"jim7856" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
m...
Eisboch wrote:
It occurred to me that GM, with 15 days left to come up with an
acceptable survival plan to qualify for more bailout funds from the
government, may simply be playing high stakes poker with the government
by leaking info that they plan to export Chinese built cars to the US.
In other words, "give us more money, President Obama, and we'll drop
the Chinese export/import plan."

Further convinces me to never, ever, buy a GM product. Let 'em go
belly-up for good.

Meanwhile, our neighbor is taking delivery next week of his new, "Smart
Car". He recently totaled his last car and Mrs.E. lent him the use of
her little VW Beetle until he got a replacement. I am sure I'll be
able to try out the Smart Car and I'll post my impressions of it.

Eisboch


Your neighbor totalled his last car and now he wants one of those little
boxes? My guess is they don't do so well in crash tests. Evolution in
action, as it were.

If someone wants a tiny car...why not try the Honda Fit.
On the various vehicle review TV programs..the testers seem to love the
little car... especially the 2009 version which is supposed to be a bit
roomier.
PersonallyI think any normal sized, middle-aged adult would be more
comfortable in something a bit bigger...like a RAV4.
Oversized 'mericans might want a Highlander or Honda Pilot
Some would and some wouldn't. The fit is really too small. We traded a
sporty car in on a CRV. My wife wasn't thrilled at first to make the trade
but she soon grew to like the CRV a lot. It's definately more comfortable
than the cars they are making today. We bought it to be towed not tow, so
it doesn't bother me that it would be a **** poor tow vehicle.

We just bought a new Venza. The Highlander had poor visibility. The rear
seat headrests block the directly behind view. The Rav4 is too small. The
Venza is rated for a 3500# tow capacity, and the only reason it is getting a
trailer hitch is to hold the bike rack. I tow with a 3/4 Ton Chevy diesel.
Older guy in town I am friends with just bought a Smart. Actually has
decent seating room. I fit and I am 6'4" and 230#. But for a small car, it
should get more than the 40 mpg they rate. The Venza is rated for 27
highway. I got 22.7 for a trip down I-5 to L.A. driving 85-90 a lot of the
way. So at normal 65 mph should get near the rated mileage.