I drive a VW Golf diesel that gets 51mpg. The 2-seat "Smart Car" that gets 60mpg will be available in early 2008. The days of the big V-8's are over and aren't 150/152 pilots use to small spaces? I cut my fuel consumption by 60%, just think what would happen to the oil companies if they lost 60% of their business, for good!
http://www.smartusa.com/ You make a good point. I have a Toyota Corolla that I drive to work in most of the time because of my long commute. It gets about 38mpg vs my truck's 21. I'll even take it skiing sometimes if the roads are clear and it's not supposed to snow. I saw these Smart Cars on the road when I was overseas a few months ago. I ride a motorcycle and I thought they looked dangerous. I don't think they're quick enough to get out of a tight spot the way a bike is. I'd like to see how it accelerates, brakes, and handles at speed. At best I think a Smart Car is a good extra vehicle that saves gas like a motorcycle, but not an every day driver. Especially up here in snow country where having a four wheel drive isn't always an option.
The hybrids look pretty good now and I thought about getting one, but what is going to happen when all those batteries are junk? How do we safely dispose of them?
I am impressed, though. Your VW gets slightly higher fuel mileage than my bike.
The
Tesla Roadster [
teslamotors.com] is an electric car that looks interesting! But it is a toy, too.
