Theres never been a vehicle like this before!!
 

14 green machines - Subcompact: Smart ForTwo (4) - CNNMoney.com

From the article "The Smart ForTwo just entered the U.S. market last year. It achieves its phenomenal fuel economy numbers by combing small size, very light weight - about 1,800 pounds - and a 3-cylinder, 1-liter engine."

Sounds familiar, Almost like a metro ?

I know they ddin't say that they were trying to break new ground, but amazing how with this newer vehicle which has similar atributes to the 1L metro cannot fit 4 people. The older vehicle was more practical. Maybe it was the new crash test standards.....

Phenomenal? My 2000 Insight, with close to the same weight and engine size, averages over 70 mpg.

But why would I want it to? If it could fit 4 people, that'd just mean you could knock off a couple hundred pounds by making a 2-seater out of it.

I've seen more than a few media stories in the last year about "amazing" fuel economy from cars like the fortwo and the Honda Fit.

Makes me laugh.

Hi,

And there is the Toyota/Scion iQ, which looks like it gets a fair bit better MPG than the ForTwo, and it seats 3 adults + 1 child, and meets modern crash tests.

I know there are better vehicles that get better mileage. I just was struck how the description fit a vehicle that has been in production for more then 20 years. I am pretty sure india still makes the metro, or at least a variant with the same underpinnings there.

Too bad the Fortwo the States got wasn't like the one first released in Canada with the 3 cylinder turbo diesel. There was a fellow where I worked when I was up in Alberta that got over 80 MPG highway and obtained about 60MPG in town. Much more impresive then the 40 the gas version gets. And bet the diesel's torque made it more drivable too..

The only record the smart for two beat this year is the number of stolen cars.

Ooops, they were second, first place always for the twingo.

Denis.

My old school Akai component sterio system cost me $50 and really really sounds good (and loud), 10" drivers.

It must be at least 15 years old.

What the hell has happened?

Did we get dumber?

The VW Tdi has a lot more room, more power and can achieve about the same MPG.

Also, the Metro doesn't need Premium Unleaded?

Thats a good point too. But a few metro/swift drivers do up their timing and use better fuel and get some better mileage.

Reprinted from my post on TeamZX2: regarding the actual costs of fuel economy. Isn't the REAL goal PERSONAL economy?

So, I look up the price and mpg of a Prius: $24,000 & 65MPG

How does that compare to a 1998-99 ZX2 that might cost $2,000 and get 35mpg?

Assuming 15k miles per year, and gas @ $4/gal, the data is as follows:
Prius= 230.77 Gal @ $923.00
ZX2 = 428.57 Gal @ $1,714.00, or $791.00 more than the prius

But the Prius cost $22,000 MORE than the used ZX2 (or pick yer used car)

So what is the payoff to owning the Prius? WHen do you actually save $$$

How does 27 years sound? @ $4/gal
If gas was $2/gal, it takes over 55 yrs to save $ with the Prius.

Things to think about when thinking "economy".

larryj54 -

Good points. That's why I'm not anxious to get *any* new car these days.

Don't forget the cost of insurance. That's another reason to keep a good used small car on the road.

CarloSW2

No, not necessarily. Not to me, at least. I look at extreme fuel economy in much the same way as other people think of extra horsepower or leather interiors. I'd be willing to spend even more on a car (within reason) than I did on the current Insight, if it'd give me better fuel economy while otherwise supplying what I want from a car.

Other than obsession, what is the point of spending $20,000 to save $1.37 on a tank of gas? Its absurd! That is not economy, its delusion. If you are an activist and you are out to make a statement.. fine.. but don't pretend you are saving any $. :)

We could all give up coffee, never get a DVD, etc etc, and things that dont sustain us, no luxury at all.

Wear clothes threadbare, glue slabs of rubber on our shoes, sell all our toys, live in the woods on roots, berries and wild animals......and sit cross legged waiting for godo...

Some hippy friends of mine constantly deride the rich, annoys the hell out of me.
People are mostly under a fate.... unless they consciously make an effort to talk with godo....

I dunno..... maybe the revolutionaries are right.... off with their heads!!