In this edition of Ask Nathan:
- Is there a Toyota Corolla iM Hatchback coming to the USA?
- Family car for under $10,000?
- What’s Easter Jeep Safari?
Today’s first question comes from a fan who wants to know more about the upcoming Toyota Corolla iM Hatchback.
Hi Nathan,
I went to a Toyota dealership and told the salesmen (woman) that I wanted a hatchback like the Toyota Yaris with more power. She said that Toyota will have a new Corolla with a hatchback next year. This is the first I’ve heard of it. She said that it’s a good idea to get the Scion iM because it’s being discontinued and it will become the Corolla hatchback.
Is this true and should I buy the Scion iM? Will it still be covered by Toyota after Scion is gone?
K.
A: Great question!
Yes, the Scion iM will become the Toyota Corolla iM Hatchback next year. It will remain the same car with different badges and, possibly, new trim options.
The salesperson was correct about all of it.
Scion is Toyota and all service will be covered by Toyota. If you opt to but the Scion iM, you should be able to wrangle a bargain. Scion/Toyota dealerships are hot to get rid of their stock. Once the Scion iM becomes the Toyota Corolla iM Hatchback, prices may rise a bit.
Good luck!
N
By the way, I’m rather fond of the Scion iM and it will make a great commuter. If you opt for the manual, it’s downright fun to toss around corners.
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This next question is from a fan who wants a smart family mover for under $20,000.
Q: Namaste Nathan!
It kind of happened overnight. I went from a single guy to a family of four in less than a year. My wife has twins from a previous marriage. It’s pretty awesome, but the changes are challenging.
I am just getting used to strapping the kids into car seats when my wife’s car died. She had a Subaru Legacy wagon. It’s been a okay car, but it leaks and it’s rough. It’s pretty old too.
We figured out that we can afford a new car under $20,000. I want to get her a safe, comfortable car that’s reliable and capable. We don’t need four wheel drive because we live down south. A wagon or hatch back make sense with the kids having toys and bikes and the like. They are 3. We want something cool and a bit smaller than the Subaru. Oh, and she likes manual transmissions too! She’s a keeper!
Can you help?
Danny from Lubbock, Texas
A: Hi Danny, congratulations on the new family!
I have a few suggestions for you.
The Honda Fit is remarkably utilitarian and it’s well built. If you want something even funkier from Honda, the Honda HR-V FWD base model might be worth a look.
I like the Hyundai Accent for basic transportation, it comes with an outstanding warranty too.
I’m sure a few readers will post some suggestions below.
Good luck!
N
The last question comes from an email asking about the 2016 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT. It was sent a while back, but it’s easier to answer with the event right around the corner.
Q: Hi TFL. What is the Easter Jeep Safari? You guys have mentioned it several times on your videos, but I do not understand the context. Is this a holiday event or an event that happens during a holiday? What do people do there? Is this just for Jeep customers or can anyone go?
Please let me know.
Salah,
UAE
A: Greetings Salah!
Great question. The Easter Jeep Safari is an event for Jeep owners and enthusiasts to meet in Moab, Utah around the same time each year. It happens around Easter, which is why it’s added to the title.
The event encompasses off-road trail expeditions (there are hundreds of amazing off-road trails with various levels of difficulty near Moab), enthusiasts get-together events, tours, parties, aftermarket displays and more.
TFLcar and TFLtruck attend for the Jeep-sponsored event. Every year, Jeep (FCA) brings several prototypes to the event for journalists to feature and test. These vehicles are mostly one-off concepts, but some hint at prototypes. New components are tested and unique design languages are on display.
About every other year, (including this year) Jeep unveils a new product.
This is one of my favorite events of the year and it always delivers. People from all over the world come and experience the Easter Jeep Safari. I highly recommend it.
Hope that helps!
N
Well, this video isn’t punk. But the drivers are a bunch of punks and rocks are involved!
Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.
From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.
Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com
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Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide. |
