re "
Quotes and Jokes"
How things have changed!
My 1979 Dodge Omni 4-door+hatchback:
Volkswagen 1.7L 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a max output of 65 HP at 5200 rpm and max torque of 85 lb-ft at 2800 rpm.
At ~2500 lbs driving weight with 4-speed manual transmission it would do 0-60 mph in ~15 sec.
Fuel economy was ~40 mpg while cruising at 55 mph on a standard day.
Lasted ~240,000 miles before the engine was losing compression to the point of needing a ring job. Might have rebuilt the engine but the body was rusting out.
Typical small car ride (independent rear suspension), but handled like a sports car, with the smoothest manual shifting I have ever run across - by far.
Price: $4,500 new
My 1992 Geo (GM Canada) Metro 2-door+hatchback
Suzuki 1.0L 3-cylinder gasoline engine with a max output of 52 HP at 5700 rpm and max torque of 58 lb-ft at 3300 rpm.
At ~1950 lbs driving weight with 5-speed manual transmission it would do 0-60 mph in ~15 sec.
Fuel economy was ~50 mpg while cruising at 55 mph on a standard day.
Lasted ~124,000 miles before the engine was losing compression to the point of needing a ring job - then the thin walled casting that mounted the engine and suspension tore at the weld for the front right struts. I would have rebuilt the engine if the frame had not torn. The body was in good shape otherwise.
Very nice ride for a small car (independent rear suspension), and handled like a sports car, with a very smooth manual shift.
Price: $8,200 new
My 2002 Prius 4-door hybrid:
Toyota 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a max output of 70 HP at 4500 rpm and max torque of 82 lb-ft at 4200 rpm.
Electric AC (servo) motor with a max output of 44 HP over the range of 1020-5600 rpm and max torque of 260 lb-ft over the range of 0-400 rpm.
Maximum combined electric-gasoline hybrid output of 110 HP.
At ~3000 lbs driving weight with infinitely variable transmission it will do 0-60 mph in ~10 sec.
Fuel economy is ~50 mpg+ while cruising at 55 mph on a standard day.
Currently at 569,000+ miles (had to replace the hybrid battery at 435,000 miles) and running almost like new. The body is a bit crumpled in the rear due to getting rear-ended by a school bus in stop-and-go traffic in broad daylight - with some rust in the damaged area, but otherwise in good condition.
Typical small car ride (a bit bumpy due to the solid rear axle), handles like a small to mid-size car, with twitchy steering (due to minimal toe in).
Price: $20,000 new