Move over gas guzzlers, small cars are coming

usa today ^ | 1/8/06 | na

[Flavius]

USA Today articles are link only

[pissant]

I'm much more in favor of them not driving, period.

[MediaAnalyst]

Lighten up dudes, you guys are so conditioned by the MSM trying to shove Yugos down our throats, that you instinctively don't even consider a place for small cars.

This new trend actually started when one of the car companies (can't remember which) started selling a well-built, but stripped down car in Eastern Europe, and then selling the same car, but with the usual bells and whistles that us Westerners tend to prefer for twice the price. The Western Europeans wanted the cheap car big-time, something all the Suits with MBAs never expected.

For someone who drives to work 5 miles a day, I don't have a lot of use in bringing 2 tons with me each way. I just a car that's reliable and has air conditioning and can fit me and some luggage.

Given that my only other option (for a new vehicle) would be a motorcycle, I'll take one of these peckers any day.

If companies want to build these cars, let them. If the government then jumps in and demands that we buy them - then scream.

[pissant]

I like those beasts. A toyota Prius is just a bump in the road. ;o)

[AlaskaErik]

"Nobody at retail wants to pay" all the costs associated with making a small car, he says. "You have safety regulations and environmental regulations that put a lot on top of the price."

So says Chrysler. I'd venture to say that overpaid union goons are the real problem with US autoworkers. I paid $7499.00 for my Kia Rio. No way Chyrsler could come close to selling a car for that amount and still make a profit. Nor could Chrysler make a car that cheap and have it be reliable. My Kia hasn't had a single problem in the 29,000 miles I've owned it. Many of those miles have been at a steady 70 mph. When I change the oil at 5000 miles, the dipstick still reads full. If only US automakers could be as efficient and durable.

[pissant]

I think Hybrid owners are the worst of all!

[brownsfan]

"For someone who drives to work 5 miles a day, I don't have a lot of use in bringing 2 tons with me each way. I just a car that's reliable and has air conditioning and can fit me and some luggage."

Exactly. I drive 5 each way as well. Right now I drive a Bonneville, but even that's a little on the big size. Next car I'm going to downsize a bit, an Accord I think.

People should drive what they like, but they should pay attention. Cell phones and cars are worse than booze and cars, and that's a fact. Where is MADD on this one?

Eventually the price of gas will force most people out of SUVs. But, doesn't matter to me, I just do what works for me.

[ZULU]

Here we go again.

The clowns in Congress summoned the gasoline thugs last month after Hurricane Katrina to grill them about price gouging on oil.

Prices went down.

Some time later, we see prices rising again - on off-driving season. I guess Santa Clause used more gasoline this year in his sleigh, thus driving up prices.

Meanwhile, its a continuing farce with individual states blockiing or trying to block off-shore drilling, the Sierra club and assorted nuts successfuly blocking new drilling on th Alaskan North Slope, Congressional obstructionism to new energy programs, the continued threat of Kyoto nonsense, more energy usage by the slave labor communist-industrial complex in China producing things for us we should be making here for ourselves, and finally, last but not least - no more new refineries being built or new nuclear powered electric plants.

In a few years at the rate we are going and our incompetent politicians are leading us, we won't need to worry about illegal Aliens. The U.S. will become a third world nation in thrall to the Communist lords of China and the illegals will be going elsewhere.

[brownsfan]

"Its funny when people in tiny cars get creamed by truck's and Suv's. They can spend the money they save on gas on there kids funerals."

Unbelievable. Funny? Laughing at others burying their kids?

[Stand Watch Listen]

Hmmmmm...just shows how the middle-easteners really know about weight disbursal....;)

[wallcrawlr]

Good. More gas for me.

I like being able to see over all the specks sitting in my Suburban.

[RayChuang88]

Where do you put the 50lb bag of dogfood?

Here's how you can do it with the new Honda Fit by folding up the rear seat bottoms to create a large center cargo area:

[Hoboto]

Gee, I wonder who will be whining first when gas prices reach above $3.00/gallon again?

[KarlInOhio]

[GingisK]

Small cars have gotten a lot nicer.

They are still incapable of safe and convenient portage of 4X8 sheets of plywood and other lumber. They cannot transport a family of four and their camping equipment at all, let alone comfortably.

If we assume that we must become a Nation of do-nothing couch potatoes, then these small cars are great. Anyone with any imagination at all can't use them.

[TheBigB]

The greenie-weenies won't be happy til we're all stuffed in these little Matchbox-like things...

[RTINSC]

I like small cars and think they are a good idea. As a proud owner of a Yugo SUV, with the optional V-3 engine, I routinely get 65 MPG. While it may not have the heft of the larger American SUV, and lacks a horn, it fits comfortably in the cargo compartment of my H1 and makes a fine spare.

[OldFriend]

Might be a suitable vehicle if you live in a warm climate. Frankly, I wouldn't dream of giving up our SUV for a compact, or even sub compact car in the winter.

[billbears]

I suppose that's why Jeep just released a new vehicle with a larger Hemi (420+HP). Companies always release vehicles with no market for them

[chilepepper]

or you can put it in the front seat and have the wife walk back...