Fuel prices, oversized cars and Schadenfreude

[Autobahnschleicher]

Who else finds it hillarious how all these gas guzzler drivers cry about this slight increase in fuel prices?
Time to sell off that financed truck and buy a small motorcycle or leave it in the driveway and commute by bike/public transport...

I can't wait for prices in the US reach the level we here in germany had before the attack...

[Isaac Zachary]

I wonder how far it will go. Or will Americans just complain but keep paying for fuel and their life style trucks at any cost?

The thing is that good alternatives aren't ever sold in the USA. There's a pretty big gap between utilitarian vehicles and fuel sipping compact cars. Before 2008 people were buying Hummers. Then in 2008 the Smart Car started to sell like pancakes. But then then people went right back to the utilitarian style of vehicles when the economy went back up. It wasn't until 2011 that the Prius v was offered, a vehicle that bridges the gap between a roomy SUV and a tiny compact grocery getter. I guess there was the VW diesel Golf Sport Wagen, but we know what ended up happening with that.

The thing is people are sold into "if it looks bigger it must be better". Take the RAV4 and Camry for an example. With the same options, the RAV4 is only about 60lbs heavier. It has less leg room than the Camry. If you put a net in the rear so your groceries don't become deadly projectiles in an accident it also has the same cargo capacity. Yet it costs more and gets worse fuel mileage. There is the RAV4 Prime, but the Camry would get even better fuel mileage if there were a Camry Prime. Also, last time I looked the RAV4 only got a 4 star crash rating with the NHTSA and didn't make the IIHS's Top Safety Pick, whereas the Camry got a perfect 5 star rating and made the Top Safety Pick Plus category.

What I would like is a Camry Prime wagon or similar option. But I'm the only American (or possibly Earth inhabitant) who does.

[Autobahnschleicher]

You might want to look for Audi Avants or VW Passat wagons, they are kinda what you're looking for.
And especialy the smaller diesel options.get great fuel efficiency.

Also as a side question:
Why do americans like sedans?
It's like the cargo capacity of a hatchback combined with the size and weight of a wagon.

[freebeard]

Time to sell off that financed truck and buy a small motorcycle or leave it in the driveway and commute by bike/public transport...

With a fleet of three running cars and a corporate slumlord who says "Thou shalt have two", it was the largest, the Dasher diesel three-door, that went. I did apparently find a new owner who appreciates what he got.

The problem is that the new vehicle won't ship until Q4 of this year. The Arcimoto platform 2:

electrek.co/2022/02/25/arcimoto-unveils-radical-three-wheel-drive-electric-leaning-trike-that-it-thinks-can-beat-e-bikes/

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

What I would like is a Camry Prime wagon or similar option. But I'm the only American (or possibly Earth inhabitant) who does.

A or B?

[Isaac Zachary]

Apparently there either were no diesel wagon Audi Advants or VW Passat sold in the USA or there are just not any for sale.

There are Golfs and A3s diesel wagons.

The one thing is fuel mileage can be a little better. My mother got a Chevy Sonic sedan because the hatchback version had a worse fuel mileage rating.

Another reason could be safety. I knew a woman who died in a 25mpg single car accident because something in the cargo area bounced up and shot forward hitting her head and killing her. So having things locked in a trunk takes away the question of whether a cargo net is sufficient or not.

But I think the main reason is looks. People either like sedans, SUVs or pickups here. If it's not one of those three it can't be "cool."

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by freebeard

A or B?

B

With this kind of engine:

https://www.thegoldenbug.com/en/air-.../diesel_beetle

[Gasoline Fumes]

I'm averaging about 63 MPG (3.7 L/100km) in my 2000 Honda Insight. Maybe higher prices will encourage me to do even better! We like $70,000 gas-guzzling trucks and impractical sedans in the US. We don't have much public transport outside of larger cities. And not many safe bike lanes either.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

Time to sell off that financed truck and buy a small motorcycle or leave it in the driveway and commute by bike/public transport...

A few years ago, right after spotting a '94 Gurgel Supermini on the way to the fuel station where I usually enjoy some coffee on my way to take the dog to a park nearby, I was talking to a boy who worked there and we were noticing how so many cars are quite oversized, and often carrying the driver alone. Just look at how the SUV craze took over the world.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

B

With this kind of engine:

I hadn't known about the 1981 recreation.

One of the reasons I could let go of the Dasher was the hood shaking at idle.

The story I saw about the theft said the thief knew enough to refuel it with diesel before they abandoned it.

I knew the guy with the Type III. The only change I'd make would be 19" MG-TC wires with BMW i3 Bridgeport tires.