Honda Fit vs Pontiac Wave vs Suzuki Swift vs Nissa Versa vs other small hatches

[JetLi]

Hi Everyone,

I need some input - I don't know much about any of these cars - so I thought I could get some input from everyone.

So my girlfriend's lease on her Sunfire is up and she is considering the buyout or getting a new car. If she gets a new car, the price is a factor as we're saving for a place of our own and of course insurance will help that factor. She loves the little hatchbacks: Versa, Fit, Yaris, Swift, Wave, etc...I already drive a recently purchased Protege 5, but she wanted the Echo Hatchback when she got the sunfire, but it was out of her price range, I think all of these might be okay in the 4-5 year lease range, but I'm not too familiar with any of them. We figure we want to keep the car lease price in the $200-250/month - the lower the better, but performance, maintenance all plays a factor. For example, the Versa apparently has 12,000km maintenance checks.

She has to have an automatic, A/C and power windows and locks would be nice. CD player is a bonus, but not a necessity - which of the smaller hatchback cars do you think is best and why? Mileage isn't a big deal since she only lives 7km away from her office and we drive my P5 most of the time on the weekends.

If anyone has a cost perspective or know where to get a good price, I'd be interested in talking and getting more information. Thanks in advance.

[onecoolloser]

Hi Everyone,

I need some input - I don't know much about any of these cars - so I thought I could get some input from everyone.

So my girlfriend's lease on her Sunfire is up and she is considering the buyout or getting a new car. If she gets a new car, the price is a factor as we're saving for a place of our own and of course insurance will help that factor. She loves the little hatchbacks: Versa, Fit, Yaris, Swift, Wave, etc...I already drive a recently purchased Protege 5, but she wanted the Echo Hatchback when she got the sunfire, but it was out of her price range, I think all of these might be okay in the 4-5 year lease range, but I'm not too familiar with any of them. We figure we want to keep the car lease price in the $200-250/month - the lower the better, but performance, maintenance all plays a factor. For example, the Versa apparently has 12,000km maintenance checks.

She has to have an automatic, A/C and power windows and locks would be nice. CD player is a bonus, but not a necessity - which of the smaller hatchback cars do you think is best and why? Mileage isn't a big deal since she only lives 7km away from her office and we drive my P5 most of the time on the weekends.

If anyone has a cost perspective or know where to get a good price, I'd be interested in talking and getting more information. Thanks in advance.

I would say Honda Fit or Nissan Versa. Japanese reliability.

I've been hearing many good things about the Fit and the Versa. Apparently they're both fun to drive and good on mileage.

Personally, i'd drive those two cars and choose.

[JetLi]

I like Japanese reliability too, but I been hearing a lot of good things about the Wave/Swift (same car apparently?) - and I'd like to have my homework done (which is where this whole RFD community comes into play) before we go test drive them all this weekend.

One more thing - Finance/lease rate will also come into play as a factor here - keep in mind that Price is a factor. Thanks again everyone!

[Jayhoo]

Don't take my opinion for anything more than face value, heck it may even be incorrect. As far as the swift+ and the wave, I believe they're the same car if not for a few visual stylings. I have 2 friends who actually own '05 swifts, and haven't really had too many issues with them. I don't think this would be an issue for your gf, but if she plans to mod the car, good luck. I spent hours struggling with parts that are GLUED together, where clamps should have been.

The Fit has been getting some pretty good reviews in regards to its fuel economy, handling. Haven't heard too much more about it, but I actually wanted to check this car out myself.

The Versa, along with the Yaris were recently tested for braking distance and handling in wet and dry conditions - I need to find that article again. Anyway, the Versa did ok in the tests but ranks poorly amongst other cars in it's class for fuel efficiency. The Yaris on the other hand scored poorly in all three tests, but is good on gas.

Of the lot, I believe only the Versa and the Fit (naturally the largest/boxiest of the group) scored "adequate" or higher in side and frontal impact testing. Again, this is all off the top of my head, and lord knows I need some coffee in me still.

[rfdrfd]

If price is a factor, then don't even bother going Japanese. But be aware that you may get more problems later, because Pontiac isn't known for its reliability factor there.

How much is insurance for all of these models ? Ask and post it.

[JetLi]

One last thing - I left it open with "other small hatchbacks" in case anyone knows of any other models that we should be considering, your input is all valuable to us. Anyone who owns one, I'd love to hear your opinions on your experiences with your car -- especially if it's within the last few years!

[VivienM]

If price is a factor, then don't even bother going Japanese. But be aware that you may get more problems later, because Pontiac isn't known for its reliability factor there.

Keep in mind the Wave is a fake Pontiac. It's designed and built in Korea by GM Daewoo, just like the Aveo.

Whether that makes it more or less reliable than a true North American-designed and built GM car is a good question.

[onecoolloser]

++ you also might like the stereo of the Fit. It's pretty slick and modern.

[bionicbadger]

city golf? with automatic and AC still under $20K

[JetLi]

RFDRFD: While price is a factor, as long as it's within the budget, we can deal with it. To update everyone with some insurance quotes, I've put in a call and got the following numbers.

Things to note: I'm a little older than my gf (3.5 years) - so while we're both 6 stars, I have a longer clean track record, no tickets, no accidents in 12 years for me - I guess about 7-8 years for her. She's got her own insurance and lives downtown Toronto, I live in Brampton, so I expect her rates to be about double mine by the time you factor everything in location and age, etc.... These quotes are for me and assuming that I add a 2nd car to my name (meaning, I also get a 5% discount for multiple cars)

To the quotes:

Honda Fit LX - $1324/yr
Nissan Versa S - 5 Door - $1324/yr
Pontiac Wave - $1361/yr
Suzuki Swift S - $1414/yr.

These quotes are with TD Meloche Monnex and with a group rate (my University Alumni has a deal with them). For the arguments sake, I have gone with the following insurance items.

$500 deductible for Collision
$1,000,000 liability
Estimated car values - $18,000 + tax (I started with the fit and she just assumed they were all the same price) - Not sure how much of a difference that makes.

We figure if her insurance and and car payments are about $500/month combined, we'd be okay with that. Thanks again.

[onecoolloser]

city golf? with automatic and AC still under $20K

Don't VW's have electrical problems?-

[thephenom]

Fit gets my vote, drove one before, and quite impressed with the drive, interior was nicely put together and very roomy.

[rfdrfd]

Thanx for the quotes.

Wow, the *** ones are cheaper even. So then I'd definitely say, save up and go for the Fit. Or Versa. Personally, Honda is above Nissan in my books, (I drove a Honda and Acura, so take my opinion as biased). My famly has owned many Corollas and Camry's before as well.

I say go for the Fit. Reliability, Honda Engine, re-sale value.

[ashhabib]

Go for either a Honda Fit or a Ford Focus. They're the most reliable, the most fun to drive, and are the only 2 to be recommended by Consumer Reports

[nofear_102]

Did you look at the Rio5 from Kia? Slick little cars and priced well. Don't let the name fool you, the Kia looked much sturdier then its american counterparts (Wave / Optra 5)