That is really a pity, because "us poor folks" can't afford
the pricier cars that these dealers want to sell. Methinks
what is actually happening is gentrification of the region.
Everywhere I look nowadays I need Lexuses, Audis, etc.

I also noticed that Honda has dropped their cheap hatchback,
at least in this region.

I think I'll just wait for the Smart car. At least that's a company
that cares about customers' needs.

You'd think that, like in years past, when the price of gas goes up, the
econoboxes sell in record numbers. Either people don't care anymore, or
they just like the camrys so much it doesn't matter.

Big shift from RAVs, Highlanders and 4-Runners (fixed Freudian slip...I
had typed $-Runner...have you seen a price tag recently?) to Prius and
Camrys. The Corollas seem to be lagging way behind, too.

Yeah! A bunch of Off-Topic, Political posts!

There is still a healthy demand for very small gas sippers, as evidenced by
brisk sales of the Aveo. In order for consumers to want small cars, the
cars need to outstanding class gas milage, interior space, or style.
Unfortunately, the Echo's style did not appeal to a big enough group of
consumers to warrant continued efforts for Toyota to sell. I think Scion
sales also robbed some Echo sales.

I read somewhere that Toyota will begin to sell the Vitz in the U.S., and
discontinuance of Echo sales is probably a precursor to Vitz sales.


--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

Who knows? As the price of gas goes up, demand for gas sippers will begin
to rise. You have to admit, once you get used to a larger, more comfortable
and more powerful model, it's hard to go back.

--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

On 31 Aug 2005 15:37:52 -0700, "Bush is a Fascist" <z333r@yahoo.com>

Oh.....I love you libs....

Here is what Websters says about your 'fascist'

a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti)
that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands
for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial
leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible
suppression of opposition.

1. Bush has NONE of these traits.

I would suggest you find another word to hang on the President of the
United States....

--

Scott in Florida

"A Democratic shift to the right risks inflaming the party's Angry
Left base, while a shift to the left would surely cost the party
whatever support it has left from normal people."

James Taranto - Wall Street Journal

*fwap* I'm not the only one who bought the damned Echo!


I'm just glad I have the first model. The newer Echoes are dull as dirt -
they look like lots of other cars out there - what's the point of that?!

Natalie

Looks like you will be driving a 'classic' soon...LOL

Just like my '92 Corolla wagon!


--

Scott in Florida

"A Democratic shift to the right risks inflaming the party's Angry
Left base, while a shift to the left would surely cost the party
whatever support it has left from normal people."

James Taranto - Wall Street Journal

Too bad the Aveo is a gas guzzler in its class. EPA rated it as 27/35 with
a 5-speed manual. Even the larger Corolla gets better mileage than
that--with an automatic.

The Echo actually sold well here in Canada, where gas costs a lot more than
in the U.S. even after you do imperial-to-metric and currency conversions.

Would this be similar to the Yaris that Toyota is bringing to Canada?

I'll go with a Vitz! There are a lot of tuner parts available in Asia for
the Vitz. It's like the Starlet Glanza that's sold in a lot of other
countries, particularly Oz and NZ. There's a whole Boy Racer culture built
around the car.