10-04-2014, 01:29 AM
|
#71 (permalink)
|
|
Not Doug
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Show Low, AZ
Posts: 12,232
Thanks: 7,254
Thanked 2,231 Times in 1,721 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
That said, I do want to sleep in the back of the Prius.
|
Would that be easier or more difficult if you obtained permission first? 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
I must have gone to a different old school. Seems to me that there really are very few small cars any more, and (barring exotics like the Lotus) the few that try to be small are what I call 'muffin cars' (like the Smart or the new Fiat) that have a small footprint, but are disproportionately tall.
|
Cars have a trend to get bigger, but smaller cars keep coming back, although yes, they are definitely much taller now, which means heavier and less aerodynamic. Manufacturers are trying to trim weight, but it seems like the "muffin" is here to stay.
|
|
|
|
 Today
|
|
|
|
Other popular topics in this forum...
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 01:34 AM
|
#72 (permalink)
|
|
EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Auburn/Felton CA
Posts: 90
Thanks: 45
Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts
|
"THATS IT! YOURE SLEEPIN IN THE MUFFIN CAR TONIGHT!"
I test drove an Echo and as I opened the door (large 2 door), I just stared at it like WTF this thing almost took my eye out! Biggest door I've ever seen.
"AND NO RECLINING!"
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 02:19 AM
|
#73 (permalink)
|
|
Not Doug
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Show Low, AZ
Posts: 12,232
Thanks: 7,254
Thanked 2,231 Times in 1,721 Posts
|
Don't coupes always have longer doors than four-doors?
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 04:07 AM
|
#74 (permalink)
|
|
EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Auburn/Felton CA
Posts: 90
Thanks: 45
Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts
|
Yeah I am pretty sure all car companies take advantage of the extra space. My Subaru (coupe) door at least 4 feet wide. I can fit my 29" mtn bike in it if I take the front wheel off!
The Echo door was like my Subaru, but was a foot taller too!
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 09:41 AM
|
#75 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philippines
Posts: 2,173
Thanks: 1,739
Thanked 589 Times in 401 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kYLEMtnCRUZr
Personally, I try to ignore the scope of "American Standards" and follow the "What does 50% of the world live off of?"
|
I know this is really far back in the thread... but out here in the rest of the world, the Fiesta is still a pretty cramped car. Especially for the amount of money they cost.
-
I personally find sub-Mirage sized cars perfectly fine for commuting solo or two-up in... Though if you're riding with another adult, it can get rather cramped...
80 mpg? Possible. 80 mph? Hope you've got a good tail-wind. 
j/k... I've had one all the way up to a screaming 90 mph. 
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 10:33 AM
|
#76 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,510
Thanks: 325
Thanked 452 Times in 319 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by niky
I know this is really far back in the thread... but out here in the rest of the world, the Fiesta is still a pretty cramped car. Especially for the amount of money they cost.
|
I bought a Fiat 500 partly because I found the VW Up! to be too roomy! I don't know what people do in their cars that they need them so wide. In my VW I have to basically lean to one side to put my arm on the arm rest. |
|
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 10:49 AM
|
#77 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philippines
Posts: 2,173
Thanks: 1,739
Thanked 589 Times in 401 Posts
|
Don't get me started on elbow room! In the Explorer, the driver's door is so far away that, if I actually smoked, I wouldn't be able to hang my elbow over the windowsill without looking like a goof.
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 01:56 PM
|
#78 (permalink)
|
|
EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Auburn/Felton CA
Posts: 90
Thanks: 45
Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts
|
Also, half the world wouldn't be going into compounding interest debt for transportation! So that kinda crosses the Fiesta or anything new off the list until I saved up cash to buy it outright. Can you tell I'm taking a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class? lol.
|
|
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 02:24 PM
|
#79 (permalink)
|
|
Human Environmentalist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,756
Thanks: 4,317
Thanked 4,472 Times in 3,437 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kYLEMtnCRUZr
Also, half the world wouldn't be going into compounding interest debt for transportation! So that kinda crosses the Fiesta or anything new off the list until I saved up cash to buy it outright. Can you tell I'm taking a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class? lol.
|
Good point about how terrible paying financing charges is for most people.
I could have outright purchased the (used) TSX I have now, but Penfed was offering 2% financing, so I went that route instead. At the time, my credit union checking account was paying me 3% interest, so I was coming out slightly ahead by financing.
Recently I paid off the remaining $3k because interest rates on checking accounts have fallen to <2%. I can also drop full coverage insurance, which will save a couple hundred per year. |
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to redpoint5 For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
10-04-2014, 02:57 PM
|
#80 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A.
Posts: 16,268
Thanks: 24,393
Thanked 7,360 Times in 4,760 Posts
|
link
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joggernot
Do you have a link to this? I'll eventually have to get a new car and this sounds interesting. Is there a model that will have this engine?
|
I may have goofed on the numbers.(gray and white matter going fast!)
I do remember a 43% engine waiting in the wings.It might be FIAT or Renault.
For Toyota,check out :
"Toyota's astonishing new Atkinson Cycle engine delivers,78 mpg,gizmag Toyota's astonishing new Atkinson Cycle engine delivers 78 mpg
__________________
Photobucket album: http://s1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj622/aerohead2/
|
|
|
|
|
