If it helps, think of it less as “binned for being too sporty” and more as “binned for making decisions which increase sportiness but decrease other important elements”. I’d bet a decent amount of money that you could remove the turbo, tweak the cams and such, and end up with a more reliable and efficient engine. Similarly, you could probably soften off the suspension a little to end up with a more comfortable car. Both of these would’ve made the car more appealing to this particular client.
For what it’s worth, I knew I was taking a risk and potentially not aligning my engineering too well, but figured a submission could be fun anyway. I completely overlooked Service Cost (due to it not being in the main stat block) and that definitely cost me a lot.
T0M, I fear I was the one of the reasons why you ended up making a hot hatch. Perhaps I could give some input. I marketed my car as a hot hatch but what is said in marketing is not necessarily the same as what was intended. Although it may seem at first that I made a hot hatch “for fun”, every component was actually made for more mundane reasons. For example, the 177bhp was a side effect of trying to make an engine efficiency well above 30% and to keep a flat torque curve, which helps save fuel and improves drivability; it wasn’t a main goal. The suspension is actually tuned dead halfway between comfort and drivability, I knew opting for sport suspension was a bad idea for a commuter, it even had double wishbone rears for comfort. Even the RWD configuration was actually done to reduce service costs and improve drivability. Not to mention ESC was to make it useable for snow and drastically improves drivability.
Of course, I did make that dimwitted decision to save a few engineering points by choosing a Light Truck Monocoque. That’s why I tried to lore my way out of that decision by claiming that Tomodachi was making SUVs and did not have enough funds to make a new body.
Even then it did the century sprint in 7.7 seconds, a shade quicker than your hatch. I’m still keeping a lot of secrets regarding my tune but I’m happy to help make suggestions for your car if I could take a peek at the .car. I did the same for another user for another challenge. Just shoot me a DM.
I think you guys misunderstood. What I’m saying is I put 4 full seats in my car when I built it, no +2 seats, yet I got binned for having the +2 seats so there must have been an error upon importing the car. And I think the same happened to Ryan’s car, it seems.
Looking at some of the initial reviews, a 5-speed advanced automatic would have been overkill in an entry-level car of this era, as would a turbocharged engine and/or AWD (to say nothing of traction and stability control - neither of them had been mandated by 1998). Also, it seems like environmental resistance and service costs factored more heavily in the initial judging than I was expecting - good thing I went for a galvanized chassis, treated steel panels and a simple three-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with an open diff.
Perhaps you don’t know about about this famous image posted in November 1997 that changed the automotive world.
Every single one of the entries here had something going for them. But in the end, the choice is subjective, just as in real life. That’s why we don’t all buy the same cars. The image you see above was the beginning of the ESC era that started in 1998. Automakers realized how dangerous a car can be without ESC as the A Class moose test problem made headlines due to a Swedish magazine called Technische Varld. A strong case could be made as to why a Finn would be looking for ESC in 1998 when buying a small hatch, just as one could be made for awd or turbocharging or automatics. But just because Kasperi didn’t pick the car doesn’t mean it was not designed for the era.
I’ll be honest, TheToms Frugal Fred looked quite competitive to me especially since Kasperi only has one child (4 seats should do). It also seems like he added a manual locker to improve offroad stats which boils down to whether the judge was looking more at stats or realism. But some people prefer 5 seats, that’s completely fine as well.
It’s almost the end the of the year, Kasperi managed to cut the number of initial car that he picked from almost 50 to 10 cars but, Kasperi still needs to lower the half of that number. since he don’t really have much free time like he when was younger and he can’t spend them on test driving cars alone…
" While Kasperi appreciates the practicality of the wagon and Its comfort-ness. The service cost was a bit on the higher side. the car panels is also quite prone to rusting. Kasperi might keep this If he has more budget. Final Verdict : Binned
" Kasperi very much like the modern design of this car and It’s overall features, however the asking price is also one of the most expensive. the car also lacks panel treating. He’s sad to let It go but choice has to be made. Final Verdict : Binned
Deemed to be pretty easy to drive by many but slightly lacks in other department, the fuel economy while pretty decent, Is quite low compare to other cars. Kasperi had to let this go. Final Verdict : Binned
While the other stuff checks out, the price is not. there are other cars that’s a bit better while also cheaper. Kasperi also checked this one out. Final Verdict : Binned
While overall a pretty decent car, Kasperi thinks the design feels a bit empty and doesn’t have much going on. Kasperi had to let It go… Final Verdict : Binned
So, turns out I made an error during the tier 3. Your car while overall pretty decent, get surpassed by other cars with cheaper price and better ride quality. I’m very sorry for not noticing this way earlier.
Lmao I knew the fuel economy would be what got me, thought I was doing decently initially, but I realised I was behind just about everyone else too late to re-engineer the whole thing around a better engine (although I switched to a 3 speed auto even later than that, so I probably would’ve had the budget to do that without too much work whoops). Plus my tuning skills had run out anyway so that’s about all I could’ve gotten.
Kasperi grab the key from the counter and start his test drive on his first car. Kasperi pushes the accelerator. The automatic transmission is ok though a bit slow for Kasperi. Despite this car having one of the smaller engine than the rest. It wasn’t too slow to catch up with the traffic but still Kasperi feel like It could use a bit more power. Cruising on the highway, Kasperi doesn’t feel bothered by any discomfort after driving for a while. The seat provides pretty good comfort. Now entering the turn, the car body starts to lean out quite a bit after Kasperi turn the steering wheel. Kasperi slow down and enters a small town then proceeds to press on the brakes moderately, the braking distance is pretty good and the brakes is still not too hot. Inside the car, Kasperi turn on the entertainment system; the audio sounds ok enough. Kasperi exits the car and then walk to the rear of the car to inspect the rear storage, there was surprisingly a good amount of room to store groceries back here for such a small car. Kasperi felt a pretty good impression driving this car. He returned the key back to the dealership and move on to the next car.
Next car is a bit bigger, Kasperi grab the key then start up the car. He noticed that the engine noises is much more noticeable in this car but he doesn’t mind. Shift into 1st no problem. Now onto a highway the car accelerates a bit quicker. Though the seats are not low quality Kasperi felt that the ride is little more sensitive, he doesn’t mind It but still noting. The corner approaches, Kasperi steers noticing the body doesn’t lean as much. Now braking; the distance remains pretty much good and the brakes is ready to take more stress. Turned on the entertainment system, the sound is much more subtle and clearer. Outside Kasperi opened the hatch, noticing there’s much more room which is a bonus. Kasperi felt good overall with this car.
One of the sedan car on this list, Kasperi starts the car then heads off to the highway. On the performance side, the car is significantly much quicker with It’s more powerful engine. Driving on the highway, the ride feels more comfortable than any other cars. See the corner ahead, Kasperi turn the steering wheel. The body lean out quite a bit. Now braking, the anti lock braking engages after Kasperi stomped on the brake. The distance is still pretty good. Checking the entertainment system, the sound coming from the speaker is pretty clear and decent. Inspecting the trunk there seem to be less room than he would expected but It’s still enough. Kasperi thinks Its pretty OK.
Next car is also a sedan. Quezon a Philippines car brand and the only one on this list. Kasperi was curious as to how well will this car perform. He starts up the car. accelerates onto the highway felt OK. Riding feels pretty solid. Now to the corner, Kasperi steers; body roll slightly but not too much. Stopping the car, Kasperi press on the brake; anti lock brake kicks in but the rear of the car slide slightly outward
like It wants to overcome the front. The distance is still good however. Checking the entertainment, the sound quality is a bit low but not awful. Coming outside to inspect the trunk. there’s enough to store most of everyday items. Kasperi thinks the car is fine even If the price tag is a bit high.
And last car. Being the cheapest on this list. Kasperi starts up the car and head towards the highway. The car is pretty quick being a few seconds faster. Though Riding quality is a bit harsher due to the car having much more basic and simpler suspension geometry. Entering a corner, Kasperi steers the car; the body roll is pretty much noticeable. Coming to a stop. The car stops at a slightly longer distance but It’s still pretty OK.
The audio quality of the entertainment system is pretty much expected for a car at this price range. Opened the rear hatch there seem to be an OK amount of space but not as much as other cars. Kasperi gave It an “OK, but could be better”.
Now that Kasperi has test drive all the cars, He’ll now make a decision to choose which would be his new car. It won’t be easy for him. So he’ll need sometime to think about It.
Sometimes later...
Suski asks Kasperi If she could borrow the car for a groceries run, Kasperi gave a go ahead so Suski went and open the garage door…
Congratulation to @Kyorg for winning 1st place in this CSR!
and to the rest of the finalist. It wasn't an easy decision for me but I don't feel like delaying this any further.
