Comments on: Will Economy replace horsepower? http://ikeif.net/2008/08/28/will-economy-replace-horsepower/ iKeif.net - Web developer, father, and brewer. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:45:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: ikeif http://ikeif.net/2008/08/28/will-economy-replace-horsepower/comment-page-1/#comment-112 ikeif Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:55:23 +0000 http://ikeif.net/2008/08/28/will-economy-replace-horsepower/#comment-112 When I went to Denver, I got a "free upgrade" to a crossover (because all the fuel efficient cars were taken!). I fell in love with the Infinity Crossover. When we started making those same trips as you - dog, baby, bags, parents - we did it a few times in the civic before we opted to sell my old car (1996 Civic) and got a 2005 Honda CRV - Now we can actually fit a stroller, groceries, kid and pet all in one trip for extended times. I don't deny the Smart Fortwo isn't a family car, but I'd toss my civic and get it since, most often, if it's more than me I'm in the CRV. This is my same argument for why I should get a motorcycle, but my wife's a paramedic who's seen the aftermath of "I didn't see the guy on the bike" accidents. When I went to Denver, I got a “free upgrade” to a crossover (because all the fuel efficient cars were taken!).

I fell in love with the Infinity Crossover.

When we started making those same trips as you – dog, baby, bags, parents – we did it a few times in the civic before we opted to sell my old car (1996 Civic) and got a 2005 Honda CRV – Now we can actually fit a stroller, groceries, kid and pet all in one trip for extended times.

I don’t deny the Smart Fortwo isn’t a family car, but I’d toss my civic and get it since, most often, if it’s more than me I’m in the CRV. This is my same argument for why I should get a motorcycle, but my wife’s a paramedic who’s seen the aftermath of “I didn’t see the guy on the bike” accidents.

]]> By: Denise http://ikeif.net/2008/08/28/will-economy-replace-horsepower/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Denise Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:40:38 +0000 http://ikeif.net/2008/08/28/will-economy-replace-horsepower/#comment-111 Ah, yes. I didn't lease my crossover for the economy, that's certain. Up until this January, I used to drive a 2000 Mazda 626 (which in 1999, was the leader in fuel efficiency for mid-size sedans)...and I loved it until we had a baby and a large dog. Both of which, from time to time, had to be transported together - and as I am keenly aware of physics, there's a whole law dedicated to objects with mass that can't occupy the same space. The Smart cars are great. If you don't have kids. Or dogs. Or have to transport anything other than an iPhone and one other person. I mean seriously, to me the *idea* is great: AWESOME fuel efficiency. But the car is terribly impractical, and I guess I'm not wealthy or Smart enough to have a third car that we use as a daily commuter. I got a lease this time around because I'm holding out for all car manufacturers to get their shizzle together and apply that awesome fuel efficiency to vehicles that actually work for families, and don't serve as an indulgent badge to economy self-righteousness. I can live without the horsepower (although my CX7 is spoiling me with it's 244 ponies), but I won't commit to buying a family mover that gets less than 30 mpg *city*. Related: Dear Auto Manufacturers: Please take a page out of Johnathan Goodwin's book ASAP --> http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/120/motorhead-messiah.html Ah, yes. I didn’t lease my crossover for the economy, that’s certain. Up until this January, I used to drive a 2000 Mazda 626 (which in 1999, was the leader in fuel efficiency for mid-size sedans)…and I loved it until we had a baby and a large dog. Both of which, from time to time, had to be transported together – and as I am keenly aware of physics, there’s a whole law dedicated to objects with mass that can’t occupy the same space.

The Smart cars are great. If you don’t have kids. Or dogs. Or have to transport anything other than an iPhone and one other person. I mean seriously, to me the *idea* is great: AWESOME fuel efficiency. But the car is terribly impractical, and I guess I’m not wealthy or Smart enough to have a third car that we use as a daily commuter.

I got a lease this time around because I’m holding out for all car manufacturers to get their shizzle together and apply that awesome fuel efficiency to vehicles that actually work for families, and don’t serve as an indulgent badge to economy self-righteousness. I can live without the horsepower (although my CX7 is spoiling me with it’s 244 ponies), but I won’t commit to buying a family mover that gets less than 30 mpg *city*.

Related: Dear Auto Manufacturers: Please take a page out of Johnathan Goodwin’s book ASAP –> http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/120/motorhead-messiah.html

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