Where's the limit?

[vrmx]

In fuel price that is.

This weekend the prices have gone up here again.

Now the prices are near 1.50€/liter for 95 octane (some places still have the 'old' price of ~1.30€/liter), usually over 1.50€/liter for 98 octane and over 1.00€/liter for diesel too!!!

No more cruising around for fun for me at this point :(.

[MAD-MINI]

This rise is cause of the hurricane in america. All oil production was stopped so europe is selling em fuel. Increase in demand=Increase in price, sorry guys but these prices are here to stay!

[MudSnow]

In US, there is much planning of corn oil diesels. Many people also already mixing corn oil in diesel today.

[Lord_Verminaard]

I wish the auto makers would wake up and start selling more diesels in the US. Part of the problem is the lack of Ultra-low-sulpher diesel that just about every other country has- that from what I hear will be coming in 2006. I have not seen many plans for new diesels in the usa however, and right now, the only diesel "cars" you can get are from Volkswagen and Mercedes. Seems everyone is still sold on hybrids, which dont stir my senses much and they still burn petrol. (be it a lot less)

Once I get my Camaro sold, I plan on working toward getting a nicely tuned 1.6 or 1.9 Turbo diesel swapped into my Volkswagen Scirocco, then I can have my cake and eat it too. (and get 45 mpg while I'm at it.)

Also a bummer is that the price of diesel here in the states is pretty much higher than it is anywhere else in the world, due to a higher tax per gallon than petrol, nearly 55 cents or more, which is about 23% of the total cost of diesel. And we dont even have the good stuff!! :argue:

One of these days when I have some money and time on my hands (which will probably happen right before I die!) I'll have all of my vehicles running biodiesel and I'll make the stuff myself and give the big finger to the oil companies. Ha. :)

With current prices, I'll wager that we will see $4.00 a gallon before Christmas. Which, I know, is still cheaper than most of our friends across the pond but it's the principal of the thing. :P

Brendan

[MudSnow]

We are paying $2.79 for 87 octane here now. 2 years ago, I thought $1.79 was too much.

[JamesGT]

$3.09/gallon here in Chattanooga. They are calling for $4.00/gallon. It may have reached it today but I didn't go out for a drive today, so I don't know. Once it hits $6 a gallon, then I'll have to seriously look at at an LPG/propane conversion.

LPG/propane is only $1.55/gallon and is usually half the price of gas.

[MAD-MINI]

My freind has got a range rover v6. He converted it to lpg and its great. The performance doesnt drop off too much either. :D

[JamesGT]

Performance and milage can be better than gasoline if you build the motor to take advantage of the fuel.

[Rallyfan]

Fuel in Estonia is 2 times more expensive than it was in January... :rolleyes: :chair:

[pepe2]

The prizes are same than in vrmx's post (well cause were both finnish :P ). And this is really expensive, I still really remember times, when we did get 95 with 50cents per litre. :cry:

I have hearded, that they did a protest in Sweden about the tax of the gasolin, I think that we finnish should do that too. :wave:

[Jim]

Fuel here is now up to £1.00 a litre, or 100 pence in places. (Although I found a garage in town which is doing it for 93.8 pence a litre! :)) I can remember when it was 70 odd pence a litre! Crazy! :OMG:

I thought my new 1.3i car (since my accident (not my fault if you don't know the story!)) was using much, much more fuel than my old 1.1 car, but I realised fuel prices must have something to do with it. A tenner (£10) doesn't last nearly as long. :( :down:

[MAD-MINI]

Bet the guys here in britain will no about the fuel strikes that may be planned. on the 17th of this month the farmers and hgv guys will be blocking refineries and doing go slows on motoways. It doesnt bother me yet. All ive got is a pedal bike :D

[MudSnow]

The solution! :P

http://www.kingsmotorbikes.com/Motorized_Bikes.htm

Advertises up to 150 miles per gallon!

http://www.kingsmotorbikes.com/longbike.gif
http://www.kingsmotorbikes.com/mb1.gif

[Stu]

Mudnsnow, go to the Scorpa motorcycle site, new trials bikes there also.
We are paying up to A$1.40 per litre. Maybe up to A$2.00 by Xmas! I'm glad the RS2000 is ok on unleaded(around 25mpg). depends on if I use the second barrel!

[MudSnow]

Well, I just bought an engine from him. I will let you know how it works. If I can, I want to connect it to the pedals, so I can use all my gears with it.

[MudSnow]

I wonder how economical THIS (http://www.menintools.com/gokartchallenger250.html) is? :D

http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/files/MudSnow_1128399196_challenger.jpg

[Jim]

Pfft, thats a kids machine. This is what you want:

http://www.rageoffroadbuggies.com/Gallery/gallery_images/en2.jpg

http://www.rageoffroadbuggies.com/Gallery/gallery_images/en4.jpg

The race model shown is in motocross stance, which is used for rough terrain on dirt tracks and for jumps etc. You can also lower these karts for Supermoto tracks, which consist of tarmac and shale surfaces. Shorter shocks and 13" wheels with slick tyres are available.

The 900cc engine pulls 0-60 mph in approximately 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 100 mph depending on gear ratio, which can be adjusted to suit your specific requirements.

The reduction gearbox, which has an ATB differential with reverse, was designed and developed exclusively for the race model, in conjunction with Quaife Engineering.

It's long-travel suspension and smooth steering give you a very comfortable, controlled and exciting ride. The brakes have stainless steel discs and two pot Brembo calipers all round, making the braking very sharp and precise.

The engine has a sequential 6 speed gearbox, which allows a very precise and quick gear change. The gear shifter is mounted near the steering wheel, and is a rally style short shift.

A conventional foot clutch, brake and accelerator make this machine user friendly for everyone.

Extra safety is offered with side nerf bars, front and rear bumpers.

Rage Off Road Buggies (http://www.rageoffroadbuggies.com/index.html)

Wish I could afford one, £11,000 for the race model! Or for the standard 'corporate' mode, its £7,995 for the 20 hp version, or £8,395 for the 24hp version. :eek: :(

[MudSnow]

Very nice! All that's missing is lights, a Lexan windshield, fenders, and some registration plates. :D There would be no problem mounting street tires on 13" wheels. But the price takes all the economy out of it. :P

"We currently have two models in production, but are planning twin seater and road legal versions."

Looks like they WILL make them legal themselves!

The universities here all have a few of those that the engineering students compete in a few times every year.

I am genuinely intersested in building one passenger vehicles of similar contruction to that. Never seen on the street, but I've read through the registration manual and for a kit car, registration requirements are minimal. I have seen VW rails on the street. Same concept, just smaller. Honda's ATVs may be a good base to start with.

Well, my 80cc engine arrives Saturday. If all goes well, I will be driving it Monday. :)

[MudSnow]

Wahoo! My first motorcycle! Sort of. I put the engine on my old cruiser, to make something like a Whizzer. Top speed about 35 mph
(~55 kph) on level ground. I will post pictures tomorrow. :) It will go faster if I put it on my mountain bike so I can shift gears,
but I'll have to do some welding.

[vrmx]

Hey you're getting a lot of off topic. This was originally about high fuel prices :).

[MudSnow]

I am an engineer-in-training. My job is problem solving, not just whining. ;) I will also let you know my economy. :) I am going to specialize in energy reduction. Small vehicle design, especially in USA, is something that needs lots of work.

http://groups.engr.oregonstate.edu/hpv/images05asme.htm

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/2004/Apr04/hpv.htm

http://groups.engr.oregonstate.edu/hpv/images04asme.htm

http://groups.engr.oregonstate.edu/hpv/images05frame.htm

[MAD-MINI]

In england Lancaster university's engerneering dept, I worked there for a bit :D Made a enduro car for the shell fuel races. They got 156mpg during the race at an average speed of 49mph!

[Roger]

I am genuinely intersested in building one passenger vehicles of similar contruction to that

A single passenger vehicle could be great fun, it's something I have schemed out several times. Yes, it could be a "buggy" vehicle, but stretch the idea a little further. Small and light with a tiny frontal area and good aero. For many journeys people travel by themselves - why not have a very fuel efficient car, something that can cruise at high speed on a sniff of throttle (low drag body), be light enough that performance and handling would still be great fun and still have the space for a bit of luggage (brief case and umbrella for work ;) ). A workday runabout and weekend warrior in one package. Longish travel and fairly soft suspension to let it be flexible and narrow enough you can exploit winding roads to the full (a big wide, low grip monster is not always the quickest way down a twisty road).

To tell you the truth, I had toyed with the idea of making a one off design for RT.

[Lord_Verminaard]

You folks heard of the Smart Car? http://www.smart.com

Really neat looking little cars. Rear engined too. :) The Diesel version doesnt have a whole lot of power, but you wouldnt need a lot with it only weighing 740 kg. Alas, dont sell them in the USA. :(

Brendan

[Midi]

I would perefer Fiat 126 or 500 ;)

[Roger]

I would perefer Fiat 126 or 500 ;)

Totally - :cool:

[MudSnow]

You folks heard of the Smart Car? http://www.smart.com

Yes. :)

Alas, dont sell them in the USA. :(

Yes. :cry:

[MudSnow]

If one were to just make an FRP shell for that buggy on the previous page, and mount some taller, narrower tires, and tune the engine for low-RPM torque more than high-RPM power, it would be pretty much what I have in mind. Then also make a variation with a biodeisel engine.

The biggest problem with these vehicles, is if they are in production, there are safety requirements. Once you take one of those buggies and fit it with 400 lbs (and several $000's) of airbags, bumpers and such, it will take the spark out of it. There will have to be new regulations written, or get it classed as a motorcycle.

[Lord_Verminaard]

I would perefer Fiat 126 or 500 ;)

Yeah! Of course, those are like hen's teeth here in the US as well....

I just put gas in my newly-resurrected Scirocco and it got 40 mpg last tank, and I've been driving it like I stole it, all in-town driving. Good stuff!

Brendan

Edit: Pics Here. (http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=29011#29011)

[MudSnow]

I would perefer Fiat 126 or 500 ;)

I sure wouldn't. Those little buggies go 0-100 kph in 3.5 seconds! :OMG:

[MAD-MINI]

[quote=Lord_Verminaard]You folks heard of the Smart Car? http://www.smart.com
Alas, dont sell them in the USA. :(

Be glad they dont sell them over there, Thre the wost handling cars in the world. :down: And there not even that practical, They've got no boot space and no power. They suck
Unless you get the roadster version (Brabus one aswell)

[Midi]

I would perefer Fiat 126 or 500 ;)

I sure wouldn't. Those little buggies go 0-100 kph in 3.5 seconds! :OMG:

:confused: