We need ultra light four wheeled cars

[ellenor2000]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Don't get me started.

The government has all sorts of nanny rules that don't make sense. It's illegal to be in a boat without life jackets onboard, but not illegal to be in the lake with no life jacket.

A car has to pass crash safety, and an occupant must wear a seatbelt, unless the person is riding a motorcycle.

All sorts of homeopathic "medicine" that is unregulated, but I can't go to a healthcare professional that isn't licensed, or licensed at a lower level than Dr or PA.

Government should allow unregulated (almost) everything, so long as the unregulated things clearly state they are unregulated, and that the user accepts a higher level of responsibility.

Consumer advocacy groups would pop up that would help guide people's decisions.

We live in absurd times.

I'm left-wing and pro-regulation, but having this clear statement of responsibility is good enough for me

[ellenor2000]

Originally Posted by niky

Oh, I completely agree.

The problem is getting the market to see that.

People got mo' money, they want mo' mo' mo'.

This is why the Tata Nano failed.

This is why Indians are starting to get into bigger-than-Kei cars.

This is why affluent Asians are going straight from 40 km/l scooters (40 in traffic) STRAIGHT into brand spaning new 1.5 ton MPVs and pick-up trucks.

The perception of utility trumps all common sense.

Me, I could get by with a two wheeler for 90% of my own needs. Even taking the kids to school can be done via bike, as their schools are relatively close (or go via busing service. Same cost per kilometer as driving, but no vehicular ownership overhead). Other times, I drive a Mirage (usually four or five up) But try convincing other parents here that they don't need a V6 Ford Explorer to send a single child to school...

My mum thinks she needs a 3.6 V6 front-wheel drive Dodge Caravan to send two children excluding me to school down a slippery hill. She manages just fine but gets pathetic fuel economy.

*****. You don't. You need a 3.0 Accord with a stick and 4 doors. Like you used to do in the old days with your beloved Biemers.

Hell, I want to reupholster my dad's engineless Beetle, get it worth using and put an engine in it. But first I need to rebuild my automatic Hyundai Accent's engine, since that's the engine (and transmission if the Autostick Beetle is a 3 speed) I'd be using.

[Piotrsko]

You NEED to make the vw electric.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by niky

This is why affluent Asians are going straight from 40 km/l scooters (40 in traffic) STRAIGHT into brand spaning new 1.5 ton MPVs and pick-up trucks.

The perception of utility trumps all common sense.

Not only affluent Asians do so. At least due to the status symbolism of SUVs and pick-ups, nowadays they seem to be more widespread than some sedans. Even though in Brazil we see more of the compact SUVs, they're also taking over due to the perception of an increased suitability to cope with harsh pavement conditions, despite their low-profile tyres and big rims not being so effective to bump the irregularities on the pavement so well as a taller-profile tyre in a smaller rim would.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by ellenor2000

You need a 3.0 Accord with a stick and 4 doors. Like you used to do in the old days with your beloved Biemers.

Honda only made that car for two years. And I have one!

[jjackstone]

Speaking of complete waste...not that I follow social media.

Fans are ‘sickened’ after Kim Kardashian and Kanye West take private 747 jet meant for over 600 passengers

This is only the headline. I couldn't bear to read the article.
JJ

[Hersbird]

I think acting like the consumer doesn't want the cars is wrong, it's 100% the government not allowing them. Technically they may be "allowed" but by having to check every government mandated box it makes then a certain size, weight, power, etc, and mainly cost at least $15,000 if not $20,000 to be profitable all by itself. So then what are you going to buy as a consumer, a normal old reliable and safe Honda Civic, or some strange 1 or 2 seater that probably would only save you $50-100 a year in gas. Then nobody does buy the 1/2 government, 1/2 forward thinking frankenstein, and the price ends up even higher, if not much higher than what's on the shelf currently.
and in defense of the one person in a 5 or even 8 passenger vehicle. I would love to have the perfect vehicle for every situation I drive but normal people can struggle to afford one car if not 2, I would need 10 cars to cover every base. Or I can buy that 8 passenger 6L 4x4 that tows 10,000 pounds to cover all the bases except economy and performance and then limit the driving. The added fuel cost in my case is less than insurance and license fees on a 2nd or 3rd car would be.
Whos wasting more resources, the guy driving a Prius 100 miles a day, or me driving a 2500 Suburban 7? If I needed to drive 100 miles a day then it would probably make financial sense to get a 50 mpg car. But seeing as how I don't I'll be that guy next to you alone in a Suburban.

[Piotrsko]

All well and good, but then why did chevy sell so few volts? Including discounts and rebates.

I believe they made more VW safari's in 3 years than total volts.

Cant wait for $5.00 a gallon fuel.

[iikhod]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Cant wait for $5.00 a gallon fuel.

Welcome to Finland then, its roughly around 4.7 dollars per gallon here.

Lightweight four wheel cars? Like a caterham super seven for example?

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by euromodder

It goes well beyond that

Basalt fiber. Ecological, fireproof, bulletproof and it bends rather than shattering.

https://www.basalt.guru/category/bas...auto-industry/