were up 74%, and March '08 Toyota Yaris sales were up a whopping 83% from last year. Wow. Looks like small cars are beginning to catch on.

Link to Story: ReportOnBusiness.com