Notices
General Automotive Discuss all things automotive here other than the RX-8

Why do car makers think consumers want a riced out hatchback?

Old 01-04-2008, 04:06 PM
  #1  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Digital_Damage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearwater,FL
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why do car makers think consumers want a riced out hatchback?

The speed3 and the new STI. What is the deal with that?
Old 01-04-2008, 04:12 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
chetrickerman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Waukesha Wisconsin
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i hate 4 door hatchbacks. they look like really fast grocery getters
Old 01-04-2008, 04:22 PM
  #3  
Always lurking
 
JB_Rotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would say that small cars in "in" right now because people have been tricked into think a small car = better mileage. So many companies are building smaller cars. Fit, Cube, Yaris, 206, Versa, 3, 2, 1 series etc.....
Old 01-04-2008, 04:31 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Red Devil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Digital_Damage
The speed3 and the new STI. What is the deal with that?
I guess you haven't been to a suburban mall lately? For that matter, though, I really don't think either of those are "riced out".
Old 01-04-2008, 04:33 PM
  #5  
I just shat myself
 
The Drunk IT Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I cant look at the new STI without being disgusted. It looks like the offspring of a GTO and a hatchback civic.

The rear end looks like the *** of a fat woman..
Old 01-04-2008, 04:40 PM
  #6  
Registered RX-8 User
 
EdwardsB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PA/MD
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
^The new impreza line does make me sad

The STi went from "I'm going to kick the s#it out of you" (awesome) to "Hey be my friend" (everyday)

**Looks Wise**

Last edited by EdwardsB; 01-04-2008 at 04:43 PM.
Old 01-04-2008, 05:00 PM
  #7  
It's a Cavalier
 
YaXMaNGTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 2 Posts
I love the MazdaSpeed 3. I applaud Mazda for going with it.

New STI not so much. My buddy has an 03 STI, and I totally dig that body style. Best looking one ever.
Old 01-04-2008, 05:01 PM
  #8  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
SleepeR1st's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: gone
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 27 Likes on 19 Posts
I think the STI looks great compared to the out-going model. The best body was the 2.5 RS's though. 2 door FTW
Old 01-04-2008, 05:09 PM
  #9  
Grand Chancellor
 
delhi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Home of the NIMBYs
Posts: 2,730
Received 58 Likes on 47 Posts
Both the Speed3 and STi are not rice. Do you even know the definition of a rice rocket?
Old 01-04-2008, 06:02 PM
  #10  
Registered
 
Steiner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The MS3 and new STi hatch are great performing cars with amazing utility. What's not to like? In a perfect world we'd all have 2 door sports cars but people have kids, and pets, and all the other stuff. True story.
Old 01-04-2008, 06:04 PM
  #11  
Back in the day...
iTrader: (2)
 
8rotor8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The STI changed their body style for rally purposes. They needed to do something that gave them more control through the twistys.

Please don't go camparing a "Rice Rocket" to the STI or MS3.

On a side note, I agree with SleepeR, 2.5RS is the best model and from what I have driven the most fun to drive too. Acutally the 2.5RS with a 22b body is FTW
Old 01-04-2008, 06:37 PM
  #12  
Registered
 
mikefrombarrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Digital_Damage
The speed3 and the new STI. What is the deal with that?
The deal is, you have a faster car then the RX-8. 4 Doors, alot of cargo room, and to top it off decent fuel economy.


Whats the deal with Mazda not giving us, a new RX-8! Its been 4 years now, and the power output hasn't changed!
Old 01-04-2008, 06:42 PM
  #13  
Registered
 
Steiner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 8rotor8
The STI changed their body style for rally purposes. They needed to do something that gave them more control through the twistys...
So true! I must admit, even as an Evo owner, I absolutely love the fact that the desire for continued success in WRC is actually driving Subaru STi development. This video is the reason (err two reasons really) that Subaru is running a hatch in WRC going forward...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pymZt...eature=related

With Atkinson, the whiny Swede and a nice hatch Subaru should be poised to compete with Ford for the manufacturer's title going forward.
Old 01-04-2008, 07:06 PM
  #14  
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
MazdaManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Under my car
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 0
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Originally Posted by Digital_Damage
Why do car makers think consumers want a riced out hatchback?
Because they actually do.
Old 01-04-2008, 07:07 PM
  #15  
Banned
 
4me2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I love hatchbacks, lots of room.
Old 01-04-2008, 07:16 PM
  #16  
The RX-8 is missed
iTrader: (3)
 
2tone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i wish i could afford the ms3 as a second car (i wouldn't mind it as my main car, i just can't part with the 8!!) - speed, handling, plus all that room?! call it a grocery getter if you want, but i'd love to be able to fold the back seats down, throw a bunch of stuff in the back (without piecing it in there like a puzzle) and still pass most cars on the on-ramp. great package overall.
Old 01-04-2008, 07:35 PM
  #17  
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Razz1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cali
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by abbid
They think that way because people are actually buying them..


I actually like hatch backs. They are very practical.
Old 01-04-2008, 07:39 PM
  #18  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Solidtrance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SOMD
Posts: 328
Received 23 Likes on 14 Posts
Hatch = fun + utility

I agree with many posts above. I have a 02 P5 the whole family has loved the car. Lots of space, great gas milage, 150,000+ miles with NO problems. IMO it looks great and delivers tons of value. I have owned the P5 since new (ordered before it was even in the states), and I have 0 complaints. With all that said, I test drove a speed3 this summer. It is a great car! Fast in a strait line, minimal torque steer, nice ride. The only reason I didn't buy one is I already have the P5 and I had my eye on an 8. Just my two cents.
Old 01-04-2008, 07:46 PM
  #19  
Rotary , eh?
iTrader: (1)
 
mac11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Elkhart, IN
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Digital_Damage
Why do car makers think consumers want a riced out hatchback?
The sales figures could be their guiding light? no?
Old 01-04-2008, 08:53 PM
  #20  
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Razz1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cali
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Did you know 35% of new car sales are hatch backs?

SUV's are hatchbacks except those that have verticle hinges. then its a 5 door.
Old 01-04-2008, 09:57 PM
  #21  
Drive it like u stole it!
iTrader: (2)
 
chancejat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: mobile, al
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
imo the ms3 looks too "staionwagony" as does the new sti........i dont mind the 04-06 subys though, almost bought one........hatches should be 2 doors
Old 01-04-2008, 11:12 PM
  #22  
I DO IT FOR THE LULZ!
 
Mech_head's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Eastman, Ga
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do you have any idea how may bodies you can throw into a station wagon? My parents use to own a 940 Volvo station wagon, and you could fit anything in that car. Put all the seats down and it was like having a truck. But by far the coolest thing was the back hatch had flip up rear seat that faced backwards. That would keep you entertained for hours.
Old 01-04-2008, 11:20 PM
  #23  
Drive it like u stole it!
iTrader: (2)
 
chancejat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: mobile, al
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
^^yeah but imo staionwagons shouldnt go fast or "try" to look sporty/cool
Old 01-05-2008, 12:51 AM
  #24  
The RX-8 is missed
iTrader: (3)
 
2tone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by chancejat
^^yeah but imo staionwagons shouldnt go fast or "try" to look sporty/cool
but when they do it pleases all parties (me with speed/fun, girlfriend with practicality, better mileage (than the 8), space). i'm still working on her to get it, but she can't get past the "station-wagony" look. whoever said it up there, "5-doors" are just lowered suv's! some look better/worse than others, but i like the ms3 look.
Old 01-05-2008, 01:28 AM
  #25  
Rx8_4eVeR
 
Ever Hernandez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Jose, Cali
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is a good quick read on the MS3 from the guys at autoblog. Great car, can't say enough good things about it.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Why do car makers think consumers want a riced out hatchback?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:39 PM.