I had no intention of ever buying a Geo Metro, Toyota Corolla/Prius, or a Chevy Cavalier. I have a Nissan Maxima that gets 23-24mgp and I was fine with that.
However, I sense something big coming and I'm very worried. I don't want this to turn into a political topic but war with Iran is very imminent. All the signs are there. Of course you won't hear about it on CNN, MSNBC, Fox, or any other station. But the plans have been in place for years now.
Most people don't know what that will do to oil prices if we invade Iran. Right now, the world oil industries are producing at a 2% margin. Any shifts in worldly events would cause oil shortage. With the US having the biggest thirst, we could feel it right away (India and China are distance 2nd). If war started, Iran (which makes about 4-5% of the total oil) would stop production. Not only that, they would affect oil production in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and other oil producing countries. That would put us at -20% margin. That's not good people. Think of the gas prices then.
Now some of you, maybe most of you, will say, "Nah...will never happen". I hope not. But I got this information from a former UN weapons inspector, a former marine, and an expert on Iran. If he says, there's an 80% chance, then I believe him. I'm not ready to go out and buy duct tape and build a bomb shelter, but I have to at least acknowledge that it might happen.
Be prepare for gas prices that would cripple the average middle class of America. The Smart car will not solve this problem but it would sure provide some relief.
I had no intention of ever buying a Geo Metro, Toyota Corolla/Prius, or a Chevy Cavalier. I have a Nissan Maxima that gets 23-24mgp and I was fine with that.
However, I sense something big coming and I'm very worried. I don't want this to turn into a political topic but war with Iran is very imminent. All the signs are there. Of course you won't hear about it on CNN, MSNBC, Fox, or any other station. But the plans have been in place for years now.
Most people don't know what that will do to oil prices if we invade Iran. Right now, the world oil industries are producing at a 2% margin. Any shifts in worldly events would cause oil shortage. With the US having the biggest thirst, we could feel it right away (India and China are distance 2nd). If war started, Iran (which makes about 4-5% of the total oil) would stop production. Not only that, they would affect oil production in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and other oil producing countries. That would put us at -20% margin. That's not good people. Think of the gas prices then.
Now some of you, maybe most of you, will say, "Nah...will never happen". I hope not. But I got this information from a former UN weapons inspector, a former marine, and an expert on Iran. If he says, there's an 80% chance, then I believe him. I'm not ready to go out and buy duct tape and build a bomb shelter, but I have to at least acknowledge that it might happen.
Be prepare for gas prices that would cripple the average middle class of America. The Smart car will not solve this problem but it would sure provide some relief.
My Maxima goes on sale this weekend!!!
Having lived through the gas shortages in the 70's, the real pain lies in the lines even more than the cost. Gas stations didn't limit the amount you put in your tank, though they hated customers topping off, but you had to get on line at 4AM and pray the guy ahead of you wasn't the one who would get the "last car for gas" sign stuck on the trunk when the station opened. Bosses were unsympathetic with not getting to work because of no gas - we were also in stagflation era and they would have no problem filling your job. Cars with lots of range in the tank are what you want in these circumstance irrespective of price, so you don't have to go back for a fill as long as possible. That does not necessarily describe the smart but more like the Prius or mid-sized hybrids with 20 gal tanks. There could actually be a possibility of rationing a la WWII era which in today's lifestyle would be unbearable. Gads, I remember crazies who mounted huge aux tanks in their station wagons, others driving around with multiple 10-gallon gas cans in the back seat, theft (and deaths) by siphoning. Big cars were good because you could go further on a big tank of gas than a small efficient car with a small tank. Bad times.
Not to be political as well, but the wars won't end until all the oil is gone. Remember Mad Max 2: Road Warrior?
if gas prices are a concern, how about a prius? or civic hybrid? you get a much more funtional car with just as good milage as the smart...
just playing devils advocate here.
Btw, im also getting the smart for gas savings plus the coolness/fun factor.
I thought about that but the cost was also a factor. Priuses are around $30 fully loaded. Civics are in the 20's fully loaded. But ultimately, my gf decided the 'cuteness' factor was more important so we got a Smart.
Prius' is not the care that I want. With similar sub-par battery technology that exists today for longevity, I don't want that. Also the battery is just going to be sitting in a dump someday polluting a nearby lake/river. When I have used my smart for years and years, I can drop it off at NASA and they can blast it towards the sun.
Sorry, but I bought my Cabrio purely for the fun of it and out of an innate sense of order.
Fun, because I recon it's a nice switch from and a whole lot safer than another Harley with all those blind cagers on the road these days.
Order, because I simply like the symmetry of driving around in a car that is designed to transport one person and an occasional passenger. 95% of my driving is solo so it just feels weird to tool around in a car built to carry 5 people and a load of luggage. Parking in the city will be a whole lot easier too.
The fuel mileage was never a consideration. I just don't drive enough for that to be an issue. I would be saving 2-3 gal/week, which is of little consequence and if it were, you can be sure that I would more likely not even own any car at all.
My other car will still be used, mostly in the winter and for the odd time when I go on longer road trips with my wife and carry luggage - especially hers :-).
In the mean time I'm going to enjoy pimping her, the 451 that is. Cocos floor mats, Iti air horn and ScanGauge are going to be the first items. Maybe I'll order a set of white body panels next for some serious arbrush work? Who knows. In the mean time, summer is coming and I'm picking her up tomorrow.
Last edited by helidrvr; 04-10-2008 at 04:21 PM.
Reason: grammatical error corrected
I have a motorcycle (a harley) and it does over 45 mpg
If i ever buy a Smart its because its small, cute and fun.
BTW, did you know they can make car that don't require any gas ?
True Electric Car equiped with wheel generators can provide unlimited energy to make the car moves, and you can do that with almost every cars. And those cars are just as fast as any sports cars.
They made a prototype using a Minicooper but the company that built that electric car got shutdown by the oil companies and powerfull people from the oil industry not long time ago.
It's fun, easy to park, non-dingable/chipable (not like metal anyways), not very expensive, and did I say fun?
Of course I am glad it gets good mpg but that was not our primary interest (and we do not drive it in the manner that maximizes mpgs either), and it works great as an alternative to its thirstier sports car garage mate that I also hate to park casually on the street. I should have a bumper sticker that says "My Other Car is a Gas Guzzler" so people don't wrongly assume things about me ;)
I have a motorcycle (a harley) and it does over 45 mpg
If i ever buy a Smart its because its small, cute and fun.
BTW, did you know they can make car that don't require any gas ?
True Electric Car equiped with wheel generators can provide unlimited energy to make the car moves, and you can do that with almost every cars. And those cars are just as fast as any sports cars.
They made a prototype using a Minicooper but the company that built that electric car got shutdown by the oil companies and powerfull people from the oil industry not long time ago.
I read somewhere that they are already testing an electrical Smart ForTwo. In England, if I remeber correctly.
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