Reply #12: Ah, but the Lotus Elise doesn't have all the STUFF that everyone [View All]

[Redstone]

wants in their cars...air conditioning, electric everything, all the bells & whistles that you get even on a Hyundai these days.

I used to have a 2002 Passat that had a V-6 and a manual transmission, and NO options (except A/C). No sunroof, MANUAL seats; it weighed 800 pounds less than an optioned Passat, went like a bullet, and consistently made 34 miles per gallon on the highway. At 80 mph. Because it was LIGHT.

You're right on the mark; cutting weight is all when it comes to automotive efficiency.

But composites are damned expensive to implement; why do you think that very few airplanes have a significant percentage of composite construction?

And, the Elise isn't cheap, so that shouldn't be part of your argument.

Now, if someone could crank out a car like that at about twenty grand, they'd have something...wait a minute, there's the Miata! Not as fast, but half the price.

Redstone