What car would you like to see imported

[Raza]

Maybe Russia?

They were talking about a plant in Italy, but I never heard anything concrete.  If TVR were still making cars, I think I'd have come across something memorable in Evo.

[Colin]

Sadly, TVR have sunk without trace. Despite various promises of a restart of production, it has not happened.

[Laconian]

I imagine the meltdown in Russia hasn't been good to the pocketbooks of TVR's owners.

[TBR]

I thought the young Russian sold TVR to some Asian group of investors?

[Secret Chimp]

Dacia Sandero!

[Raza]

I thought the young Russian sold TVR to some Asian group of investors?

I Googled it, but I couldn't find anything more recent than over a year ago. 

[Madman]

Small, efficient Euro-diesels.  I love the idea of 60 MPG without any of that hybrid malarkey.

Bring 'em over NOW, dammit!!! 


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Sir_CARzy]

I thought the young Russian sold TVR to some Asian group of investors?

Really? I never heard anything about this, which is surprising...unless I forgot about it. Maybe I'm going crazy. 

Either way, the one thing that would really NEED to happen is transplant Ford's entire american line-up (sans-trucks/SUV's) with Europe's. Definitely replace the american civic too. And ohhh, only every hot hatch pretty much in existence.



megane renaultsport F1 team R26 (the more letters, the faster.)   

I could go for a ute too! 

[Sir_CARzy]

definitely need an S-Max too. 

AND THIS! 8D 

[2o6]

Really? I never heard anything about this, which is surprising...unless I forgot about it. Maybe I'm going crazy. 

Either way, the one thing that would really NEED to happen is transplant Ford's entire american line-up (sans-trucks/SUV's) with Europe's. Definitely replace the american civic too. And ohhh, only every hot hatch pretty much in existence.



megane renaultsport F1 team R26 (the more letters, the faster.)   

I could go for a ute too! 

Sir_CARzy? I haven't seen you since the MCAD changeover. How have you been?

[Sir_CARzy]

Heyy, i've been pretty good, I posted on carnuts for a while but now i just sorta lurk. I remembered carspin and came to look around and decided to start posting agian, so its back to that slog when you first join a forum and you have to work your way into the community, haha. Time will tell if I stick with it or not.  School's busy this year, but I can finalllllly drive, and can take my license test december 17th - so then i'll have the wrangler (if/when i pass  )!    How 'bout you? Driving yet?

[Sir_CARzy]

How's the drawing, too? nice to be back in touch (:

[2o6]

Heyy, i've been pretty good, I posted on carnuts for a while but now i just sorta lurk. I remembered carspin and came to look around and decided to start posting agian, so its back to that slog when you first join a forum and you have to work your way into the community, haha. Time will tell if I stick with it or not.  School's busy this year, but I can finalllllly drive, and can take my license test december 17th - so then i'll have the wrangler (if/when i pass  )!    How 'bout you? Driving yet?

No.

[rohan]

The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have
Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
 
If it was offered tomorrow I'ld buy one by 12pm.

[93JC]

People like to talk up how much they want efficient subcompacts from Europe, but the vast, vast majority of North Americans would never actually buy one. They wouldn't accept the lack of power (c'mon, cars that have 0-60 times of more than 10 seconds are considered 'dangerously slow' by many) and the lack of space, and would not have any qualms about spending a couple thousand more dollars for a car from the next size up. Gasoline is still far too inexpensive to make these cars realistic propositions for most North American buyers.

[the Teuton]

People like to talk up how much they want efficient subcompacts from Europe, but the vast, vast majority of North Americans would never actually buy one. They wouldn't accept the lack of power (c'mon, cars that have 0-60 times of more than 10 seconds are considered 'dangerously slow' by many) and the lack of space, and would not have any qualms about spending a couple thousand more dollars for a car from the next size up. Gasoline is still far too inexpensive to make these cars realistic propositions for most North American buyers.

I might.  Of course, my car hits 60 mph in 12.5 seconds, so it isn't like I'm not used to it by now.

[Sir_CARzy]

I might.  Of course, my car hits 60 mph in 12.5 seconds, so it isn't like I'm not used to it by now.

Nice, somebody I could beat in a drag race in the wrangler.    I'll heel-n-toe when I slow down, too  (if i knew how, my goal for when i finally get my license    )

[rohan]

People like to talk up how much they want efficient subcompacts from Europe, but the vast, vast majority of North Americans would never actually buy one. They wouldn't accept the lack of power (c'mon, cars that have 0-60 times of more than 10 seconds are considered 'dangerously slow' by many) and the lack of space, and would not have any qualms about spending a couple thousand more dollars for a car from the next size up. Gasoline is still far too inexpensive to make these cars realistic propositions for most North American buyers.

Unless you commute to work- I drive about 40 minutes everyday so it'ld be great for us.


http://www.management-issues.com/2006/10/27/research/the-changing-face-of-american-commuting.asp

The changing face of American commuting

More Americans are commuting to work by car than ever before, more are travelling from suburb to suburb, more are stuck in their cars for over an hour and more are having to leave their houses at an ever-earlier time in the morning just to get in on time.


According to the a new analysis of commuting trends, the number of new solo drivers grew by an astonishing 13 million from 1990 to 2000. The number of workers with commutes lasting more than 60 minutes grew by almost 50 per cent over the same period, while compared with the previous decade, more Americans are leaving for work between 5 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

The Commuting in America study, compiled for the Transportation Research Board, also found that more commuters are travelling to work from suburb to suburb rather than the traditional commute from suburbs to city centres.

But commuting trends are changing as baby boomers near retirement age at the same time that a large immigrant population has joined the U.S. labour force. While the personal vehicle is still the most common way to go to work, transit and carpooling are increasing in many areas.

"One of the most significant changes will probably come from newly arrived immigrants," said transportation consultant Alan Pisarski, author of the report.

This immigration bubble is changing the nature of the work force and overall commuting patterns, he argues..

"Unlike most native-born Americans or immigrants who have been in the U.S. for more than five years, many new immigrants either carpool, bike, walk, or use public transportation for their daily commute."

Although immigrants make up less than 14 per cent of all workers, they represent about 40 per cent of those in large carpools. The percentage is particularly high among Hispanic immigrants, who are largely responsible for the recent growth in carpooling after 30 years of decline.

Another trend that could significantly affect commuting in the future is the increasing number of people who work from home, the report says. The latest census data shows that 4 million Americans now work from home - more than those who walk to work - and that a growing number of those over age 55 are doing so.

Yet the affect of this on the roads is hard to predict because it is difficult to project how many immigrants will arrive and enter the work force and how many baby boomers will keep working after age 65, the report says.

The general direction of commutes also has shifted. As more employers move out of cities to be closer to skilled suburban workers, the suburbs now account for the majority of job destinations.

From 1990 to 2000, about 64 per cent of the growth in commuting in metropolitan areas was from suburb to suburb, while the traditional commute from suburbs to a central city grew by only 14 per cent. Meanwhile, the number of Americans commuting from the city to the suburbs increased by 20 per cent.

"In the 1970s the arrival of the baby boom generation on the work scene changed the entire dynamic of commuting trends," said Pisarski, who has now authored three reports on this topic.

"That era is coming to a close. The needs of Americans ? more affluent, more involved in global issues, more free to live and work when and where they want ? are creating new challenges that should be recognized and addressed if Americans' commuting experience is to improve."

[Laconian]

I would like a Honda Beat.

[Cookie Monster]

I would like a Honda Beat.

OMG HOW DID I FORGET THAT

[MX793]

I would like a Honda Beat.

Does Honda even still make the Beat?

[Laconian]

Does Honda even still make the Beat?

Nope, it's tragic! I'm no snob though, I'd happily import a 15 year old Beat (with low miles, of course.)

I think BimmerM3 saw one at a car show in the US.

[Sir_CARzy]

People like to talk up how much they want efficient subcompacts from Europe, but the vast, vast majority of North Americans would never actually buy one. They wouldn't accept the lack of power (c'mon, cars that have 0-60 times of more than 10 seconds are considered 'dangerously slow' by many) and the lack of space, and would not have any qualms about spending a couple thousand more dollars for a car from the next size up. Gasoline is still far too inexpensive to make these cars realistic propositions for most North American buyers.

You have a point. The one thing I've noticed in Europe is that some of the base cars (rentals) seem unbelievably cheap compared to the average joe's car here. To a pretty gross point, too. I think we do expect much more from our cars, here, and I hate to say it - but I'm not sure I'd really WANT to convert to the lower standard. (At least not yet)

[2o6]

Does Honda even still make the Beat?

Honda hasn't made the Beat since 1995. The Kei Car market has a very slim profit margin, that's part of the reason of so many rebadges, and except for the Copen, there are no "fun" kei cars.

[2o6]

You have a point. The one thing I've noticed in Europe is that some of the base cars (rentals) seem unbelievably cheap compared to the average joe's car here. To a pretty gross point, too. I think we do expect much more from our cars, here, and I hate to say it - but I'm not sure I'd really WANT to convert to the lower standard. (At least not yet)

I wouldn't say cheap, but much more variety. We want our "base" models to come with everything and then some. Many european cars have a much higher standard of quality and materials.

[Laconian]

I can get along fine with a dinky engine so long as I have a stick. And everything can be had with an MT in Europe.

[sandertheshark]

Definitely a car I would intend to own some day!  .....just not for some time

We have a winner.

[Eye of the Tiger]

[Raza]

Bristol Fighter. 

I'll put the next one up in a few minutes.