Indy.com
Today:
My next new car will have to be Smart with fuel at $3.50 a gallon
Posted: Apr 15, 2008 in Things to do, Culture
Tags:
These cars are too cool,just what I need for running around town.
Today:
Posted: Apr 15, 2008 in Things to do, Culture
Tags:
These cars are too cool,just what I need for running around town.
I saw one recently. They sound like lawnmowers with mufflers, but they're something to see, and I'd be interested in driving one sometime.
If I worked Downtown, I would get one. Unfortunately, I have a long commute and really don't want to be in a Smart Car on 465 when there's snow and ice on the road.
Gas prices have got me sticking to smaller cars, even though I'd really like to have something larger for camping.
Yeah, the thing is, their gas mileage really isn't that great for such a tiny car. It's 33 city/41 mileage according to their own web site, and as we all know the mileage you actually get with the car loaded, the AC running, etc. tends to be worse. My 5-year-old Focus gets 28/33 and can actually hold 5 people and a bunch of stuff.
I sat in a Smart when they had the display at IMA last year, and was impressed with how roomy the passenger seating was. But when I saw the mileage, my first question was, "Why isn't this car a hybrid?"
If this car was still priced in the mid-teens and got 70 m.p.g., I'd be all over it. But the lack of functionality as it is now keeps it a novelty buy, imho.
The reason it's not a Hybrid is price. If some one breaks the $15,000 barrier with a Hybrid, it will likely be the best-selling car of all time. Right now, Hybrids are expensive...at least by budget car standards.
I don't understand how it can't get better mileage than that...it's a glorified motorcycle. It's less than 5 MPG more than good gas mileage cars. The cost and parking spot benefits are nice, but the gas mileage could be better.
I'd rather spend more money on gas than risk my life driving one of those go carts on the highway.
I'm holding out for that $2,500 car from India...
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1653432,00.html
OK,I test drove one.Very fun to ride around town in but no room for 2 guitars and an Amp.I would not feel safe on the Freeway however.
Yah, I doubt we'll ever get a $2,500 car here...considering how cheap labor is in India. We could import them, but they'd probably end up costing $10k after traveling all the way to the U.S. plus the importer and dealers taking their cut.