A Real 100mpg Car You Can't Buy Here!

VW ^

[John Jamieson]

VW Lupo "3 liter":100mph, 4 seats, airbags, automatic transmission, available AC. 78.5mpg city, 104.6mpg highway, 94.5mpg combined. If we can get the sulfur out of US desiel fuel, we could have 'em now!

(see link for details)

[jwh_Denver]

Hey, that's a pick up the babes in a hotel room!

Steamy windows yes?

[HamiltonJay]

VW has been pushing the envelope of deisel fuel economy for years, their TDI's are great machines roughly 50 MPG with 180hp with the turbo charger. Unfortunately US Deisel is indeed abysmal... My needs at this time do push me to a fuel efficient vehicle, if I could get one that got 70mpg and I felt safe in, I'd be buying it in a heartbeat.

[Chemist_Geek]

We could use more of these city cars in the states (as long as they don't restrict our ability to buy 300hp, 5000lb SUVs for the weekends).

You know what? I agree completely. I'd rather not ban SUVs at all. I just wish that Americans would use the right tool for the job. Commuting? Drive a city car. Going to deer camp? Drive a SUV.

[Charles Martel]

A good buddy of mine has installed a system in his little Diesel Nissan Sentra which enables him to burn cooking oil,which he picks up for free at a local restaurant.He merely strains the stuff to clean it.The car runs well on it,and he drove it halfway across the country this summer to a family reunion.Smells like french frys when it runs,and pollutes very little.You can damn near breath the exaust.The conversion system only cost him 300 bucks.

Now there's a clever idea. You could start a commercial kitchen services company and have the restauranteurs PAY YOU to take away the oil, which you then filter and use as fuel!

[Sloth]

For the last four years I've been driving a 1988 Crown Victoria land yacht with a 5L V-8. I got it for a song, and was hoping to get 22 MPH. I had to double and triple check the mileage. I get 30MPH!

WOW. Wish I could get that out of my '86 Grand Marquis... must be doing something wrong, lol.

[been_lurking]

Commuting? Drive a city car. Going to deer camp? Drive a SUV.

What if "most Americans" cannot afford your "right tool" solution? I can use the SUV for city driving, but I can't take the city car off-road.

[Chemist_Geek]

What if "most Americans" cannot afford your "right tool" solution? I can use the SUV for city driving, but I can't take the city car off-road.

Lincoln Navigator MSRP = $55,050.

Toyota Prius MSRP = $19,995.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon MSRP = $24,050.

And, then, you'd still have $11,005 left over to spend on gasoline.

Of course, the other option, the one our grandparents used, was to save and invest wisely until they could afford both the k$55 Navigator and the k$40 Continental.

[been_lurking]

Owning an SUV as an only vehicle is basically irresponsible.

The SUV does everything the "city car" does and more. If I can only afford one vehicle, I want to buy one that does everything I need done.

And since it's my money -- there is little or nothing you can do about it. So tough.

[been_lurking]

And, then, you'd still have $11,005 left over to spend on gasoline.

Your analysis fails if I only have $25,000 to spend. Since the Jeep can do everything the Toyota can do, and more -- why should I not buy the Jeep?

[Iron Eagle]

Apparently, these engines emit higher-than-acceptable ozone emissions, so can't be marketed here.

Doesn't that high ozone violate the Kyoto agreement that the Euros are trying to push on us. Or is it just that those standards, like all the other tough standards, would apply only to the U.S.!!!

[On the Road to Serfdom]

One big problem with your argument--other than it being none of your business-- is insurance. With two cars costing almost twice as much to insure as one, the fuel savings will not make up for the extra $1000 in annual premiums.

[Chemist_Geek]

Since the Jeep can do everything the Toyota can do, and more -- why should I not buy the Jeep?

Because you'll spend more owning the Wrangler than you will the Prius. I see precious few of the SUVs around here (Detroit metro area) being used for their intended purpose. Unless, of course, their intended purpose is showing off...

[Chemist_Geek]

other than it being none of your busines

Hmm, why is it then that the SUV crowd loves to make cracks like "skateboard," "coffin," and "deathtraps," about city cars?

[bankwalker]

Ever hear of a gm 5.7 liter diesel?

This was a GM clusterf*ck where they tried to convert a gas engine to burn diesel fuel. It was never designed to handle the high compression needed to ignite the fuel oil. This engine should not be considered a true diesel engine because it was never designed to be one. It was an attempt by GM to quickly bring to market high MPG large vehicles during the energy crunch of the late 70's and early 80's. My experience with all other automotive diesels is that they tend to run forever (almost).

[On the Road to Serfdom]

Hmm, why is it then that the SUV crowd loves to make cracks like "skateboard," "coffin," and "deathtraps," about city cars? Are they saying people shounld not be allowed to buy them? If so, it is none of their business too. I drive a compact car, never owned a SUV. Saying someone should not have one as their only car is like saying some one must get a road bike before a mountain bike. Sure, most mountain bikes I see are being driven on roads, not in the woods. Does that mean these bikes never go offroad? Does it even matter?

[A CA Guy]

Can we exchange body styles with other matchbox cars?

[John Jamieson]

Very well explained, thanks.

[John Jamieson]

The biggest joke is that H2 burns very nicely in slightly modified versions (add water injection) of the engines we already use. If a cheap source of hydrogen existed, we still wouldn't need fuel cells for automotive use. Ballard stock is down to about $7 ($40 9 months ago), get yours before it goes lower!

[John Jamieson]

Yes, as long as its real "matchbox", no cheap knockoffs.

My first car after college was a 1.1 liter, 60 hp Opel Kadett. It was great little car. Traded it years later on a 1.9 liter "Mini Brute" Ralley (102hp). Pulled a camping trailer with 1.9 all over the US (10,000 miles) with no problems.