Finally: The recession-mobile
posted at 9:00 pm on March 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
I didn’t want to post this — I wanted to post this, but figured the strong content warning would irritate the boss — although I suppose advice on major purchases is a public service to our readers. So here it is: Dear guys, assuming they make this car available in the U.S., not even the king of the beta males would be caught dead in it. Seriously, if you’re going to drive this, you might as well ride a 10-speed, accept your dorky fate, and build some muscle in your quads. Is the price you’ll pay in gas really worth attracting the sort of women who’ll find a car like this attractive? Save your pennies and buy a ’75 Pinto.
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I’d never take one on the freeway.
But I’d buy one to tool around town in, grocery shopping and what not. It’s like a disposable car. It gets stolen… who cares?
Of course, that assumes that anyone would want to steal it.
JohnGalt23 on March 23, 2009 at 11:40 PM
Exactly. People who are complaining about this car’s design are seeing it from the perspective of operating on first world roads. This car is designed for people who putter around on tiny little scooters, weaving in and out of traffic.
So yes, it’s a step up for them, by comparison. But the next challenge is when zillions of those things add to already difficult traffic conditions in major Indian cities.
p.s.: I always figured that the reason the former Yugoslavia fell into war after the fall of the Soviet Union was actually because they were forced to manufacture the Yugo. That thing was one horrible piece of shiite, and it *was* allowed into the US.
Wanderlust on March 23, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Never overestimate the taste of criminals. Back in the late 70′s, some criminal SOB’s stole my Dad’s work vehicle — an old 1953 Chevy for which the door locks no longer worked, was beat up in a couple of places and had cracked windows. Stole it, stripped it, and shot it up.
With this tin can, I’d expect them to lift it, toss it in the back of a pickup and take to the nearest recycling center for a few cents.
AZfederalist on March 23, 2009 at 11:47 PM
No thank you. I’ll stick with my 22 year old SUV.
irongrampa on March 23, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Maybe we could all chip-in and buy AllahPundit one of these.
CyberCipher on March 23, 2009 at 11:56 PM
It has the same crash-test ratings as a 10-speed too.
Wait, a 10-speed doesn’t shower you with glass and crush you inside it when it folds like an accordion… so I think the 10-speed would actually win that one.
Any chance they’ll show the crash tests on that thing? Instant AFV classics.
gekkobear on March 24, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Thank god these will be built in India, where luckily the workers will earn the 3 cents a day that God intended they earn.
e-pirate on March 24, 2009 at 12:25 AM
No thanks, I’ll walk first.
R D on March 24, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Having fun with microcars – Jeremy Clarkson/Top Gear and Bill Geist/CBS Sunday Morning. I like the Messerschmitt
.eigafan on March 24, 2009 at 12:34 AM
It would be OK to pull a lawn mower….
DL13 on March 24, 2009 at 12:35 AM
A wee bit long, but ya! I laughed pretty hard even though it’s just so dumb. I like poop jokes to.
kahall on March 24, 2009 at 1:18 AM
I just watched the MSNBC clip. WTH? Tiny Nano?
kahall on March 24, 2009 at 1:21 AM
Their is no way that is going to meet federal crash test ratings….
liquidflorian on March 24, 2009 at 1:21 AM
They have to be kidding right? There will be a lot of deaths in cars like that. Make our Reps drive them for a few years first. Then lets see if they live to give it a rating before we even consider. No way would I be caught dead in that death trap.
sheebe on March 24, 2009 at 1:30 AM
It can handle three passengers, including the driver, if one of them lies on the roof, and it goes like hell downhill. I bought the 1987 model for my kids, and it still runs like a champ, two sets of cousins later.
unclesmrgol on March 24, 2009 at 2:08 AM
But I think he wants one of these.
Really.
unclesmrgol on March 24, 2009 at 2:26 AM
I ride a motorcycle, I’m already a dead man walking from my point of view.
Life is not without risk.
gdonovan on March 24, 2009 at 5:40 AM
I was going to post Top Gear–Peel P50. HILARIOUS. My husband and I love that show and have been watching old episodes ad nauseam (if that’s possible) the past few nights. That is one of our favorites. Truly a classic.
Mommypundit on March 24, 2009 at 6:24 AM
That slap chop vid was hilarious.
I can’t wait ’til the Blendtec guy gets hold of one of those.
Will it blend? The world wants to know.
hillbillyjim on March 24, 2009 at 6:28 AM
Even as the government massively devalues currency to prop-up the bloated union paychecks of the failing US auto industry.
If there was a certificate for die-hard Marxist troll, I would nominate you.
TMK on March 24, 2009 at 6:30 AM
After a couple more years of Obama, those things will look like status symbols.
darktood on March 24, 2009 at 7:33 AM
They are only 10 feet long? Yikes! Not a good car to go parking in.
becki51758 on March 24, 2009 at 7:37 AM
I thought about buying one to use as a golf cart, but there is no where on the back to put my sticks…I think a golf cart is actually larger, but it would be fun to drive a golf cart that can travel at 50 mph…with a tail wind…
golfer1 on March 24, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Coffin with wheels. How convenient.
tarpon on March 24, 2009 at 7:50 AM
Gang, I have long enjoyed the many comments I read here. I feel many of you are kindred spirits.
I am a certified car junkie, and drive a 380HP car I modified personally to approach nearly 200 MPH and get about 0.25 MPG doing it. That’s why I love America – freedom.
I’m also a manufacturing guy and business owner, and I have trouble with the comments about the Nano. Here is an example of pretty solid engineering that solves the myriad problems of delivering a car that has so many problems to fix. And it’s done it masterfully! There is a market for 1 billion (with a B) of these to be sold!
OK, it doesn’t have air bags; I didn’t have them growing up. It may not pass Federalization; neither would my first car (and I would argue that Federalization is a trade barrier anyway). It’s ugly; for $2000 you can have a ‘Vette at home, too! (thank you, whoever said that)
Our auto industry is a failed business model, for a number of reasons. One of them is that we’ve been told what is “cool”, and we’re suckers for it. Our government has protected this failed industry for decades with our money in taxes, for various and illogical reasons.
Here we have an example of a true entrepreneur who is filling a niche market with a product that fits that niche perfectly. Rather than decry it, we should learn from it! GM, Chrysler, Ford, are you listening? This is the company that may be your employer soon.
Shame on us for bad mouthing a business success.
Bigurn on March 24, 2009 at 7:59 AM
Allahpundit,
You won’t be riding in my SMART (USA) convertible anytime soon.
It’s safe, fast, efficient…and better than the one I’d driven in Europe.
Junk cars are junk cars, but to put down all “ultra-minis” is (at least, I thought it was) below you.
Must be a slow day.
I love my car and spit on the pseudo-macho posings of anyone who disparages such smaller cars.
Lockstein13 on March 24, 2009 at 8:10 AM
If you think UAW has bloated paychecks, wait till you hear about AIG buddy.
e-pirate on March 24, 2009 at 8:37 AM
In Florida, seniors drive around in custom golf carts. This would fit right in: both are inadequate for the highway.
Right_of_Attila on March 24, 2009 at 8:46 AM
It may be practical for India, it may get great gas mileage, and it may be cute, but it will definitely make autopsies a lot more difficult.
AubieJon on March 24, 2009 at 9:01 AM
but it will definitely make autopsies a lot more difficult.
Aubie, anyone who races will tell you there are two facets to surviving a crash: 1) a stable safety platform, and 2) a solid suspension that allows you to avoid the crash altogether.
Big ‘ol cars that are supposedly good for crashes are not. They are statistically more susceptible to crashes than others for reason based in Physics. And the false sense of security of size causes people to not use their seatbelts.
Bigurn on March 24, 2009 at 9:18 AM
*tips hat*
I must admit I was perplexed at people giving the TaTa so much crap and cheering on American cars when only a few weeks back I witnessed the majority of people claiming they refused to buy American cars because, I guess, their hatred of union labor ran that deep.
Make a car that people want. Nay, the majority of people want. Often seems to be quite a challenge, it would seem..
Reaps on March 24, 2009 at 9:27 AM
..That being said my family is still trying to grab a Challenger and a Camaro before some silly Federal law regulates back out of existence..
Reaps on March 24, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Have you ever been stuck behind a Smart Car at a pressure sensitive traffic light? Hell.
Too light to make the sensor turn the light green.
There are dozens of Smart Cars in my neighborhood and they can ruin my day by being in front of me. Of course, if I don’t break fast enough, I can ruin their lives by being behind them.
myrenovations on March 24, 2009 at 10:02 AM
If it was powered by BS the democrats could power these vehicles for every American.
workingforpigs on March 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Know why they called it the Yugo? Because if you turn on the a/c, you go through the front windshield.
Matticus Finch on March 24, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Didn’t we learn our lesson with the Yugo? Won’t someone please think of the children?
My dream car was a lime green Gremlin but I was only 8 at the time so I hope that some leniency is warranted. But even I didn’t understand the appeal of the AMC Pacer, the egg-shaped car made mostly of glass, that my dorky 6th grade history teacher drove. The doors were so heavy that, after awhile, they would sag when open. Maybe not much of a surprise, but these two cars that have been named two of the worst designs of all-time, were both designed by the same man.
slug on March 24, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Well this car can’t be too “beta-male-ish” since it’s called the Ta-ta!
Liberty or Death on March 24, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Disposable Car….
CynicalOptimist on March 24, 2009 at 2:56 PM
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