Is this the most historic car comparison ever made?

 

 

Man made the motor car. And in the beginning he made the: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford, Mercedes, Peugeot, Renault and others, some who are no longer with us.

 

Other joined but most fell to the side. Hitler later launched his combatants as did the Far East.

 

The founders of what are now known as brands, once marques, were the ‘magnificent men in their flying machines’ who you ‘couldn’t see for dust.’

 

Two of the most magnificent were – not to for a moment to forget others and their memory – Fiat and Chevrolet.

 

Here we have the Chevrolet Matiz vs Fiat 500. Which is the better? It’s not to say who will win. This is not 1908. It’s 2008.

 

There’s some sort of irony here.

 

Chevrolet is the largest manufacturer and seller of vehicles in history. Today they lead the way in many countries and continents. Fiat is confined to Italy and Europe. In other words Chevrolet has the market.

 

However Fiat has the product. It also has the promotion. Whilst both manufactures rest on their historic laurels and seem to have forgotten how to brand and promote themselves – the Italians seem to have a passion to recreate the Fiat 500.

 

But Chevrolet has the price. And they have the world-wide network to distribute their products. So Chevy will win because they have price and distribution. Promotion can’t get Fiat in front. It’s more than any can afford. It’s not possible to promote an idea over the fact of price and availability. And although the product differences are significant to Europeans they’re not globally where the last penny matters.

 

But here’s the funny thing with the 500 and Matiz. There are real differences but the idea s are so the same. The size and style are so similar. The interiors are utilitarian but funky. Economy is important. See what I mean with my comparison chart- http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/car%20comparisons%20Fiat%20500%20vs%20Chevrolet%20Matiz.htm

 

Regards
Ralph

I wouldn’t want to be a car buyer

 

 

I’ve been selling cars since May 1966. I’ve taken on this car comparison project and now have the greatest sympathy with car buyers.

 

For over forty years I’ve thought it’s just a case of pick a size and type of car to suit your lifestyle. Work out if you can afford it. Then prioritise things like performance, economy, versatility, comfort and safety.

 

When I come to make my car comparisons I run into difficulties.

 

My first comparisons were SUVs and I’ve got real issues with the way different 4×4, AWD systems are described in order for manufacturers to make themselves appear different.

 

I get furious when car manufacturers describe ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) in such a way as to suggest their system is different and special. When in reality there are only two manufacturers of the same system which car manufacturers fit – not make – into their vehicles. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE ESP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE AVAILABLE TODAY. It should be described in a plain way as is ABS – well sort of.

 

But I’ve still got problems so buyers must have the same.

 

Car manufacturers do not use the same measure to describe engine power and torque. How do they measure interior and luggage space?

 

When it comes to comfort, convenience and safety features each manufacturer has their own emphasis. They select what they describe or list.

 

What’s also annoying is the way manufacturers describe new advanced hi-tech features in the front pages of brochures but forget to tell you – bar the * mark – they’re only available on top-models or as an option.

 

And that’s another worry – distracting buyers into ‘building your car’ with all sorts of  options and alternative in-car-entertainment, alloy wheels, steering wheels, interior trim inserts, and bumper styles.

 

Does nobody speak plain English? Can we CUT the CLEVER? And I must say if it’s on the web then descriptions must not only be honest they have to be totally transparent.

 

Said my bit. I’ll be back – especially on ESP.

 

Regards
Ralph

 

See what I mean from http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/car%20comparisons.htm

 

How-To Size-Up A Small Car

 

 

This is quite important because a wide range of cars are classified as small. The other thing is every inch counts. And it’s confusing. So I’ll try to be clear.

 

Let’s first look at larger cars.

 

Medium-small – Astra, Focus, Golf – start at about 4.25m in length.

 

When they go over 4.50m in length – Vectra – they become medium size cars.

 

Any car over 4.75m long is called upper-middle or executive. The Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class are typical. The Passat, new Mondeo and now Insignia have grown into this class. The Chevrolet Epica is a new entrant. Large luxury cars are down-sizing to fit in less than 5m.

 

So somewhere between 500 and 750mm defines 3 if not 4 classes of car size. About 250mm – 10inches – defines each class.

 

A small car is anything between 3400 and 4000mm in length. That’s 600mm – 24inches/2foot – defining one class of car. This is too loose when every inch counts.

 

So let’s draw lines to refine our definition of small car. We can determine 3 sizes:

 

1. Small cars under 3.6m. They’re called tiny or city cars. They’re actually the size all small cars used to be. The cars in this class are the Chevrolet Matiz, Citroen C1, Fiat Panda, Fiat 500, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Peugeot 107,  Toyota Aygo,
2. Cars 3.6 to 3.8m. These cars are a development of the small car and referred to as super-minis. Here we have the Citroen C2, Daihatsu Sirion, Mini, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 1007, Renault Twingo, Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Splash, Toyota Yaris, Vauxhall Agila.
3. Small cars over 3.8m. These are the new size minis – what I call super-size minis. They include the Chevrolet Aveo, Citroen C3, Fiat Grand Punto, Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Hyundai Getz, Mazda2, Mitsubishi Colt, Peugeot 206, Peugeot 207, Renault Clio, Renault Modus, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, Vauxhall Corsa, Vauxhall Meriva, Volkswagen Fox and Volkswagen Polo.

 

What difference does it make? You only have to compare a Chevrolet Aveo with a Chevrolet Matiz or a Citroen C1 with a C3 or a Fiat 500 with a Grand Punto or a 107 with a 207.

 

So what? We’ll see in my next posts.

 

Regards

Ralph

 

P.S. We could make it simpler by removing the Panda, 1007, Splash, Agila, Jazz, Modus, and Meriva as they are recognised as mono-cabs – mini MPVs. Which means the Sirion, i10, Colt, Micra, Yaris and Fox can also be pulled on the basis of height – they just don’t look tall.

 http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/Comparing%20Small%20Car%20Measurements.htm

About Buying The Right Small Car

 

I’ve just published a webpage comparing the fuel economy for 38 small cars sold in the UK. I’ve selected the smallest petrol engine options. All have 5-speed manual transmission.

You’ll find comparisons for urban mpg, extra-urban mpg and combined mpg. Plus CO2 emissions and the cost of petrol over 12,000 miles.

The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8S, Citroen C, Daihatsu Charade and Sirion, Fiat 500, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo are the most economical – cost £1,000 or less over 12,000 miles. They also qualify for the low £35.00 vehicle excise duty.

The Vauvhall Meriva – the biggest small car – costs about £1,300 over 12k.

As for the rest, they all cost around £1,100 to £1,200 over 12k.

The point is there’s no significant difference. This is important when you bear in mind www.vca.gov.uk guidelines for use of their data tables.

They say, ‘It is important to note that figures shown … are for the comparison of different models and will not necessarily be the same as the fuel consumption, emission levels … achieved on the road. For this reason it is not advisable to rank a number of vehicles for which very similar figures are quoted.’

It seems to me the VCA figures on my webpage are very similar.

The VCA go on to say, ‘there are infinite differences in driving styles and in road, car and weather conditions, all of which have a bearing on the results achieved. For these reasons the fuel consumption achieved on the road is unlikely to be the same as the official test results.’

I suppose my real point is all the cars listed on my webpage are economical and it may not be wise to chose one over another on the basis of very similar fuel consumption results.

Equally important is exact size, style, comfort, convenience and safety features.

Most of the cars in my list are fun to drive. They’re all reliable and durable.

It’s a case of finding a small car size to exactly suit your lifestyle.

Regards
Ralph
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/comparing_small_car_mpg.htm

Comparing SUVs mpg

I’ve published a webpage with the title ‘Comparing SUVs mpg.’ It’s a table of 22 diesel engine SUVs with manual transmission/gearbox – ‘stick-shift’ as they say across the pond.

You’ll find engine size, urban mpg, extra-urban mpg and a combined figure for fuel consumption. Plus emissions figures and cost per 12,000 miles.

Note the importance of a sixth gear and what it does for the extra-urban fuel economy and in turn the combined figure on which the cost per 12k is based.

My tip would be to go on the lower urban figure because I hop in and out of cars all day long and if they’ve an on-board computer they all – yes all – show drivers are on average lucky to return the lower urban figure in real on the road driving.

I would say that because the Captiva only has 5 gears.

Needless to say if a SUV is only available with a petrol engine or only automatic it’s not included in my list.

You’ll have make allowances for size. My list includes compacts, medium size and one or two old-fashioned truck-like SUVS.

Another tip is if there’s no more than a 10% difference in mpg ignore it because it may not realise itself in real-life. My revelation is SUVs are not that expensive on fuel. A small car costs about a grand per 12,000 miles.

Think about the important things like style and space to suit your lifestyle and an elevated view of the world. Check it out for yourself at http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/comparing_suvs_mpg.htm

I’ll be comparing small cars next. My car comparisons for SUVs have proven very popular. So THANK YOU to all visitors. I’m hoping small car comparisons will be even more popular.

Regards
Ralph
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/comparing_suvs_mpg.htm