USA today is conducting a poll of the most significant vehicles in the last 25 years. I only saw two mentions of the MINI. We're getting trounced by the Ford Taurus and Toyota Prius.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...ealey-25_N.htm

 

Uhmmm, call me a doh-doh, but I cannot see a poll. They say to put in your 2 choices, in something below, but thereis nothing there in the window.

Or do you have to register or something?

 

Says something about who reads USA Today, no???

 

It also tells you something about car buyers in the US :thumbsdownsmilie:

 

... I think I might actually agree with the poll thus far.

I would like to preface my opinion by saying, the below comes from a man
who would sooner drink a glass of razor blades before RENTING a U.S. made
vehicle or Hybrid (of any make) let alone purchase one!

That being said, I must conceed to the following (if you do a little research
I think you'll find the facts support this.)

The ford Taurus/Mercury Sable, like it or not revolutionized the auto industry.
It's "modern" design (circa 1986) was seen as the benchmark for new car
desig. This "flying egg" concept was later adopted by the Europeans as the
"notchback" design seen today in the Audi A4, VW Jetta, MB C-class and
BMW 3-series. The Taurus was not only the best selling sedan in the U.S.
for over 10yrs it actually overtook the Toyota Camry & Honda Accord in sales
during it's peek.

The Hybrid (a scam in my opinion) is the first car in automitive history
to be a success as an "electric" vehicle. Like it or not it has set the
benchmark for the future of alternative fueled vehicles. Whether we evolve
to all electric, Hydrogen, vegitable oil, etc. in 40yrs it will all be traced back
to the (Prius) Hybrid vehicles of the early 21st Century.

As for MINI... Well it gets my vote! But I will admit it falls in the "nostalgia"
category along with the New Beetle, PT Cruiser, HHR, Scion XB and the like.

I'm happy owning a car that isn't out to win a "popularity" contest!

Cheers for now!

 

+1 iDriveguy!

 

In what manner are hybrid vehicles a "scam"?

 

...Don't forget I prefaced my words with "IMO", and everything
I say should be taken with a grain of salt, however...

I'm more a Bio-diesel fan over Hybrid. I think Hybrids are an EXCELLENT
choice if you drive primarily in the city and keep your average speed
under 35mph (any faster you're burning fossil fuel).

But out here in CA commuters are driving them and speeding by traffic in
the HOV lanes at 80+mph. This is really counter productive since at freeway
speeds Hybrids don't get much better MPG* than a gas engine. In fact
(depending on which website you chose to read) Hybrids emit more emissions
at freeway speeds. Yet CA allows hybrids to use the HOV? A "scam" (IMO)
especisally since a VW Golf diesel (almost) doubles Hybrid MPG at freeway
speed but not allowed to use the HOV...

Another recent "report" in the press has been about the rather un-ecco
friendly process used to develop Hybrids and disposal of battery waste.
So while driving the car (may) be better for the environment, building it
and disposing of it may not be....

*Real world owner feedback is reporting between 30 & 40mpg above 65mph.
This is no better (in some cases worse) than many compact & economy cars currently sold in the U.S.