whats the oppo consensus on the Nismo Juke RS

"nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul" (nfamouscj)
07/07/2014 at 15:48 • Filed to: None

I spotted a regular Nismo in the parking lot and it got me thinking. They're not as big as I imagined so the 215hp of the RS *should* be able to give it some get up and go.

I like them because of their oddness but they focused on the sporty side with the RS package. It's like a big bloated Veloster really.

So for $26k new would you FoST, 500 Abarth or Nismo Juke RS?

DISCUSSION (28)

heliochrome85 > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
07/07/2014 at 15:53

1. Fiesta ST

2. GTI

3. Fiat 500 Abarth

4. Focus St

5. Nismo Juke RS

Garrett Davis > heliochrome85
07/07/2014 at 15:57

500 Abarth over the Focus ST? Really?

Jayhawk Jake > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
07/07/2014 at 15:58

It's a crime you can't get the AWD variant with a stick

HammerheadFistpunch > Jayhawk Jake
07/07/2014 at 16:01

Thats the long and skinny of my feelings too. No point buying a hot hatch/SUV thats not an SUV (fwd) or not a hot hatch (no manual)

Saracen > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
07/07/2014 at 16:02

GTI

Fiesta ST

Focus ST

Abarth

Juke RS

...though I should point out, you can buy new Abarths for $17k right now. Crazy.

GhostZ > HammerheadFistpunch
07/07/2014 at 16:04

Unfortunately, even most SUVs are FWD 80% of the time unless you floor it.

heliochrome85 > Garrett Davis
07/07/2014 at 16:05

im not a fan of the Focus ST. its too bulky. The interior is very small for me, despite the exterior size. Plus, lets not forget the Abarth's exhaust.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Jayhawk Jake
07/07/2014 at 16:06

I just noticed that too. It's their full spot version but gave it the cvt. At least give it a regular auto with some paddle shifter or something

GhostZ > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
07/07/2014 at 16:08

Rather get a well-optioned Jeep Wrangler. The RS probably handles better and is nicer inside, but the Jeep will hold its value and has real 4WD. The Juke is a cool car, but the Juke RS is trying to be too many things.

I love the aesthetics and the look, really, but it's not worth the sacrifice of practicality for a little more speed in a car that really, will never be 'fast'.

HammerheadFistpunch > GhostZ
07/07/2014 at 16:09

I know, it sucks but its true. Thats what made my 05 forester XT so much fun, the front diff was directly connected to the front and the center diff and VC unit directly connected to the back so when I stomped on it...I had AWD all the time, sometimes more or less than 50/50, but always torque happenin' on both axles.

Garrett Davis > heliochrome85
07/07/2014 at 16:09

True, the interior is a little cramped for how big it is, but it's a fantastic car to drive, and those Recaros are seriously top notch. Speaking of cramped, that was my first impression of the Abarth. Second was the way too high/upright seating position, and third was how good it sounded.

I'm not just defending my own car here, I went pretty in depth in my search: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/hot-hatches-a-…

GhostZ > HammerheadFistpunch
07/07/2014 at 16:09

"Always torque happenin' " is my new way to describe a good AWD system.

HammerheadFistpunch > GhostZ
07/07/2014 at 16:11

Now with ATH drive!

heliochrome85 > Garrett Davis
07/07/2014 at 16:12

I'm clearly not the intended target market. If I'm honest, in that price range, I'm buying an E46 M3 or used Cayman and not any of the above options. That being said, Ford is making cars now that are world class, and so Id be happy with a focus, or fiesta.

heliochrome85 > Garrett Davis
07/07/2014 at 16:13

plus, ford my touch is the absolute worst. I had it in a 2014 Explorer Limited loaner while my BMW was in the shop. iDrive makes ford my touch look like the control system from one of those oldsmobile toronados.

Garrett Davis > heliochrome85
07/07/2014 at 16:15

No argument there. It would be OK if it didn't become so unresponsive, making inputting an address the most frustrating and time consuming thing ever.

heliochrome85 > Garrett Davis
07/07/2014 at 16:17

i don't like the idea of touch screens. You have to lean forward to touch the screen. Its much easier in my car, where the rotary wheel also has a touch pad where I can draw letters and numbers rather than selecting them on the screen. Plus I've got pinch to zoom on the maps similar to phones.

driving > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
07/07/2014 at 16:17

We drove the Nismo Juke and came away impressed. The FWD/manual combo is definitely the way to go here.

http://driving.ca/nissan/juke/re…

Garrett Davis > heliochrome85
07/07/2014 at 16:24

Yes! Exactly! Things could be getting even less intuitive as well with gesture controls that just about ever manufacturer is developing. Sometimes you just can't improve on simplicity.

Jayhawk Jake > HammerheadFistpunch
07/07/2014 at 16:26

I suspect it's a fine alternative to other FWD hot hatches as is, but having an AWD manual would at that price would be great. Missed opportunity IMo