[Silly Little Cars] Silly little Q.s

Sat Nov 20 01:15:50 PST 2010

I think a silly little FAQ is in order for the site so we don't have to
answer these questions more than once - whadya say Alec? :)

On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 2:13 PM, Simon Barber <simon at superduper.net> wrote:

> To follow up - California law does not require a motorcycle license (though
> you do need a regular driving license), nor helmet but does require a
> seatbelt. If you want to take more people make sure you have belts for them.
> Of course I think it very unlikely you'll ever find a police officer who
> knows the vehicle code well enough to know this.
>
> Simon
>
>
>
> On 11/19/2010 01:19 PM, Alec Bennett wrote:
>
>> Couple of comments below:
>>
>> On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 11:07 AM, Steve Clark <sclark1 at flash.net
>> <mailto:sclark1 at flash.net>> wrote:
>>
>>    No.  Just a lot of questions that take time to answer; and acquiring
>>    information also can also mean passively auditing what is being
>>    communicated.  If this was a pay subscription site, I might
>>    understand your seemingly “pushy” expectations.  That being said . . .
>>
>>    1.  Are there any other models similar to the GO-4? /Yes.  But
>>    availability is the question.  Cushmans (Westcoaster, and others
>>    like it)  and GO-4s are the most common./
>>
>>
>> Not that I know of that are cheap, but if you have the $$ you might also
>> look at some of the small electrics like Corbins:
>>
>> http://www.corbinsparrow.com/
>>
>> Or if you don't mind vintage and shipping from Florida see the link I
>> sent out the other day on microcars.
>>
>>    2.  Is the Go-4 Interceptor suitable for extensive street driving,
>>    meaning could I reliably drive 40-50 mile round trips 3 times a week
>>    in them?  The G0-4s seem to be reliable for short junkets and low
>>    speed trips.   Some people use them on the express-way, but they
>>    were meant more for in town driving.
>>
>>
>> What he said. You can drive these things on the highway just fine once
>> you remove the governor (they easily go 60) but they're not exactly
>> safe. Small wheelbase, one wheel in teh front, not a good idea. You can
>> feel that it may flip given the right bump. But technically you
>> defintely *could* do it, especially if you weren't driving on a highway.
>>
>>    3.  What is it's realistic top speed? /With governor – 40 mph,
>>    without governor, I have seen them go 70 mph./
>>
>>
>> Like 80 probably. Not that you shoudl go that fast.
>>
>>    4.  are any of these SLCs capable of holding more than one
>>    passenger? /In general no (concerning Cushmans and GO-4s).  They are
>>    meant for one person.  However, You will find some that have been
>>    modified./
>>
>>
>> I drive two people (myself and a passenger) in my Interceptor all the
>> time. I simply put a cushion next to the main seat since the main seat
>> is so plush, but you could always swap out the seat for a bench if you
>> wanted to make things extra nice for the passenger. You'd still have to
>> deal with the pedals being on the right though.
>>
>>    5. Who can I best turn to to customize them (for storage, catering,
>>    bikes, etc)? /This a local thing.  Use the internet, yellow-pages,
>>    and shop around for shops that do custom work./
>>
>>
>> Metal fabrication shops?
>>
>>    6.  I'm in California; do I need to have a motorcycle license to
>>    drive these? /Not sure about Calif., but in general, you need a
>>    motorcycle license as these vehicles are considered motorcycles for
>>    licensing, registration and insurance./
>>
>>
>> No motorcycle license needed in California.
>>
>>    7.  What sorts of accessories are popular? /To each his own and
>>    mostly custom./
>>
>>
>> Well obviuously that would be the stereo with the booming subwoofer. And
>> of course the multi colored oscillating LEDs on the under-carriage. And
>> maybe a Barbie bust on the roof. And the surfboard rack is a popular
>> item. And don't forget the concealed siren.
>>
>>    8.  How comfortable is the seating? /Average to not very.  Is it
>>    possible to install more comfortable seats?  Yes./
>>
>>
>> I'd say insanely comforable in the Interceptor. A big bucket seat.
>>
>>    9.  Can these cars tow small trailers etc? /Yes./
>>
>>
>> Ditto, but careful of that tranny if you're going to load it down and
>> drive on hills.
>>
>>    10.  How many miles are they good for  lifetime? /Depends on
>>    maintenance and parts availability.  Your answer is in the age of
>>    some of these vehicles still on the road./  Are there any danger
>>    points like say 50k for some domestic US cars? /Danger points?????
>>    Unknown./
>>
>>
>> Who knows. They're cheap enough that you can just get another one
>> though. But seriously, I've seen lots of them with around 70k miles that
>> still drive great. Replace the shocks and give things a good lubing.
>>
>>    11.  What sorts of general security issues are involved with these
>>    cars (hot wiring etc.)? /Later Cushman’s and GO-4s have locking
>>    doors. Not sure about early models.  I would say the security issues
>>    are similar to any other enclosed lockable vehicle.  I.E., if a
>>    professional thief wants your vehicle, he will get it./
>>
>>
>> If you keep it looking exactly like a metermaid vehicle you'll get
>> grafittied, your windows will be broken, and your car will be turned on
>> its side. Modify it and all will be fine.
>>
>>    12.  Are they noisy to drive? /Not really. / /The stock engines and
>>    exhausts are about as noisy as your car./  How is the ride in
>>    general? /Rough like a mid-sized motorcycle, sports car,  or just a
>>    little bit worse.  A Cadillac this ain’t./
>>
>>
>> I'd say they're very smooth, but then I'm mostly only comparing them to
>> Cushmans...
>>
>>
>>    Er, was it something I said?  These are pretty fundamental
>>    questions.  The website associated with this list suggests
>>    subscribing for info on these cars.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sorry sir!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    gj
>>
>>
>>  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>    *From:* b b <brazoraton at yahoo.com <mailto:brazoraton at yahoo.com>>
>>
>>    *To:* Silly Little Email List
>>    <silly_little_cars at lists.sillylittlecars.com
>>    <mailto:silly_little_cars at lists.sillylittlecars.com>>
>>
>>    *Sent:* Wed, November 17, 2010 1:57:59 PM
>>    *Subject:* [Silly Little Cars] Silly little Q.s
>>
>>    Hi,
>>
>>    I'm part of what no doubt is an invasion of new list members dur to
>>    the recent WSJ article.  But I come by my interest a bit more
>>    innocently, perhaps, since over the last few weeks I've been mulling
>>    over the practicality of these cars, due to some recent
>>    health-related issues over my ability to drive.  I have a tone of
>>    questions and hope the list might not mind taking a crack at some of
>>    them.
>>
>>    1.  Are there any other models similar to the GO-4?
>>
>>    2.  Is the Go-4 Interceptor suitable for extensive street driving,
>>    meaning could I reliably drive 40-50 mile round trips 3 times a week
>>    in them?
>>
>>    3.  What is it's realistic top speed?
>>
>>    4.  are any of these SLCs capable of holding more than one passenger?
>>
>>    5. Who can I best turn to to customize them (for storage, catering,
>>    bikes, etc)?
>>
>>    6.  I'm in California; do I need to have a motorcycle license to
>>    drive these?
>>
>>    7.  What sorts of accessories are popular?
>>
>>    8.  How comfortable is the seating?  Is it possible to install more
>>    comfortable seats?
>>
>>    9.  Can these cars tow small trailers etc?
>>
>>    10.  How many miles are they good for  lifetime?  Are there any
>>    danger points like say 50k for some domestic US cars?
>>
>>    11.  What sorts of general security issues are involved with these
>>    cars (hot wiring etc.)?
>>
>>    12.  Are they nooisy to drive?  How is the ride in general?
>>
>>    A lot of questions, I know, but I'm a complete newbie.  Any help
>>    much appreciated.
>>
>>    regards,
>>
>>    gj
>>
>>
>>    _______________________________________________
>>    Silly Little Cars Email List
>>    sillylittlecars at sillylittlecars.com
>>    <mailto:sillylittlecars at sillylittlecars.com>
>>
>>
>> http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com
>>    Use the wiki at http://sillylittlecars.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Silly Little Cars Email List
>> sillylittlecars at sillylittlecars.com
>>
>> http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com
>> Use the wiki at http://sillylittlecars.com
>>
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
> Silly Little Cars Email List
> sillylittlecars at sillylittlecars.com
>
> http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com
> Use the wiki at http://sillylittlecars.com
>
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/pipermail/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com/attachments/20101120/f3b7eb1c/attachment-0005.htm>