RPM Sleeps With The Enemy

[Yeager]

thats not a minin truck...thats a souped up golf cart 

[Roundeye]

I think they should be accepted on a Federal level.  USDOT...ALL states.

Why wouldn't you?  The way gas prices are now, it would be in our best intrest to embrace smaller, more efficient vehicles.  If fuel demand goes down, price will follow.  Everyone driving Peterbuilts to work is why the prices are so high now.

The size should be a non-issue as well.  Look at a VW Beetle, Mini, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Accent, etc etc.....all about the same size as a KEI.

RPM:  Good luck and thank you for doing your part. <S>


I think those little trucks are cool.  They are about the same size as my '73 Toyota HiLux truck.  Easy to drive easy to park .  Great on gas.

[SteveBailey]

I think they should be accepted on a Federal level.  USDOT...ALL states.

Why wouldn't you?  They way gas prices are now, it would be in our best intrest to embrace smaller, more efficient vehicles.  If fuel demand goes down, price will follow.  Everyone driving Peterbuilts to work is why the prices are so high now.

The size should be a non-issue as well.  Look at a VW Beetle, Mini, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Accent, etc etc.....all about the same size as a KEI.

RPM:  Good luck and thank you for doing your part. <S>

They look like neat little vehicles...I wish they were domestic. I think only some safety concerns are why they do not get approved but no doubt this can be overcome.  They can be registered here in AZ rather easily.( I became curious  and did some homework). You can even buy left hand drive trucks and A/C!

[Bones]

I think they should be accepted on a Federal level.  USDOT...ALL states.

Why wouldn't you?  The way gas prices are now, it would be in our best intrest to embrace smaller, more efficient vehicles.  If fuel demand goes down, price will follow.  Everyone driving Peterbuilts to work is why the prices are so high now.

The size should be a non-issue as well.  Look at a VW Beetle, Mini, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Accent, etc etc.....all about the same size as a KEI.

RPM:  Good luck and thank you for doing your part. <S>

Most of the vehicles you listed would run circles around the KEI.  The Mini has the added benefit of getting over 40MPH on the highway and over 30 in town as well.  I am not quoting the EPA numbers which have been mysteriously dumbed down for some reason.

Regardless, if that is what you want, then why not?

[Jackal1]

While you're at it get the frikkin' front license plate law done away with. 

Yeah BABY!!!!! Then I can put my nifty rebel flag plate on the front I`ve been holding onto.



 

[VWE]

Most of the vehicles you listed would run circles around the KEI.  The Mini has the added benefit of getting over 40MPH on the highway and over 30 in town as well.  I am not quoting the EPA numbers which have been mysteriously dumbed down for some reason.

Regardless, if that is what you want, then why not?

Yes but the KEI is a truck that would be far more usable than the vehicles mentioned above for I bet half the price of the mini and would make an excellent farm vehicle. Ignore the liberals on these boards RPM, hard times call for hard choices and the price of gas aint coming down anytime soon.

[Bones]

You are correct, the KEI is more utilitarian than the cars and it is cheaper.

It is all trade-offs and priorities for any vehicle anyone decides on.

[APDrone]

I think only some safety concerns are why they do not get approved but no doubt this can be overcome. 

What baffles me is how they can mandate seatbelts, airbags, safety seats, and bumpers in the name of safety and protecting the occupants, but still allow motorcycles and bicycles to share the same road.

I ride a motorcycle and I'm not proposing that they ban them, for sure. I wear a helmet ( and still would, even if it wasn't mandated.. I've heard enough things bounce off my helmet to know I don't want them tearing into flesh ) but I don't feel helmets should be required.

[SteveBailey]

What baffles me is how they can mandate seatbelts, airbags, safety seats, and bumpers in the name of safety and protecting the occupants, but still allow motorcycles and bicycles to share the same road.

I ride a motorcycle and I'm not proposing that they ban them, for sure. I wear a helmet ( and still would, even if it wasn't mandated.. I've heard enough things bounce off my helmet to know I don't want them tearing into flesh ) but I don't feel helmets should be required.

Amen, brotha

[AKIron]

but I don't feel helmets should be required.

They ain't here in Idaho. I still wear one most of the time.

[SteveBailey]

Ignore the liberals on these boards RPM,

Oh man, I love irony.

[VWE]

Maybe RPM is a little more conservative than you give him credit for.

[Roundeye]

Most of the vehicles you listed would run circles around the KEI.  The Mini has the added benefit of getting over 40MPH on the highway and over 30 in town as well.  I am not quoting the EPA numbers which have been mysteriously dumbed down for some reason.

Regardless, if that is what you want, then why not?

1.  The top speed is governed down by US regulation because it is considered an off-highway utility vehicle.  Governors MUST be installed for legal sale in the US.  A quick search on the net reveals 105kph (65mph) as an un-governed top speed on some of these minitrucks.  As well as up to 45mpg.  If DOT approved them, the restriction (gov.) would be eliminated.

2.  If you can find a used, low-mile 4WD Mini with a dump bed for $2000 or less, please post a link to the ad here, we would all love to see it.

3.  You nailed it with your last statement "if that is what you want".  These would be perfect for running errands, picking up parts/supplies, etc.   

[rpm]

For those of you interested in KEI trucks here is the BBS I hang out on. Lots of good info and links.

http://www.minitrucktalk.com/

A request, please don't go all petaboard on them. They're actually a good bunch of guys.
My Suzi will run over 70mph if I hammer on it, but I'm leary of driving redline all the time. Normally I run between 55-60mph on the street. It's really great for delivery work (I take groceries to Senior Citizens who can't come shop) and the $18 fillup ain't bad either. Last fillup on the Dodge was $94.

Lazs, I completely understand where you are coming from. Normally I get the same form letter you get, but from the other guys.

[AKIron]

I bought a Daihatsu 2 cylinder minivan in Okinawa in 1975. I loved that thing. I could get 5 guys and 10 scuba tanks in it believe it or not. I burned a hole in one of the cylinders and it was a breeze to replace. Here's to hoping we see more like it in the US. 

<edit>

burned a hole in one of the pistons rather