1968 Honda S800
Someone that spends his life on FitFreak.net
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,092
From: san francisco, ca, USA
It's easier to get better mileages sometimes back then, because they didn't have safety regulations. Nowadays, airbags and other thigns make even an econobox heavy. Old civics used to get maybe 40-45mpg. You'll probably never see a 4+ seater car get that high anymore. I read an article a while ago on this that I can't find now.
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New Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
From: SF Bay Area, CA
If we made all the cars smaller, and didn't allow those ridiculous SUVs, then we would all be safer.
Basically I think those safety regulations are, as you say, a mandate for heavy cars.
But cars don't need to be heavy. The 2005 Lotus Elise is around 2000 pounds, same as the 1988 Honda CRX Si. Both of these performance cars achieve their high performance through light weight.
The Fit doesn't need to be 2500 pounds. What's the deal?
Basically Honda is just making more money by selling bigger and crappier cars, if you want my honest opinion. Until we start demanding lightweight, efficient, and fun to drive automobiles, what used to be common sense and good household economics is now reserved for the luxury racing class.
Basically I think those safety regulations are, as you say, a mandate for heavy cars.
But cars don't need to be heavy. The 2005 Lotus Elise is around 2000 pounds, same as the 1988 Honda CRX Si. Both of these performance cars achieve their high performance through light weight.
The Fit doesn't need to be 2500 pounds. What's the deal?
Basically Honda is just making more money by selling bigger and crappier cars, if you want my honest opinion. Until we start demanding lightweight, efficient, and fun to drive automobiles, what used to be common sense and good household economics is now reserved for the luxury racing class.
Someone that spends his life on FitFreak.net
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,092
From: san francisco, ca, USA
If we made all the cars smaller, and didn't allow those ridiculous SUVs, then we would all be safer.
Basically I think those safety regulations are, as you say, a mandate for heavy cars.
But cars don't need to be heavy. The 2005 Lotus Elise is around 2000 pounds, same as the 1988 Honda CRX Si. Both of these performance cars achieve their high performance through light weight.
The Fit doesn't need to be 2500 pounds. What's the deal?
Basically Honda is just making more money by selling bigger and crappier cars, if you want my honest opinion. Until we start demanding lightweight, efficient, and fun to drive automobiles, what used to be common sense and good household economics is now reserved for the luxury racing class.
Basically I think those safety regulations are, as you say, a mandate for heavy cars.
But cars don't need to be heavy. The 2005 Lotus Elise is around 2000 pounds, same as the 1988 Honda CRX Si. Both of these performance cars achieve their high performance through light weight.
The Fit doesn't need to be 2500 pounds. What's the deal?
Basically Honda is just making more money by selling bigger and crappier cars, if you want my honest opinion. Until we start demanding lightweight, efficient, and fun to drive automobiles, what used to be common sense and good household economics is now reserved for the luxury racing class.
The sad part of small cars being dangerous has a lot to do with SUVs perceiving themselves as safe creating that danger that wasn't there before.
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New Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
From: SF Bay Area, CA
Well all I can say is I recently walked the Honda lot near me after hours and it was about half SUVs and minivans. Not to mention that I could barely tell the Civics from the Accords. There was one Fit parked near the showroom door, probably special ordered. I can't even get a test drive of a M/T Fit. My belief is the local dealerships only want to carry the Automatic Sport trim because it's slightly more expensive.
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 71
From: Omaha, NE
There are just more autos than m/t. Many people on the board have settled for AT because it was all that was available. I would hope a dealership would want to carry what they can sell. And if they can markup the car and sell over MSRP with buyers, the transmission in the vehicle would mean very little...
Although this can be frustrating, I think Honda has the right approach for introducing the Fit into a market that in years past had low demand. Yes, they might miss a sale here and there, but at least they won't be overstocked with inventory they can't move.
Although this can be frustrating, I think Honda has the right approach for introducing the Fit into a market that in years past had low demand. Yes, they might miss a sale here and there, but at least they won't be overstocked with inventory they can't move.
Last edited by Nuwin; Mar 30, 2007 at 05:33 PM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 184
From: Toronto, Canada
...), you give people choices and let THEM make the right choice for themselves... but again, the bigger, the better IS an American tradition and personally I have no beef with that as long as nobody will force me to buy large vehicles, very hard to park in super-congested cities, burning more gas, slower on take-off (heavier than small cars), etc.... just my personal opinion
Chris
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 85
From: SoCal
It would be impossible to outlaw large vehicles since there will always be a need for buses, semi trucks etc.
There is one thing that scares me more than anything when driving a small car, which is jacked-up moster trucks who are so high that if you had a collision, they wouldn't run into you, they'd run OVER you. Bumpers and airbags don't help for that. Supposedly it's illegal to have a car/truck that high, with the bumpers and headlights way up in the air, but it's never enforced.
There is one thing that scares me more than anything when driving a small car, which is jacked-up moster trucks who are so high that if you had a collision, they wouldn't run into you, they'd run OVER you. Bumpers and airbags don't help for that. Supposedly it's illegal to have a car/truck that high, with the bumpers and headlights way up in the air, but it's never enforced.
New Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 24
From: Salt Lake City, UT
It's easier to get better mileages sometimes back then, because they didn't have safety regulations. Nowadays, airbags and other thigns make even an econobox heavy. Old civics used to get maybe 40-45mpg. You'll probably never see a 4+ seater car get that high anymore. I read an article a while ago on this that I can't find now.
Is this the article you're looking for?
American Chronicle: Honda's Great Gas Mileage Blunder
BTW, besides owning a Fit I own a honda n600. I love it.
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 21
From: miami fl
or what it;s worth, the FIT can get pretty good fuel numbers. But it won't if it's being driven like a hot rod.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 531
From: washington
Ah, yes...
I have been looking for a 92-94 Civic VX for a second car for my new, longer commute.
49 MPG highway
roll up windows, 13" wheels, 2300#, one airbag
and transmission gearing not intended for fun motoring.
Cars are just heavier now due to increased government safety regulations.
I have been looking for a 92-94 Civic VX for a second car for my new, longer commute.
49 MPG highway
roll up windows, 13" wheels, 2300#, one airbag
and transmission gearing not intended for fun motoring.
Cars are just heavier now due to increased government safety regulations.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,371
From: NC USA
Its emissions laws that have made better mpg hard to achieve. When limits are put on how much NOx and HC you can discharge controlling the combustion process gets real complicated real fast. I had an S800 and yes it got good mpg but boy was it slow by comparison.
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