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How to answer this question that I am tired of getting asked. (cars and scooters)

 
pollinator
Posts: 1459
Location: Midlands, South Carolina Zone 7b/8a
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All right my friends, I need some help here. I am SOOO tired of people asking me “how fast does it go?” When I am driving my Smart Car or riding my scooter.
If I were interested in how fast something went I would be riding an 1800cc motorcycle or driving a Jaguar. I’m interested in GAS MILEAGE.

Now it just so happens that both of my vehicles have pretty good get-up-and-go but I don't feel like explaining that and I’ll bet someone who is as smart-mouthed as I am can think of an answer to match the question above.

The other day someone actually asked me if I take my Smart Car on the highway. I told him "No, I try to stick to the sidewalk as much as possible".
 
Posts: 80
Location: NW Mass Zone 4 (5 for optomists)
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...Beats walking.

...It's less stubborn than my mule/donkey/ass. Also easier to park.

...Faster than waiting for the bus (train/tram/trolley) that doesn't run here (anymore, if applicable - many areas had nice trolley systems once).

...Zips right by the gas station at 30 miles per hour (fill in speed limit at local gas station if different.)

...Gets from point A to point B a lot faster than the Corvette that passed me on the way to the speed trap.

...goes 900 miles per hour standing still (then, so does everything else on the face of the earth, but you don't have to point that out.) If you are terribly geeky you can figure out exact numbers for your latitude, time of day and chosen reference frame.)

Mind you, taking a Smart on the highway does mean that the average Honda gets better milage for that part of the trip. Aerodynamic they are not.
 
Jeanine Gurley Jacildone
pollinator
Posts: 1459
Location: Midlands, South Carolina Zone 7b/8a
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I like the zips right by the gas station comment - I'll probably be using that one.

Someone did just tell me that thier Honda Fit got 48mpg - that is better than my Smart - it gets 45mpg hwy. And I think it cost about the same as my car so I have to give it a thumbs up.
 
steward
Posts: 1748
Location: Western Kentucky-Climate Unpredictable Zone 6b
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Get a license plate that reads NUNYA and just point.
 
steward
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Location: Currently in Lake Stevens, WA. Home in Spokane
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"I drive so fast that I don't dare take my eyes off the road long enough to check the speedometer."

 
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Location: Victoria British Columbia-Canada
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It would seem that a simple numerical answer would suffice. Or you could just say that it attains highway speeds. They've been common in Victoria for a long time, so we've all seen them on the highway.

I had a Vespa scooter that was dangerously slow at only 65 kph ( 40 mph ). I sold it primarily because I wasn't willing to accept the sort of injury risk associated with motorcycle accidents.
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I was pleasantly surprised to find that a smart car has more room for the driver than both my pick up truck and my mini van.
 
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It's smart enough to follow the speed limit. That's why it's not a dumb car.
 
pollinator
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Location: Northern New York Zone4-5 the OUTER 'RONDACs percip 36''
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L. Jones : Not going for the cheap shot ,but rather accuracy - "Standing still " they all get Zero miles to the gallon- My Cars engine shuts off

when the car comes to a complete stop and starts again as soon as I take my foot off of the Brake ! Big AL
 
author and steward
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Location: missoula, montana (zone 4)
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A few years ago jocelyn's rig was dying so we needed something better. An odd thing that was discovered was that the prius c got better mileage than a scooter.

Daniel Bender is here now and he is driving a "honda insight version 1.0" and he says that he averaged about 68 mpg getting here from los angeles. It is a two seater and it much smaller than the prius c.

I wrote to consumer reports about 25 years ago and asked them to not only show the mileage, but to also show the level of pollutant that is expelled.

I am fascinated by the tesla vehicles. 300+ miles per charge plus a broad network of charging stations. Using grid electricity is not perfect, but it is about 20 times better than using petroleum. Plus it opens the door to optimization - you could have your own micro hydro or something.

I am also fascinated by the compressed air vehicles. I like the idea that the vehicle could last a hundred years without needing new batteries.

Back to the prius c: I have many times driven five or six miles across missoula and gotten better than 90mpg. The best I have done on the highway is about 65mpg. Usually, I get something more like 40mpg on the highway (travelling at 75mph).

If I had millions of dollars, I think I would get a tesla. It seems the closest to my values.

 
Oh. Hi guys! Look at this tiny ad:
Switching from electric heat to a rocket mass heater reduces your carbon footprint as much as parking 7 cars
http://woodheat.net
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