"TheRallyStache" (bryce-the-hoonigan)
09/30/2014 at 21:06 • Filed to: Three Wheelers, Snyder, Small Cars
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"TheRallyStache" (bryce-the-hoonigan)
09/30/2014 at 21:06 • Filed to: Three Wheelers, Snyder, Small Cars | 1
| 16 |
I can honestly say I've never been more intrigued by a car then when I spotted this tiny little three wheeled wonder outside the Cabela's in Grand Rapids tonight. I love it's tiny circular center headlight, as it reminds me of something out of the movie Robots.
After a bit of research, I've learned that this is a Chinese made "motorcycle" (as anything with less than 4 wheels is automatically qualified as by the government) and as such requires an endorsement to drive. With a 0.6l fuel injected, water cooled, DOHC, 8 valve inline twin banger pumping out 33.5hp and 36.5 ft/lb through a 4 speed manual to the rear wheels, this seems to be a perfect recipe for a very jalop car. It only weighs in at 1400lbs soaking wet too, so it's basically a US available equivalent of the old Reliant Robin, except that the engine is in the back rather than the front, so it won't be nearly so tippy in the bends.
It supposedly seats 4 passengers and will get up to 70mpg on the highway, without any hybrid system whatsoever. Suck it, Prius. The interior is even finished in fake leather and hardwood! Starting MSRP is only $8,000, although they've been known to sell for less than $7k. It comes with a 1 year/12k mile warranty, so it probably isn't quite up to industry manufacturing standards, but still...
THE CHINESE HAVE MADE SOMETHING I LIKE.
Full details can be found !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> TheRallyStache
09/30/2014 at 21:10 |
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They're usually registered as motorcycles too. that's the purpose.
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TheRallyStache
> Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
09/30/2014 at 21:13 |
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I would think it could only be registered as such. This one had a motorcycle plate.
carcrasher88
> TheRallyStache
09/30/2014 at 21:17 |
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'Travel from New York, NY to Miami, FL on only 18 gallons of fuel!'
Yeah...and it'll take you a year and a half to get there.
But, hey! It's got 30 cu ft of cargo space, so you can pack lots of food for the long trip.
Plus, you'd likely get killed in a collision with a smart car at 20 mph in this thing.
Total piece of junk.
But I will admit, it's not exactly ugly...
Vimto
> TheRallyStache
09/30/2014 at 21:24 |
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Looks like a Daewoo Matiz with one less wheel.
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TheRallyStache
> carcrasher88
09/30/2014 at 21:26 |
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Oh, it's undoubtedly a complete piece of junk. Still, it's quirky enough to make me want it.
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TheRallyStache
> Vimto
09/30/2014 at 21:26 |
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And minus that awesome headlamp where a badge would be.
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carcrasher88
> TheRallyStache
09/30/2014 at 21:46 |
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True. I'd still rather have a kei car.
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TheRallyStache
> carcrasher88
09/30/2014 at 21:55 |
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I will be importing a Kei car sometime in the next few years, hopefully a Minica Dangan ZZ-4 like PanchoVilleneuve ST keeps talking about. However, this is just so eccentric and unique...
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carcrasher88
> TheRallyStache
09/30/2014 at 21:59 |
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I have to wait a while before I could get the kei car I want, which is the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa, but that's still two decades away for just the 2009 model...
Cimarron Toast Crunch
> TheRallyStache
10/01/2014 at 00:02 |
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I have seen one before in palo alto. It said zebra on the side though
thebigbossyboss
> Cimarron Toast Crunch
10/03/2014 at 08:08 |
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Cimarron, thanks to your awesome name and non trollish comments, I am using the power invested in me as an authour to remove you from the Grey's. Welcome to Oppo!
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Cimarron Toast Crunch
> thebigbossyboss
10/03/2014 at 10:24 |
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Thanks man
Kenji Fox
> Vimto
10/21/2014 at 01:17 |
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There is a good reason for that, it actually has the same body. Chery QQ and Chevy Spark are more of the same. Speaking of Chery, that is the manufacturer of the twin cylinder engine in this vehicle, which is an excellent thing.
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Kenji Fox
> carcrasher88
10/21/2014 at 01:20 |
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I actually drove one of these. They are made in China by Fulu. They top out at about 70 MPH (That is how fast I went with two passengers) due to the engine hitting the rev limiter at about 74 MPH. A 65 MPH cruise is about right with this twin cylinder engine and four speed. I do also have a smart car, so I would be a good judge as to whether your jokes hold any ground. They do! It's a motorcycle, and the Smart is EXTREMELY strong. I wouldn't want to get hit by ANYTHING on my motorcycle.
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Kenji Fox
> TheRallyStache
10/21/2014 at 01:26 |
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The fit and finish of the interior is about the only place you could describe with the word "junk". The engine is actually very high quality in these. It, along with it's 4 speed constant mesh (think motorcycle trans, it CANNOT grind ever and no syncros to wear out) are made by Chery. They make engines for companies all around the world including John Deere. The suspension and disk brakes are made by Suzuki. Mechanically these are very sound vehicles.
These are made by Dezhou Fulu Vehicle Co., Ltd and have been around for a long time in China. They are used heavily there as Taxies. These are far more reliable than you might think!
http://en.gfulu.com/products_detai…
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Kenji Fox
> TheRallyStache
10/22/2014 at 02:42 |
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Taking a closer look at the photos, I believe that IS the one I drove. The owner of that particular vehicle is likely to be the same as it was before. It has a D (dealer) plate on it because it is likely this one, owned by Tim Ellens of TP Ventures in Wayland.
I wanted to buy the blue one (the only one he had) but he sold that one before I could afford it. Darn!