Just Wow!!!

[Mel]

Absolutely NOT. Turbos are great for aircraft where you need to maintain power at altitudes. But on everyday vehicles, all they do is add maintenance. The claim on late model autos is that with a turbo, you can get away with a smaller engine thereby saving fuel, and have the extra power only when you need it. But bottom line specs do not reflect this. I know that I'm in the minority on this, but I've been a certified auto and aircraft mechanic for over 50 years and I have seen no advantage in a turbo for an everyday, street driven car.
Aircraft...Yes, Racing...Yes, Everyday street driving...No!

 

[RSchneider]

Aircraft...Yes, Racing...Yes, Everyday street driving...No!

I will disagree. What you are saying was true if it was 1985 but for today, there are way too many cars, SUV's and Trucks that the turbo system and engine are outlasting the car itself.

 

[JK]

No for me. I want the economy, not extra performance.

 

[RSchneider]

No for me. I want the economy, not extra performance.

That's fine but the thing is, If Elio allowed a Turbo option, then what would you be willing to pay for it? The best part is that for the turbo haters, they are not forced to have a turbo, only as an option. So I hope everyone realizes this as the question was given as an option (i.e. leather seats) and not as standard. Think about it, would it really make you upset if Elio put a $1500 option of an extra 30 hp?

 

[pistonboy]

I would pay the $1500 option for an extra 30 hp. I don't have that many years left and I am going to get the most out of them!

I thought the eco boost engine came with a turbo automatically. That was how they got the 99hp out of 1.0. ?

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

I will disagree. What you are saying was true if it was 1985 but for today, there are way too many cars, SUV's and Trucks that the turbo system and engine are outlasting the car itself.

You might want to trust Mel.
He probably the most qualified person here.

You want a turbo as an option, sure.
Standard, no thankie.


Questions:

1. If turbo offered, would you be interested? NO
2. What would you be willing to pay as an option? N/A

 

[Tre']

"He probably the most qualified person here."

Annnd you know that how? Just curious...

 

[RSchneider]

The question was about an option and how much you'd want to pay. Spreading FUD about turbos is not the way to scare people off. There are too many manufacturers of too many cars that offer turbos as standard today. Many of those cars are hitting 20 years old and the car is rusting out, interior looks like garbage and the car becomes a $500 Craigslist beater. On the other hand, that motor is still going strong on the original turbo. You'll find a ton of 1.8 l Turbo VW motors at salvage yards. Why? Because the motor outlasted the car. Even by the early 90's the Germans figured out how to make turbo motors last. It's that now every other company is catching up. A Honda CRV has a 1.5l turbo 4 in it and it makes 190hp stock. Years ago a small motor like that with that power rating would have been on the edge of performance for a street car. Now it's just normal operating procedure.

If you look at VW, the E888 motor is their #1 gas motor they produce. If you are in the US, there's a 95% chance that's the motor you get. It comes in a 1.4l 150hp unit all the way to a 2.0l 300hp unit. The issues for the E888 motor have been timing chain related. That was in the Gen 1 engines. Only other issues have been plugged up intake valves. Again, another Gen 1 issue. Today they are on Gen 4. This engine is used in not only VW but Skoda, Seat and Audi. Plus they sell the engine to boutique companies like KTM.

For me, a turbo would be great if it was not an option and just part of the Elio. If that happened, then after a month of them being on the road, some guy will have figured out how to make a $300 black box you can plug in the car and get an extra 20-40 hp. I bought a $300 box and my VW went from 170 to 210 hp. It's been on there for 30K. Trust me, it makes the car way more fun to drive. If I don't like it, I take it off in 10 minutes. You could even have someone like APR where after flashing the ECU, you use the cruise control stalk to change power levels and then you can lock out the extra levels in case you want your kid to use the car. They even have tunes in case you are only going to run 87 octane. Who wouldn't love to have that?

How many people here would be willing to plug in a $300 box for that instant performance or $800 for a cool ECU flash? If it's a non turbo, good luck on getting another 20-30hp out of the motor. You can but it'll be about half the value of the car in what you'll spend.

If Elio offered it as an option, trust me there would be a line of 20-30 year olds doing whatever they could to get that Turbo Elio because they will want to mod the poop out of it. If by chance it's a 100hp Ford unit then a 120hp Turbo unit would bolt right in also, I'd offer it as an option and reap the rewards of appealing to a whole other group of buyers.

 

[Mel]

I think my post has been misinterpreted slightly. My main objection to turbos is not that they are a high maintenance item. Modern day turbos do hold up well. My main point is that they are a performance thing and do not usually help with economy. Manufacturers claim that by using a turbo they can go with a smaller engine in order to get better gas mileage. If you compare specs of the smaller turbo engines, they don't get any better mileage than the earlier non-turbo engines.
And if I remember correctly, the Elio is primarily promoted as an economy vehicle.

 

[Elio Amazed]

The question was about an option and how much you'd want to pay.

Let's review the question...
"1. If turbo offered, would you be interested? Yes/No
2. What would you be willing to pay as an option?
$250
$500
$750
$1000
More?"