Comments on: Smart Fortwo Is Coming – Will You Be Buying? http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/03/26/smart-fortwo-is-coming-will-you-be-buying/ Sustainability, Environment, Progressive Politics, Peak Oil, Being Green. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:52:10 -0500 hourly 1 By: AnswerBack http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/03/26/smart-fortwo-is-coming-will-you-be-buying/comment-page-1/#comment-1709 AnswerBack Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:49:47 +0000 http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/03/26/smart-fortwo-is-coming-will-you-be-buying/#comment-1709 Unfortunately Smart cars purportedly suffer from poor reliability ratings . Catostrophic transmission failures seem to be the most common complaint from owners. For slightly lower mileage with much greater utility and better availability the VW Fox (2 door Golf) might be worth a look in the same price range. Perhaps if superminis take off in the States, Toyota will import their Aygo . The gasoline version is rated at a combined 51 MPG (US) and the diesel version is rated at a combined 57 MPG (US) with low CO2 Emissions [g/km] of 109. The diesel version of the Echo has only a slightly lower MPG. The Mini Cooper is available in Europe with a diesel engine ("Cooper D") and is rated at a combined 54 MPG (US). Now that the US has clean diesel, there is no excuse for BMW not importing it. Ford, Chevrolet (Vauxhall), and Hyundai all have cars rated at 52+ MPG (US) which could be imported to America. Auto manufacturers are waiting to see if the American public is ready to follow Europe in embracing clean diesel, and smaller cars. In places like the UK where gas prices are now at $6.75/ US gallon, fuel economy is paramount. Most Americans who complain about $3/gallon gas prices seem to lack an understanding of the true cost of petrochemicals (besides pump prices, remember the 'hidden' costs: US->War=US->Taxes->Americans). Unfortunately Smart cars purportedly suffer from poor reliability ratings . Catostrophic transmission failures seem to be the most common complaint from owners. For slightly lower mileage with much greater utility and better availability the VW Fox (2 door Golf) might be worth a look in the same price range.

Perhaps if superminis take off in the States, Toyota will import their Aygo . The gasoline version is rated at a combined 51 MPG (US) and the diesel version is rated at a combined 57 MPG (US) with low CO2 Emissions [g/km] of 109. The diesel version of the Echo has only a slightly lower MPG.

The Mini Cooper is available in Europe with a diesel engine (”Cooper D”) and is rated at a combined 54 MPG (US). Now that the US has clean diesel, there is no excuse for BMW not importing it. Ford, Chevrolet (Vauxhall), and Hyundai all have cars rated at 52+ MPG (US) which could be imported to America.

Auto manufacturers are waiting to see if the American public is ready to follow Europe in embracing clean diesel, and smaller cars. In places like the UK where gas prices are now at $6.75/ US gallon, fuel economy is paramount. Most Americans who complain about $3/gallon gas prices seem to lack an understanding of the true cost of petrochemicals (besides pump prices, remember the ‘hidden’ costs: US->War=US->Taxes->Americans).

]]> By: Favorite Green Posts Of March 2007 | The Good Human http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/03/26/smart-fortwo-is-coming-will-you-be-buying/comment-page-1/#comment-467 Favorite Green Posts Of March 2007 | The Good Human Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:17:06 +0000 http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/03/26/smart-fortwo-is-coming-will-you-be-buying/#comment-467 [...] Smart Fortwo Is Coming - Will You Be Buying? [...] [...] Smart Fortwo Is Coming – Will You Be Buying? [...]

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