What is Digg?42 Comments
- ah802, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I believe the guy has the right idea... A small fuel efficient motor and personal enclosure allows for an extended driving season. Safety is an issue... but could be overcome with airbag technology both inside & out. This guy might be driving long after SUV's have been turned into cans... don't dis him for trying.
Get a shafty bike, style a carbon fiber shell... put in some of Dean Kamen's invention & gyro's and you'll have something, trick is to keep it under 10G's. - happyhappyhappy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10$2,500 and 1,000 hours. So, if your time is worth, say, $20 an hour? Then that's $22,500. Not such a great deal. Just buy a smart car if you want a tiny car, unless you happen to enjoy building your own.
http://www.smart.com - blueroo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7"My time is worth ..."
Why do I constantly here this drivel from people posting to online forums? - UrlorJkron, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I'll settle for 50mpg from a VW TDI.
- ryan_merket, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8This makes absolutly no sense. The main reason why I drive my car and not ride a motorcycle is safety... and this thing looks like a death trap.
- *narf*, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6wow I bet that guy is beating women off with a stick when they lay their eyes on that smooth ride *cough*
- skidooer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Since when is the CVT a Nissan technology? They weren't even the first ones to use it in an automobile application.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I understand people's individual safety concerns, but why shouldn't I be allowed to buy one of these for myself? How can the NHTSA justify calling any car truly unsafe when I can legally go drive on an engine and two wheels? The bottom line is, regulations both keep our MPG low, and keep the barriers of entry to the auto business very high. Regulators get to 'look out for you' and existing automakers make it just a little more difficult for anyone else to get into the business. Competition and innovation take it in the shorts.
A great example is the Tango at commutercars.com. It passes NHRA and SCCA safety regulations, but we can only be allowed to buy it as a kit. There is no question I'd rather have that rollcage in a crash than my full-size with airbags.
I'm so tired of electric car / oil company conspiracy theories, the real problem is our ridiculous regulatory environment. - SelfAppointedMe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4On his website it says that he registered and insured it as a scooter (moped).
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4@Blueroo:
Hey, I get paid US$30.00 to post on forums. Granted I am SUPPOSED to be working, but one must have priorities. - Zipp425, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Is it street legal?
- noouch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Moonbeam... Wasn't that the minivan in GTA3?
- kevincw01, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4holy crap, businessweek put a direct link to his e-mail address on the main page...ouch.
- a8ksh4, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I don't expect he'd have any trouble w/ the dmv. I belive he could just use the plate and registration from one of the scooters he modified. Might encounter a little confustion at the insurance co, although they do insure trikes.
Very cool project. - Twango, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Ya know, Fulton, that steam-powered boat is gonna catch fire and sink, ya fool.
Ma'am, that baby carriage could roll down the hill and run STRAIGHT into traffic.
Hey, yankees ... welcome to ***** world - jpwhitmore, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4There is no way I would ride that in traffic.
- Twango, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@DaveV
Some people ride a bicycle to work every day. This has an engine in it. Suddenly the sky is falling? Get real. - hogrod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It's always funny to me when I hear people ask about safety features of small cars like this. I will ask you one question, is it just as safe as a motorcycle? I see people riding them all the time and they don't seem to care the odds are stacked against them if they get hit by a larger vehicle.
- SelfAppointedMe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2To answer all the registration and insurance questions I read through his website and it says that he registered and insured it as a scooter (moped).
- Spankypoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2So, it's basically a DIY BMW Isetta:
http://www.bmwworld.com/models/vintage/isetta.htm - stimcaps, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'd rather have a Tango.
http://www.commutercars.com/ - djntd, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Agreed! He should have just kept the scooter.
- sapo916, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1That thing looks so low that I think there could be a chance that I would unknowingly run over it. At least it doesnt pass between cars...
- tucker8235, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Did you see the picture of his teenage daughter in it?
- sensibledriver, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6omtd/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/dsc01937m.jpg
I'd hit it...
Good on him, btw...free thinknig and experimentation are what makes this country great, or something... - SelfAppointedMe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Is that that harry potter bitch with the annoying name?
- goldenbb, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1If you don't know what your "time is worth" I feel sorry for you. You must be busy darning your socks or something right now, eh?
- caustad, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Look! He invented a golf cart!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Just try and get it licensed and insured.
Chances are you won't be able to do either. - yakky, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0There are folks that have exceeded that mileage in regular production hybrids that have A/C and seat two (Insight) or four (Prius) people. Not sure why this is front page material.
- Salmonized, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0call it: EgYok..
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+5That'd be the greatest riding lawnmower ever!
Did anyone hear The Jetson's theme music in the background when they saw it? - thydzik, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2damn that thing is ugly!
- KalElOfJorEl, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2I'll give this guy some credit because it sounds like he used Nissan's technology in a different situation. If he's using a variable speed transmission, it essentially uses an "infinite" gear ratio to maintain a single RPM at its power band. A vehicle that small with a 150cc engine could probably maintain acceleration at 1500-2000rpm.
However, the thing is clearly a death trap. Good luck registering it, LOL.
DMV: "And what make is your vehicle?"
Guy: "A Moonbeam"
DMV: "A . . . what?"
Guy: "I made it myself from a couple scooters and some plexi-glass"
DMV: "NEXT IN LINE!" - satansbanjo, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1For that much you could buy a BMW! I know what I'd prefer
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1And I do realize I could make one of these, I am referring specifically to the hoops a manufacturer has to go through to sell here in the US, as though I am just completely unable to make a buying decision without some bureaucrat holding my hand.
And the cost of this car was FAR from $2500. The guy valued his 1000 hours at exactly $0. The opportunity cost of not selling his skills as a worker would be at least $20,000, likely much more. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0@morganm:
Um, because you are not on the roads alone? You do know that there are other people out there, right? The driver of this thing is not the only person who may be injured or killed
if this thing is in an wreck.
Sounds like a good reason to me.
All vehicles, including motorcycles, are tested before they approved for sale. This thing has not be tested.
And, you do know that it is not the NHSTA but rather the state and local government who would really keep this thing off the road. Even if the NHSTA passed it, there is no guarrantee it would be allowed in your, my, or any state. - happyhappyhappy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1bad link, sorry
- coolmos, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2Better get a trike.
http://www.dutchtriker.nl/
Offtopic, i know. But if i had 1000 hours to spare i'd build a trike, not a 'moonbeam'. It wouldn't be 100mpg though.... - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0And when it gets bounced into a crowd or through a store window by an SUV?
Remember this has to be incredibly light and would probably launch quite well into a crowded sidewalk in a collision - Halenthal, on 10/12/2007, -8/+5Interesting, but I wonder about the safety features? I haven't looked over the plans yet, but I would sure hate to be riding in that little thing (it begs to be called an egg on wheels) and get hit by anything larger than a compact car travelling at any decent speed.
- gabrielg01, on 10/12/2007, -9/+4That thing is not a car. The thing is BS, and the guy is a quack.
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