EPA: Stop Teh Horsepower War PLZ, KTHXBAI

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JCE
I would drive a Datsun 510 all day long... Such an awsome car. Nissan should start rebuilding them!!

Yeah, 'cause 60's cars were really fuel efficient. i bet a 2007 S500 Merc gets better milage than a Datsun 510.
 
A quick note to clear up any leftover confusion.

Again, I don't see where it would be unconstitutional

A tax hike is unconstitutional if it's aimed at specific industries like oil, pornography, gambling, or smoking. Tax breaks for particular institutions are also unconstitutional. The government's charter is to treat all citizens equally under the law. That's regardless of whether you working in the hybrid car industry or the cigarette industry.

I understand your confusion, because our government effectively tossed the constitution out a long time ago. The income tax structure that we have now is biased against, and in favor of, certain lifestyles. The sales tax system is also biased in favor of certain industries. But the government showing that sort of favoritism to certain citizens, lifestyles, or (perfectly legal) industries, goes against its founding principles.

Of course, there are people who will parse the words of the constitution in an extremely narrow or literal sense and disagree with me. But you have to ignore a great deal to come to that conclusion.
 
well, at least you guys ain't paying 40 bucks a DAY, like i am!
simply running guys to work in a rural zone puts me at circa 220 miles (350+Kilometers) a day...and that's with my close jobs. can't afford to replace my current vehicle, and it's impossible to squeeze guys that average 6 feet tall in a midsize sedan. I have to run a Shoebox w/4wd to get up their driveways.
 
Yeah, 'cause 60's cars were really fuel efficient. i bet a 2007 S500 Merc gets better milage than a Datsun 510.

Certainly so... I was shocked when I asked a friend what kind of mileage he was getting in his VW Super Beetle; On a good day? Maybe 22-24 MPG.
 
I believe he was just pointing out that the 510 was light weight and basic motoring, if you applied that with today's technology you would have a pretty decent car with good mileage.
 
Although I hate to say it, the now previous-generation Toyota Corolla comes to mind, as does the current Toyota Yaris. Both get pretty excellent mileage for being modestly lightweight and of course running those high-efficiency engines.
 
What about a Smart ForTwo? I might just head on over to the dealer that caries them and apply for a loan in Feb. Is that econobox enough for you guys?

And, I rather like them.
 
Ugh... No thanks, I'll buy a coffin when I'm dead. I don't need one at the moment.

That sounds very closed minded. I'll have you know if you would of had an open mind and READ info regarding it you'd know that it gets a 4 star safety rating.
 
💡 Well ok... I like to have a trunk in my car?

It has 8-12 cu. foot of storage space. Plenty enough for a grocery shopping trip. :D I can find a positive answer for just about everything. Just don't mention the fact that its painfully slow. :ouch:
 
It can't fit my $2000 full suspension mtb... And no... I'm not hanging it out the back. I do that now and hate it everytime because it's at risk from the dumbass behind me. No, I can't put it in my car because it's not big enough and the back isn't a hatchback like it should be. :rolleyes:
 
If you can fit anything in a Smart car I will be surprised and after checking one out at the auto show I can not see how they will sell outside California. I do not think the Smart is the answer for cheap, low powered, small transportation. It might be safe but think about this, some idiot doing 30 over in a Suburban, yapping on his mobile, doesn't see you in your Smart...who's going to win?
 
I think the SMART would to better than you'd expect:


 
Certainly so... I was shocked when I asked a friend what kind of mileage he was getting in his VW Super Beetle; On a good day? Maybe 22-24 MPG.

Wow, I get that same mileage with my big ol' V8. I've gotten over 30mpg on highway runs also. I'm surprised it hasnt come too far in 20 years...
 
I think the SMART would to better than you'd expect:




I saw those before, great videos.

Did you hear them... You'd still die. xD

Yea, but that is hitting a concrete barrier @ 70mph in which the concrete has ZERO impact absorbtion. Hitting a Suburban @ 70mph wouldn't be as bad because it like the Smart (and all other cars) it has a crumple zone designed to absorb the impact. In reality hitting another vehicle wouldn't be as bad as you'd expect. I DO hope this proves once and for all that small cars can be safe. Maybe that stereotype can go away quietly.
 
It might be safe but think about this, some idiot doing 30 over in a Suburban, yapping on his mobile, doesn't see you in your Smart...who's going to win?
You can't use this against the Smart when you ignore that very point when people bring it up against the Mini.

Joey D
But I would still say a majority of people do not need that.
Which is great, and I agree. But it isn't your place to say that they shouldn't have them because they don't need them.
 
You can't use this against the Smart when you ignore that very point when people bring it up against the Mini.

The Mini is what 5 feet bigger then the Smart? I agree that you have issues with people seeing you in a supermini, especially in America, but I think you will have a greater chance of seeing a Cooper in your blind spot then a Smart car. There are also decent sized crumple zones on the Cooper so if you do get hit not all the force is going to your body.

**I am not questioning the safety of the Smart, everything I read said it was, but we all know crash tests do not always simulate real world conditions. Also I was talking about being hit in general, I'm sure you would survive an impact from a Suburban but your car wouldn't.

Which is great, and I agree. But it isn't your place to say that they shouldn't have them because they don't need them.

Why do people think I'm dictating what people have to drive? I'm say I don't think it's needed and I think people are dumb for buying larger vehicles then they need. I well aware that if it is your money you may buy whatever car you like.
 
The Mini is what 5 feet bigger then the Smart? I agree that you have issues with people seeing you in a supermini, especially in America, but I think you will have a greater chance of seeing a Cooper in your blind spot then a Smart car.
But your point was not that the smart wouldn't be seen. Your point was that the smart wouldn't win in an accident against some moron not paying attention to the road when driving his Suburban.

There are also decent sized crumple zones on the Cooper so if you do get hit not all the force is going to your body.
I'm sure they didn't design the smart to turn into a soda can in an accident.
 
But your point was not that the smart wouldn't be seen. Your point was that the smart wouldn't win in an accident against some moron not paying attention to the road when driving his Suburban.

No the Smart wouldn't win, a big heavy truck verse a small car...like I said you might survive but your car will not. You are looking at somewhere around a 4000lbs.+ weight difference, that's quite a bit of momentum. Hell if my car got hit by a Suburban it would suffer a ton of damage but I would probably be fine.

But this is getting off topic now, if you wish to continue this we have a Smart car thread already.
 

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