Nine cars with underserved bad reputations

[SamirD]

Why is it that 25 years later, nothing even comes close?

I think it's two things--safety and emissions regulations. All those airbags, and other requirements inhibit efficiency on so many subtle levels. From coolant circulating in the throttle body, complicated egr setups, to intakes and exhausts with several power-robbing bends and turns to keep things whisper quiet, efficiency isn't always what it used to be. I think a lot of the super-efficient cars of yesteryear were a lot of times accidental. I don't think they set out to make a 50/60 epa rated car, but they just did. There's a lot of hidden fuel-sipping gems of yesteryear that people cling to when they find a good one.

[KuroNekko]

I agree that safety has the most to do with it. The old Metros were lightweight tin boxes with tiny engines. Not saying they were bad, but they weren't exactly the safest vehicles. The Kizashi is a tank in comparison. So is the CR-Z given its rather high safety ratings as Murcod's reply showed.
Even the current version of the Metro (which is the Suzuki Swift) is not as fuel efficient, but a lot safer, bigger, and upscale.
Basically, safety and emissions standards have gone up which counteracted fuel economy so there has been relatively little gain in fuel efficiency from even 15 years ago. My 2011 Kizashi is not much more fuel efficient than my 1995 Subaru Impreza that had a 4 speed automatic mated to a 2.2 liter 4 banger with AWD.

[Woodie]

No question, safety regulations have a lot to do with it. But still, I'd think that technology should have had more effect. My 89 Metro had old tech even at the time.

It wasn't accidental though, GM specifically went to Suzuki looking for a high mileage car to offset the Cadillacs and Corvettes in the CAFE averages. They convinced Suzuki to give them a car with 12" wheels and mediocre brakes specifically for mileage, Suzuki sold the car worldwide with the little three cylinder, but only North America got the wimpy wheels and brakes.

[~tc~]

I think it really comes down to car makers will only build cars they think they can sell (duh!) until VERY recently, nobody (in the US) really factored mileage into the purchasing process because gas was SO cheap. As we approach European level gas pricing, SURPRISE, Americans car purchasing decisions get more like the Europeans - and mileage becomes a big factor.

Things like "Eco boost" (small turbo engine instead of larger NA) and gas direct injection have been around for a while, but they are only getting implemented now because they can be used as selling points.

[SamirD]

I think it really comes down to car makers will only build cars they think they can sell (duh!) until VERY recently, nobody (in the US) really factored mileage into the purchasing process because gas was SO cheap. As we approach European level gas pricing, SURPRISE, Americans car purchasing decisions get more like the Europeans - and mileage becomes a big factor.

Things like "Eco boost" (small turbo engine instead of larger NA) and gas direct injection have been around for a while, but they are only getting implemented now because they can be used as selling points.

I agree. It seems the American market is dictated by 'trends' rather than long-term smart decisions (much like the buyers).

When fuel costs are an issue, everyone dumps their suvs and picks up a smaller car without thinking about the practicality of such a move. Then when fuel prices go low again, they pick up an suv again. Oh, but then fuel prices spike again...

I think in Europe and other places where a car is still truly an investment that you think about for the long-term, you don't see these 'trendy' decisions. And hence those cars are designed for the long-term buyer with smarts in mind.

[newworld2004]

Found this article in the Car Connection:

http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwkfLA2RE
(hope link works)

I have some experience as I have owned FOUR of them (I guess I am a loser)...

Corvair - I owned a 65 & 66, poor mans Porsche in its day. NO oil leaks.

Porsche 914. Coming from a a 911 Targa I wanted better gas mileage and less expense. Loved the 914. Like riding on rails

Isuzu Trooper. Fantastic SUV. Luxurious and you could load it like a mini van. It was perfect for tent camping which wife and I did in those days.

And lastly the Kizashi, which we are both extremely happy with.

Each of those cars was for a different need in my life, and each of them were fun to drive and have. I wouldn't have had it any differently.

I also own two door Trooper with 230K with original engine, etc,.. love it , it is so much Fun driving it with short wheel specially in snow.

[Ehibb034]

I actually owned a honda cr-z. I returned it to the dealer within their 15 day no questions asked contract. The car was actually very cool to drive. It had the best manual trans of any vehicle I have ever driven. It also got amazing gas mileage. I got well over 40 mpg in that car. The Sony sound system was very nice too. For the price I thought it was a "neat" car. It had one major design flaw. When ever the car was in neutral the engine would turn off; pretty standard start stop system. The problem is that when you drive a manual, you're in nuetral a lot! Picture sitting in traffic in 100 degree weather with no a.c. bc your engine is off as you sit in nuetral. The worst one though was on a hill. There was a delay in the time it took for the engine to turn back om so when you let your foot off the clutch on the hill, the car would lag and roll back further than you wanted it to before you got power again. Sometimes this would lead to stalling. Too many compromises in my opinion.

[SamirD]

It had one major design flaw. When ever the car was in neutral the engine would turn off; pretty standard start stop system. The problem is that when you drive a manual, you're in nuetral a lot! Picture sitting in traffic in 100 degree weather with no a.c. bc your engine is off as you sit in nuetral. The worst one though was on a hill. There was a delay in the time it took for the engine to turn back om so when you let your foot off the clutch on the hill, the car would lag and roll back further than you wanted it to before you got power again. Sometimes this would lead to stalling. Too many compromises in my opinion.

Wow, that's a terrible design! There should have been some sort of delay (or better yet, programmable delay) for that start/stop system.

[redmed]

I actually owned a honda cr-z. I returned it to the dealer within their 15 day no questions asked contract. The car was actually very cool to drive. It had the best manual trans of any vehicle I have ever driven. It also got amazing gas mileage. I got well over 40 mpg in that car. The Sony sound system was very nice too. For the price I thought it was a "neat" car. It had one major design flaw. When ever the car was in neutral the engine would turn off; pretty standard start stop system. The problem is that when you drive a manual, you're in nuetral a lot! Picture sitting in traffic in 100 degree weather with no a.c. bc your engine is off as you sit in nuetral. The worst one though was on a hill. There was a delay in the time it took for the engine to turn back om so when you let your foot off the clutch on the hill, the car would lag and roll back further than you wanted it to before you got power again. Sometimes this would lead to stalling. Too many compromises in my opinion.

Less driver control and more engineering gimmicks to reach government mandates seems to be sad reality today. It is getting difficult to get a vehicle with a manual transmission in the USA. In Europe manual transmissions outnumber auto trans even though extra testing is required to get a drivers license to drive a manual transmission in some European countries. A manual transmission was the main reason I bought a Kizashi. It was hard to find a decent size vehicle and saw that Suzuki still sold (and had in stock) manual transmission vehicles. Once I drove a Kizashi I was hooked. I have been thinking of getting a Subaru for the AWD available with a manual transmission. Now I see that Subaru has dropped the manual transmission in it's new Legacy, probably it's other models will soon follow. SAD

[KuroNekko]

Most companies are ditching manuals so you can only get them on sports cars, budget compacts, or sport compacts.

Subaru ditched the manual for the Legacy, but still offers it in the Impreza, WRX, WRX STI, and the BRZ.

Suzuki even ditched the manual for the Kizashi all but for the base white-only S trim in 2013, just before they left the US market. Model Year 2012 is actually the last year in which you could get a GTS or SLS with a manual.