The Lancer in Panama gets 52 mpg.

[LordJezo]

<p>This makes me pretty angry.</p><p>The car companies are keeping things from us because they know we'll just buy big gas guzzlers and complain about gas prices and do nothing about it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I spent last week down in Panama and saw all of the cars they have there.&nbsp; Two stuck out.&nbsp; The Yaris from Toyota.&nbsp; It was just brought here to America, most likely beause of the gas prices.&nbsp; 40 mpg.&nbsp; Thing is that it's been in Panama for years and just about everyone drives one.&nbsp; Toyota has been selling this car for 3+ years everywhere else but just decided to give us an option to save some gas.&nbsp; The Mitsubishi Lancer was the other one.&nbsp; The new one for this year gets 52 miles per gallon, I wonder if they'll ever decide to bring that one to the USA and save us some gas money for those of us who want a smaller car option.<br /></p><p>It seems like the tech is out there to give us cars that save gas and money but we are not being given the option.&nbsp; Sure, there are the hybrids but costing thousands more they are not a very good option for many people.&nbsp; As for the American companies, I really don't see them offering anything either.</p><p>Bah.<br />&nbsp;</p>

[Jujubees2]

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; color: black; font-family: verdana">I hate to say it but the only way Americans will give up their SUVs and Hummers is when gas gets so expensive that they have to.&nbsp; Even at $3.00 a gallon, it's a pain for some but not enough to make people cut back.&nbsp; We need to be like the&nbsp;European nations and tax gas up over $5.00 a gallon and then you'll see people begging for more fuel efficient cars and the auto industry will have to respond.</span></p>

[UnknownPD]

<p>The car companies are keeping things from us because they know we'll just buy big gas guzzlers and complain about gas prices and do nothing about it.</p><p><font size="2">Next you'll tell us how they are keeping the car that runs on water from us. </font></p><p><font size="2">High mileage cars have always been available here, but they DON&quot;T SELL. That's the conspiracy. &nbsp;</font></p>

[Jujubees2]

<strong>UnknownPD</strong> wrote:<br /><p>&nbsp;</p>The car companies are keeping things from us because they know we'll just buy big gas guzzlers and complain about gas prices and do nothing about it. <p>&nbsp;</p><p><font size="2">Next you'll tell us how they are keeping the car that runs on water from us. </font></p><p><font size="2">High mileage cars have always been available here, but they DON&quot;T SELL. That's the conspiracy. &nbsp;</font></p><p>There's no conspiracy.&nbsp; They don't sell because, while gas is expensive, it's not expensive enough to make people want to give up their gas guzzlers.&nbsp;&nbsp; Let's face it.&nbsp; The American public has gotten so used to relatively cheap gas that they aren't going to change unless they really have to.&nbsp; So we'll be fighting wars in the Middle East until the wells run dry.</p>

[HBox]

<strong>UnknownPD</strong> wrote:<br /><p>&nbsp;</p>The car companies are keeping things from us because they know we'll just buy big gas guzzlers and complain about gas prices and do nothing about it.<p>&nbsp;</p><p><font size="2">Next you'll tell us how they are keeping the car that runs on water from us. </font></p><p><font size="2"><strong>High mileage cars have always been available here, but they DON&quot;T SELL. That's the conspiracy.</strong> </font></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Gvac]

<p>It's true that there's no conspiracy; it's a simple example of the laws of supply and demand.&nbsp; </p><p>Tiny, inexpensive, underpowered cars have never sold well in the US, but they're all the rage in Europe and Asia.&nbsp; Ancient, narrow streets and overcrowding are the reasons they're popular in other parts of the world, but Americans generally don't want a car that goes from 0-60 in 10 minutes and seats four people only if they all happen to be under 5'3 and 110 pounds. &nbsp;</p><p>The Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit, and the Nissan Versa are all new cars here in the US, but have been available in Europe and Asia for several years now.&nbsp; The Japanese are gambling that increasing gas prices will lead Americans to buy these gas sippers, but I'm not so sure. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

[sr71blackbird]

<p><img height="340" src="http://www.auto-adrenalina.com/images2/Yaris%2001.jpg" width="465" border="0" /></p><p>I brought my Camry in for service and the guy that gave me a lift was telling me the Yaris is flying off the lot.&nbsp; Pretty cool looking.</p>