LA auto show... no fit/jazz!

place was swamped, and i didnt have time to ask anyone at the honda
booth *why* the fit/jazz wasnt there. saw all the usuals- ridgeline,
accords, hybrids, odyssey, and the new civic. definately a nicer looking
car than the last gen, but im more interested in hatchbacks, which
brings me to...

toyotas bringing the yaris 2dr hatch and 4dr sedan in to replace the
unlamented echo!

the 2dr hatch has the same 1.5l engine as the echo and the scion xa/xb,
stickers for 10.3k, gets 40mpg with the 5spd, and is definitely a nice
entry level vehicle. power windows, A/C, and mp3/CDplayer standard.
basically a 2dr xA minus the hype. im guessing all the TRD stuff for the
1.5l would work, so it would make a nice cheap sleeper!

another car worth a look was the mazda5. $17k to start, and best
described as like a toyota matrix in size, but with sliding rear doors
and 3 row seating. 2nd and 3rd rows fold flat in any combination to
leave over 5ft of storage.