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765 Posts
If ignorance was painful, I'd buy stock in Tylenol.
You can't blame a car company for trying to "play the game" by the rules that the federal government sets, but can the public at least try and engage a brain cell every now and again? I get tons of compliments on my car, but I also get a lot of people that ask what kind of millage I get, and then ask me why its so low. For the record, I drive a 500c automatic, and most of my driving is rush hour commute in moderate stop and go with enough traffic that I have several spots every day that take me multiple light cycles. I average 35 MPG, and yet, almost to a person, everyone immediately thinks that 35 MPG is terrible, especially for such a small car. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The problem is pretty simple, automakers are required to test their cars MPG in very specific ways and the prominently display the results on the window sticker. The represent the real world about as well as Kung Fu Panda represents martial arts. A few years ago, the government made a few changes to the way the test were done to try and make them more relevant (AC is on, they actually accelerate more aggressively etc.) While the changes did help a little, the issue remains that the test produces a number so vital to the automakers, that they design many of their cars to get the best possible EPA numbers...not the best actual millage. Since the highest number is the highway MPG, this one seems to be the one targeted most. Currently the magic number seems to be 40 MPG highway, with multiple cars making claims to that mark. Problem is they don't really get 40 MPG highway, and most get far worse in the city (claims of mid to upper 20's is common, while actual real world city MPG typically is low to mid 20's.) Hyundai is under attack by several consumer groups who say its 40 MPG claims are so far off real world results that they are threatening lawsuits....but I digress.
You see, the public has it in their minds that if you say you get less that 40 MPG, something must be wrong with you for buying the Fiat. They have been so conditioned by the years of highway MPG claims, that independent thought has apparently left the building.
There are some cars that get some REAL WORLD outstanding MPG, and the Fiat is by no means an MPG champion. It is however the first car I've ever owned that get much better MPG than its sticker, and it is very consistent with its fuel consumption city vs highway. Sure theres a difference, but its not 50% and anyone who thinks 35 MPG combined is bad is just wrong.
wow...forgot how much I like to rant
You can't blame a car company for trying to "play the game" by the rules that the federal government sets, but can the public at least try and engage a brain cell every now and again? I get tons of compliments on my car, but I also get a lot of people that ask what kind of millage I get, and then ask me why its so low. For the record, I drive a 500c automatic, and most of my driving is rush hour commute in moderate stop and go with enough traffic that I have several spots every day that take me multiple light cycles. I average 35 MPG, and yet, almost to a person, everyone immediately thinks that 35 MPG is terrible, especially for such a small car. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The problem is pretty simple, automakers are required to test their cars MPG in very specific ways and the prominently display the results on the window sticker. The represent the real world about as well as Kung Fu Panda represents martial arts. A few years ago, the government made a few changes to the way the test were done to try and make them more relevant (AC is on, they actually accelerate more aggressively etc.) While the changes did help a little, the issue remains that the test produces a number so vital to the automakers, that they design many of their cars to get the best possible EPA numbers...not the best actual millage. Since the highest number is the highway MPG, this one seems to be the one targeted most. Currently the magic number seems to be 40 MPG highway, with multiple cars making claims to that mark. Problem is they don't really get 40 MPG highway, and most get far worse in the city (claims of mid to upper 20's is common, while actual real world city MPG typically is low to mid 20's.) Hyundai is under attack by several consumer groups who say its 40 MPG claims are so far off real world results that they are threatening lawsuits....but I digress.
You see, the public has it in their minds that if you say you get less that 40 MPG, something must be wrong with you for buying the Fiat. They have been so conditioned by the years of highway MPG claims, that independent thought has apparently left the building.
There are some cars that get some REAL WORLD outstanding MPG, and the Fiat is by no means an MPG champion. It is however the first car I've ever owned that get much better MPG than its sticker, and it is very consistent with its fuel consumption city vs highway. Sure theres a difference, but its not 50% and anyone who thinks 35 MPG combined is bad is just wrong.
wow...forgot how much I like to rant
