10-07-2009, 06:04 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Charlotte NC / SC
Posts: 658
Thanks: 70
Thanked 42 Times in 39 Posts
|
Smallest FWD production car ?
I'm wanting to build a delta trike, diesel powered (wish VW Lupo engines were available in the states) and don't want to reinvent the (front) wheel.
What's the smallest FWD production car? Swift/Metro?
No I'm not looking for barely obtainable one-off cars. I am looking to save $$ same as everyone else here.
No I don't want a motorcycle/ rear drive setup, yes I know it would be simpler but they are less stable.
Small and LIGHT are the key factors here.
Thanks ya'll 
|
|
|
|
|
10-07-2009, 06:52 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
|
EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: May 2008
Location: monticello , MS
Posts: 59
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
metro or diahatsu charade both have 1,000 cc motors.
|
|
|
|
|
10-07-2009, 07:03 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: california
Posts: 1,145
Thanks: 9
Thanked 98 Times in 78 Posts
|
Any japanese Kei car.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kei_car
You can get complete used drive trains imported from japan for cheap. |
|
|
|
|
10-07-2009, 07:42 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
|
Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 12,537
Thanks: 302
Thanked 1,020 Times in 568 Posts
|
Quote:
|
No I'm not looking for barely obtainable one-off cars. I am looking to save $$ same as everyone else here.
|
In that case, I think you have to look for a Metro clone.
Same reasons Jack is looking to source one for his Metro-based sports car build: Metro-powered sports car project |
|
|
|
|
10-08-2009, 12:22 AM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 2,878
Thanks: 391
Thanked 222 Times in 191 Posts
|
I would agree on the Kei car, there were a few imported to the US with titles like the Honda N600, a 1,300 pound 4 seater with a 600cc engine, but you can buy a "not for road use" newer Kei car from a local dealership.
|
|
|
|
|
10-08-2009, 02:16 AM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 645
Thanks: 19
Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts
|
the original mini??
__________________
-----------------------------------------
good things come to those who wait, sh*t turns up pretty much instantly
twitter.com/bertchalmers
|
|
|
|
|
10-08-2009, 11:49 AM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
|
EcoModder
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North Central Alabama
Posts: 484
Thanks: 46
Thanked 62 Times in 36 Posts
|
The Chevy Sprint was really tiny (I know, I had one!). It was a 3 cylinder with a 900cc engine. I think we bought mine for $600, and sold it 8 years later for $400. I don't know how much it weighted, but it couldn't have been much if a 900cc engine pulled it along.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
10-08-2009, 12:30 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
|
aero guerrilla
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 2,878
Thanks: 668
Thanked 361 Times in 229 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by robchalmers
the original mini??
|
Oh, no. We're saving those for me, when I want to do an electric conversion 
How about a Smart ForTwo? The first generation versions came with 0.6 and 0.7 liter gas engines, and a 0.8 diesel, all of them turbo'ed.
EDIT: Oh wait! But the Smart's engine is in the rear. Sorry!
__________________
e·co·mod·ding: the art of turning vehicles into what they should be
What matters is where you're going, not how fast.
"... we humans tend to screw up everything that's good enough as it is...or everything that we're attracted to, we love to go and defile it." - Chris Cornell
Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread
Last edited by Piwoslaw; 10-08-2009 at 12:36 PM..
|
|
|
|
|
10-08-2009, 12:50 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 3,940
Thanks: 513
Thanked 501 Times in 306 Posts
|
Hi,
The Smart is rear wheel drive, unfortunately.
The Scion xA is ~13' long, the new Mini is 12' long...
|
|
|
|
|
10-08-2009, 01:46 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
|
Moderate your Moderation.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,382
Thanks: 955
Thanked 324 Times in 273 Posts
|
I think we're looking for width, though, not length, right?
Grab a rotted VW bug, take the rear drivetrain/suspension from it, and build your delta frame off it.
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"
|
|
|
|
|
