Australians Now Favour Fuel Economy Over Power

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by commodorenutt

Like I said in my previous post - the incredibly strong sales growth in the 4WD/SUV class is proof that many buyers don't give a rat's behind about fuel economy....

Well that is somewhat true.

Of course people who want SUV's or other large cars will buy them even though they use more fuel than a small hatchback, but they will usually opt for the more fuel efficient engine if there is a range to chose from.

Personally I still prefer power over economy, but the average person doesn't.

[T-Pak Addict]

I love my big cars, Have been driving falcons for a long time and a few months ago I picked up a 2012 Fiesta repairable write off at the right $$$$. I had a FG Egas (not the LPi one) and it was a great car, Good power, cheap to run and even had bluetooth fitted!. Fixed up the Little Fiesta and what a great little car!!!! It has toys, cruise, fast glass, bluetooth and voice activation etc etc Its easy to park and nippy around the burbs and even cheaper to run.... I dont miss the FG at all...

Like most people are saying I wouldnt have touched a 4 banger years ago, too slow, not comfortable and generally they were just crap. The 1.6 manual Fiesta is such a joy to drive, has pleasant road manners and does what I want it to do... Can even take some serious cargo in the back too. Picked up a XB front bar last week for the project and put it in the back!!!! No I am not kidding! It was tight but got it in there....

[wobblysauce]

Big thing is.. what we call a small car nowadays was a large car was in the 80s.

[Sabantien]

Originally Posted by wobblysauce

Big thing is.. what we call a small car nowadays was a large car was in the 80s.

Really?

1985 Ford Fairlaine:

Length 5014 (mm)
Width 1868 (mm)
Height 1394 (mm)
Wheelbase 2957 (mm)
Kerb Weight 1515 (kg)

2015 Ford Fiesta:

Length 3975 (mm)
Width 1709 (mm)
Height 1495 (mm)
Wheelbase 2489 (mm)
Kerb Weight 1197 (kg)

Admittedly, some small cars do get bigger over the years. I'm pretty sure Rav4s used to be only a little bigger than a Suzuki Sierra, not only a little smaller than a Landcruiser.

[wobblysauce]

Ok, wording.. but the Fairlaine, that's a boat. :P

Had two XE Spacs.. that rumble off throttle, great cruising car.

Compare that to the original.. Fiesta.

Length 3,565 mm (140.4 in)
Width 1,567 mm (61.7 in)
Height 1,360 mm (54 in)
Wheelbase 2,286 mm (90.0 in)
Kerb weight 924–1,465 kg (2,037–3,230 lb)

But just mentioned that as I seen one parked next to a First Gen Commodore.. it looked about the same size to the list below.

Length 4,705–4,729 mm (185.2–186.2 in)
Width 1,722 mm (67.8 in)
Height 1,371 mm (54.0 in)
Wheelbase 2,668 mm (105.0 in)

But was more meaning like the below.

Top 5 Small Cars by caradvice.com.au
Mazda 3

Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length 4,460 mm (175.6 in) (Hatchback) 4,580 mm (180.3 in) (Sedan)
Width 1,795 mm (70.7 in)
Height 1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Curb weight 1,300–1,315 kg (2,866–2,899 lb)

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Skoda Octavia(aka Golf)

[data_mine]

I'm all for people wanting economy, means more fuel for my V8s.

[janddbone]

I parked my ZL next to a current Fiesta not long ago. Can confirm the Fiesta is half a foot taller even though my Fairlane is half a foot further off the ground to start with.

[commodorenutt]

The current Lancer is bigger in almost every dimension than the boxy Magna from the '80s. And it was considered quite large in it's time - certainly much larger than the VB-VL Commodore, and up there in rear-seat width with the XF.

[wobblysauce]

That 2.6 Austin and then the Austin II engine.. the V8 of the 4 bangers.. largest in the world at the time.

Had a few different Sigma wagons with that engine and a TN Magna(felt like you were going to go out the door on every corner as it had that much body roll, but in the city so comfy.) but the others felt like a rocket ship at the time, being so light and agile, hills over took every one and used less fuel romping it every chance given.

[wodahs]

Originally Posted by janddbone

I parked my ZL next to a current Fiesta not long ago. Can confirm the Fiesta is half a foot taller even though my Fairlane is half a foot further off the ground to start with.

and the fairlane will have more space internally and be more comfy