speaking of high mpg autos....

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Darby OGill, Apr 1, 2008.

  1. Darby OGill

    Darby OGill Guest

    Does anyone remember the Chevy Sprint? It was a 1 litre three cylinder car
    made by Suzuki. I bought one new in 1987 and drove it for 150,000 miles
    before I sold it to a buddy. EPA rated @ 50 mpg. ......and it got every bit
    of that. Made a co-workers Justy seem like a RoadMaster. Smooth shifting and
    nimble, it was fun to own and drive, and felt more spirited than it probably
    was. As a three door hatchback with a robust roof rack it could haul almost
    anything ( I bet mine looked like a thirdworld railroad car much of the
    time).......it sacrificed a lot for efficiency, but really, we expect so
    mamy features today from our cars that add comfort, safety.....and weight.
    If I recall it weighed in at 1600 lbs and had 54 HP.....bring it back (with
    airbags) !

    My bro' had a diesel rabbit that was quite miserly as well...can you say
    slow though.... made his old suburu (D10?) seem fast..

    hi mpg is not new !
     
    Darby OGill, Apr 1, 2008
    #1
  2. Darby OGill

    631grant Guest

    Amen on old cars that got good mileage. I subscribe to the Smart Car
    newsgroup and was in line for one until I was shocked to find out that the
    1700 pound car with a 1 liter engine was only giving people 34-38 mpg on the
    highway! Some are only getting 26 mpg! Since they were previously driving
    OPEC pickups and SUV's, many are content with that mileage, but many are up
    in arms. Also, the wait is now up to 18 to 24 months for a car. Who knows
    what it will even be in 2 years? I tell them that my 2002 Civic got 42 mpg
    and they think I'm a nutcase.... Weeeeelllll.
     
    631grant, Apr 1, 2008
    #2
  3. Darby OGill

    mack Guest

    When we went to Ireland five years ago and rented a car, it was a Citroen
    C-3, a tiny (on the outside) little four door which seemed very commodious
    inside, and got consistently over 40 mpg.... And it flew down the main
    highways with the best of 'em.
    My wife fell in love with it and was halfway serious about trying to import
    one ....to California!
    I had to give her the same advice that Click and Clack give their
    listeners..."You should never own a French car, unless you live in France."
     
    mack, Apr 2, 2008
    #3
  4. The Smart Car seems pretty dumb, actually. You can get the same mileage
    in an Accent, Elantra or any number of other cars that are much more
    practical for the average person/family who needs to carry more than
    just themselves. Add to that the fact that it's hideously overpriced and
    about the only reasons to buy one are easier parking and the novelty value.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Apr 2, 2008
    #4
  5. Darby OGill

    Zeppo Guest

    Don't discount the importance of the parking factor in Europe. In Italy this
    fall we saw plenty of Smart Cars parked in spots that were much to small for
    any other cars on the road. A popular way to park was to back the Smart Car
    into a small space sideways, with the rear bumper facing the curb. I think
    it's size is one of it's biggest selling points.

    Jon
     
    Zeppo, Apr 2, 2008
    #5
  6. Darby OGill

    631grant Guest

    Yea, Zeppo, we saw the same thing in France and England. Just back two of
    them into one parking place. The other comment about overpriced was
    probably based on the ones that were being imported and converted to US
    standards by a company called Zap (I think). They are still selling these
    up in the Northwest for $25,000 when you can order a new one for about
    $13,000. I said ordered because you won't see it for 2
    years..................
     
    631grant, Apr 2, 2008
    #6
  7. The Smart Car seems pretty dumb, actually. You can get the same mileage
    They have a dealership near me and they are pretty cute but for what
    they are asking and the terrible crash test results, forget it. It
    might as well be a cardboard box with wheels.

    - Thee Chicago Wolf
     
    Thee Chicago Wolf, Apr 2, 2008
    #7
  8. Darby OGill

    631grant Guest

    I just went to safecar.gov and they have not tested the 2008 Smart Car
    yet.................... I read that it is expected to get a 4 star rating
    which is darn good considering its size. That's as good as a Chevy Colorado
    pickup, for one.

    I hope you are not basing your comment on that old youtube video.
     
    631grant, Apr 3, 2008
    #8

  9. Not as dumb as you think. I drove a Smart ForFour in Italy for about 1200
    miles and it was a nifty, well equipped car. I averaged 42 mpg for the trip,
    both city and highway driving. No, it is not what I want for my every day
    highway driver, but if I lived in New York or Boston or the like, I'd
    certainly consider one just for the ability to find parking.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Apr 3, 2008
    #9
  10. I just went to safecar.gov and they have not tested the 2008 Smart Car
    No there was a page my coworker sent to me but I didn't bookmark it.
    It wasn't based on the multitude of YouTube videos.

    - Thee Chicago Wolf
     
    Thee Chicago Wolf, Apr 3, 2008
    #10
  11. Darby OGill

    Leonardo Guest

    How about one of these 50mpg beauties?

    http://hyundaii10.co.in/

    Oh wait, 'mericans don't drive silly ass little cars :)

    L.
     
    Leonardo, Apr 3, 2008
    #11
  12. Darby OGill

    Leonardo Guest

    How about one of these 50mpg beauties?

    http://hyundaii10.co.in/

    Oh wait, 'mericans don't drive silly ass little cars :)

    L.
     
    Leonardo, Apr 3, 2008
    #12
  13. I'm not planning to move to India anytime soon.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Apr 4, 2008
    #13
  14. I don't doubt that at all and it makes sense over there. I'm not sure it
    makes as much sense here.
    That was the first thing I saw a year or so ago, which is a bad joke.
    The only Smarts I've seen around here (NH) have had Canadian plates on them.
    Really, what's the point? By the time you get one, there will probably
    be something better available from a more mainstream company with a
    better dealer network.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Apr 4, 2008
    #14
  15. Darby OGill

    Vineeth Guest

    Even if you did I doubt you would manage to drive there... It takes
    more than skill :)
     
    Vineeth, Apr 8, 2008
    #15
  16. Darby OGill

    Mike Guest

    This 'merican would drive one! I commute 150 miles each day in an '02
    accent with 172K on the clock. It's all about MPG's for me!
    Mike
     
    Mike, Apr 14, 2008
    #16
  17. Darby OGill

    CBX2 Guest

    Honda CRX 1300cc 63 MPG 1989 I think or 87
     
    CBX2, Apr 14, 2008
    #17
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