They park them here, they park them there, park 'em anywhere !

[K8MHZ]

just checked, Omni's weighed 2200 plus lbs.

[KC8VWM]

Charles, how is it that you don't know the manufacturer ?

Mel G0GQK

Oh, but I do know? ..Do you? ..lol

No, it's not a Dodge Omni, but I see there may be a bit of a resemblance.

Here's a few more clues...

This car is rare and only existed for 2 manufacturing years in the United States. The model exists in other countries under a different name.

According to it's specifications, this car is lighter than a Mini Cooper.

As mentioned earlier, it gets 53 mpg.

...This car is rated as one of the highest mpg, non hybrid eco supercars ever manufactured in automobile history.

..It is turbo charged.

..Unlike a Dodge Omni, this vehicle is fuel injected.

..While extremely thrifty on fuel and contrary to it's deceptive mild mannered appearance, it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds.

This car compared to a:

1980 Porsche 924 Turbo: 0-60 mph = 9.3 seconds
1988 Audi 5000S Quattro 0-60 mph = 9.7 seconds
1988 BMW 735i 0-60 mph = 9.3 seconds
1997 Volkswagen GTI 2.0 0-60 mph = 10.5 seconds

The headlights are actual glass, not plastic...

There is one particular signature clue in this photo if you look closely... Can you see it?

[KC8VWM]

We have dozens of makes in the UK, supposedly Japanese cars made in Poland, others made in India

<snip>

twenty years ago they were Moskvich, Lada, Zils, and not many of 'em !


Mel G0GQK

I am familiar with the Lada. I remember they were sold in Canada in the 1980's, and I recall I was inside one once. They were kinda boxy looking cars that kind of remind me of a cross between a Volvo and a Ford Escort.

Here's the sedan version..

lada.jpg

I remember seeing a lot of them on the roads near Toronto, but they were rusted out in just a few short years after they were purchased brand new. Especially prone to rusting around the bottom of the doors and the wheel wells. They were inexpensive cars but ranked somewhere near the Yugo in terms of overall quality. I don't think the Lada was ever sold in the US market.

[NM7L]

Is it a Chevy Sprint?

[KC8VWM]

Is it a Chevy Sprint?

ding ding ding.. Yes!!

Not sure what the prize is gonna be yet... Maybe an FT5000dx or a K3? ..lol

The car is also called a Firefly in Canada.



The clue mentioned in the photo earlier is the "inter-cooler" credit card slot. This slot is only seen on a Turbocharged Chevy Sprint.





The 1.0 L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine were only available in the U.S. in 1986 and 1987 model years.

Interesting article discussing the most fuel efficient cars of all time:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...efficient-ever

[KB3LAZ]

Fuel costs do not compare to the cost of parking. Not only do you have to pay to park if you work in the city center but often times you have to pay to fix your car because some tart cant parallel park for squat. New headlight, tail light, etc. Parking in a garage is better for this reason but again is pricy if you are going to leave your car there all day. Also, If you do not park in the garage you will spend 30+ minutes trying to find an open spot.

Alternatives:

Taxi (Not cost effective)
Tram (May arrive at work two hours early)
Bus (Acceptable but I hate it)
Motorcycle (My choice)

Why is a motorcycle my choice? Well, for one they have dedicated parking spots that are never full (in my area), they get better economy than a car, they are cheaper than a car, and it does not snow here. In fact it rarely rains. Now, there are some factors to consider here. Said dedicated parking spaces were made for small motos and scooters not something the size of an HD or a Goldwing. If you have either of those you will have similar parking issues as you would with a car. Also, they have costly insurance rates. However, 125-250cc motos and scooters are rather popular in this area for a reason. 50cc scooters are even more popular as to having very low insurance rates and in some cases do not require a certification to drive (there are cars that fit into this category as well..tiny little things.) Another thing to consider is that some of these smaller motos are not allowed on specific highways (when they can not maintain the minimum speed limit.)

All things considered a Honda VTR 250 was the best choice for me personally. Small enough that I do not have to worry about parking and enough getup and go to use on the highway if needed.

As an aside, many moto drivers here are insane. Inner city traffic becomes a dangerous place. Lane splitting is one thing..they way they lane split and then cut off full sized cars is insane! Or decide to take a detour onto the sidewalk so as to not have to wait for the light. Personally, I wait my turn as I am not suicidal.

Just my thoughts.

[KB3PXR]

I assume the Russians have not heard of parking tickets, boots, and towing. I may park like crap sometimes, but I don't park where it isn't allowed.

In fact here are my few examples of bad parking (no pictures sorry):
-State police car parked in the lines for two spots.
-Car with government plates parked within the lines for 4 spots in a military parking lot.
-Brand new car parked over the line taking up two spaces at a pizza place. Okay, this one is mine, but it was unintentional and when I noticed it, I was with an employee and I somewhat offered to fix it and he didn't care.
-Car parked over the line worse than the first and previous examples above. I told my mom she parked worse than a state police officer (this was before the previous one).

[WB2WIK]

Wasn't that actually made by Suzuki?

I remember them but they weren't legal for sale in California (when new). I think there are aftermarket catalytic converters that can make them street legal here but haven't heard about this in a long time.

[KB3LAZ]

I assume the Russians have not heard of parking tickets, boots, and towing. I may park like crap sometimes, but I don't park where it isn't allowed.

In fact here are my few examples of bad parking (no pictures sorry):
-State police car parked in the lines for two spots.
-Car with government plates parked within the lines for 4 spots in a military parking lot.
-Brand new car parked over the line taking up two spaces at a pizza place. Okay, this one is mine, but it was unintentional and when I noticed it, I was with an employee and I somewhat offered to fix it and he didn't care.
-Car parked over the line worse than the first and previous examples above. I told my mom she parked worse than a state police officer (this was before the previous one).

Here in Alicante people commonly park where they are not supposed. You will see their hazard lights on, this indicates that they will only be parked there for a moment. More often than not the parking police walk right by them and ticket the cars in the paid zone with expired passes.

[NM7L]

ding ding ding.. Yes!!

Not sure what the prize is gonna be yet... Maybe an FT5000dx or a K3? ..lol

The car is also called a Firefly in Canada.



The clue mentioned in the photo earlier is the "inter-cooler" credit card slot. This slot is only seen on a Turbocharged Chevy Sprint.





The 1.0 L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine were only available in the U.S. in 1986 and 1987 model years.

Interesting article discussing the most fuel efficient cars of all time:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...efficient-ever

Feel free to send the FT-5000DX to Pat (MHZ).