Does anyone else think ...

[Asimo]

What did they try? How to waste massively more raw materials, the same space, and the same amount of petrol (if not more), to ferry around maximally two people instead of five?

 

They tried to sell a design focussed upon being short.

 

Of course it is not as clever as it could be but it does demonstrate that contemporary crash-worthiness targets can be met in a car as short as Issigonis' Mini.

It is a four seater. I don't want to ride in the back of one but it couldn't be worse than being in the back seat of a '59 Mini.

[garethj]

It's the weight of the newfangled tosh that annoys me most.

All the progress in engine efficiency is offset by adding pure, unadulterated fat.

Install a 2014 Chevy engine in a 1958 Impala, and you have your 50 mpg car.

Well, you get my drift.

I agree with your drift, and so did Mercedes when they put a modern engine into a 190 saloon

 

It's a 2.1 litre twin turbo diesel.  200bhp gets it to 60mph in 6 seconds (I remember when 200 horsepower was a lot) and it does about 50mpg.  But then it's almost 400kg lighter than the modern C class, what do you expect?

[New POD]

I have just spent almost it's value, getting an 04 accord through the MOT, and fixing a few other bits and bobs.

 

I justify this because If it lasts another 5 years, I'll make £10k on using it for work, because of the difference between the HMRC 45p a mile milege rates and my 16p a mile diesel costs.

 

I could buy a veggie running tractor, but I quite like the car.  

[ProgRocker]

Width of cars bother me. Add to the equation road width restrictions, having to negotiate around obese parked cars and narrow parking spaces are a problem

 

I'm average build but I find it a struggle getting in and out of my car now. Inadequate spaces inbetween vehicles that sometimes mean being unable to open the passenger door. Then it would help if the chump who drives the white van (has since gained some 'Anglian Water' insignia) would park more centrally in 'his' space.