Are you ready for: THE CUBE?

[Uncletruck]

Americans like distinction, thus the different brand names made by the same companies. The original intent with the Smart car was to have it sold and serviced through the Chrysler network. When Diamler dumped off Chrysler, that could not happen. Then a new network had to be created in the USA to sell the Smart. One could ask why not just put the Mercedes name on it and sell it at Mercedes dealers? For the same reason Mercedes wouldn't sell the Sprinter vans there. They don't want van or econobox buyers roaming around amongst the buyers of Mercedes luxury cars in their showrooms.

The car makers have a deep desire to keep the targets they market to separated. I think the philosophy is that a small car buyer will rarely consider models they can't afford when at a dealership, yet many times people looking at bigger cars might consider downsizing when looking at the showroom. For instance this might put a potential Lexus buyer in a Camry, or a Camry buyer in a Scion if all Toyota products were sold under one roof. It's all about bucks 😛

-UT-

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Well, people always look to differentiate themselves. We used to be a VERY racist country where most whites would not freely associate with people of other races and cultures, especially blacks. Now that we are (thankfully) finally moving out of that stupidity, class has become the new race. I mean, look at the political campaign of Obama, it is all about playing the economic classes against each other. "The Rich" are the new group to be feared and mistrusted by middle America, and due to a lack of understanding of the nature of economics by most Americans it is an easy sell. The last time a Democratic political was this obsessed with something like this was in the 1960's when George Wallace was blocking 4 African American students from attending a white school. I can only hope that, like Wallace, one day Obama will stop playing the politics of hate.

Also, at least where I live Smart car dealerships are on the same property as Mercedes dealers but in a separate building. Scion's are sold at Toyota dealers, but have a separate part of the showroom with their own door at the local dealer.

As for the boxy car thing, I really don't mind it if it gives me more utility in my otherwise bland small car while still giving excellent fuel economy. As someone living at the lower end of the economic scale, cars like this make sense if they are inexpensive to buy and operate as it frees up money to be spent elsewhere, like a nitrous system for my Cutlass...lol. They also make sense since an adult has a chance to fit in the back seat. The increased head room means you don't have to hunker down with your knees knocking the front seat back and head touching the roof to sit in the back.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I just read one thing that makes THE CUBE a bit more appealing if it transfers to this market: It is only $11k brand new, and can be bought with no radio!!! (I like radio delete since then I am not stuck paying for a stock-suck audio system that I will have to wait until it is out of warranty to change.) Compare that to a new Scion XD that starts at $15k, and it makes some more sense. Plus, it is smaller and more quirky and Japanese feeling too.

 

[jonnyslick]

Bad part about them is the fact it has only 95hp. Take is like nearly 13 seconds to get to 60 mph! :shock:

Good part about them is the fact it has only 95hp. You have to drive it on the edge with the pedal to the metal all the time. Kinda' like a go-kart. :shock:

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Bad part about them is the fact it has only 95hp. Take is like nearly 13 seconds to get to 60 mph! :shock:

Good part about them is the fact it has only 95hp. You have to drive it on the edge with the pedal to the metal all the time. Kinda' like a go-kart. :shock:

Yes, but compared to most of the V6/ V8 stock G bodies it is fast. I timed my 231V6 at a blistering 22 seconds 0-60 when stock. I later swapped engines because of this. How fast is your 307 with 2.14 gears?

 

[jonnyslick]

^ True

 

[bourbon]

http://www.mautofied.com/2002-Nissan-Cu ... 100109003/

 

[78mali350]

http://www.mautofied.com/2002-Nissan-Cube_Import/listing/100109003/

That's what the link is.....for those of you who are lazy like me and don't want to open it.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

The asymmetrical rear styling is interesting too. I like the window that is in the passenger's side rear corner vs the lack of one on the driver's to make seeing out while backing easier.

 

[BILL DEMMER]

isn't scion a nissan brand?
that thing looks just as queer as the scion.


bill

okay, it's a toyota brand