Most Affordable Vehicle Ever Created?

[DAVID BROWER]

Those cars had no reverse gear. Because the only door opened forwards, if the car was parked too close to something in front, the door couldn't be opened. A sliding sunroof was a useful option, if only to call for help!

THIS IS A MYTH TOLD BY TOP GEAR . IT WAS A COMEDY PIECE WHERE THEY LIED TO MAKE FUN OF THE CAR .
EVERY ISETTA HAD A REVERSE GEAR !

SURE , IT's AN UPSIDE DOWN PATTERN YOU SELECT WITH THE LEFT HAND BUT IT DOES HAVE A REVERSE .
DON'T BELIEVE ME ? HERE IS A PICTURE OF THE ISETTA SHIFT PATTERN THAT CLEARLY SHOWS THE "R" .

THE SUNROOF WAS NOT AN OPTION . THEY WERE BILLED AS THE ONLY CAR IN EUROPE WITH A STANDARD SUNROOF .

THEY ALL HAD A SINGLE CYLINDER MOTOR SO YOU GOT THAT PART RIGHT .

 

[AriLea]

The myth of no reverse for the Isetta is very old. I remember hearing it back when I first studied three wheelers in the 1980's.
I think it's just a interesting play for the imagination on that single front door. The door eventually allows people to wonder about parking at a wall etc, so the story is just an embellishment on that thought form. Since I could not buy one, I never tried to confirm that issue.

But in all that time, I think this is the first time the facts were fully addressed for me, thanks!

 

[BlioKart]

Sorry to beat a dead horse. The Nano is not available in the U.S.A. because it does not meet U.S. safety and emission regulations. It would cost a great deal 1) to bring the vehicle up to specs 2) for the additional costs of the parts, labor and warranty to build the vehicles to the increased specs and 3) meet the recurring costs of testing, inspection and compliance after the vehicles are built.

By falling under motorcycle regulations, Elio will be able to avoid or dramatically reduce those costs. The autocycle regulations would eliminate those advantages, and the Elio would be just another small car, and would be subject to all the costs and challenges tied to automotive compliance.

Elio Motors was started because Paul saw that sliver of opportunity between the regulatory hurdles.

Jay Leno has one. Not street legal but still

 

[Keith Dahl]

Per this article (link) on the alter-the-course video at 1:03, PE says, 'The Elio ... is the most affordable vehicle ever created'. I'll take that to mean 'most affordable motor vehicle for two person transportation ever created'. So is it?

IMHO, a KR200 is the closest equivalent that has a chance to grab the 'most affordable' title . . .cost $1,073 in 1956

So comparing 1956 to 2015, the KR200 was equal to between $11,550 and $13,335 in today's money.
View attachment 7540

So and Elio is about half the price of the cheapest 2 seat car that can drive on US freeways, and about half the equivalent cost of a 1956 Messerschmidt, which really wasn't capable of all weather travel on US freeways.

Does anyone know of another challenger for the title of 'Most Affordable Motor Vehicle for two' (MAMV42) ?
(remember the answer to the universal question? yes 42)

1970 ford maverick $1,995.00 whether this fact has anything to do with anything, I don't know. possibly because I stared at pvc fittings today and pondered angles...lifes good.

 

[Ekh]

Per this article (link) on the alter-the-course video at 1:03, PE says, 'The Elio ... is the most affordable vehicle ever created'. I'll take that to mean 'most affordable motor vehicle for two person transportation ever created'. So is it?

IMHO, a KR200 is the closest equivalent that has a chance to grab the 'most affordable' title . . .cost $1,073 in 1956

So comparing 1956 to 2015, the KR200 was equal to between $11,550 and $13,335 in today's money.
View attachment 7540

So and Elio is about half the price of the cheapest 2 seat car that can drive on US freeways, and about half the equivalent cost of a 1956 Messerschmidt, which really wasn't capable of all weather travel on US freeways.

Does anyone know of another challenger for the title of 'Most Affordable Motor Vehicle for two' (MAMV42) ?
(remember the answer to the universal question? yes 42)

Affordable should mean more than purchase price: fuel, maintenance, insurance, and resale value should all be figured in. Can't capture resale for an Elio, of course, but still, what my personal number juggling shows is that even leaving gas dollars out, the Elio STILL saves me nearly 2,000/ year as against my paid-for Subaru.

 

[Ekh]

Is this a serious question, or just for fun?

Obviously, motorcycles are motor vehicles, so the "most affordable vehicle ever created" title doesn't apply.
Obviously, many motorcycles are designed for two people, so the "most affordable motor vehicle for two person transportation ever created" title doesn't apply.
Since Elio's currently cost about $100,000+ each, the "'most affordable motor vehicle for two person transportation capable of freeway speeds with a climate controlled cabin ever created" title doesn't apply.

On the other hand, if/when the Elio makes it to production, at $6800-7600, it would be a strong contender. But the Tata Nano is capable of 65mph, and is much cheaper, so the Elio still probably wouldn't get the title.

Again, it's all for fun, and is just marketing hype. No need to take it seriously. The end product is what counts.

The difference is that the Tata Nano is a piece of crap, devoid of creature comforts and safety features, that could NEVER be sold in the U.S. or survive on our highways for more than about 30 seconds! The Elio, on the other hand, has a 3 year warranty and as we know full well is being built with care.

 

[Ekh]

I believe that would be a Yugo - priced to be 'disposable'....which it was pretty much from the start...

View attachment 7547

Guy goes into a NAPA store. Says to the clerk, "How about a gas cap for my Yugo." Clerk responds, "Sounds fair to me."

 

[Ekh]

Still in fun, but the Nano has been in production since 2008, and cost about $2k when introduced. It definitely exists.

One of the reasons it is so inexpensive is that is does not have to meet U.S. auto regulations. The same will be true of the Elio, unless the federal autocycle safety regulations get passed. If that passes, the Elio's price will jump dramatically.

Cantwait, on what information do you base your opinions? Or are you just trolling for the fun of it? The Elio meets all automotive emissions standards. It is a very clean engine. It is designed to automotive safety standards. It has all auto-mandated stuff like OBD, ABS, air bags, seat belts, child safety seat accommodation, etc.

That's all built into the current pricing structure.

Frankly, I and others are getting sick of your ability to reach negative conclusions without affording evidence OR without doing your own research in existing Elio materials.

Go do your homework, and then rejoin the conversation. Meanwhile, either learn or go back under your bridge.

 

[Rickb]

I don't think cantwait is trolling, but only stating opinion as to what could happen with government intervention. We won't know what the Elio's crash test ratings will be until after the crash test results. I guess they may be comparable to the micro or mini auto class safety standards. If crash testing fails to validate EM's anticipated safety rating will they beef up the roll cage and increase the cost? Who knows. Will I feel particularly safe driving the Elio regardless of what they do, no. However, it will be the safest motorcycle or autocycle on the road.

EM could bring the Elio roll cage specs up to NASCAR engineering standards but that would increase the vehicle weight and cost dramatically. However, I would feel much safer with the safety ratings of that Elio and frankly may be willing to pay the price for real deal autocycle safety.

 

[wheaters]

Those cars had no reverse gear. Because the only door opened forwards, if the car was parked too close to something in front, the door couldn't be opened. A sliding sunroof was a useful option, if only to call for help!

THIS IS A MYTH TOLD BY TOP GEAR . IT WAS A COMEDY PIECE WHERE THEY LIED TO MAKE FUN OF THE CAR .
EVERY ISETTA HAD A REVERSE GEAR !

SURE , IT's AN UPSIDE DOWN PATTERN YOU SELECT WITH THE LEFT HAND BUT IT DOES HAVE A REVERSE .
DON'T BELIEVE ME ? HERE IS A PICTURE OF THE ISETTA SHIFT PATTERN THAT CLEARLY SHOWS THE "R" .

THE SUNROOF WAS NOT AN OPTION . THEY WERE BILLED AS THE ONLY CAR IN EUROPE WITH A STANDARD SUNROOF .

THEY ALL HAD A SINGLE CYLINDER MOTOR SO YOU GOT THAT PART RIGHT .

Not sure why you are so angry about this that you choose to post the equivalent of a shouting rant. Although I'm from UK, I don't watch top gear and that isn't my info source.