Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

The end of cool small cars

blackbirdspyplane.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

81–90 of 198 posts

Re: The end of cool small cars

#81

Post by mindslight »

daisystanton wrote: post #69

As for the "why": I'd love to learn about all of the historical and regulatory incentives here. From what I've managed to cobble together, this is partly due to CAFE standards[1], partly due to Section 179 of the US tax code[2], and possibly(??) due to contractor demand[3]. [1]: In 2006, the NHTSA adopted a "footprint" approach to CAFE standards, where fuel efficiency standards are set based on the vehicle's wheelbas…

It's hard to figure the importance of #3. As just a home DIYer, I would generally think transporting 4x8 sheet goods would be critical.

But I happily move sheet goods with a trailer now, towed by a light SUV. Even not having much truck experience, I'd say it's easier to load/unload than a truck (can you fork things from the side out of a standard pickup bed?). So if I wanted a truck for more towing capacity, the sheet goods thing wouldn't really matter as I could always use the trailer.

But I also think a lot of contractors tow enclosed trailers that keep all their tools and whatnot, so perhaps they're back to wanting larger trucks for times when they need one or two sheet goods easily (for larger quantities they'll often use delivery. I love those three wheeled rough terrain forklifts)

I'd think I'm solidly in the target market for something like a kei truck, but they don't have much appeal for me. Little towing capacity. Poor crash standards means they wouldn't be good for the case of driving a medium highway distance to pick up something off craigslist. Perhaps if one with a dump bed fell into my lap.

Re: The end of cool small cars

#82

Post by redeeman »

katsura wrote: post #68
redeeman wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

and you probably use an extremely overpowered device for checking your email, but perhaps you also use it to do other things?

My extremely overpowered device is literally half the size (both weight and depth) of what I had a few years ago.

im unsure what that has to do with anything.. what happened to the old device?

Re: The end of cool small cars

#83

Post by aidenn0 »

ewgoforth wrote: post #78

This video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azI3nqrHEXM explains why small pickup trucks can't really be sold in the USA anymore. This explains the drive to larger pickups, but I don't know what explains the drive from cars to trucks/SUVs. We were considering a wagon when we bought our last vehicle, an SUV. The ability to occasionally carry more than five people was the deciding point. I believe crash standards preven…

Holy cow that explains at least some of what's going on. I'm still not sure why trucks are getting taller too; I saw a 1990ish Toyota Pickup next to a late model F-150 and the hood of the Ford was almost as high as the roof of the Toyota.

Re: The end of cool small cars

#84

Post by vikingerik »

arethuza wrote: post #80
DoingIsLearning wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The interesting thing to me is that all the 'rational' arguments given by SUV buyers (more storage, easy of entry, larger interior space) are without exception much better in any family MPV instead of SUVs that invariably are also pretty shit off-road vehicles. Literally just more weight and waste, zero function other than satisfying the buyers reptilian brain.

I recently had my car written off (a small SUV) and due to lack of availability of replacements I replaced it with a similar sized hatchback. Now I find myself thinking why on earth I had an SUV - I'm unlikely to purchase another one as the hatchback is cheaper, roomier inside and handles much better.

There are small 'subcompact' crossover SUVs that get the best of both of those worlds. I've owned a Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V. Both are marketed as SUVs but really function as roomy hatchbacks (lightweight, tight handling, front-wheel drive), along with others in the category. Very practical compromise between cost/efficiency and size/utility. Generally the only thing that cars in this class don't do is tow.

Re: The end of cool small cars

#85

Post by flyingfences »

dontlaugh wrote: post #25

Yes, but also there's nothing wrong with the Yaris.

Except that the Toyota Yaris has been cancelled entirely in the US market, along with the Prius C, the Honda Fit, the Nissan Versa hatch, the Ford Fiesta (and all Ford cars except the Mustang), the Fiat 500, the Smart Car, the Mitsubishi Mirage, and every small hatchback except the (overpriced and controversially styled) Mini and a couple of electric models.

Re: The end of cool small cars

#86

Post by Kon-Peki »

ewgoforth wrote: post #78

This video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azI3nqrHEXM explains why small pickup trucks can't really be sold in the USA anymore. This explains the drive to larger pickups, but I don't know what explains the drive from cars to trucks/SUVs. We were considering a wagon when we bought our last vehicle, an SUV. The ability to occasionally carry more than five people was the deciding point. I believe crash standards preven…

The Mercedes E450 wagon has the rear-facing 3rd row as standard equipment in the USA.

Because of course you wanted a wagon with a starting price of $75k without any options.

Re: The end of cool small cars

#87

Post by DiggyJohnson »

leokennis wrote: post #13
dusted wrote: post #2

I've noticed a large increase in what I call "idiot cars" in Denmark too, these giant monstrosities that seem impractical in every way except for driving through smaller cars and making sure the driver survives whatever incompetence lead them to buy it in the first place. I feel it might be time to legislate this, there are perfectly legitimate reasons to drive a very large car, like, you live 100 miles from the near…

Same in The Netherlands. In the last year I’ve seen several micropenis-compensating huge RAM and Ford pick-ups appearing in my neighborhood. They don’t fit a standard parking spot. For small businesses they carry less than something like a Ford transit. Horrible noise. Terrible visibility from the wheel. Terrible fuel economy. I’m severely hoping that our government imposes a 1000% tax on them or something.

I feel like the "compensating" joke about large SUV and truck drivers has really run its course by this point.

Re: The end of cool small cars

#88

Post by ewgoforth »

daisystanton wrote: post #69

As for the "why": I'd love to learn about all of the historical and regulatory incentives here. From what I've managed to cobble together, this is partly due to CAFE standards[1], partly due to Section 179 of the US tax code[2], and possibly(??) due to contractor demand[3]. [1]: In 2006, the NHTSA adopted a "footprint" approach to CAFE standards, where fuel efficiency standards are set based on the vehicle's wheelbas…

Actually, a lot of these new trucks have smaller beds than older ones, despite being larger overall. I'm sure would be much less capable of carrying plywood or a motorcycle in the back because they have cabs with generously sized back seats instead of a three across bench seat. They're basically sedans that looks like trucks, but can't do truck stuff even as well as older compact trucks.

Re: The end of cool small cars

#89

Post by Kon-Peki »

Cities should start putting in bollards that prevent wide vehicles from passing but let narrow ones through. Make the bollards retractable into the ground. If you want your big-arse vehicle to go through, you have to stop and then pay 10 $/£/€

Re: The end of cool small cars

#90

Post by flyingfences »

ewgoforth wrote: post #78

This video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azI3nqrHEXM explains why small pickup trucks can't really be sold in the USA anymore. This explains the drive to larger pickups, but I don't know what explains the drive from cars to trucks/SUVs. We were considering a wagon when we bought our last vehicle, an SUV. The ability to occasionally carry more than five people was the deciding point. I believe crash standards preven…

There aren't even wagons for sale in America anymore. There are a few crossover-wagon options, with lifted suspension and plastic cladding a la Subaru Outback; there are a few overlarge hatchbacks, e.g., the Honda Civic; but, look for a normal wagon with traditional four-pillar proportions and normal car handling and styling and the only option you'll find for sale here is the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, which is not an affordable family vehicle. Gone are the days of the Volvo 240 or VW Golf wagons; long gone are the big old American wagons.
Post reply on HN