Tiny bright yellow car on road...

[aps45819]

Originally Posted by CrashTest

I'd take a Smart Car in an accident over a motorcycle anyday.

I'll take the bike and avoid the accident by maintaining a positive speed differential

[pcjohnnyb]

I've seen these around as well. Is this the car that they used in those Wii commercials? I always laughed at those, because if nothing else, there isn't much between you and the 3k+ lb metal bullet when you get t-boned (or hit from any angle for that matter...I'd figure a Tbone would be the worst by far though)

[itsbob]

We'll probably buy the convertible some time next year.

You could buy a 2009 Prius that gets >80 MPG, but of course you'd have to live with the >$1000 a month payments too. Even at 80MPG I don't think I could save enough money to warrant the $1000 a month payment.

On the other hand the $17,000 fully loaded convertible sticker price is MUCH less than any other ragtop out there. 40 MPG is over twice what I get now, and the money I'd save on gas just may be equivalent to the monthly payment of a $17000 car.

Though looking at the numbers, even that car doesn't make fiscal sense to switch to.

Average of 1200 miles a month at $4.00 a gallon, 20 MPG = $240 in gas, go up to 40 MPG and the gas bill only shrinks by $120 a month, so unless I can find a car that gets better than 40 MPG for less than $120 a month, doesn't make financial sense to buy it either.

Even the new $54,000 Prius I only save $180 a month, for a >$1000 a month payment?? Nope, doesn't make any sense to me, even if gas goes to $10 a gallon I won't save enough for it to be worthwhile.

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by beamher

I think it's a joint product of Swatch (the watch people) and Mercedes.

I'd say they were either smoking a joint, or on something else when they designed it

[bresamil]

I saw it several times at the Charlotte Hall library. All we could think of was the Pink Panther movie with Steve Martin. My son was looking inside it and said he'd never be able to take someone with him, it would be too tight.

[itsbob]

324 Sixth Street
Annapolis, MD 21403
(443) 875-0477

[pcjohnnyb]

Originally Posted by itsbob

We'll probably buy the convertible some time next year.

You could buy a 2009 Prius that gets >80 MPG, but of course you'd have to live with the >$1000 a month payments too. Even at 80MPG I don't think I could save enough money to warrant the $1000 a month payment.

On the other hand the $17,000 fully loaded convertible sticker price is MUCH less than any other ragtop out there. 40 MPG is over twice what I get now, and the money I'd save on gas just may be equivalent to the monthly payment of a $17000 car.

Though looking at the numbers, even that car doesn't make fiscal sense to switch to.

Average of 1200 miles a month at $4.00 a gallon, 20 MPG = $240 in gas, go up to 40 MPG and the gas bill only shrinks by $120 a month, so unless I can find a car that gets better than 40 MPG for less than $120 a month, doesn't make financial sense to buy it either.

Even the new $54,000 Prius I only save $180 a month, for a >$1000 a month payment?? Nope, doesn't make any sense to me, even if gas goes to $10 a gallon I won't save enough for it to be worthwhile.

Do you have to buy premium now though? Premium is almost at 3.80 a gallon at Wawa (last I saw)...you'll have to figure in what an extra 20-30 cents a gallon to pay for premium would cost as well. This car just doesn't do it for me. Imagine what the MPG are once you actually turn things on like the A/C

[aps45819]

Originally Posted by pcjohnnyb

Imagine what the MPG are once you actually turn things on like the A/C

I test drove some new 'small' cars last week. Made sure to get up to speed in 5th gear and then turn on the AC. I was surprised to note that there was very little drag felt as the compressor kicked in.


FYI - Salesmen get nervous when you close your eyes while driving so you can feel changes in the car without visual distractions

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by pcjohnnyb

Do you have to buy premium now though? Premium is almost at 3.80 a gallon at Wawa (last I saw)...you'll have to figure in what an extra 20-30 cents a gallon to pay for premium would cost as well. This car just doesn't do it for me. Imagine what the MPG are once you actually turn things on like the A/C

What's the difference between Regular and Premium (it's all that goes in the bike) $.25?

But taking that in consideration even makes it worse to buy a new more fuel efficient car if it requires premium.

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by aps45819

I test drove some new 'small' cars last week. Made sure to get up to speed in 5th gear and then turn on the AC. I was surprised to note that there was very little drag felt as the compressor kicked in.


FYI - Salesmen get nervous when you close your eyes while driving so you can feel changes in the car without visual distractions

Can't understand why ?