Why Don't We All Drive Minis in Protest

[MaryH]

The Europeans don't mind driving small cars at all. Saves on Petrol and the pocket book.

I think we should all go out and trade in our cars for minis. They are cute and colorful and they don't use much gas. And they are fun to drive - as long as you don't need to take much with you.

Like the guy on the British Antiques Roadshow going down the highway with the clock sticking out the top of his little, bitsy mini.

[LynzM]

1. They get like 45 MPG, right?

I'd like that kind of gas mileage... Do they come in purple? :)

[trotsky]

2. That's what I'm waiting for - a purple one!

:)

[MaryH]

5. They get great mileage. And I'm sure you could find purple.

We need to find a way to make it "the" car to drive for young people. The "in" one. And then the kids could get their parents to buy one for themselves, too.

[lukasahero]

31. We have one and no, gas mileage isn't THAT good

It's about 25 mpg, I think. And we have to use premium gas (running about $2.29 on "discount" days).

Great car but I'm pretty sure my next car will be a Prius or some such. Need to support the development of alternative energy options!

[LynzM]

47. I was reading about the fact that...

If you do a lot of highway commuting, hybrids actually aren't more fuel efficient. You're actually better off just getting a regular car that gets 35-40 mpg, unless you do a decent amount of local/city driving, apparently.

[lukasahero]

49. Wow, that sucks.

Thanks for the info. I'm not buying any time soon but since I'm mostly highway, it's definitely something to keep in mind.

[prof_science]

40. My motorcycle gets 65 MPG...

:headbang:

[RivetJoint]

3. Europe

Home of Mercedes, BMW, and Jaguar.

Seems SOME Europeans don't mind driving small cars.

[MaryH]

7. Most people can't afford those big cars like Jaguar.

We could make a rule that only the top 1% of the population would be allowed to drive Mercedes, Rolls, Jaguar. That would make them very visable so we could egg their cars.

[RivetJoint]

8. Yeah...right...

ok...

[veteran_for_peace]

4. I have a GEO Metro Hatchback

I get about 35 to 40 mpg.

[radwriter0555]

6. Already did that. Got rid of the explorer and got a Scion XA

to drive on regular days and have a mazda miata for yee haw days.



I LOVE my lil car.

[MaryH]

9. That is a really cute car!

How does it do in snow?

[radwriter0555]

34. I don't know, I don't "do" snow, but you can definitely check

edmunds.com and see how it's rated for weather.

The little cars have always done just fine in snow really. It's more the road maintenance that's to be concerned with.

Think VW bugs, chevettes, pinto, etc. Car is a car is a car.

[Marxdem]

10. Even repubs are getting in on this now

My brother is a die hard republican, he is ordering a Toyota Prius. I guess only real conservatives would drive more responsible cars anyhow. Whats conservative about throwing away $200+ a month of gas?

[demokatgurrl]

11. Hybrids. but the problem is if we all buy new cars, it

will give the economy a real kick and make Bush look good. Just drive less, take public transportation (so the repugs don't try getting rid of that too).

[DBoon]

18. Almost all hybrids are Japanese

and manufactured in Japan. Help our Japanese friends - buy a Prius!

[Kitsune]

30. Yay Prius!

[htuttle]

12. Who needs four wheels?

Just over $2000 will get you a brand new Bajaj scooter from India (via US importer). A 149cc four speed capable of speeds just over 50 mph, it gets about 108 mpg (depending on how you drive). I ride one to work everyday that the streets aren't covered with ice here in Wisconsin.

I got it a year and a half ago, and damned if I don't still hear Italian movie music going through my head every time I ride to work. :)

[Im_Your_Huckleberry]

35. hey, no fair!

my 49cc yamaha vino only gets a paltry 75 mpg. guess i should have gotten that hummer after all.

[htuttle]

36. The Vino has a two stroke engine, I think

My Bajaj is a four stroke -- so I don't have to mix gas and oil. Also, it has a manual four speed transmission, which helps a lot with mileage as well, since I'm almost idling at 30 mph in fourth gear.

But 75 mpg isn't too shabby either!

:hi:

[mcg]

13. www.greencars.org

http://www.greencars.org/

Last time I bought a car (my current one) I compromised, next time I won't.

[LynzM]

25. Thank you

I will keep that in mind for a resource next time I am in the car-buying market!

[hang a left]

14. Got mine in black.

Wish I would have waited for the convertible now. Missed by 2 months.

[Ninga]

17. We got our Yellow Mini convertible last night......damn cool.

[hang a left]

24. I am jealous. n/t

[LiberalEsto]

15. Because they'll run us over with their SUV deathmobiles

Europeans don't have to contend with monster gas pig vehicles like we do. They have a level playing field for their mini-cars.

That said, I'm all for small. energy-efficient cars. My family owns small used Toyotas that get pretty good gas mileage.

With the rising gas prices, SUV owners must be anxious about the cost of filling their tanks. I've seen a lot of ads for used SUVs in the local paper, as well as a lot of unsold SUVs sitting in dealers' lots. Awwwww. What a pity. :nopity:

[Dufaeth]

16. I would if I didn't have to have an SUV for work :(

I'm also tall and not sure I'd fit in one :)

[MaryH]

19. Just get a sunroof.

Or maybe they would come with a bubble on top so you could stick your head out. Tall people in Europe manage to fit in somehow.

[Dufaeth]

20. ;)

Maybe I could trailer all my work equipment behind the mini :)

[MaryH]

22. I knew a guy who was 7 feet or something and he just

opened his sun roof and stuck his head out to drive. That worked until he caused a wreck and then he had to stop. He had a big car so it looked pretty funny.

[PSUDem]

26. The tall guy from Penn and Teller fits

According to an article I read, he owns three, and he is over 6'5". I think you'll fit

[molly]

21. Because I have no job.

[formernaderite]

23. Why would you drive a foreign car instead of one made by unionized....

American workers who NEED their jobs in Michigan? You can find small US made cars too. This I don't get... I don't shop walmart because the crap isn't made here and they won't let them unionize.

[OxQQme]

28. Made in USA ?

Name a small car made in the USA that doesn't have any off shore components.
My choice five years ago was a Suzuki Swift (the maker of Chevy's Geo series). 1.3 liter,four cylinder,16 valve,fuel injected,5 speed trans.
I'm 6'4" and I fit nicely with enough headroom for a cowboy hat at times. Ten gallon tank needs refill somewhere in the mid 300+ miles with still a gallon or two left in it. Easily cruises at 75-80.
Very fun to drive in the mountain twisties
If everybody drove small cars the paint stripers could make an extra lane on the freeways without widening the roadway.
Parks downtown in spaces that are too small for y'all.
Got 90k miles now and NO problems.
I'm a 64 year old nerd and have owned many cars, pickups, and motorcycles and have never loved a vehicle more than my lil silver bullet.

[hatrack]

46. Because when I had to buy a car, there were no American hybrids

I would have happily bought one if possible, but Detroit's cutting-edge designers and visionary business leaders were too busy engaging in a pickup truck-based dick-stretching contest to do any engineering.

Toyota had one. In fact, they'd had one for four years, and it was made in Nagoya, and that's the way it goes.

[ClassWarrior]

27. Sounds good - you buying??

NGU.

[LizW]

29. Minis are adorable

Would love one if I didn't have to transport so many kids and band instruments.

Maybe one day when I get out of the Mom Taxi business.

[omnithrope]

32. I prefer my motorcycle, thankyouverymuch.

nt

[idiosyncratic]

33. They need PREMIUM gas.

I talked to a man in the Costco parking lot who really liked his Mini, but he said it had to have Premium gas.

Plus, they cost a lot, and a lot to maintain (repair.)

[movie_girl99]

37. i had a Jetta TDi

that got about 48-50mpg and wanted to get the new passat TDI but they were too dear and my pocketbook wouldnt allow so i have a regular petrol now and its kickin' my a**. I wish I'd kept my Jetta.

[Pithlet]

38. If these had come out just a bit earlier then they did.

I would have bought one. They would have been perfect in my kid free commuting days. With two young children, we'd be a bit cramped.

[ArkDem]

39. I just run everywhere.

[MadHound]

41. Better idea, buy anything diesel, convert the fuel lines over to metal

And then run those puppies on your own home made biodiesel. Easy and cheap to make, very easy on the enviroment, and you will be starving the big gas companies. <http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookSearch/isbnInquiry.asp?sourceid=00387615287971468191&ISBN=0970722702&bfdate=11-10-2004+14:06:18>

I converted my diesel JD lawn tractor over to biodiesel late this summer, and it is doing just fine. If all goes well over the winter and spring with it, I will go out and buy myself a diesel VW and start running biodiesel through that.

[Marxdem]

42. Heres an interesting comment on this book

Comment on the book. I find this interesting and disturbing. Sounds like the originator of the diesel engine was "wellstoned"

------------


Excellent summary of the origins of the diesel engine.. how it was designed to run on vegetable oil.. which it did for years.. until it's inventor Mr. Diesel mysteriously disappeared and the engine was 'redesigned' to run on petroleum fuel/ diesel. Get off the Grid!!! make your own fuel!!


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[JVS]

43. I'd rather drive a Honda Civic

It's a better deal

[Kipepeo]

44. Ok, if you buy me one :)

I have wanted one forever. I will be your best friend, promise. :7

[Hello_Kitty]

45. My Honda Accord gets pretty good mileage

But next time I'm getting a Civic. Maybe a hybrid, they're pretty cool. Every time I see a honking big SUV with a Shithead sticker on it I think "Hope you like paying 80 bucks to fill that thing up, asshole."

[lectrobyte]

48. If not a Mini, at least something economical. Peak Oil, etc., gas is

not going to get cheaper.