On May 15, 10:59*am, "RogerN" wrote:
...
Seems like if metalworking skills and homebuilt aircraft skills were
combined the people could make an automobile better than the automakers are
providing for us.
RogerN

I have worked on recent electric vehicle development projects and
seriously doubt that a vehicle which meets regulations could do
much better. If you don't need to meet them a car chassis from 1910
(recent experience) and a design top speed of 40 MPH or less might be
able to achieve 100 MPG or its electric equivalent. The first cars
were built like buggies or bicycles, both optimized for low drag at
low speed in ways that still work well. The rolling resistance of
narrow, large diameter tires is very low.

Honda failed to sell many Civic FEs in the early 80's. Those were
rated at up to 70 MPG and people actually got mid 50's from them. I
had a 1978 Accord with their version of lean burn that delivered 36 -
38 consistently and up to 44 on a trip. It was about the same size
inside as a Saab or BMW, but not very powerful. Customers wanted more
power instead and for 1980 Honda raised the HP and lowered the MPG. I
still have one of those on jackstands in the garage.

In 1991 I bought a 4WD, long bed Ranger with the 4 cylinder engine.
Despite its 26-28 MPG the lower power made it undesirable and it sat
on the lot until the end-of-year clearance. It's powerful enough for
me up to about 60 MPH, top end is ~75. Ford soon discontinued that
combination. I'm told the sixes can barely hit 20 MPG.

We could have anything we wanted from a Segway on up, customer demand
drives the market. The desire for safety regardless of low skills ansd
inattention is a large part of it, otherwise just buy a midsized
motorcycle.

jsw
running an alternate energy test with this laptop right now.