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Post by wheelbender6 on Sept 14, 2013 19:28:26 GMT -5
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Post by tvnacman on Sept 14, 2013 20:10:45 GMT -5
If I could beat them up on the price a bit I might buy one .
John
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Post by skyrider on Sept 14, 2013 20:15:35 GMT -5
Looks interesting. Lets see if it really comes true.
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Post by phssthpok on Sept 14, 2013 20:53:58 GMT -5
That, right there, is about  % of what I want to build. The only thing missing is an air-cooled diesel engine, and streamlining...REAL streamlining... for fuel efficiency.  |
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Post by spandi on Sept 14, 2013 23:47:59 GMT -5
Just wait, in a year or two you can get a Chinese one for $2300!  |
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Post by SylvreKat on Sept 15, 2013 0:04:49 GMT -5
I was going to say a resounding Heck yes! but then I saw how much the city mileage plummets. What gives with that? It's almost half the highway mileage. My scooter gets 60-70-some all city. My wagon gets about 17 hwy/city mixed (although I'm anticipating an increase there since I've found the clean gas at a nearby QT!). Pure hwy I would guess would be in the low 20s. So what gives?
But still better than the Dumbcar, and cheaper, and faster, and looks better too.
>'Kat
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Post by prodigit on Sept 15, 2013 1:01:57 GMT -5
It's A LOT cheaper than a CAN-AM, which go for the price of a car ($20k) I think it's already Chinese made. They say American, but there's no other option than to buy parts in China. The Chinese trikes have no roof, and are sold for $3k, it's very hard to earn a living and sell this for that price, but then again, the cheapest USA car is sold for $10k, so it might be possible it's all American. The only issue I see on this thing is cornering, and highway riding. 80MPG is good, probably geared really high. In order to go 100+MPH, it needs at least an 800cc engine, probably a 900 to 1000cc 3 or 4 cylinder, 4 stroke engine. It wouldn't surprise me if the engine is a Chinese Suzuki 4 cylinder 1 liter clone, used in many karts, geared correctly. Looks very affordable; at least a lot more affordable than the Tango T600, which goes for $200k www.commutercars.com/ |
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Post by domindart on Sept 15, 2013 2:34:40 GMT -5
Just wait, in a year or two you can get a Chinese one for $2300! 6800 wouldnt be bad If I knew the market for them was useful... I mean, can u find parts for it, will people work on it? How reliable is it? Also wish It came in two seats |
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Post by SylvreKat on Sept 15, 2013 7:27:45 GMT -5
dom', according to their site, it does. It states dimensions for the passenger as well as driver. I'm guessing they sit in-line, 'cause it also mentions cargo capacity with the rear seat down.
>'Kat
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Post by wheelbender6 on Sept 15, 2013 8:13:05 GMT -5
The Elio drivetrain is not based on a motorcycle, as it would appear. It has a sideways motor in front (yes, like the Suzuki Swift) driving the two front wheels. All the mechanicals are up front. Therefore, you would need a car dealer, rather than a motorcycle dealer to maintain it.
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Post by rockynv on Sept 15, 2013 9:40:36 GMT -5
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Post by wheelbender6 on Sept 15, 2013 12:32:40 GMT -5
I'd love to build something like the Moonbeam. It would be adequate for my 11 mile (one way) commute on freeway frontage roads. I'm comfortable working on scooters and contraptions.
Most people are not willing to do a lot of wrench turning, so something like the Elio would suit them better.
I'll be studying the Moonbeam carefully to see if I can build my own unique, all weather trike.
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Post by wheelbender6 on Sept 15, 2013 14:32:37 GMT -5
Now that 150 and 300cc reverse trikes are now available pretty cheap from China scoot dealers, half the work of building something like the Moonbeam is already done. I would only need to concentrate on coachwork.
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Post by skyrider on Sept 15, 2013 19:57:36 GMT -5
Now, Kat, don't knock our Smart too much. We love it and it fill our needs much better than an Elio.
It does look like a really fun machine. Much like the old Morgan three wheelers in England.
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Post by justbuggin2 on Sept 15, 2013 20:17:11 GMT -5
sounds as if it will use the Geo Metro drive-train it states a 3 cylinder auto style motor and trans and front wheel drive the reason city mpg is lower is it takes more power for stop and go traffic than getting to speed and maintaining it and it has in line seating for driver and passenger
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% of what I want to build.
