# Let's talk about cars (again) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 22, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169 "2015-06-22T18:10:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/41 "2015-06-26T13:29:27Z")
_Brake_. > [@jz78817](#): > > wut He said, “You are so right-low profile tires do not hold pressure, wear out fast, and go out of balance. I will never have them again.” 😃 I don’t know what he means either. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/42 "2015-06-26T14:39:19Z")
My wife drives a Fit- we both love it, but I do think the passenger seat footwell gets a bit uncomfortable on long trips. Your mileage may vary. Man, I slay me. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/43 "2015-06-26T15:15:27Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > _Brake_. > > He said, “You are so right-low profile tires do not hold pressure, wear out fast, and go out of balance. I will never have them again.” 😃 > > I don’t know what he means either. Less volume means a curb bump makes the tire go flat faster. The ride is also harder than conventional. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/44 "2015-06-26T17:04:04Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Less volume means a curb bump makes the tire go flat faster. The ride is also harder than conventional. Goats are like mushrooms; if you shoot a duck, I’m scared of toasters? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/45 "2015-06-26T17:06:47Z")
Add delitescent. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/46 "2015-06-26T17:12:14Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Less volume means a curb bump makes the tire go flat faster. The ride is also harder than conventional. Depends on what you mean by “low profile” tires. A 60 series or a 55 series tire is not considered low profile anymore, they are the norm. And they are no more likey to lose air pressure than any other tire. As for ride comfort, tires are just one cog in the chain of parts that all add up to “ride comfort” If by low profile tires you mean [this](http://www.donks.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/donks.jpg), then, yeah, that’s going to ride like shit. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/47 "2015-06-27T01:57:41Z")
I have a Yaris, '08. It’s a fine car for in town, but the driving position on long trips sucks. The top of the steering wheel is too far away if the seat is adjusted for best distance to the pedals. I also have a Ford Ranger and a '13 Elantra GT. Both are fine in seating positions for long-distance driving. I wish I had paid more attention to this issue when car shopping the time I bought the Yaris. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/48 "2015-06-27T04:08:11Z")
I have owned both a MINI Cooper and a VW beetle. Love both, and think either might be a good fit for you. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/49 "2015-08-01T18:38:16Z")
So, I’m coming back to this thread because I think I’ve found the kind of car I want, finally. Lots of research took the list down to a few top choices, and then I started test driving the top few. Those ended up being, in the order I expected them to come out: Toyota Prius Honda Fit Kia Soul The Prius is really out of my price range, and the used ones I come across have higher mileage than I’d like. I liked it quite a bit, but I have doubts about the affordability for me. The Fit has the Honda resale value, but something about it was uncomfortable. I test drove the stick shift and the left foot rest was too high - it really seemed to put my left hip in an odd position/angle. It was also odd to drive - I felt really low to the ground (granted, I’ve been driving a Ford Ranger for the last 6 weeks, so I have to take that into consideration). The Kia was not on my initial list, but everyone I’ve talked to who has one, loves it. A relative who’s been all BMWs all their life recently bought one and loves it, it’s got really good reliability ratings on consumer reports. I’m surprised at how much I liked driving it. I did test drive an automatic, not a manual, so that’s important to remember, but it felt surprisingly like a small car while driving. This may be what I end up going with. I admit that part of my dislike of the Fit may be tied to the salesperson: I really felt like they were much more interested in pointing out the “ooh shiny” thing instead of vehicle performance, and really kept trying to push me to be interested in the new small suv honda has, the HR-V even when I said I wasn’t. The Kia salesperson, on the other hand, was very willing to talk about performance, gas mileage, automatic vs manual, etc. Sure, there was the pointing out of the features, which is expected, but the focus wasn’t on those to the exclusion of the others. The Toyota ones were Toyota salespeople: my yaris buying experience wasn’t great (the dealership closest to me tends to be pushy, but they’re the easiest place to do test drives), and I didn’t particularly like them with the Prius test drive either. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/50 "2015-08-01T19:02:14Z")
We must have the same taste in cars. I really miss my manual Toyota Echo. Test drove the automatic and it felt Prius-esque (was afraid I’d fall asleep driving it), but the 5-speed was a blast! Like yours, it got totalled (mine by an 18-wheeler. I am very lucky to have all limbs functioning). I bought my daughter’s Corolla automatic, and it feels large and sloppy and soft. So once in a while I gaze fondly at Autoblog. Their “Used Cars Under $5000” are fun, and there’s a link to their “Used Cars Under $10,000” slide show, too. Sigh… > **[Autoblog's Picks For The Best $5,000 Used Cars](https://www.autoblog.com/photos/cheap-used-cars-under-5000/)** > > Need a cheap car? These 10 cars, chosen by Autoblog.com, are used bargains that you can buy for less than $5,000. Updated Feb. 1, 2018 (12 photos) ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/51 "2015-08-01T22:10:25Z")
Let me put a pitch in here for CarMax, if you have specific things you are looking for in a used car. When I bought my BMW, I put a search in for CarMax with the features and mileage and such that I wanted. One day, I got an e-mail saying a car that matched my criteria showed up. If you have the luxury of a little more time, it might be worth waiting a bit and seeing what they come up with. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/52 "2015-08-02T02:08:25Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Less volume means a curb bump makes the tire go flat faster. The ride is also harder than conventional. My son’s Velociraptor has those horrid tires. The local tire shop now keeps a pair in stock, just for him. He is on a first name basis with them. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/53 "2015-08-02T02:43:54Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > My son’s Velociraptor has those horrid tires. The local tire shop now keeps a pair in stock, just for him. He is on a first name basis with them. I’m assuming you mean your son’s Hyundai Velostar. Unless your son truly tools around on a dinosaur, Jurassic Park style. Not sure your sons age, but I may be tempted to think that sporty car+ young male driver has more to do with your tire wear than low profile tires. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/54 "2015-08-02T22:42:26Z")
Velosters take P215/45R17 tires. Very ordinary profile - they’re the same ones fitted on US market Hyundai Elantras. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/55 "2015-08-02T23:07:50Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > My son’s Velociraptor has those horrid tires. The local tire shop now keeps a pair in stock, just for him. He is on a first name basis with them. Frankly Velociraptors don’t go through tires any faster than any other car with similar sized tires. Low profile tires are more prone to sidewall damage from pot holes and curbs. If your son is wearing them out that is more of a function of driving style rather than tire size. A change is style and perhaps a different brand of tire might help. Does he have a turbo Velociraptor? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2015, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/56 "2015-08-03T03:17:52Z")
I think for the sake of entertainment I’m going to assume we’re talking about an [actual VelociRaptor](http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/velociraptor-600-sc.html) running on low profile tires. I imagine such a setup would probably chew through tires pretty quick. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/57 "2015-08-03T15:03:26Z")
I have a 2013 Mazda 3 sedan. I thought quite a bit about the hatchback but decided I was past my time of major acquisitions – I own a well-furnished condo and I don’t expect to need cargo room any time soon. And the sedan got slightly better mileage and IMO looks better. To give you an idea of how much I love this car – since I’ve gotten it, my per month driving distance has doubled even though my daily commute to work has been nearly eliminated. So more than 90% of my driving is purely recreational. I drive all over the state now just to look around and blast tunes along the way. And at better than 40 mpg, recreational driving is very cheap. Also, I agree with others that is is not small. I think of it as a mid-sized car comparable to a Camry, though that may make it less appeaking to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/58 "2015-08-03T15:10:08Z")
You might think of it that way, but neither Mazda nor anyone else does. It’s nine inches shorter than the equivalent model year Camry. It is, however, more or less exactly the same size as a Corolla, with which it is designed to compete. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/59 "2015-08-03T18:10:59Z")
I’m so happy you’re leaning towards the Soul because I am really psyched about getting one! (If we could just sell this stupid truck!) ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169/60 "2015-08-03T23:19:31Z")
Have you prospective Soul purchasers checked out the fuel economy? Due to its boxy shape and poor aerodynamics the Kia Soul has horrendously bad fuel economy for its class especially on the highway - 24/30mpg. Compare this to 29/41 for a Mazda3 hatch, which is technically a larger class of car, with a larger more powerful engine, or even 25/35 for a Toyota Camry, a car which you found to be too enormous to be comfortable. I never recommend the Soul to anyone because for that kind of fuel economy you may as well buy a pickup truck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cars-again/723169.md?page=4)