Elio, Dept Of Energy Funding And Political Action

Elio Amazed said:

In a perfect world. I certainly hope so. There are things I could do with my $5250 balance Elio @ ~84mphthat I can't do with my Dodge Caravans.

However, given EMs track record of a complete 180 on the frame and body, a tremendous amount of resources spent on apparently a dead end of an engine, and very little to show for $140M and years wasted, my faith in them being able to make a complicated perfect world tick with with absolute precision is just tainted by reality. Again, it looks great on paper, but it looked great on paper ten years ago.

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Agree. I just don't get why they didn't go unibody from the beginning. I get the engine deal. There wasn't a manufacturer who could make one in volume at the time. Many years later, NOW there is excess capability in the industry and it makes sense to use a better engine from someone else.

As far as demand goes, I think there's a key piece that is missing when comparing to any current car on the market. The price is half or less. All of those people who never could have afforded a new car before can afford an Elio. That and fleet sales could be huge. How many single occupant vehicles are out there for work? There's the security companies patrolling nearly every mall parking lot and every police force in the country has parking enforcement officers, IT repair and installation services need to get people to the right places cheaply with only a small toolset, etc.

Ty said:

Good point. People buy what they want without thinking about what is BEST for their current situation. We have become a nation of "How much can I afford?" vs. "How much do I need?"

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Well, you have to look at your future situation too. It's like when gas was swinging quite a bit in price for a while there. The gas would go lower, truck sales would spike. Half a year later, the gas would jump and the the big truck drivers would cry about how much they spend in gas.....

slinches said:

As far as demand goes, I think there's a key piece that is missing when comparing to any current car on the market. The price is half or less. All of those people who never could have afforded a new car before can afford an Elio. That and fleet sales could be huge. How many single occupant vehicles are out there for work? There's the security companies patrolling nearly every mall parking lot and every police force in the country has parking enforcement officers, IT repair and installation services need to get people to the right places cheaply with only a small toolset, etc.

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I see a lot of parking enforcement type places using all electric golf cart type vehicles more and more. I think those places are getting away from internal combustion engines due to convenience, longevity, etc.

Also, it will take a few good years of just getting the Elio name out there. That's why I've told people that they should have built a few and let people drive them around the U.S. I'd say they are probably looking to sell 15k or 20k the first few years until something happens. You guys are talking in the 6 figures just because other cars have done it.

Another thing to think is that many people don't really look at saving money. Hell, most people still have a $150/month verizon bill when they could get the same service elsewhere for $50/mo. They buy $1000 smart phones due to stupid features like a finger print analysis and phone locking features.

In terms of someone that can't afford a new car due to price and this being a good alternative....That is true EXCEPT that most people would rather have a vehicle that can seat 4 people instead of 2. If a person has a small child, there is a slim chance they will put their kid in the back even if has been proven that this car is safe. Perception is a big thing and some people think that if you hit a pothole with a small car, your car will immediately blow up like a Michael Bay film.

I mean yes, this is a good option to a cheap gas mileage car, but there are cheap options for other fuel efficient cars and people aren't even considering them. Most people prefer the comfort of that bigger vehicle.

Again, I think the idea of this car is great, but I think the market is far more limited than others think.

champsman said:

In Oregon City, Or ........$2.79/gal, sure could use cheaper prices

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Unfortunately taxes make a big difference in fuel price and blue states/counties/cities have higher gas taxes.

Sega said:

I see a lot of parking enforcement type places using all electric golf cart type vehicles more and more. I think those places are getting away from internal combustion engines due to convenience, longevity, etc.

Also, it will take a few good years of just getting the Elio name out there. That's why I've told people that they should have built a few and let people drive them around the U.S. I'd say they are probably looking to sell 15k or 20k the first few years until something happens. You guys are talking in the 6 figures just because other cars have done it.

Another thing to think is that many people don't really look at saving money. Hell, most people still have a $150/month verizon bill when they could get the same service elsewhere for $50/mo. They buy $1000 smart phones due to stupid features like a finger print analysis and phone locking features.

In terms of someone that can't afford a new car due to price and this being a good alternative....That is true EXCEPT that most people would rather have a vehicle that can seat 4 people instead of 2. If a person has a small child, there is a slim chance they will put their kid in the back even if has been proven that this car is safe. Perception is a big thing and some people think that if you hit a pothole with a small car, your car will immediately blow up like a Michael Bay film.

I mean yes, this is a good option to a cheap gas mileage car, but there are cheap options for other fuel efficient cars and people aren't even considering them. Most people prefer the comfort of that bigger vehicle.

Again, I think the idea of this car is great, but I think the market is far more limited than others think.

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... Actually.... By Law, children have to ride in the back here so basically ALL people would put their kid in the back.

Ty said:

... Actually.... By Law, children have to ride in the back here so basically ALL people would put their kid in the back.

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I was talking about how parents would prefer to put their kids in the back of a full size car vs an Elio....

slinches said:

As far as demand goes, I think there's a key piece that is missing when comparing to any current car on the market. The price is half or less. All of those people who never could have afforded a new car before can afford an Elio. That and fleet sales could be huge. How many single occupant vehicles are out there for work? There's the security companies patrolling nearly every mall parking lot and every police force in the country has parking enforcement officers, IT repair and installation services need to get people to the right places cheaply with only a small toolset, etc.

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Hey, I agree with all the reasons there are to buy an Elio.
You can lead the people to common sense, but you can't force them to drink.
Sadly, most of them don't "get it" about much of anything and never will.

Sega said:

In terms of someone that can't afford a new car due to price and this being a good alternative....That is true EXCEPT that most people would rather have a vehicle that can seat 4 people instead of 2. If a person has a small child, there is a slim chance they will put their kid in the back even if has been proven that this car is safe. Perception is a big thing and some people think that if you hit a pothole with a small car, your car will immediately blow up like a Michael Bay film.

I mean yes, this is a good option to a cheap gas mileage car, but there are cheap options for other fuel efficient cars and people aren't even considering them. Most people prefer the comfort of that bigger vehicle.

Again, I think the idea of this car is great, but I think the market is far more limited than others think.

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What most people I know look at is that they use their car for more than just going to work. They haul kids, groceries and stuff. In this day of age where you are required to have a boatload of safety gear for babies and young kids to ride in a car, it has become a real pain to get them in and out of a car that does not have 4 doors. I watched my neighbor struggle for about 6 months with his 2 door BMW until he sold it and got a 4 door version. I don't know how parents can haul a kid around today unless you got plenty of access to the rear seat.

Another thing to think is that many people don't really look at saving money. Hell, most people still have a $150/month verizon bill when they could get the same service elsewhere for $50/mo. They buy $1000 smart phones due to stupid features like a finger print analysis and phone locking features.

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That is true. I'm "that guy" who has an iPhone that people laugh at. I had an iPhone 4 and it took a dump right when the SE came out. So I got it because it was close to what the 4 was like and the price was right. People look at it but when I show them that it has fingerprint and Apple Pay (which I use quite often) they are shocked because they have a much newer one yet don't use a feature like the Apple Pay. Just a week ago I put in a new battery and in my mind, it has a few more years in it plus the battery is like new.

It's just like with TV. I cut the cord back in 2009. I stream and there's enough local channels that's all I need. I never watch TV until the evening anyways, so why pay for it when it just sits, 21 out of 24 hours a day? On the other hand, I know plenty that pay $150-$200/month because they need it and they stream and pay for that too.

I can tell people all day long that they need to do what i do because they will save a bunch of money. I know better. It's up to them because i realized, telling people how to spend their money never works out well.

Go to a poor part of town or a poor town out in the country and look at what people drive, look at their phones along with the clothes and shoes. They are spending way more than I am in those departments and it hasn't changed in my lifetime. I don't see it changing in the future either.

Preach RSchneider....exactly my point! Lots of people talk about "penny pinching", but very few do. And even when they do something to save money, they don't save that much or don't think it through.

Yes, for the single 20 year old college kid, it seems like a great idea. Until, the dad says "I don't want my daughter in that deathtrap" and the college guy wants to do burnouts or have a sweet newer mustang over a little economy car that "doesn't look cool". Hell, college kids spend $150 on beats by dre headphones when there are better alternatives for under $50.

This car is designed for the cheap ass....or the guy that does get tired of driving his lifted silverado 120 miles per day and wants a cheap throw away car. Again, this car sounds great in theory, but is there a big market when it comes down to it? I know people with kids that rarely go more than 10 miles one way that act like they need a SUV. Heck, there is a reason why manufacturers are slowing down on sedans. I think the idea of this car is great. A simple, cheap, fuel efficient car. I've had those before and people laugh at me. They make fun of it, then they are shocked when I tell them the MPGs. They still decide not to buy that type of car.