Quote:
Originally Posted by blownb310
I thought so too, but was delighted to see that Kia and Hyundai still sell strippers. I checked last week and you can get the Rio and Accent models without A/C. radio, and power windows. A local dealer here in Albany has radio ads this week for 28 new Kia Rio's in stock for just $7995 each!
Mike
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That's impressive! Leave it to the Koreans to still keep things behind modern standards, not that it's an issue for what we're talking about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkp1187
I think emissions -- or, more correctly, the cost of getting engines certified for use in the USA -- is a big factor keeping clean diesels out of the country. Like this one:
Safety by itself probably isn't a big factor in MPG...but the concept of 'safety over everything' is one of those ideas that keeps people buying SUVs because they think they're 'safer'.
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Emissions standards in the US are much higher than those in EU for diesels. It's funny, the same group of politicians that push for higher fuel economy regulations also push for stricter emissions regulations, that keep some of these diesels out of the country.
Safety adds weight, and lots of it. Grab an air bag, now multiply it by a few times. Now add in the wiring, the impact sensors, and the computer(s) that manages all this. Add in the structural changes in cars over time, the body shells alone are most likely heavier and much stronger.
More often than not though, luxury adds most. Lots of wiring, sound deadening, electronics, etc etc at several hundreds of pounds. Modern cars are on par with the weight of 1960s land yachts! A '64 Impala is not much heavier than the current Impala, if I'm not mistaken.
It's really become a bit sad.