That’s not entirely true. You can buy a Tesla Roadster. You just cant have it. It’s like paying to have a star named after you.

I’ll skip those on the list (a Tesla?….really?) and just go with an Accord.

my issue is that i think most people today want fuel efficient to save some coin . . . not just save the planet. therefore, for most people paying a huge premium to drive a hybrid (or similar fuel saver) makes no sense.

You’re right, it doesn’t make sense (or cents). People are buying $28,000 50 mpg Prii instead of $18,000 35 mpg Corollas. It’s about image, not finances. Oh, and I know people bitc, er, complain about the Prius and the corolla being in different size classes, but the corolla is really quite roomy.

Oh, and your numbers are reasonable.

if i can get a slightly used mini cooper s averaging 30 mpg for about $25,000, or get a similarly slightly used gti averaging 25 mpg for about $20,000; is it worth it?

well, correct me if i’m wrong, but i’ll pay 5000 more for the mini and assuming (for ease of calculation in my head) $5 per gallon i get 1000 gallons of “free” gas with the gti. that 1000 gallons will get me 25,000 miles in the gti.

the mini comes with 30 mpg so it will have traveled the 25,000 miles on 833 gallons saving me only 167 gallons at $5 per gallon or $835. at that rate i’ll have to repeat the process (driving 25,000 miles) 5 more times to come out ahead (make up the $5000 premium i paid for the mini). so only after driving the mini 150,000 miles will i be in the black. hmmmm.

my issue is that i think most people today want fuel efficient to save some coin . . . not just save the planet. therefore, for most people paying a huge premium to drive a hybrid (or similar fuel saver) makes no sense.

You’ll be fine with your Prius/Corolla/Accent/Cobalt.

Here’s why. I live in LA. When I get off work, I get in my little sports car, take the top down and head home. My route allows me to take a 2-mile or so stretch of Mulholland on the way into the “Valley” where I live. By the time I get home, I have pretty much forgotten about how much shit I had to eat at work that day and I am happy to see my wife and kids. How much is that worth? A helluva lot more than a Prius/Corolla/Accent/Cobalt. Try it sometime.

Remember: not only does diesel cost 10% more than premium, it puts out 20% more carbon dioxide per gallon burned. Urea isn’t free, either.

If you are going with a diesel, could we at least wait for the BMW 335d or 535d?

As for a 1.5L gasoline engine only version of the Prius (with stick shift I hope), it might be OK. Don’t forget the weight reductions from losing the transmission and battery. The Lotus Elise makes do with a 1.8L Toyota engine.

You’re a dullard, aren’t you?

You’ll be fine with your Prius/Corolla/Accent/Cobalt.

While the link is appreciated, consider the context of the article. Autoweek drove a pre-production prototype in January. I hardly think it’s fair for them to claim at this point “we drove the Tesla that is on sale for $109,000.”

I guess that’s why it’s “cars you want to drive” and not “cars you want to pay for”…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oolong_(rabbit)

and his owner’s picture page of him (Japanese!)

http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~sokaisha/rabbit/rabbit.htm

Oolong passed away a while back, but his owner got a spiritual successor and has trained him in the ways of “headperformance” :P

If we’re going Yer-a-peein’ and all, I want the Accord Touring diesel. What a nice interior on that one, too.

On the E350 vs E320, avoiding the 4matic may actually be a wise move if you plan on owning the car a long time… I’m just not sold on buying “urea” when I usually have some extra on me at any given time. Just sayin’.

what a ‘krappy’ list…

how about:

mini
gti
jetta tdi
civic
other???

AutoWeek did in fact drive the Tesla:

My bad. Text amended.

AutoWeek did in fact drive the Tesla:

Read about it here

If you’re going to be so critical of others, shouldn’t you hold yourself to at least some standards?

Agreed. And sadly the giant wagon R-class diesel in ONLY available with 4matic. I’d guess it’s a 2-3mpg penalty, too. Otherwise that would be a great value, since they’re going for E-Class prices these days.

Tiff Needell proved the worth of both accolades a few years ago on “Fifth Gear” whilst teaching a total noob how to rally in one.

Now when will the convertibles get the newer (more efficient) engines? Choosing the ragtop currently carries a serious mileage penalty, and it’s not all from the poor aerodynamics.

Not funny, especially in light of this today…

[the sad conclusion to the Los Angeles case of a man who parked his SUV on a train track and killed 11 people]