Mnext02- I too was impressed by the Metro fuel economy and considered getting a decent used one. However, I'm not sure I want to be permanently disfigured when a shopping cart rolls into me at the grocery store. The Metro is so cheaply built, I'd feel safer driving a motorcycle.
not really worried about crashing. Metros can be found for under a grand easily and get better mpg than any car out there. They actually get better mpg than a prius. Only car that gets better is an insight. I bought my metro four years ago and have put 60k miles on it. I pound the crap out of it and never get less than 40 mpg. I leave the escalade in the garage til the weekends. Its one of the best investments I have ever made. Its really sad that they could make a non hybrid car back in the early nineties that got close to 50 mpg and today they can't make a non hybrid that comes close! The smart is decent but I was really hoping for better mpg numbers. The European smarts can get close to 60 mpg. Mitsubishi could have done a better job designing the smart motor
they should be able to get better than 40 mpg highway out of such a small vehicle.
I have a Mazda 3 hatchback 5 speed 2004. I drive 24 miles each way over a hill. As said before, I used to race and I must admit, I still have that lead foot.
I get 27-30 around town. Last time we drove to Vegas (almost 5 hrs of some ups and downs) I got about 34....
I put gas in the car today......$3.31 for regular. Welcome to L.A.
marcrhodes... sorry...sounds harsh without the grins and smiles.... not sure why they did not stick..
As you can see from my pedigree on the left...I drive a 7800 Pound behemoth Geo Metro eater...(grin)
My attitude is more power to em...
Every day I look out for and prevent squashing Bikes, and dinky cars... and to tell the truth most of the folks driving the miniature machines around here are generally safe, and attentive drivers...
I remember well many years back when Arab Oil Embargo doubled cost of gas, rationing, and lines around the block... micro cars with good MPG hit the shores and Millions of Americans had same attitude as yours above...
"MY Gawd! I would never drive them death traps!"....
I won't argue against the fact that they are less safe then the 4000lb Lead Sled of the era...but like a motor cycle sharing the same roads...the more fuel efficient cars can be, and are, driven safely in that environment...
Choices usually come with compromises and responsibility
Nothing I am saying means that the Smart car is not significantly safer the a Geo Metro... what I am addressing was your general over reacting and basic fear expressed above...I failed at doing it in an humorous way... but I still think you demonstrated a common Irrational fear...by common I mean you are not alone in your assumption....
I think there would be exponentially more cars in the Geo Metro class if we did not over emphasize the safety perspective... I did not look it up but I suspect Big car, truck, SUV death rates are slightly higher compared to Yugo, Metro class rates
Fact is all motor vehicle have risks... none are totally safe, most can be driven safely in spite of zero / few death and injury preventing features
Did I mention that I teach the Motorcycle Safety foundation new rider course as well as the advanced course?
Safety is for the most part in the control of the driver. Sure there are times when you not see something coming but a good defensive drive will keep you on the road for a long time. I drove a mini bike (4 inch rims, handle bars less than 20 inches off the ground) to work for a summer through local neighborhoods. Graduated to a Honda Shadow. in 1976 I drove a Honda Civic and a 4 wheel drive 1 ton Chevy van. I drove both of the same, very defensively and continue to drive whatever it is the same way.
Today it is a Mitsubishi Montero, a Mini Cooper, and soon to be Smart. My driving isn't revolved around cell phone use or changing songs on the radio or ipod. My focus is on the road ahead and what I can see in my mirrors and side windows. I make it a practice to know what is around me at all times and try to anticipate what other drivers are going to do.
The destination will always be there. It is important to you arrive, in one piece.
not really worried about crashing. Metros can be found for under a grand easily and get better mpg than any car out there. They actually get better mpg than a prius. Only car that gets better is an insight. I bought my metro four years ago and have put 60k miles on it. I pound the crap out of it and never get less than 40 mpg. I leave the escalade in the garage til the weekends. Its one of the best investments I have ever made. Its really sad that they could make a non hybrid car back in the early nineties that got close to 50 mpg and today they can't make a non hybrid that comes close! The smart is decent but I was really hoping for better mpg numbers. The European smarts can get close to 60 mpg. Mitsubishi could have done a better job designing the smart motor
they should be able to get better than 40 mpg highway out of such a small vehicle.
The car or engine designer or even the manner in which the car is driven on poor gas mileage. I would like to REALLY know how gasolines in my local area are formulated. How much, if any ethanol is in it, (I had thought that a *Winter Mix* was used in the Northeast and perhaps other parts of the country experiencing freezing cold temps)
The gasoline formulation will have a definite effect on mileage. For example, is the 91 octane fuel (Hess) that I most always use in my wife's Acura REALLY 91 octane? Who would know it if the big tanker accidentally put 87 in the 91 underground tank last week. The car would be loggier perhaps, but would adjust to the lower octane fuel and you would notice a drop in gas mileage IF you were checking it which my wife never does. I always do a quick mental calc just to convince myself that the mileage is close to what it should be. But the fact still remains that gas quality can and does have a big effect on the mileage obtained.
Sometimes I am inclined to think that refiners *sneak* other things into the formulation at times and we would never know....
I ride a motorcycle as well. I believe the habits you get riding one transfer to the car you drive as well. Defensive drivers and attentive ones usually do not have accidents. Being aware of your surroundings is essential in driving. I believe a large car makes people less aware because they feel safer. A dangerous attitude. Plus the cell phone, donut, CD change, kids yelling and coffee in the lap stuff. Anyway I believe the SMART is a very safe car and it will be the alturnative when the motocycle is not safe to drive because of weather or my sixth sense for the day. My big dually diesel truck is gonna get a big rest when the Smart arrives.
I was not the culprit in de-railing the thread but I helped lot... sorry
back to general MPG issues and thoughts while we wait new owners to get through the first tank full
John
You are asking questions you really don't want the answers to...
Well yes you do -----but we know we an not going to like the truth
Some years back consumer freindly news reporters used to do research about gas station repair rip off scams...
I seem to rememeber one in Florida where a disgruntled former employee (gas monkey) dimed out his former employer for all sorts of scams...
You know....squirting oil on shocks to sell a new (used) set to old unknowing folks...and a lot of similar scams...
Any way, this owner actually came to work early in the AM and was filmed putting 5 -10 minutes worth of water hose time into each "in ground" fuel tank.......hummmmm
If or if not they are willing to fill 87 in the 93 tank is questionable... my understanding is the big tanker usually has all the same grade and additives are added to the different grades... be interesting to know the facts...I am sure I don't know the reality but real curious
what grade fuel choice do you have ? Over here in the Uk we run from 95ron-99ron . We notice better MPG and performance in our smarts with 98+
The higher premium is worth the better MPG ,even if it does cost £1.10 per uk gallon .Equiv £1.32 for your larger measure .
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My Neon gets 30/40+. I just want to hear what the new owners get in the next week or so.
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