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Old 01-25-2010, 01:54 PM   #112 (permalink)
Clev
Wannabe greenie
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Posts: 1,098

The Clunker (retired) - '90 Honda Accord EX sedan
Team Honda
90 day: 29.49 mpg (US)

Mountain Goat - '96 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 SuperCab
90 day: 18 mpg (US)

Zippy - '10 Kymco Agility 125
90 day: 65.03 mpg (US)
Thanks: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
That was my question: how much of the weight increase is due to bloat - that is, being a much larger car - and how much to actual safety features? I'm betting the latter is only a small fraction.
Correct. As I mentioned, the '10 Civic has the same interior dimensions as the '90 Accord, but is 50 pounds lighter (or a dead heat if you add the 2.5 cu. ft. of trunk space to make them completely equal.) Heavier doorbeams are offset by weight loss elsewhere in the car, and how much could an airbag possibly weigh?

Yeah, I don't like the keyless starting systems either. I rented a Prius, and my only complaint was the stupid starting procedure. And there's no "ACC" position to speak of, so if you're out of control, I don't know how you'd shut it off without also locking the steering.
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