Personally, I think that electrics, hybrids are not the solution. The solution is to drive very small, very light cars-with engines of 500 CC or less displacement.
I always wanted to build one-I even sent away for the plans for one (Fiberfab Scarab).
This was a two seater, three wheeler car that used a motorcycle engine. It was reputed to get 55 MPG on the highway, and would cost next to nothing to drive.
I’d be happy with such a car-only I will not drive something so small, when there are people driving those monster SUVs-it is simply not safe to be on the road with vehicles so massive-in a crash, the ultralight driver is not going to survive.
Would you drive a high mileage car like this?
I drive a high milage scooter so I don’t really see any issues with driving a smallish car.
Ultra-light car? No. Not while there are crazies with 6-wheel decked-out pick-up trucks on the roads.
I’d be awfully tempted, if it were economical and easy to maintain. Not for long-haul stuff, and I’d be very skittish about taking one out on the highway, but I’d use one for running errands, taking my kids to school, getting groceries, that sort of thing. I have a fairly efficient car (32mpg) but I’d love to find a way to weasel my way out of filling it up so often if I could.
Gas has gotten way past the point of ridiculous. $50 per fillup, in this recession? It’s eating people out of house and home.
Well, not that brand. Perhaps a Focus, Fiat or Aveo.
Unfortunately, I’m temporarily stuck with a supersized GMC Sierra. It’s cool when others on the road with tiny vehicles show respect. I’d much rather be in their place with ease of parking and cheap fueling. An ultra-lite would be fine for me. I have no fear of being mushed.
In the 60’s I owned an Austin Sprite 2 seat convertible.
Fine around campus, but scared me to death on the interstate drive home, when it couldn’t go over 60mph and my windshield was at the height of truck bumpers.
http://eaustinhealeyrestorations.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Austin_Healey_Sprite.jpg
It doesn’t quite meet your requirements but we’ve had a Smart for about 7 months and I love it. Because it’s only 2 seats it’s not always appropriate but it makes a great second car.
I love the fact that it’s the same height as a typical car so it doesn’t feel out of place when on the highways (which is really what all Toronto streets are). It’s little and nimble and easy to park and even though we can’t use it all the time our gas bills are still vastly reduced.
According to crash tests it’s just as safe in it’s first impact, the only time there is an issue with crash survivability is in a secondary impact. I’m pretty comfortable with the level of risk.
I’d drive either of these in a second.
They’re Japanese kei cars, with engines that I believe are less than 600cc’s. I wish they allowed them in the USA.
The thing with the old really tiny cars is that they have no protection. The new small cars like the Smart meet modern safety standards, at the price of not being able to get out of their own way and reduced gas mileage. A Smart gets a rating of 33/41 mpg, which is quite nice, and I’ve sat in one and it is not cramped. I’m 6’1" and 230lbs.
If you want mileage, scooters and motorcycles get much better than that, but aren’t nearly as safe.
Definitely. I don’t plan to have a family and I never give people rides anywhere. I wouldn’t mind having a one-seater car, if those existed. Smart cars look pretty cool, and it’d be a lot easier to parallel park. I just checked their website and the new 2012 models start at $12,490. That’s not bad, my current car was 3 years old when I bought it and cost 10,500.
That is possibly the happiest car I’ve ever seen.
Many years ago while my car was in the shop, they gave me some ultra-cheap compact to drive. Don’t remember what model, but the damned thing was pretty much a soda can on wheels. It was utterly terrifying to be driving that thing on 694, sharing the road with all manner of semi-trucks and tankers.
So from experience…no fucking way.
On some highway trips I can get 50 - 60 mpg with my Insight hybrid.
Light weight cars can be safe in a crash- Indy and F1 drivers frequently walk away from some awesome, high-speed crashes. People aren’t going to want to wear the harnesses those cars have in a street car, however, and the carbon-fiber construction may not be as helpful when one’s being run over by a semi.
Until a few years ago I had a 1983 VW GTI. It weighed about 2,000 pounds, maybe less. Driving on the highway with high winds that thing would be all over the place. If a semi passed you it would move the car over a foot or two.
Probably didn’t help that was flat panels and box shaped with all 90 degree angles, the better to catch the wind.
I wouldn’t drive an ultralight, no. I would drive some of the current model small cars like the VW Golf/GTI, the Honda Fit, the Ford Fiesta.
I’m not sure what size these cars would be considered nowadays? Compact? Subcompact?
Yes…and no. You might say I do drive a hyperlight car, only it’s a motorcycle, and it’s pretty big for a motorcycle (800 lbs wet)…it gets 52 mpg, and more importantly, can get the F*** away from other people in times of vehicular stupidity…which I think is the biggest problem with tiny cars.
In order for them to be a) cheap and b) frugal, they’re saddled with a powerplant that makes it difficult for them to get out of their own way.
For the OHMAIGAWDYOU’LLDIEONABIKE crowd…you’re not a whole lot safer in these little things.
I currently drive a Fiat 500, but that’s as small as I’d go right now. I wouldn’t mind trying out an Acabion.
When I think of “ultralight cars”. This is what I think of. More like an motorcycle but it has an aerodynamic shroud, and some basic passenger protection. Perhaps a bit less ommphh than those IMO way overpowered bikes but still enough to GTF outa the way when necessary, rather than something like a lawnmower engine. Basically a cross between a motorbike and a car.
I read an article a few years back about a psychology professor who studied why people feel certain cars are safer than others. One of the most important factors in people feeling a given car was safe was lots of cup holders. Fill your ultra-light with cup holders and you shouldn’t have a problem convincing people it’s safe.