View Poll Results: After reading about the Aptera, what's your position on the two cars if got one??
I would definitely get an Aptera over a Smart Car
5
29.41%
I would still rather have a Smart Car over an Aptera
6
35.29%
I would have to wait and see the final production model to decide, but it looks promising
6
35.29%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll
Alternative: Aptera vs. Smart Car
04-30-2008, 06:23 PM
#1
Alternative: Aptera vs. Smart Car
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.
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.
Last edited by surf4fun0418; 04-30-2008 at 06:27 PM.
04-30-2008, 06:38 PM
#2
The sizzle in the Steak
neither
04-30-2008, 06:49 PM
#4
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ My car is very fuel efficient....my bike...even better.
No worries here.
No worries here.
04-30-2008, 08:16 PM
#7
I vote Whiskers
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04-30-2008, 08:42 PM
#10
Senior Moderator
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.
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.
05-01-2008, 12:06 AM
#13
I'd rather get a bike (motorcycle).
05-01-2008, 09:50 AM
#17
Team Owner
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
^^ My car is very fuel efficient....my bike...even better.
No worries here.
No worries here.
You could make it even more fuel efficient by adding some light weight parts.
05-01-2008, 10:15 AM
#19
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.
05-01-2008, 10:15 AM
#20
Originally Posted by surf4fun0418
BTW. I just realized I said 'Jeffersons' at the end.
I meant to put Jetson's. lol
I meant to put Jetson's. lol
"Moooovin' on UUUUUP!"
05-01-2008, 11:19 AM
#21
The sizzle in the Steak
Poll should have a neither option.
05-01-2008, 02:38 PM
#24
^ Sure, if you wanna spend a hundred grand. If you can do that, though, you're probably not worried much about gas prices.
lol
05-01-2008, 04:27 PM
#26
Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Poll should have a neither option.
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.
05-01-2008, 07:10 PM
#29
I shoot people
get one of these and every person that pass by you will be 
at you, no thanks
at you, no thanks
05-01-2008, 10:26 PM
#30
Originally Posted by is300eater
get one of these and every person that pass by you will be at you, no thanks
at you, no thanksI 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.
05-01-2008, 10:54 PM
#31
I shoot people
STFU
Last edited by is300eater; 05-01-2008 at 10:57 PM.
05-05-2008, 02:39 PM
#33
Go Giants
Originally Posted by eclipse23
If the aptera's tail wiggled at high speeds it would look like a sperm. Whiskers is bound to order 2 of them.
05-05-2008, 03:22 PM
#34
Senior Moderator
^^ 
As Blade Runner fan, I have to state: Aptera>>>Smart Car
As Blade Runner fan, I have to state: Aptera>>>Smart Car
05-05-2008, 04:16 PM
#35
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
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?
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?
05-05-2008, 05:07 PM
#36
Originally Posted by vetalik
05-05-2008, 08:54 PM
#37
Originally Posted by mrmako
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?
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?
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.
05-05-2008, 11:57 PM
#39
Originally Posted by vishnus11
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.
