2006 BMW 130i - In Depth
Fugly. More curves than Marilyn Monroe. 
Interesting juxtaposition of the angry 'angel eyes' with the swoopy soft curves - looks psycho.
I'd get a Mazda 3 before I'd get this horse designed by committee.
Interesting juxtaposition of the angry 'angel eyes' with the swoopy soft curves - looks psycho.
I'd get a Mazda 3 before I'd get this horse designed by committee.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Well...you guys know I'm a classic Chris Bangle-basher, but IMO this is not an ugly design at all...perhaps his FIRST halfway-decent one.
I also disagree with the comments about BMW " learning its lesson " with earlier 318's.
BMW did in fact have a hard time selling the 318 hatchback here, but that was not with gas busting through the $3 a gallon mark.....perhaps headed to $4.
Car-buyers today have more of an incentive to buy a cheaper, more economical BMW than in the past. Same with the Audi A3 and Mercedes C-class hatchback.
I also disagree with the comments about BMW " learning its lesson " with earlier 318's.
BMW did in fact have a hard time selling the 318 hatchback here, but that was not with gas busting through the $3 a gallon mark.....perhaps headed to $4.
Car-buyers today have more of an incentive to buy a cheaper, more economical BMW than in the past. Same with the Audi A3 and Mercedes C-class hatchback.
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
Originally Posted by Richie
The 1 series is overpiced and ugly as hell.
That 1 series will never work here in the stats, no matter how much gas prices rise. Americans like Big and Prestige.....not econoboxes with fancy name plates......
If gas had been an issue enough to really move people to these tiny cars, we'd already have a slew of smartcars over here......
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 19,103
Likes: 2
From: Netherlands
Originally Posted by chicagoblknazn
And there we have it.
That 1 series will never work here in the stats, no matter how much gas prices rise. Americans like Big and Prestige.....not econoboxes with fancy name plates......
If gas had been an issue enough to really move people to these tiny cars, we'd already have a slew of smartcars over here......
That 1 series will never work here in the stats, no matter how much gas prices rise. Americans like Big and Prestige.....not econoboxes with fancy name plates......
If gas had been an issue enough to really move people to these tiny cars, we'd already have a slew of smartcars over here......
A bit off topic, I have been thinking of trading the GS for a Smart roadster, LOL.
The question is, can l live without the comfort of the GS.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 0
From: MD
I'd buy it if it drives well. Supposedly it harks back to the day of the 2002 in terms of driving dynamics. An M1 hatch I would most certainly purchase...
I dunno if a little hatch can succeed in the US, even a "low market prestige nameplate" one, but I don't think the failures of the 318ti and C-class hatch can be referenced here. Those were hack jobs of existing sedan platforms and they simply didn't look good. I'm aware many don't like Bangle's flame styling, but at least this car was designed as a hatchback from the ground up.
(Personally, I like its looks.)
I dunno if a little hatch can succeed in the US, even a "low market prestige nameplate" one, but I don't think the failures of the 318ti and C-class hatch can be referenced here. Those were hack jobs of existing sedan platforms and they simply didn't look good. I'm aware many don't like Bangle's flame styling, but at least this car was designed as a hatchback from the ground up.
(Personally, I like its looks.)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by chicagoblknazn
And there we have it.
That 1 series will never work here in the stats, no matter how much gas prices rise. Americans like Big and Prestige.....not econoboxes with fancy name plates......
If gas had been an issue enough to really move people to these tiny cars, we'd already have a slew of smartcars over here......
That 1 series will never work here in the stats, no matter how much gas prices rise. Americans like Big and Prestige.....not econoboxes with fancy name plates......
If gas had been an issue enough to really move people to these tiny cars, we'd already have a slew of smartcars over here......
Already....just a few days into the new order with gas prices......a number of CL members here are already talking about and planning the purchase of much more economical cars. And this is just a peek at what is to come.
Last edited by mmarshall; Sep 2, 2005 at 06:07 AM.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by Koma
It's not a bad design. I just wouldn't buy into it. Why buy an econo luxury car when you can go buy a regular econo car for far less?
Needless to say the US is not the market for these. I haven't seen a single A3 on the road.
Needless to say the US is not the market for these. I haven't seen a single A3 on the road.
I dont think driving a mazda 3 hatch will be just like driving this car that has over 100 hp more, much better track ability and will out just right decimate other compact hatches when it comes to performance.
There is a market for these cars, and I hope to see more of them. Better then the massive suvs that crowd this country.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
I'd get a Mazda 3 before I'd get this horse designed by committee.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gojirra99
Car Chat
13
May 23, 2006 09:14 AM