>>>>Plus, Governor Ahnold wants to allow Hybrids to access the carpool lane even without the necessary number of people needed for that lane.<<
>>
>>Wow, that's a really good idea! I'm actually in support of the governator on something!

Yeah..what about the part time legislature remark..funny stuff our governator!

 

>>That said, in the long term, it's only logical that Americans will begin to downsize. When you visit Europe (where gas prices are substantially higher than those in the U.S.) it's very rare to see an H2/Expedition/etc.

Have you ever tried to drive an SUV or full size sedan in European towns/cities? Streets are tiny, narrow... I think that's part of it - just easier to get around in the smaller vehicles (of course cheaper too).

 

BMW engines are extremely fuel efficient for the amount of performance they provide, but unfortunately our MINI engine is not exactly a BMW engine.

Edmunds.com had a long-term MINI, and still has a long-term 330i. Last time I checked, their 330i had a higher overall fuel mileage than the MCS. That should tell you something about the relatively fuel economy of the MINI.

 

>>BMW engines are extremely fuel efficient for the amount of performance they provide, but unfortunately our MINI engine is not exactly a BMW engine.
>>
>>Edmunds.com had a long-term MINI, and still has a long-term 330i. Last time I checked, their 330i had a higher overall fuel mileage than the MCS. That should tell you something about the relatively fuel economy of the MINI.
>>> it,s not about fuel with a MINI

 

>>My guess is yes. Our cars will become and even hotter commodity.
>>
>>What does everyone else thinks?
>> It's a sports car, milage is only so important

 

>>The Prius might though be even more popular then it is now. I had one for a day and averaged 44 mpg combined on regular gas. Plus, Governor Ahnold wants to allow Hybrids to access the carpool lane even without the necessary number of people needed for that lane.

this is nothing new..it already in effect in the washington dc/northern virginia area. i used to own a 2001 prius and got around 44mpg on regular gas and used the hov lane for work everyday with just me in the car. once my work moved, i traded in for the 2004 cooper and got around 31mpg but have to use premium gas. i debated for so long whether to get the newer 04 prius or the 04 cooper and decided for the cooper. i love the cooper but wish it get a little higher mileage or uses regular gas. after all it is built as an economy sport car, right??

 

>>>>The Prius might though be even more popular then it is now. I had one for a day and averaged 44 mpg combined on regular gas. Plus, Governor Ahnold wants to allow Hybrids to access the carpool lane even without the necessary number of people needed for that lane.
>>
>>this is nothing new..it already in effect in the washington dc/northern virginia area. i used to own a 2001 prius and got around 44mpg on regular gas and used the hov lane for work everyday with just me in the car. once my work moved, i traded in for the 2004 cooper and got around 31mpg but have to use premium gas. i debated for so long whether to get the newer 04 prius or the 04 cooper and decided for the cooper. i love the cooper but wish it get a little higher mileage or uses regular gas. after all it is built as an economy sport car, right??
It is a BMW, economy is not a big word at BMW
but the MINI is not an economy car

 

>Well, whatever you do, don't vote Republican<


Yeah right, they might want to drill for oil in Alaska or something or build more nuclear power plants or some other thing that might decrease our need to import 60% of our oil......Teddy won't allow that.

 

>>I manage to average 25.8 MPG with my 203HP MCS. I don't think this is exactly brilliant mileage. There are many vehicles out there that get better mileage, however I'm quite sure NONE of them are as fun!

Today on TV I heard where the Lotus is already sold out for the 2000 cars they are producing for 2005. If you want one, 2006 is the next year you can order one and prepare to pay way way over MSRP.

 

>>>>>>The Prius might though be even more popular then it is now. I had one for a day and averaged 44 mpg combined on regular gas. Plus, Governor Ahnold wants to allow Hybrids to access the carpool lane even without the necessary number of people needed for that lane.
>>>>
>>>>this is nothing new..it already in effect in the washington dc/northern virginia area. i used to own a 2001 prius and got around 44mpg on regular gas and used the hov lane for work everyday with just me in the car. once my work moved, i traded in for the 2004 cooper and got around 31mpg but have to use premium gas. i debated for so long whether to get the newer 04 prius or the 04 cooper and decided for the cooper. i love the cooper but wish it get a little higher mileage or uses regular gas. after all it is built as an economy sport car, right??
>>It is a BMW, economy is not a big word at BMW
>>but the MINI is not an economy car

It would be a big deal here in CA since we have a ton of congestion everywhere. Considering I drove the Prius through the hills of Santa Cruz, up and down the hills, I think 44 mpg is pretty good. It got way less mpg on the highway then in the city. I enjoyed watching the screen where it said I was getting 99 mpg when I going down hill. And the interior space of the Prius is as large as a Camry's. I was impressed, at least for economy and size. For sportiness, it's a big zero compared to a Mini. With that said, my money is on the cooper.

 

Agree! I also have a vintage Corvette in my garage and an 04 ACURA TL.. The Corvette is a blast to drive and turns lots of heads but sucks gas. The TL gets close to the same mileage as the MINI, is built and finished like a swiss watch but is "soul less" to drive compared to the MINI. Granted the MINI is a whole different car than either, but given the fun to drive factor and character of the car, I think the gas mileage is pretty good, and I didn't buy if for the mileage in the first place. Hopefully long term reliability won't become an issue for the MINI.....................mgg