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Topic: Possible ultra lightweight toad? (Read 16 times) previous topic - next topic
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Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Yahoo Message Number: 152461
It's built in America and gets up to 84 MPG.
http://www.eliomotors.com/ No real information about the drivetrain or if it can be towed.
It's almost small enough to hang on the LD's back bumper.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152462
The Elio reminds me of the Isetta:

http://www.isomillennium.it/isettaING.htm

When I was in high school in the 50s, one of the administrators had an Isetta; he parked the little clown car in front of the main office. As a prank, several of the troublemakers (who, me? ;-) ) lifted the car over the curb, then pushed it to the band storage room and locked it in; we thought this was hilarious. A janitor found it later that day. The owner had a very good idea of who was involved; another short enforced "3-day vacation" from school. ;-)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152464
Larry, In the FAQ section the builder stated that they want to bike/car to be flat towable.  Looks very interesting.

Joan, A great Isetta story.

John
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152467
OK, this thread got me curious, so I posted the question on their site. Here is the response that came back an hour later;

' Elio Motors Customer Service(Elio Motors) Apr 28, 11:31 Elio owners will be able to flat tow their vehicle although the details of how this will work our currently being finalized on our end. We have several ideas on how this will work best, and we will be prepared to share these details with our future Elio Motors customers in advance of production time next year, so please stay tuned into our website in the meanwhile! Thanks so much for your time and question.

Wendy
2002 MB
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152471
Where to mount the tow bar? Seems a little too large to fit in one of the hatches.  8-)

joel 'arvey Orwan 13 31 IB

Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152488
We did a similar thing in college.  A student had one, and we moved it onto a sidewalk with a hedge on each side.  The car was bumper-to-bumper between the hedges.  The owner wasn't amused (but we were).

--Al in Scappoos --2002 26.5 MB
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152495
We LOVE our Fiat 500C,(convertible). We've had it about a year and a half, it's been flawless, and fun to drive.  You can even put the top up or down up to 60 MPH.  She's going to be a GREAT toad!

Don, Debbie, and Addie,(the amazing walking dog)
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152497
Joan,

Love your school experiences  ; - ) .. I like this little van in the web page you posted. It's pretty kool:

Isocarro Van ("furgonato") Rare and beautifully restored by Mario Palma (Canada)

JO
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152500
Don, That is great news. It looks like things have come a long way for Fiat. The new ones must be popular, I see many in CA. I guess the old saying "Fix It Again Tony" doesn't apply anymore. And being able to get a convertible is cool, I just have a sunroof.

I saw an RV yesterday towing a new Mini Cooper. That looked like a fun ride but no room to stash stuff.

bobmoore14
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152501
" It looks like things have come a long way for Fiat. The new ones must be popular, I see many in CA. I guess the old saying "Fix It Again Tony" doesn't apply anymore"

Bob

Before getting too excited about Fiat products, including the new Jeep Cherokee, I would suggest looking at Consumer's Reports assessments. Both the Cherokee and Fiat reliability ratings are full, black circles (not so good).
"Fix It Again Tony" is alive and well. He just move from Rome to Detroit.

Happy to be an ex-maintainer of a Fiat 128

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152502
"Before getting too excited about Fiat products, including the new Jeep Cherokee, I would suggest looking at Consumer Reports' assessments. Both the Cherokee and Fiat reliability ratings are full, black circles (not so good)."

I second the motion. CR surveys hundreds of thousands of car owners every year for detailed information about their vehicles, and their statisticians are very good at assessing the resulting data, so I take their reliability ratings a lot more seriously than "my friend has one and loves it" type testimonials. The Fiat 500's reliability score has been "much worse than average" for the past two years, and that's typical of Fiat models. CR's summary:

"The 500's agile handling and crisp-shifting manual make it fun to drive. The base engine and manual returned 33 mpg overall, but you need to downshift to keep up with traffic. A 135-hp turbo improves the experience, but the ride is choppy and the cabin noisy... The rear seats are very tight and difficult to access. The convertible has a clever top. Reliability has been well below average. The 500 scored poorly in the IIHS small-overlap crash test." (emphasis mine)

Me, I'll take reliability and safety over cuteness any day. There are no Fiats in my future.

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152503
"Fix It Again Tony" is alive and well. He just moved from Rome to Detroit.

Maybe he was banished by the Italian Government for having a bad reputation. An unwise economic move on there part. If Tony is alive and well he should create many new auto mechanic jobs here in the good old USA. I wonder if the tool kit includes a Beretta to take out your frustrations on the beast.

Seriously if people have them for toads, love them, they can't be all bad.

I don't think of the Fiat built Jeeps as the real thing though. The last real Cherokee ended in 2001 I think.

bobmoore14
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad? new honda?
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152505
Maybe the new Honda HR-V may be an option since it is available with manual tranny and the CVT is optional.  I think it is a smaller version of the popular CRV.

M.
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad? new honda?
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152520
You might consider a Chevy Spark.
My Oregon Dealer has brand new 2015 for $9999.
I won one.  Not a toad, but everyday get around car.
30k miles so far, been a great little car.
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152523
"Me, I'll take reliability and safety over cuteness any day. There are no Fiats in my future."

Would you consider a British Motorcycle? I happen to have a nice one for sale.
Fits on a rack bolted to my Toad. Only leaks a little oil. As a former electronics technician it needs you.

Bob
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152541
Our Fiat Abarth is 3 years old, average mileage has been 36 mph. It has been towed behind our LD since day one. There is not a more simple car to tow 4 wheels down. Put the tranny in neutral and go. No key to turn on, no battery drain. 2500 lbs affects mileage minimally.
Consumer Reports rates the very popular Jeep Wrangler as a non recommended vehicle. I see it is one of the most towed vehicles on the road. We couldn't be happier with our Fiat. Maintenance costs for three years has been oil changes. It holds three quarts of synthetic oil. To each his own. I put it out there because of our positive experience.
James Allen Jackson
 
Re: Possible ultra lightweight toad?
Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152549
Im with you Skysoldier and true about the maintenance cost ;) .. I hate to differ with CR "The 500's agile handling and crisp-shifting manual make it fun to drive. The base engine and manual returned 33 mpg overall, but you need to downshift to keep up with traffic. A 135-hp turbo improves the experience, but the ride is choppy and the cabin noisy... The rear seats are very tight and difficult to access. The convertible has a clever top. Reliability has been well below average. The 500 scored poorly in the IIHS small-overlap crash test." but I will. As I stated my girlfriend has owned her Fiat since Nov, 2012 with no problems whats so ever. It's not just hear say, I ride in it everyday. I've loved cars since I was a kid and "use" to be a Chevy person back in the dayz.. 1958 chevy was my fav. ;) Not that it gives me an up on Fiat by any means. But I will say the ride in the Fiat is like a sports car, manual trans which I love with enough speed and control to pass with no problem. I don't know what they are talking about when they say it's a choppy ride and the cabin is noisy.. that is an out and out lie. Don't take my word or CR's word for it. I would suggest if someone is interested in a Fiat which is also a great tow vehicle and affordable, to take it for a spin and see for yourself. That's the only way you'll get a true feel of the Fiat.

Happy Trails Everyone,

JO