I got a Robb Report magazine today and really got to take a look at the aptera. I know somebody's posted a thread about this a while back, but I saw there was a thread on the smart car....and personally, while it's a cool concept and everything, I don't see why you would pay that much money for something that only gets 40mpg. My purpose in getting something to that effect would be to save my $$ on gas.

The Aptera if you haven't heard of it, is a three wheel car (they are guesstimating availability November this year) that is either a hybrid or electric by your choice. In the all electric version, you get approx. 120 miles before the battery quits on you.

Here's what I thought was cool though...in the hybrid version, it acts as an electric until the battery gets low. Now I know that's how all hybrids theoretically work, but the hybrid has the same battery power as the all electric, so if you have a hybrid, and drive a hundred miles....you wouldn't have used a drop of gas, because all the power was coming from the large amount of battery power. So in theory, you could go a month or longer without using a drop of gas depending on your driving habits, work route, etc assuming you plug it in every chance you get. In the cases where you need the engine to kick on though, it will get a whopping 320mpg. Cost $27,000 for the electric, and $30,000 for the hybrid. A worthwhile investment IMHO.

Another cool fact is that because it is only three wheels, it would be registered as a motorcycle, but you could drive it with a standard DL. No motorcycle provision necessary. Also, the roof has solor panels that I produce 50 watts of electricity that cool that cabin while it's parked (in the sun obviously). Supposedly it has passed 45mph front and side crash ratings with flying colors as well.

As far as comparing with the Smart Car, it is well over a good $10,000 more expensive, but I honestly don't see why someone would want a Smart Car unless for novelty. I'd rather buy a Prius being that the Smart Car only gets 40mpg and it is already costing you $15,000-$18,000 or so.

Don't know about yall but I would definitely consider one. If nothing else, I think it would be cool to get all the looks from others who are wondering how you stole a car from the Jeffersons.

 

neither

 

I have a feeling your decision might change after gas hits $10 a gallon

 

^^ My car is very fuel efficient....my bike...even better.
No worries here.

 

if i had to choose the aptera

 

BTW. I just realized I said 'Jeffersons' at the end.

I meant to put Jetson's. lol

 

I vote Whiskers

 

wow that car looks like a mouse

 

can i vote bus ticket

 

The Aptera's looks are offputting, and the Smart doesn't get good enough mileage for the cost.

Therefore, neither.

My S2k gets 30 mpg on the freeway when driven moderately, so I see that as a suitable alternative to my gas-guzzling RL.

 

If Aptera is what driving comes to, I think I am interested in what rail could provide me.

 

i just can't picture myself in any of those....

 

I'd rather get a bike (motorcycle).

 

Whiskers

 

is whiskers a option to every poll?

 

If the aptera's tail wiggled at high speeds it would look like a sperm. Whiskers is bound to order 2 of them.

 

You could make it even more fuel efficient by adding some light weight parts.

 

Parking the Aptera would be a bitch, esp in the city.

 

I'd take the Aptera over the Smart. I don't think I'd want either one to be my only car, but it's hard to beat 300 mpg. Also, if I'm gonna be getting "WTF" looks from pedestrians and other drivers, I'd rather get them because I'm driving a Jetsons car than a damn golf cart.

 

"Moooovin' on UUUUUP!"

 

Poll should have a neither option.

 

I would much rather drive the A klasse.

 

 

^ Sure, if you wanna spend a hundred grand. If you can do that, though, you're probably not worried much about gas prices.

 

Lol, I guess I wasn't thinking when I first typed it up.
Btw, your avatar rocks elessar! lol

 

Well I wanted to put "if you had to get one" in the question for the poll but I ran out of room. It wouldn't let me type more.

 

if i ever see that on the road, i'm going to laugh

 

ill take my dignity

 

get one of these and every person that pass by you will be at you, no thanks

 

I couldn't give a flying _____. All I'd be doing is at them when they are at the pump, paying $200 to fill up there car once gas has gone up to $10 a gallon and the value of a car such as the Aptera has risen exponentially.

That's right.

 

STFU

 

Truth hurts, doesn't it?

 

 

^^

As Blade Runner fan, I have to state: Aptera>>>Smart Car

 

No need to bag on the kid for suggesting an alternative form of transportation. Man.....

It would be funny as hell to see on the road, but what happens when a soccer mom runs a red light in her Excursion and hits either one of these things?

 

Is anyone concerned about sitting on top of a 1000lb lithium ion battery? I've heard of laptops and PSP's exploding due to defective batteries...this would be orders of magnitude worse.

 

They didn't say whether it was four or five star, but they said the 45 mph crash test ratings for both frontal and side passed with "flying colors" (quote from Robb Report). It has to do with some particular construction method. Not exactly sure.

 

wow, that aptera is badass! id probably rock one as a daily commuter, as long as it is "sprightly" to drive.

 

It's of course not a sports car....the reviewer said it goes from 0-30 pretty quick, but 30-60 leaves something to be desired. It's to be expected, but it sounds like a great package to me.

 

looks hard to clean.