Whats with the smart car and other "high" MPG new cars?

Question

I ask this because I just read the story on the Yahoo headlines about the Smart Fourtwo and how its so great that it gets 33/41 MPG and I have read about hybrid cars and their MPG too and I just have to ask this question...

In 1997 I bought a 1990 Geo Metro Convertible for under $2000 at a dealership. The car was perfect and I never had one single problem with it. I drove it on two cross country trips as well as year round in New England and it averaged well over 40 MPG. Long distances on the highway- much better even. I just checked a news release from back in the day and this is what it said: "PERFORMANCE: * 0-60 m.p.h. (as tested, with 5-speed manual) 16.2 seconds. * Top speed, estimated 90 m.p.h. * Fuel economy, EPA city-highway, 40 and 46 m.p.g." ( http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hyw-geometro1990,0,2284994,full.story ) One summer when gas was .99 a gallon I drove the thing from Maine to Kentucky (1075 miles) on TWENTY DOLLARS. Thats 54 MPG !!!

So I guess I just don't understand WHY someone could make a car like this almost 20 years ago, but nothing for sale right now beats it in fuel economy?

And yeah- I regret ever selling it...

Answer 1

Newer cars have features people want that affect gas mileage.  A big advantage of the Smart car is that it costs several thousands of dollars less than anything else today that gets similar mileage.   It needs servicing only once a year, or every 15,000 kilometres, which is a huge savings in itself.  Where I live there is a $2000 government rebate when you buy one because it is considered an environmentally friendly car.  And when you buy one, roadside assistance is part of the package.

Answer 2

I don't understand it either!  I drive an 05 Corolla and I've gotten as high as 36mpg.  I don't think hybrids are all that they are cut out to be!

Answer 3

Modern cars are much more sturdily built and safer than older cars.

An accident that would have killed you in a Metro would, today, be much more survivable. Safety cages, air bags, crumple zones, door beams, etc. all save lives, but they make care much heavier.

Answer 4

The Geo metro is very underpowered and isn't as safe as the cars of today. It may get good gas mileage, but that's the only thing good about it. New cars are better in almost every way.

Answer 5

Lots of cars in the 90s could get mileage like your Metro.  Every car company made one.

The reason nobody does anymore is pretty simple.  People demand performance, safety, and decent comfort.  Not one of those cars would come close to passing modern emissions or crash standards.  0-60 in 8 seconds is considered slow now.  Your car didn't come with many of the comforts people want.  All that safety, comfort, and emissions stuff adds weight.  So you need to add power just to go the same speed but people want to go faster so you need to add more power still.  All that hurts your mileage.