Re: Yaris, Scion xD, Honda Fit - no water temp gauge

bubbabubbs@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> I've been thinking about what my next commute car is going to be. 80
> miles/day, it's just me and my briefcase, so thinking of a small
> vehicle with great gas mileage. Yaris hatchback, Scion xD, or Honda
> Fit would work for me. Problem is, none of them has a water temp
> gauge, just an "idiot light."
> 
> Would you consider buying a car (brand new) that only has the water
> temp "idiot light", but no water temp _gauge_ ?

Yes, I would.
> 
> Btw, do these "idiot lights" come on early enough to prevent major
> engine damage, or only after the engine has overheated to the point
> where the head gasket is blown?

It's usually an "operator malfunction" for some folks not acting quick 
enough in response to a caution or warning light that is damaging. I've 
heard it said many times "I saw the light but I didn't know what it 
meant".  I say to myself, hey, it's only money, why should you care.

If they didn't know what the light meant, I would doubt a gauge would be 
any more meaningful to them. Sometimes to learn what a light means, they 
see the results of driving with the low oil pressure light on in a sixty 
thousand dollar car because the person (woman) did not act, they just 
kept driving, until it stopped. Very instructional. Hubby was not happy. 
Like I say, it's only money.

You sound like an aware type of person, so a light instead of a gauge 
would be fine for you, but you could add an after market gauge if you 
wanted.
> 
> Also, the next bigger models that do have the water temp gauge would
> be Toyota Corolla, Matrix, or Honda Civic. But the extra purchase/
> owner****p cost may not even offset the possible repair costs resulting
> from a Yaris/Fit/xD engine overheating (which, if happens, would be
> several years down the road.)
I've been driving a Corolla when I'm not in a truck since '03 and IMHO 
they are great cars, no problems.


> 
> TIA,
> Bubba