WOW! Those are both horrible yet strangely appealing. They look like they are kid's electric cars blown up to fit adults.
I think driver experience has something to do with it too. The Spitfire driver doesn't let go of the steering wheel. No arm restraints do that for you.
Just as another comparison, my Sienna weighs 4,300lbs... and I can practically park my Miata inside it.
I agree with you. I am one of those 'hippy' types who is interested in 'greenifying' my life but I am also fiscally conservative enough to not buy new cars unless I have a really good reason to. So far in 20+ years of living on my own it has never happened. To me, I can not justify spending $40k on a depreciating asset just to save a few dollars in gas and a few pounds of CO2. I've made other choices that allow me to drive less. I've decided to buy used cars and bike to work until a hybrid/electric/hydrogen/cold-fusion powered wagon or minivan comes around and makes sense environmentally and economically. in the mean time, I'll keep biking to work (well, I'll always try to do that, I like it and it helps keep me sane). Being cheap by 'recycling' used cars allows me to have more cars that can do what I want, have fun with the top down or haul the whole family while waiting until the technology gets settled.
I also agree about how different this would be if it had a Toyota badge on it. GM has many years to go before I'll believe in their quality enough to buy new technology from them. Additionally, GM didn't learn from Toyota; if I remember correctly, Toyota lost money on every Prius they sold for several years because they knew they would have to get the price down low enough to make it attractive enough consider buying. GM has been short-sighted and, in my opinion, despicable by lobbying for $7500 tax credits for the Volt rather than swallow the cost of R&D (for which they have also received millions from the govt (but so did Toyota)) and sell the Volt at $25k, which is what would make it more attractive. In the mean time, by pricing it at $40k+ -$7500, I think people are turned off by the $40k price and the $7500 tax break doesn't make up for that initial sticker shock. The $7500 tax break is offensive to the rest of us because many of us really don't want any part of paying for someone else to buy an overpriced car.
That's more than generous, I think there's a decimal point missing.
I work with a Fair Housing group and I'm surprised that shelters are allowed to discriminate against people with service animals. Here in PA you don't even need to prove that your service animal has been trained, only that a doctor has certified that you need the animal. That's it, nothing more. I know it is too late for you but could you please contact your state Human Relations Commission and report this? I really don't think it is legal and perhaps by filing a complaint you can help stop it from happening to others.
A guy here. Fully shaved kinda freaks me out because it looks pre-pubesent and that's just creepy to me. Please leave some hair, thanks. That said, my wife and I agree that pubic hair busting out of the swimsuit on men or women is not appealing.
Potomac German Auto in Maryland. Back when I had a 1968 230 sedan, this was the most wondrous place. A junkyard devoted to old Mercedes Benz. Just fantastic. I just checked their website and it looks like they've added BMW and Audi but it was the acres of old Benzes that won my heart. [www.pgauto.com]
Thank you for one of the most thoughtful posts about depression I have ever read.
That's so nice of you to get for pauljones! Jalops are such a thoughtful bunch. You are, of course, going to send it to him for ChrismaHannuKwanzaaKaa aren't you? At least scan it and make a t-shirt of it for him.
Lucy in Margate, NJ. built in 1881.
It may have gotten horrible reviews (I've never driven one) but it has NOT gotten bad crash ratings: [www.iihs.org]
IIHS logo News Release | May 14, 2008
First Institute crash tests of Smart car: diminutive two-seater earns top ratings for protecting people in front & side crashes
ARLINGTON, VA — The Smart car is getting a lot of attention for its small size and style, and now it's earning impressive crash test ratings. In recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the 2008 Smart Fortwo, the smallest car for sale in the US market, earned the top rating of good for front and side crash protection. Its seat/head restraints earned the second highest rating of acceptable for protection against whiplash in rear impacts.
IIHS logo News Release | May 14, 2008
First Institute crash tests of Smart car: diminutive two-seater earns top ratings for protecting people in front & side crashes
ARLINGTON, VA — The Smart car is getting a lot of attention for its small size and style, and now it's earning impressive crash test ratings. In recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the 2008 Smart Fortwo, the smallest car for sale in the US market, earned the top rating of good for front and side crash protection. Its seat/head restraints earned the second highest rating of acceptable for protection against whiplash in rear impacts.
I completely agree. The complexity of modern cars dooms them to short lifespans. The age of cars lasting 20+ years is over. Let's just start with the complexity of dashboards, an early adopter of the digital dash was the Buick Reatta. How many daily driven Buick Reattas do you see anymore? Today's cars may be better designed than a Reatta but they are also infinitely more complex. Your points about airbags are very good too, how reliable are they after 20 years and a bunch of dents and dings? I'm skeptical. Modern cars are fantastic in many ways but the ability to keep one running 20 years from now is one thing I wouldn't bet on.
Well stated.
There are so many venues where wealthy people could take their cars, why do it on the streets? It's not just thrill-seeking; there is some other self-centered motivation for it.
There are so many venues where wealthy people could take their cars, why do it on the streets? It's not just thrill-seeking; there is some other self-centered motivation for it.
Thanks for the laugh. I needed that.
I don't care for the wheels but I'm loving that green.
Very well done. Thank you for that.
There's plenty of inexpensive parking in Philly, it just depends on how far you want to walk. East of Broad and North of Market it is easy to find lots with early bird specials of $9, so even without a monthly contract you'd only pay $180. My new office building parking (west of Broad, on Market) has $270/month parking but, again, if you go a little farther away, like Vine St you can find cheaper parking. I usually ride a bike but if I have to park I found on street parking for $1/hr near 30th st station so I usually skip the parking lots entirely and just walk a few blocks. Sadly this is why we have so many surface lots (the scourge of a healthy city) and so few parking garages, the income just doesn't justify building up, or (gasp!) excavating.
