[dub_scratch]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('azreal60', ' ')Of course, my solution is simply to drive them that much less. I bet per year I still have better MPY than almost anyone who has a car on this site, simply because of how I set up my life.

[dub_scratch]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('denverdave', '
')when peak oil becomes manifest in america, there WILL be third world streets, with a lot more bikes, scooters, and small cars and a lot less SUVs.

[rwwff]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dub_scratch', 'I') look out my window and I see the cars that will make up what is left of the fleet in 20 years.

[Faustus]

A lot of people use them here in Japan- they're a pain in the neck to have on the road when you're in a car, but when there are fewer cars and more scooters, it's not bad at all. Taipei is loaded with the things- enough to get across the city or to the outskirts, but who wants to own/maintain/park a car in the middle of a massive city? Thanks, but no thanks. If it's raining, just put on some rain gear, wrap your stuff in plastic, and you're golden.

[grabby]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', 'H')uh? 40mpg? Heck I had an old 1984 Chevette Diesel that got 45mpg. Sold it with 225,000 miles on her. How about the 92 & 95 Geo Metro that could hit close to 60mpg in hot weather.

[SILENTTODD]

I see it all now!

Beep Beep! Beep Beep!

His horn went Beep! Beep! Beep!

[Mesuge]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dub_scratch', '
')After PO we will be stuck with the cars we have and we will have to find a way to make use of them, including SUVs. Think of SUVs pulling trailers hauling loads of commuters. We'll call that "mass transit". Things will get really funky when the road infrastructure gets deteriorated greatly. Then nobody is going anywhere in any kind of motorized device.

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'L')et me guess. You guys and girls are all below 5'10" in height? I HATED the metro, and for that reason alone. I doubt I would fit in the smart.

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')see it all now!

Beep Beep! Beep Beep!

His horn went Beep! Beep! Beep!

[dukey]

theres quite a few smart cars around here
they don't handle especially well but they get pretty amazing mpg. Probably better than any hybrid. For anyone who drives their car, and they are the sole person in the car most of the time. Smart car is ideal ..

[LadyRuby]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('azreal60', 'L')et me guess. You guys and girls are all below 5'10" in height? I HATED the metro, and for that reason alone. I doubt I would fit in the smart.

I want to be all eco freindly, but pretty much I'm stuck with large cars and trucks. Of course, my solution is simply to drive them that much less.

[EnergySpin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('gg3', '
')
Tried to catch up to it, as in, 80-something miles per hour.

[DigitalCubano]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('LadyRuby', 'G')ood move on the driving the car less, but do you think there aren't tall europeans? If they can manage a small car, why can't we?

[denverdave]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dub_scratch', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('denverdave', '
')when peak oil becomes manifest in america, there WILL be third world streets, with a lot more bikes, scooters, and small cars and a lot less SUVs.

[Mesuge]

Smart the overpriced 4wheeled cube?
I'd rather prefer Loremo EV ~ 280mpg in showrooms 2009

[FairMaiden]

I'm a transportation consultant and one of the exercises I do in seminars is teach ppl to calculate their cars actual mileage. The smart cars in an urban setting averaged around 60 mpg. Most other cars were well below their posted ratings...of course, add a ski rack or let your tires get flat and you'll see alot of different.

I know one person who was hit by a truck in a Smart car - he was side swiped at about 50km/hr...and he was bruised but fine. The car has many added safety features to make it safe. Its a great commuter car.

Driving an Expedition to work and back everyday is like making a 3 course meal - eating one and throwing the other 3 courses away.

[Concerned]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('FairMaiden', 'I')'m a transportation consultant and one of the exercises I do in seminars is teach ppl to calculate their cars actual mileage. The smart cars in an urban setting averaged around 60 mpg. Most other cars were well below their posted ratings...of course, add a ski rack or let your tires get flat and you'll see alot of different.

[azreal60]

Hehe, I'm sure there are some who don't mind cramming themselves into a smaller car. I just have to say I'm not one of them, the only way I can do that is to push the seat way back, and that makes it hard to put anyone or anything behind me.

500 MPY is indeed in my range, but to be fair my wife drives alot more, and sometimes takes me as a passanger. Only sometimes though, and I'm trying to get her more involved in biking.

While you might think it a weak rationalization, I also had a problem with Corvette, Boxer and Miata. I wouldn't drive one of them either... =)

There are fewer tall Europeans I have noticed. But a great deal of them take trains. =) God you build a train out my way, I'll gladly take it. And pay thru the nose for it if nessesary.

I will say I didn't know the metro had a newer version with added headroom. I guess my problem is most of my height is torso, so while my leg room is ok in most cars, I've actually gone thru the roof on a bumpy road once. It's just a pain.

I'm looking to see what the latest electric conversions are, and what is possible for my frame.

[spudbuddy]

Well, I've seen quite a few of these buzzing around my city lately.
They seem to work well in this scenario:
One couple, 2 people, both commuting to work with 2 briefcases - and that's full capacity.
Yeah - they save on gas all right...and they can literally park sideways....
Beyond that?

They're basically a motorcycle.
With a roof.
They do no more than that.

The silly thing is - there are quite a few vehicles out there that get almost as good gas mileage, but that carry at least 4 people and some luggage, besides.

So if all one needs is what could have carried what a big Harley would have - then I guess it works.

I've never seen one with a baby bucket or booster seat - I don't imagine anyone with kids would use it as such.

And at the speed that commuters scream around my city - I can't imagine anyone would feel safe chauffeuring kids around in one, anyway.

The first time I saw one, I thought - well, there goes something that would be pretty good for pizza delivery. (or smallish drugstore orders.)

Mostly I just think a smart car is some kind of advertising fakeout - as if this is supposed to be an answer for the future - what most people actually need and use a vehicle for - a smart car will not provide.

It did, however - provide a nice comedy touch in the latest Pink Panther movie......................

[Grimnir]

This business professor says it would take $7 gas before Americans would begin systematically selling their second cars.

The article's subtitle is "Ditch your car and you could spend an extra $100,000 on a new home". Jevon's paradox, anyone?

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')It's called location–efficient housing. A term that basically means, you live close enough to work to ride a bike or the bus, and use the savings from not having a car to buy a much more expensive home than you would otherwise be able to afford.