Toad that is not a toad

[Dennis]

Thanks Jim and Patti. We actually looked at the MP3 Piaggio and test rode. It is not really a trike as the two wheels in the front only add minor stability at very low speed like 3 or 5 miles per hour any higher than that it is operates like a standard scooter and yes it is pricy for what it is. Their concept is that when stopped you do not need a kick stand as it will stand up on its own and at 3 miles per hours to a stop it will be more stable. But again for all intents and purposes it is a two wheeler.

Best,

Dennis

[Ernst]

I apparently made a mistake when pasteing the link in last night's post. I repaired it. The right link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09qdiJPuxRc

Sorry!

[iamflagman]

Originally Posted by Ernst

I apparently made a mistake when pasteing the link in last night's post. I repaired it. The right link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09qdiJPuxRc

Sorry!

Thanks Ernst,

It's a car...NO...it's atrailer....No...it's a car.....and on and on that is a pretty cool concept and like the description about the cat itself in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aixam the AIXAM is very similar to the SMART car http://www.smartusa.com/index.aspx that we are seeing more of here in the states, although the AIXAM seems to have a smaller engine, but gets almost double the fuel mileage than the SMART.

Ernst, I noticed that the driver changes the license plate on the car after he loads it up on the trailer, would it then be considered just a trailer and require the different license plate?

We have some people here in the states that do the same thing, but over here when that happens they are sometimes stealing the car and changing the license plate to make the car harder to identify

Welcome to the forum, being you are from Belgium you give the forum an International flavor now!!

Of course we already have a few of our outstanding servicemen stationed overseas that view the forum already.

[Ernst]

A small addition:

The youtube film is a bit misleading: if you look carefully you'll see it's about two small cars, one with and one without plates.

The Aixam is not considered a car (in most European countries). The speed is limited to 45 km/h (28 MPH) and one doesn't need a driving licence. It is especially popular with elderly or physically challenged people. You cannot drive on motorways (for obvious reasons) <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aixam>

The Smart is a "normal" car, be it a very small one It was designed by Mercedes Benz and Swatch (Swiss watches). <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_(automobile)>

And thanks for the welcome!

[RAGster]

Originally Posted by warbucks13477

... I just bought a used 2005 Honda Element ...

Tom,

What kind of mileage are you getting in your Honda Element? Do you know the approximate weight? It looks like that would be a good toad.

I have been considering a manual Jetta Wagon TDI. However, I have not done my homework to check its towability.

Thanks,

Glenn

[warbucks13477]

Glen I was set on buying a new VW Passat TDI also but our dog could not get into the back of it comfortably. So that ruled that out. Then we looked at the Element and its a very unusual car. It weighs 3170# but is actually 6" shorter then a Honda Civic if you can believe that? But then it is 6" wider and the doors open up strangely. The front door is large and opens up normally, however the rear door opens up suicide style but with no center post to obstruct getting into it either front or back. Then the rear seats fold down with the front seats to make into a huge bed, and if you dont want the rear seats down they fold up and latch onto each side of the body giving you complete access to the rear. This car our dog can get into very easily thru the rear door or thru the truck doors.

I have no idea what I will get for mileage but the sticker says 21 city and 27 highway but since it has the same hi tech engine as the Honda civic that gets 36 MPG I believe it will get at least 30<crystal balling>. What really sold me is the 5 star crash rating (highest you can get) for both frontal and side impact. And there is the dentless front and rear bumpers and fenders and thats a big plus for where we travel. Park in a tight place in New Orleans and expect that someone tests your bumpers to wedge in.

And they have a very high resale value and fantastic reliability.

[RAGster]

Tom,

Good info as always! Thanks again. The element will have to be on my short list.

Regards,

Glenn

[Ernst]

Originally Posted by RAGster

I have been considering a manual Jetta Wagon TDI. However, I have not done my homework to check its towability.

You can find Jettas on http://www.blueox.us/Baseplates/baseplates.htm , but not every year's. They do change the car models annually, don't they?

I have a 2006 Škoda Octavia Combi, which AFAIK is technically identical to the VW Jetta. I wish I could tow it like you can. But unfortunately in most European countries it is illegal to tow that way

[bubblerboy64]

Ethel and I bought a Honda Fit to use as a toad car and her daily driver. We love the car. It's cheap transportation and tows flat with the auto trans but more then that its fun to drive, very peppy and just a great car. If you haven't driven one you owe to yourself to do so. Even if you decide on something else you will be impressed with what Honda is selling as an entry level car. No wonder the big three is in trouble. Drive their entry level cars and then check out the Fit. Similar money twice the car.

[Jim Barone]

Tom...The Chevy HHR can be towed 4 wheels down and comes with a 100000 drivetrain warranty..Jim Barone, 1991 PT fulltiming currently in western Ky