High MPG/lower power cars available in Europe available here someday?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

What is even more amazing is the fact that small gas-powered cars got better mileage a decade ago than they do now. My 97 Ford Escort wagon with a 5 speed transmission consistently got mid 30s combined mpg. A Honda CRX HX got in the 50s as did the Civic hatchback HX made in the 90s. In the 80s the Toyota Starlet got in the high 40s.

There were more 40 mpg+ vehicles before 2000 than there are now.

Even the Corolla made a few years ago got 40 mpg highway. Now the same model gets 35.

Many of my co-workers and I drive 60 or more miles per day. We have all been looking for good commuter cars like we used to be able to buy. There are few options and many of the ones available carry a cost premium that will not be recovered over the life of the vehicle.

I'd surely welcome an inexpensive, no frills car that delivers excellent mpg. I'd gladly sacrifice power windows, door locks, seats, automatic trans, electronic interfaces, etc., for a reliable, affordable commuter car.

Fast-forward to today and the regulatory climate that car manufacturers now operate under. In order to pass today's crash tests, the not-so-aptly named Smart weighs as much as a Honda CRX did 20 years ago. A Mini Cooper, similar in size to that CRX of yore, weighs 1,000 pounds more. It takes energy to move that kind of mass around.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Merc63

None of those old cars would hold a candle to new ones in terms of safety, however. ...I'd rather be in a 30 year old Fiat sports car with rust than a new Chinese economy car.

Enlarge your shopping area, I frequently get rust free cars from the SW area using Crazedlist (love that search). I'll admit I haven't scored a 124 sport Coupe like I was driving 30 yrs ago fiat 124 coupe - Google Search (I can still smell the unique interior aroma...) One of the few cars I had that could easily run the Big T Canyon at 2x the posted warning speed big thompson canyon flood - Google Search

Originally Posted by NeilVA

And when do expect for a new refinery to be built to handle the higher load of diesel vehicles?

USA really could use more diesel / fuel oil refinery capacity. Hopefully Algae will save the day, we have a BRAND NEW high capacity Bio-D refinery sitting empty in WA State. (Was supplying Bio-D to Europe until the producers there got taxes added to USA BD imports...)

Originally Posted by Drover

...the not-so-aptly named Smart ...

I have dreams envisioning a SMART jammed between 2 Semi Trailers. Must be nightmares from witnessing my first 3 person fatality at age 8, between a Corvair and a semi. Wasn't pretty, had to stay on site for several hours since it happened in the boonies. (Long before 'Jaws-of-life' and medi-vac)