Reply #31: Carbon dioxide per mile [View All]

[krispos42]

That's the variable we need to work on as a nation. My car does .79 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile.

Of course, I just read in Popular Mechanics about the little Nissan Versa they are long-term testing. 28 mpg is their documented average, or 0.71 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile.

Mine is 24 mpg, and significantly more capable than a Versa. Seats six adults and has room for all of their luggage in the trunk.

The simple fact is that, absent of new drivetrain technology, the consumer has to give up an awful lot of safety, room, and performance to get a modest increase in gas milage.

To compare model years, you would have to get a Geo Metro LSi with a 5-speed stick to get double the gas milage of my beater. You know, 3-door hatchback one with the 55-horsepower 3-cylinder engine and skinny tires on 13-in rims?

That's a hell of a difference between cars. One that many Americans don't want to make. Or didn't until recently.