Driving The Elio?

[wheaters]

Will sitting in the "center" , and not left of center, make passing more difficult in an Elio?

Have you never driven your left hand drive vehicle in a country where they normally drive on the left side of the carriageway, or a right hand drive vehicle in a country where they drive on the right?

It's not a problem and that's a more extreme case. Either way, if you are so close that you can't see around the vehicle in front to safely pull out to overtake, then you are simply driving too close for safety.

The Elio has a central driving position (smaller offset for the driver than either of the above) so you can drive it as easily on either side of the carriageway.

 

[Dustoff]

Have you never driven your left hand drive vehicle in a country where they normally drive on the left side of the carriageway, or a right hand drive vehicle in a country where they drive on the right?

It's not a problem and that's a more extreme case. Either way, if you are so close that you can't see around the vehicle in front to safely pull out to overtake, then you are simply driving too close for safety.

The Elio has a central driving position (smaller offset for the driver than either of the above) so you can drive it as easily on either side of the carriageway.

Yes.

In 1973 I owned a 1960 Dodge D-100 Mail Delivery Van with a flathead six and right hand steering.

I drove it all around the U.S.A.

Although I wasn't in the passing mode often, on occasion I did pass a heavily laden truck or two and had no trouble seeing and getting around it. Like some have stated before, do not follow closely and only pass where you have clear vision of what's ahead in the on coming traffic lane.
This is not Rocket Surgery, just common sense.

 

[Rickb]

The Elio is the same height as a sedan.
I am more concerned with engine power and wind resistance when attempting to pass another vehicle. A streamlined vehicle such as this needs less power in the engine to accelerate to a safe passing speed compared to a bulk vehicle such as a SUV. Wonder if the automatic will have an overdrive or passing gear?
MK

It's an automatic why wouldn't it downshift automatically (kickdown) when passing for that extra boost of power?

 

[Folks]

Have you never driven your left hand drive vehicle in a country where they normally drive on the left side of the carriageway, or a right hand drive vehicle in a country where they drive on the right?

It's not a problem and that's a more extreme case. Either way, if you are so close that you can't see around the vehicle in front to safely pull out to overtake, then you are simply driving too close for safety.

The Elio has a central driving position (smaller offset for the driver than either of the above) so you can drive it as easily on either side of the carriageway.

This and NTHawk68's comments are the inputs from those who've driven lower sitting vehicles that I mentioned earlier. Thanks, I just know that higher positioned drivers have a better view of things and thus greater situational awareness. I'm quite willing to adjust and compensate if the Elio has a passing ability to compensate.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

I think defensive driving is appropriate, irrespective of the type/size of the vehicle you are in charge of.

I watch "body language" of the vehicles around me. I can often predict actions of another driver, such as when a mobile phone is in use (illegal over here), when a cigarette is being smoked, or a drink or food being consumed by a driver, also illegal whilst driving.

And on the motorway, I often change lanes to allow a driver ahead of me a space to overtake, possibly even before he/she has decided they need to.

One thing I have learned from years of motorcycling whilst deaf dumb and blind drivers try to kill me is to watch the front wheels of other vehicles. Where they are pointing is often a better clue to the driver's intentions than indicators, which can be incorrectly used, or not used where they should be. Also, you can see the relative motion of wheels before you will see the vehicle itself beginning to move, such as a driver possibly about to emerge from a T junction when they don't have right of way - a common killer of motorcyclists.

must be much more difficult with everybody riding on the wrong side of the road-lol

 

[Jim H]

Have you never driven your left hand drive vehicle in a country where they normally drive on the left side of the carriageway, or a right hand drive vehicle in a country where they drive on the right?

It's not a problem and that's a more extreme case. Either way, if you are so close that you can't see around the vehicle in front to safely pull out to overtake, then you are simply driving too close for safety.

The Elio has a central driving position (smaller offset for the driver than either of the above) so you can drive it as easily on either side of the carriageway.

Lived in Bury St Edmunds for two years. Adapted quite easily to driving on the "wrong" side........LOL

 

[RUCRAYZE]

fully agree on the total safety issues presented, but with all the possibilities taken into account, my experiences cannot excuse or rationalize bike riding- of course it didn't stop me!!
going under an overpass "hit" an oil patch, and in very slo-mo (think it was the oil), dropped the bike and after going thru leathers, wound up sitting on my ass- the lucky part was the car behind wasn't close.
second- rear ended sitting at a light with the famous - "I'm sorry I didn't see ya"!!!
The rush for me outweighs the risk in bike riding. had to give it up for (unrelated) medical issues, but the visibility from my MR2 continues to present challenges.
For me, the risk/gain w/ the Elio is worth taking- I've never wanted to say" I should have tried it when I was younger", except for getting married!

 

[AriLea]

You know, on the first day we take our Elio's home we'll know about 100 times more about it than any other car we've bought before (or since) , just saying! :-)

That's even true for me having done reseach cars and some of the engineers on this forum. Ok in thier case maybe only 10times as much. We should set up college credits for this. lol

 

[trock59]

It's a cheap economy vehicle. CAN'T expect much more.
Want A KICK BUTT PASSING car get a big HP motor.

When the warranty is over you can stuff a whole Honda engine and trans in there. 200hp oughta get the elio moving!

 

[trock59]

I seem to recall reading somewhere the width of the spats is about 9.5 inches so total width would be 76.3. Anyway just a little tip on defensive driving. Do not stay alongside another vehicle. Speed up or slow down so if the traffic does change lanes unexpectedly you're not there. If you're in bumper to bumper keep a close eye on everyone close and be ready for a blast from the horn and maneuver as required. Reflectors and fender lights may help.

I agree, too many drivers pace the car next to them and have no clue they are disturbing the flow of traffic. Of course many drivers today have no clue at all either.