2000# or less toads

[choctawmel]

Many one have a Triumph Spitfire as a toad? How are they? If I recall, they are a fix and repair daily kind of car. I wanting to go to a liter toad, under 2000#.
Cars I think are under 2000#: 2-door Geo Tracker(hard to find), Opel, VW Bug/Karmann Ghia(rust bucket or gold plated), MG, Triumph, Ford Festiva. Any others anyone can think of? Don't think anything this side of 1994 is under 2000#
The only NEW car I know of is the Smart Car. No I don't want a new car!

[Aage]

Toyota Echo (last year 2005) 2,020 lbs.

[cmadmaxman]

Even if it does not weight in under the 1 ton, (2,430 lbs) The Saturn S series car is a great toad. We have pulled it many thousand miles behind our 310, and you best make sure you remember its there, because the rig don't! Pulls great, 4 down, tracks great, no pump needed for either transmission, and does not effect gas mileage.

[streamquest]

Hi Choctawmel,

In my opinion you probably couldn't do much better than the first generation Honda Insight. I've had a 2000 model with a five speed for a few years now, though I've never towed it, and I don't know what that might entail. The original Insight was built from 2000-2006. This was a "proof of concept" undertaking for Honda.

Airstreamers might like the fact that the car is ALL ALUMINUM. I believe it has the lowest drag coefficient of any car ever to have been mass produced, and it is the only car with a rear wheel track that is narrower than the front. The rear tires are "skirted" for improved aerodynamics. It is front wheel drive, and has a three cylinder, one liter engine that produces about 65 HP. That is assisted by a hybrid drive electric motor that kicks in another 12-13 HP boost when needed. It handles like a go-cart, and will give you 50-60 MPG all day long at highway speeds (even more when being towed!). It will comfortably cruise at 90-100 MPH, and still get 45+ MPG. On smooth pavement, it is eerily quiet, even at that speed. I once took it out for a "hyper-mileing" run using every trick in the book, and actually saw 80 MPG. As for reliability, IT'S A HONDA, and possibly my favorite car of all time.

And finally, at the risk of getting too political, I have a big "FIRE PELOSI" bumper sticker on the back, just to annoy the Prius types when I blow past them while getting even better gas mileage!

[crazeevw]

What kind of curb weight does the Toyota Yaris have? I believe I've read that Volkswagen is considering importing the VW Polo, which is close in size to the original Ford Fiesta. Of course, you've said you don't want 'new'. What about a Mini?

[Aage]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

What kind of curb weight does the Toyota Yaris have?

The Yaris curb weight is 2,313. Can you believe it? Almost three hundred pounds more than very much the same car that it replaced!

I bought a 2005 Echo new, and liked it so much I seriously looked at the Yaris, but when I noticed it had worse fuel consumption numbers and yet the same engine, I couldn't believe it! The weight was the killer. I don't know what was going though Toyota's engineers' minds on that one.

The new Mini is all over the place from a low of 2,523 to over 2,700 for the Clubman. And resale is high on them.

I still say an Echo is a good bet. They are bulletproof service-wise, VERY good on fuel, cheap to buy, and comfortable for a small car.

While a Spitfire is a fun-looking car, have you ever actually driven one? Yikes! Uncomfortable, and you are again at the mercy of Lucas, the Prince of Darkness in terms of electronics. Unless you are a mechanic who has a hobby of maintaining British cars, leave that one at home.

Oh, and the "kerb" weight is still 1,900 lbs for a Spit.

[crazeevw]

Originally Posted by Aage

The Yaris curb weight is 2,313. Can you believe it? Almost three hundred pounds more than very much the same car that it replaced!

I bought a 2005 Echo new, and liked it so much I seriously looked at the Yaris, but when I noticed it had worse fuel consumption numbers and yet the same engine, I couldn't believe it! The weight was the killer. I don't know what was going thought Toyota's engineers on that one.

The new Mini is all over the place from a low of 2,523 to over 1,700 for the Clubman. And resale is high on them.

I still say an Echo is a good bet. They are bulletproof service-wise, VERY good on fuel, cheap to buy, and comfortable for a small car.

You can bet the increase in curb weight for the Yaris over the Echo is safety related. Go look at a car from the early 60's. No seatbelts, no collapsible steering column, no high strength steel, no airbags, etc, etc. All of those little things we've gotten accustomed to (A/C, power everything) add lots of weight. Betcha the Yaris isn't even available without power steering, more weight. Ok, my .02 worth.....

[dkottum]

Our Suzuki Samarai is a mountain goat but stay off the interstate, about 1800 lbs.

doug k

[Keyair]

Or, this''
A cute girl in my Alfa on Highway 1... she was happy!
Click on pic to view..

[Keyair]

Or this...
I laughed for about an Hour watching this!
As a Brit, funny, but slightly Embarrasing...

Rolling a Reliant Robin - Top Gear - BBC - YouTube

#!

[ALUMINUMINUM]

Vintage British sportscar... only if you want to spend all your time TRYING to keep it running, chasing oil leaks, and don't plan on driving at night or in the rain. Has there ever been a worse carburetor than the SU?? and there's two of them.

Why do the British drink warm beer?? They have Lucas refrigerators.

Toyota Echo is a very, very smart little car.

1970 was the best VW bug. after 1970, came a few years of sketchy Superbeatles, but you could still get the "standard" body with a lower trim level (vinyl floor mat, no carpet). A clean bug will hold value, and they are more fun to drive than any Triumph... except for a '66 Bonneville or TT two wheeler.

Citroen 2CV...

Porsche 356...

BMW Isetta...

[Aage]

:: make note to self: do not buy Reliant Robin ::

[streamquest]

Key,

Thanks for that one!! Not sure which part was funniest. Loved the finale. Still laughing. Glad that Airstream never tried it.

Charly

[Ron Edwords]

I have admired the Smart car by Mercedes. Stylish, safe, roomy, easy on the wallet and lite at1800 lb + or - . And did I say SAFE. Ron E.

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

What kind of curb weight does the Toyota Yaris have? I believe I've read that Volkswagen is considering importing the VW Polo, which is close in size to the original Ford Fiesta. Of course, you've said you don't want 'new'. What about a Mini?

Can't tow a mini cooper.

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by streamquest

Hi Choctawmel,

In my opinion you probably couldn't do much better than the first generation Honda Insight. I've had a 2000 model with a five speed for a few years now, though I've never towed it, and I don't know what that might entail. The original Insight was built from 2000-2006. This was a "proof of concept" undertaking for Honda.

Airstreamers might like the fact that the car is ALL ALUMINUM. I believe it has the lowest drag coefficient of any car ever to have been mass produced, and it is the only car with a rear wheel track that is narrower than the front. The rear tires are "skirted" for improved aerodynamics. It is front wheel drive, and has a three cylinder, one liter engine that produces about 65 HP. That is assisted by a hybrid drive electric motor that kicks in another 12-13 HP boost when needed. It handles like a go-cart, and will give you 50-60 MPG all day long at highway speeds (even more when being towed!). It will comfortably cruise at 90-100 MPH, and still get 45+ MPG. On smooth pavement, it is eerily quiet, even at that speed. I once took it out for a "hyper-mileing" run using every trick in the book, and actually saw 80 MPG. As for reliability, IT'S A HONDA, and possibly my favorite car of all time.

And finally, at the risk of getting too political, I have a big "FIRE PELOSI" bumper sticker on the back, just to annoy the Prius types when I blow past them while getting even better gas mileage!

Only 1887# curb weight. Only 2011 ones are for sale around here.

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by cmadmaxman

Even if it does not weight in under the 1 ton, (2,430 lbs) The Saturn S series car is a great toad. We have pulled it many thousand miles behind our 310, and you best make sure you remember its there, because the rig don't! Pulls great, 4 down, tracks great, no pump needed for either transmission, and does not effect gas mileage.

my toad I have isn't much more then this is.

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

What kind of curb weight does the Toyota Yaris have? I believe I've read that Volkswagen is considering importing the VW Polo, which is close in size to the original Ford Fiesta. Of course, you've said you don't want 'new'. What about a Mini?

the Yaris is 2290#

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by Aage

The Yaris curb weight is 2,313. Can you believe it? Almost three hundred pounds more than very much the same car that it replaced!

I bought a 2005 Echo new, and liked it so much I seriously looked at the Yaris, but when I noticed it had worse fuel consumption numbers and yet the same engine, I couldn't believe it! The weight was the killer. I don't know what was going though Toyota's engineers' minds on that one.

The new Mini is all over the place from a low of 2,523 to over 2,700 for the Clubman. And resale is high on them.

I still say an Echo is a good bet. They are bulletproof service-wise, VERY good on fuel, cheap to buy, and comfortable for a small car.

While a Spitfire is a fun-looking car, have you ever actually driven one? Yikes! Uncomfortable, and you are again at the mercy of Lucas, the Prince of Darkness in terms of electronics. Unless you are a mechanic who has a hobby of maintaining British cars, leave that one at home.

Oh, and the "kerb" weight is still 1,900 lbs for a Spit.

I think I've ruled out British Motors. I recall the motor cycles of yester-year.
Can't get a tow plate for the mini. Something about no ACC with the steering wheel lock.
The Toyota Echo is 2030# (5-sp) 2080# auto

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Our Suzuki Samarai is a mountain goat but stay off the interstate, about 1800 lbs.

doug k

That and the Geo tracker 2-drive are on my list, but most have been turned into mud'rs now and the one that I have seen are very pricey.