Shades of Micheal Jackson, Honda might Beat it again:
http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/1106_the_honda_beat_is_back/index.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Microblog&utm_campaign=Twitter%2BTraffic
Obligatory pic:
Yeah, it's another dreaded front-driver, but few would say that CRX's weren't fun to drive. If this car makes it to the US market unmolested, it could be a big hit.
What do car companies have against RWD these days? :( I'm looking for a new car (targeting buying in Dec/Jan) so I can retire my trusty Mazda 323 GTX to pure track/autox/rallyx duty. There are no new 2 door hatchback RWD cars out there. I am so sad.
Still... a Honda roadster could be a ton of fun. ;)
dollraves wrote: What do car companies have against RWD these days? :( I'm looking for a new car (targeting buying in Dec/Jan) so I can retire my trusty Mazda 323 GTX to pure track/autox/rallyx duty. There are no new 2 door hatchback RWD cars out there. I am so sad. Still... a Honda roadster could be a ton of fun. ;)
Outside of the S2000, Honda doesn't have a RWD powertrain. That's a pretty big reason. Well, front engine, rear drive only.
I'm still pretty amazed that Mazda can do the Miata, honestly.
As overrated and poorly built as the German luxmobiles are (ducks rain of bottles and bricks from BMW/Mercedes owners), the one thing I can say in their defense is they understand and appreciate the RWD platform's strengths. Mazda does the same with the Miata and RX8.
dollraves wrote: What do car companies have against RWD these days? :( I'm looking for a new car (targeting buying in Dec/Jan) so I can retire my trusty Mazda 323 GTX to pure track/autox/rallyx duty. There are no new 2 door hatchback RWD cars out there. I am so sad. Still... a Honda roadster could be a ton of fun. ;)
To be fair, your GTX isn't RWD either 
And there is a RWD hatchback: BMW 1-series. Or one of the older BMW Compacts.
dollraves wrote: What do PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND ABOUT RWD these days?
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/03/do-80-percent-of-bmw-1-series-drivers-really-think-their-cars-is-fwd/
Keith wrote: And there is a RWD hatchback: BMW 1-series.
Show me a 1-series hatch in the US.
Huh, you're right. Serves me right for reading too many British car magazines.
Okay, the Smart car.
You people are missing the point.
Honda is poised to offer a low-priced, fun-to-drive car.
Good on them if it happens; bad on us if we beotch about the drivetrain.
Not much for convertibles. Sounds like it may be cool. It looks like a mini S2000....kinda. I'd like to see a proper non-hybrid 2-door hatch. I found a 1987 Civic Si (2nd owner) for sale, but no e-mail back yet
And there is a RWD hatchback: BMW 1-series. Or one of the older BMW Compacts.
Very true. :D My preference is RWD > 4WD, but I do love having a 4WD for those mountain roads, of which I travel plenty. I've been comtemplating the WRX or STI as a replacement, but I genuinely hate having four doors. If I wanted four doors, I'd buy a sedan.
Frankly, I'm not a Euro car fan, for the most part. BMWs in particular have too negative a connotation in my head. It also freaks me out that something that heavy can also be agile and quick. Coming from Japanese cars, it's just too much of a change for me. Besides...the pix I've seen are 4door.
I'd love a RWD Fit, or Yaris, or even a Fiat 500...
As for Honda's low-priced convertible... meh. I may yet forgo the hatch and buy a new Miata. :D
"....there are no new 2 door RWD hatchbacks..."
Now that Ford has decided to drop the Focus 2 door (or 3 door if you count the hatch) and isn't going to sell a Fiesta 2/3 door in the U.S. there are no longer ANY new 2 door hatchbacks on the market, front or rear wheel drive.
Ooops, my bad, I forgot the VW ....whatever they are calling it this year. It's VW or nothing. And 2 door coupes are disappearing, too.
Since the original honda beat never sold here, I won't get my hopes up.
But, that artist's rendering looks quite good.
Yaris still comes in 2 door hatch. I think one of those with a corolla gts drivetrain would be a blast. Not rwd though of course so it doesn't really apply here just a fantasy engine swap of mine.
integraguy wrote: "....there are no new 2 door RWD hatchbacks..." Now that Ford has decided to drop the Focus 2 door (or 3 door if you count the hatch) and isn't going to sell a Fiesta 2/3 door in the U.S. there are no longer ANY new 2 door hatchbacks on the market, front or rear wheel drive. Ooops, my bad, I forgot the VW ....whatever they are calling it this year. It's VW or nothing. And 2 door coupes are disappearing, too.
MINI? Fiat? Yaris?
EDIT: Scion IQ? Smart?
dollraves wrote:And there is a RWD hatchback: BMW 1-series. Or one of the older BMW Compacts.Very true. :D My preference is RWD > 4WD, but I do love having a 4WD for those mountain roads, of which I travel plenty. I've been comtemplating the WRX or STI as a replacement, but I genuinely hate having four doors. If I wanted four doors, I'd buy a sedan.
The Nissan GT-R only has two doors 
.
same as the 370Z
RWD 2-door hatchbacks:
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Nissan 370Z / Infiniti G37
FWD 2-door hatchbacks:
MINI Cooper
Hyundai Accent (does the new one? Bobzilla?)
Hyundai Veloster
Toyota Yaris
FIAT 500
Chevy Sonic
Interesting Honda products:
mtn wrote:Keith wrote: And there is a RWD hatchback: BMW 1-series.Show me a 1-series hatch in the US.
I've seen several in Houston, but they all had Mexico plates on them. It's a shame though because I'd really like to be able to buy one someday
Honda fwd roadster just makes me think of the del sol... Blech
dollraves wrote: What do car companies have against RWD these days? :( I'm looking for a new car (targeting buying in Dec/Jan) so I can retire my trusty Mazda 323 GTX to pure track/autox/rallyx duty. There are no new 2 door hatchback RWD cars out there. I am so sad. Still... a Honda roadster could be a ton of fun. ;)
Most people don't care about RWD vs. FWD. FWD is generally easier and less expensive to engineer.
Plus sides of FWD generally include more interior space and improved fuel economy (smaller, fewer moving parts). The average person will notice interior space and fuel economy, so it's easier to market.
Now, they could have achieved similar things with a Mid/Rear layout, but I imagine that you then have less front crumple zone, so it's harder to meet crash requirements.
I've sort of been looking around for a new (or used) car too, but dollraves is right, there really aren't many good choices. So far I've driven, a S2000, WRX, MINI S, E46 M3, and a RX8.
The only one I really liked was the S2000. The WRX just didn't feel right, the MINI is king of torque steer, the M3 was nice in a serious sort of way, but just wasn't a fun kind of car in the way the E36 was, and the RX8 was also a nice driver, but I worry about fuel and repair bills (any RX8 input would be welcome). I like the 370Z but haven't driven one yet, and it's the closest in spirit to my G35.
But that brings us back to the original post. The S2000 was easily at the top of that list in my opinion, why did Honda not do an updated version of that car? I appreciate that they will hopefully bring this one to market, but that market will not be me. See torque steer comment above. Honda proved they can do an outstanding car with a RWD platform and made it last for 10 years without a major redesign, I'd love to see what they can do now.
Javelin wrote: RWD 2-door hatchbacks: * Hyundai Genesis Coupe * Nissan 370Z / Infiniti G37 FWD 2-door hatchbacks: * MINI Cooper * Hyundai Accent (does the new one? Bobzilla?) * Hyundai Veloster * Toyota Yaris * FIAT 500 * Chevy Sonic Interesting Honda products: * ????
You forgot the Eclipse
If that car comes to America, I will take a very serious look at it. I don't really care about FWD vs RWD.
VividRacing wrote:Javelin wrote: RWD 2-door hatchbacks: * Hyundai Genesis Coupe * Nissan 370Z / Infiniti G37 FWD 2-door hatchbacks: * MINI Cooper * Hyundai Accent (does the new one? Bobzilla?) * Hyundai Veloster * Toyota Yaris * FIAT 500 * Chevy Sonic Interesting Honda products: * ????You forgot the Eclipse
No, I didn't. The Eclipse is dead. Production already ceased and there is no 2012 model.
VividRacing wrote:Javelin wrote: RWD 2-door hatchbacks: * Hyundai Genesis Coupe * Nissan 370Z / Infiniti G37 FWD 2-door hatchbacks: * MINI Cooper * Hyundai Accent (does the new one? Bobzilla?) * Hyundai Veloster * Toyota Yaris * FIAT 500 * Chevy Sonic Interesting Honda products: * ????You forgot the Eclipse
Find a Mitsubishi dealer in the US these days!
You'll need to log in to post.
