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Automotive News & Views What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?
8666 messages, Last post on Nov 30, 2009 at 7:53 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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too far down the road to being the "AWD: Pros and Cons" discussion, I thought I would toss this in: http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/FREE/71204011/-1/new- sletter01 Seems they have sold out of a whole year's worth of Smart cars before they have even imported a single one! |
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Replying to: nippononly (Dec 05, 2007 10:28 pm) |
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Replying to: nippononly (Dec 05, 2007 10:28 pm)  Maybe the Bluetec version will be ready by then?
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Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 05, 2007 1:56 pm) 
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Replying to: dromedarius (Dec 06, 2007 6:47 am) A mini-van is good for carrying people or cargo, but not both. It also depends how many people and how big they are. The payload of an Odyssey is 1350; fine for 2 adults and a bunch of kids, but not optimal for 7 adults. The Dodge Sprinter (Diesel) can tote 5770 lbs, which should be more than ample for 9 adults and their baggage. It also gets about the same mileage as the Odyssey and costs are more comparably than one would think. So with little cost penalty, and with little mpg penalty (and the ability to run home-grown fuels, eliminating the dependence on foreign oil) you can have that much more capability. Of course, I wouldn't be such a fan of driving a full size van every day, but that would address you argument for smaller vehicles related to minivans.
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Dec 06, 2007 7:33 am) 
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Replying to: dromedarius (Dec 06, 2007 8:22 am) Not necessarily. If you're talking about REAL vans, and not minivans, well a van is just as heavy, and it going to hit just as hard, as a truck-based SUV. And isn't a Sprinter actually more of a medium-duty truck? As tall as it is, it looks like it would be easy to flip, but I guess it's possible that it doesn't have that high of a center of gravity. Still, it's going to create even more of a visual roadblock for other motorists, especially those in cars, than the Expeditions and Suburbans already do. |
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Replying to: dromedarius (Dec 06, 2007 8:22 am) I put a cargo box on the Yakima rack on the Subie to hold the stroller,pack-n-play (combination porta-crib and play-pen to those of you that haven't had a baby in the last few years), bouncy seat,etc and got 24 mpg, down from 30 (although I was probably going faster too...and on winter gas,etc). The thing is, I got home, took the box and the bars off, and mileage is back up. I have the cargo capacity when I need it, but I don't have to pay for it when I don't. I think for my family, that vehicle is the perfect mix of utility, practicality, safety, and fun to drive-ness (although I wish we had gotten the fancier model, but oh well). My friends with the xB feel the same way about their vehicle, and get similar mileage (but do more in-town driving). |
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Replying to: nippononly (Dec 05, 2007 10:28 pm) Also some ominous notes in that story: that Smart "should be" profitable for the first time at the end of 2008. that Daimler is looking to test an EV Smart in American cities (suggesting that the gas car is not delivering the expected economy?) In 10 years, in 37 countries, they've sold 770,000 Smarts. Do the math. That's an average of 2,000 cars a year in each country. that in the entire US there will be 75 dealers. Service and repairs anyone? |
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Replying to: andre1969 (Dec 06, 2007 8:35 am) A medium duty truck that gets 25 mpg and can run on bio-diesel. As tall as it is, it looks like it would be easy to flip, but I guess it's possible that it doesn't have that high of a center of gravity. This is a big issue with any high profile vehicle. I remember my friend flipping an 80s Toyota mini-van on the way to school, and my mom's friend flipping a Vanagon. The 15 passenger vans are especially dangerous because 3000 lbs of people sitting high up effectively raises the center of gravity. Most of these vehicles now have pretty advanced stability control programs. I don't think a Sprinter blocks my Accord's view any more than an Explorer or Expedition. Actually, because its relatively narrow, I can usually see around them. |
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