Topic: What the heck happened to cars getting good fuel mileage?

[333]

Not everyone is addicted to speed.  The Smart comes standard with paddle shifters, giving you that Indy feel. And regarding someone else's comment, it's power steering is electric, taking the load off the engine.

Regarding the Zenn, probably another reason Ontario doesn't like them, might be that their max speed is 25mph.  That would keep it off U.S. roads.  In Europe, Smart is already testing an all electric version.

Now, while the sun tax was probably ill-conceived or poorly planned, I seriously doubt that it will repeat itself in other states.  The American people are starting to get smart about our government.  At least some of them.  Case in point:  The NBC Nightly News always asks a question and posts the findings of the poll at the end of the show.  One night the question was "Do you approve of the way the current administration is handling the economy?".  Now remember, gas prices are skyrocketing, real estate is in a huge slump, the stock market resembles a roller coaster.  21% of people polled said they approved!!!!  My question is are those the rich 21%, or the stoopid 21%?  I fear the latter is the correct answer.

[TwoTired]

Now, while the sun tax was probably ill-conceived or poorly planned, I seriously doubt that it will repeat itself in other states.  The American people are starting to get smart about our government.  At least some of them.

The legislative body that enacted the "Sun Tax" structure in California was democrat party controlled, House and Senate.  It has been that way for many many years.  Yet people keep voting in democrats who revel in taking even more money from taxpayers and feeding their pet projects which serve to make government ever bigger and wrest ever more control over individuals lives.  There is certainly no trend in Californians getting smarter and there hasn't been for 15 to 20 years.  (Don't even suggest Arnie as a counter, as he is a Republican in label only, his policies are 90% democratic party.)  Given that California laws are often the bellweather for other states legislative trends, I (sadly) don't share your optimism for it not repeating in other states, particularly when they realize it improves state coffers, and the "rebate" presentation will make it look like they are forwarding renewable energy.  Honestly, solar power is only viable for the upper middle class and above (Well, and government projects immune from raiding by the State).  Those below that class line will never know about the "Sun tax", and it fits in well with the Democrat position of Tax the Rich and a grow the government.

If you think I am in any way exaggerating, you need only look at the policies, tactics, and ideology of Nancy Bellowsi, Diane FineSwine, and Barbara Huxster.  All deemed worthy by California vote to lead the nation.  Those politicians left behind locally, are only slightly less adept at manipulation than those sent to Washington D.C.  And, the California Reps are teaching the Dems of other states "How It's Done".

I have to go attach this rope to the rafter now...
Goodbye cruel world. 

[mark]

If it makes you feel any better......... most of your state doesn't fall for DiFi & Co.

Geographically speaking anyhow.........


It isn't the "Blue States" it's those darned Blue Counties.


 

[HondaMan]

Here's my favorite electric car...

http://www.teslamotors.com/

135 MPG!

[333]

I am bumping this thread because I've just come from the Smart dealer and found even more reasons to get one.

First, lets say a year or 2 down the road, they come out with a hydrogen fuel cell or plug in electric model.  Those "innards" are easily and completely retro-fittable in your older Smart car.

Second, the plastic body panels, which 30% is recycled material, can be totally replaced in about 90 minutes.  You can change the color of the car in 90 minutes!

The frame and all the metal work is not painted.  It's powder coated.

The down side is there is a 12 month waiting period.

[putnaja1]

That's cool man- sounds like you are really checking this car out.  You thinking about buying one?  It's good to see different stuff on the market..  I hear they are pretty safe too despite their small size..

Really, my only beef with the car is it's pint size.  If it was big enough to have back seat passengers, or carry stuff and be more utilitarian, but it still had all of it's other 'smart' features and got the same milage, I'd say this would be pretty attractive to me.  It wouldn't have to be too big to be all those things:  I really like my wife's Honda Element.  It's got a pretty small footprint, but it's VERY roomy inside, and get's fairly good mileage too.  A great design in my opinion.

Of course, for all of those people I see on the road that just drive to work and back, with just one person in their car, and no luggage or extra people, the smart car is way more efficient.  I just paid 60 bucks to fill up my FJ cruiser's gas tank today, gas here is 4 bucks a gallon for the 87 octane!!!  Yikes!

Jason

[333]

Yes I am thinking real hard.  Both our vehicles are all wheel drive, so our milage sucks.  My van(2000 Astro) has to stay, as I often carry stuff. and my wife's Equinox has to stay, as it is the perfect size to haul both of our mothers around.  I am thinking that the Smart would be great for the wife and her daily commute.

In answer to the storage issue, there is some space behind the seats.  We got an addition to our family last year- a "soft coated wheaten terrier".  There is enough room(a 35 lb.,about 20" at the shoulder) for her back there.  And definitely big enough for us big and tall people.  The salesman(turns out he and I worked together 12 or so years ago, so I trust what he says) said a 6'8" dude fit in one.

So I was figuring some fuel cost analyses last night, and found a huge difference between the cars.  The Equinox, at todays gas prices, costs 28 cents a mile.  The Smart is only 6 cents a mile!  Unless gas goes down(I am sooo funny) it will pay for itself in gas savings in less than 90,000 miles.

[Gordon]

Unless you're dead set on buying a new car, you can save yourself a lot more money by buying a used Nissan Sentra.  Not only will it cost much, much less, but will also get the same fuel mileage, and has more seating and cargo space. 

My wife's '98 Sentra gets over 30mpg in town and over 40mpg on the highway.

[333]

The Smart can get up to 60 mpg, and a Sentra can not be easily converted to electric.

[Gordon]

The Smart can get up to 60 mpg, and a Sentra can not be easily converted to electric.

Okay, but how much does it cost?  And how much will the conversion to electric cost?  And how much will electricity cost when it can no longer be made relatively cheaply with fossil fuel? 

Basically, how long will it take for the fuel efficiency to pay for the extra costs of the car itself? 

[333]

At the cost of today's fuel, in a comparison between the Smart and what I'm driving now; .28c per mile 2005 Chev Equinox AWD vs .06 c per mile Smart, it will take just less than 90,000 miles to pay for the 17,825 Smart(top of the line, convertable  loaded with everything except leather seats.  The cost of any conversion is an unknown, as they are just prototypes at this point.

[BobbyR]

At the cost of today's fuel, in a comparison between the Smart and what I'm driving now; .28c per mile 2005 Chev Equinox AWD vs .06 c per mile Smart, it will take just less than 90,000 miles to pay for the 17,825 Smart(top of the line, convertable  loaded with everything except leather seats.  The cost of any conversion is an unknown, as they are just prototypes at this point.

What kind of mileage are you getting on the Equinox and are you happy with it. I have a car coming off lease and I have to move soon.

[333]

Love the Equinox, but the all wheel drive only allows 14 mpg city.  I'll keep it, as it is good for hauling the parents(Mom 86/Mother in law 75) and OK for trips.  Having an extra car is handy, also.

[HondaMan]

Love the .......  Having an extra car is handy, also.

Careful: that's how I've ended up with:
1 motorhome
1 1967 2-door fastback Ford (great style!)
1 1979 Fairmont wagon
1 1990 Lincoln
1 Airstream trailer (24 ft. 1967, to go with the '67 LTD)
and, at last count, 3 CB750K bikes... 

[74cb750]

I suggest we develop cars powered by brain waves. That way the "duh" people would only be able to go real slow....