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Gas engine breakthrough?
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Yeah, you too?
I had two Metros back in the day, drove the wheels off the first one and traded it in for another. They were amazing little cars; 4-wheel independent suspension let 'em handle like they were on rails.
I've had 4 metros. The 3 cyl with a standard and no air would get 50 mpg traveling @ 75 between OKC and SW MO. The 4 cyl motor with auto tranmissions were dogs and only got around 33-35 mpg on the same trip.
98? white 3 cyl 5 speed, I painted a blue offset racing stripe from grill to rear. It was a 2nd gen bought in KC, flew out drove it home. Around here the right front suspension tended to rot off before they died mechanically so parts were dirt cheap. The second gen were a bit more crash resistant, 1st or maybe it was 2nd gear synchros tended to go out. Kept it til I had to get a Prius for the mail route. Allison LOVED that car. So much fun using the hand brake as a rudder on snowy roads. I even converted the prius from foot emergency brake to a hand brake between the seats. 
Found a nice one from a BMW and worked it in.
Found a nice one from a BMW and worked it in.
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I chauffeured a guy cross-country and back in his Prius. They should have a speaker that plays engine sounds when you turn the key so you can be sure it's on. I was very disappointed in its mileage after all that technology. Honestly, if you want astronomical mileage and other good value get a cvcc or certain other cars; if you want to save the planet then walk -- I dare you.
Japanese for "beats the shit out of me!"Huh?
the writing is on the wall whether we like it or not.
We can no longer ignore the effects escalating effects of global warming and diminishing fossil fuels supplies.
Its all about financial viability really. Soon its going to be cheaper to produce and run hybrid electric/combustion engines to meet emissions legislation and I predict it will be less that 5 years before all cars produced by the major manufacturers will be electric only.
Renault-Nissan, BMW ,VW , Porsche and Volvo among others have stated that they will not be working on the next generation diesel engines. Volvo will be producing only hybrid or fully electric cars by 2020 and thats only a year away !
London despite very expensive and rising daily congestion charges are still a long way from complying with the European emissions legislation . A year ago Britain was sent a final warning to comply with EU air pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) or face a case at the European court of justice.
I am old enough to remember walking to school in the London Smogs in the 50's . They were so dense that you could not even see your feet ! Even then there some driving cars . I remember the strong smell of coal fire smoke and seeing the dull yellow glow of car lights looming through the smog inching along at 3mph . I was amazed to see a recent picture of London pedestrians walking around with face masks on like it was Beijing Chinahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions
We can no longer ignore the effects escalating effects of global warming and diminishing fossil fuels supplies.
Its all about financial viability really. Soon its going to be cheaper to produce and run hybrid electric/combustion engines to meet emissions legislation and I predict it will be less that 5 years before all cars produced by the major manufacturers will be electric only.
Renault-Nissan, BMW ,VW , Porsche and Volvo among others have stated that they will not be working on the next generation diesel engines. Volvo will be producing only hybrid or fully electric cars by 2020 and thats only a year away !
London despite very expensive and rising daily congestion charges are still a long way from complying with the European emissions legislation . A year ago Britain was sent a final warning to comply with EU air pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) or face a case at the European court of justice.
I am old enough to remember walking to school in the London Smogs in the 50's . They were so dense that you could not even see your feet ! Even then there some driving cars . I remember the strong smell of coal fire smoke and seeing the dull yellow glow of car lights looming through the smog inching along at 3mph . I was amazed to see a recent picture of London pedestrians walking around with face masks on like it was Beijing Chinahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions
I agree with you about the inevitability of these changes, and recently heard about Volvo's announcement.
And there have been many reports recently about London's traffic issues.
I must admit I'm really really going to miss the beautiful burble of a V8 and the roar of a classic twin but when you look at the alternative electric drive vehicles it has so many practical attractions for everyday driving .
Did you see the recent program on the Porsche factory developing and building the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid ? 0-60mph in 2 seconds ! and top speed 212mph yikes !
Did you see the recent program on the Porsche factory developing and building the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid ? 0-60mph in 2 seconds ! and top speed 212mph yikes !
Just read about it. Certainly a supercar to dream about.
I also dream about the less expensive Nissan GTR
I was at the dealership where I bought my Fiat and they now sell Alfa Romeos and I had a chance to sit in the Alfa Romeo 4C Spyder. It is a mid engine with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. It was SOoo sexy, in only the way Italian cars can be. Check out the exposed carbon fiber in the interior. Meow!
I saw a 2017 Fiat Spyder a month ago in a gas station; I thought it was a Miata. Nice styling. Price tag is nice too.
Actually, it IS a Miata Dude.
Fiat buys them from Mazda and re-badges them and sells them as Fiats.
Fiat buys them from Mazda and re-badges them and sells them as Fiats.
Not exactly, Pete. Styling has differences. Front intake and headlights are different:
Mazda has the new rear cowling that looks like a old Vette. Fiat maintains the MX5 2nd Gen look.
and I much prefer what Fiat did with the rear lights.
If we anthropomorphize the back end, the Spyder is a Smiley
and the Mazda is a Frowny...
Well, yes, it does look a bit different but that is purely cosmetic changes to the front and rear fascia and some other details. The guts of the car were raised on sushi and not pasta....
Yup, I talked to the owner, and he said he would rather have the new Miata !
I offerred to trade him even..
Fiat dealership support is failing all across the country at an alarming rate. Sales figures are dismal. Dealerships are closing left and right.
It’s the 1970’s all over again. But this time Fiat doesn’t stand for Fix It Again Tony.
I’ve got 60,000 miles in my little 500 and it just goes and goes. Very reliable.
It’s the 1970’s all over again. But this time Fiat doesn’t stand for Fix It Again Tony.
I’ve got 60,000 miles in my little 500 and it just goes and goes. Very reliable.
