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? :)<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 2:13 PM, Simon Barber <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:simon@superduper.net">simon@superduper.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">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.<br>
<br>
Simon<div class="im"><br>
<br>
<br>
On 11/19/2010 01:19 PM, Alec Bennett wrote:<br>
</div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;"><div class="im">
Couple of comments below:<br>
<br>
On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 11:07 AM, Steve Clark <<a href="mailto:sclark1@flash.net" target="_blank">sclark1@flash.net</a><br></div><div><div></div><div class="h5">
<mailto:<a href="mailto:sclark1@flash.net" target="_blank">sclark1@flash.net</a>>> wrote:<br>
<br>
No. Just a lot of questions that take time to answer; and acquiring<br>
information also can also mean passively auditing what is being<br>
communicated. If this was a pay subscription site, I might<br>
understand your seemingly “pushy” expectations. That being said . . .<br>
<br>
1. Are there any other models similar to the GO-4? /Yes. But<br>
availability is the question. Cushmans (Westcoaster, and others<br>
like it) and GO-4s are the most common./<br>
<br>
<br>
Not that I know of that are cheap, but if you have the $$ you might also<br>
look at some of the small electrics like Corbins:<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.corbinsparrow.com/" target="_blank">http://www.corbinsparrow.com/</a><br>
<br>
Or if you don't mind vintage and shipping from Florida see the link I<br>
sent out the other day on microcars.<br>
<br>
2. Is the Go-4 Interceptor suitable for extensive street driving,<br>
meaning could I reliably drive 40-50 mile round trips 3 times a week<br>
in them? The G0-4s seem to be reliable for short junkets and low<br>
speed trips. Some people use them on the express-way, but they<br>
were meant more for in town driving.<br>
<br>
<br>
What he said. You can drive these things on the highway just fine once<br>
you remove the governor (they easily go 60) but they're not exactly<br>
safe. Small wheelbase, one wheel in teh front, not a good idea. You can<br>
feel that it may flip given the right bump. But technically you<br>
defintely *could* do it, especially if you weren't driving on a highway.<br>
<br>
3. What is it's realistic top speed? /With governor – 40 mph,<br>
without governor, I have seen them go 70 mph./<br>
<br>
<br>
Like 80 probably. Not that you shoudl go that fast.<br>
<br>
4. are any of these SLCs capable of holding more than one<br>
passenger? /In general no (concerning Cushmans and GO-4s). They are<br>
meant for one person. However, You will find some that have been<br>
modified./<br>
<br>
<br>
I drive two people (myself and a passenger) in my Interceptor all the<br>
time. I simply put a cushion next to the main seat since the main seat<br>
is so plush, but you could always swap out the seat for a bench if you<br>
wanted to make things extra nice for the passenger. You'd still have to<br>
deal with the pedals being on the right though.<br>
<br>
5. Who can I best turn to to customize them (for storage, catering,<br>
bikes, etc)? /This a local thing. Use the internet, yellow-pages,<br>
and shop around for shops that do custom work./<br>
<br>
<br>
Metal fabrication shops?<br>
<br>
6. I'm in California; do I need to have a motorcycle license to<br>
drive these? /Not sure about Calif., but in general, you need a<br>
motorcycle license as these vehicles are considered motorcycles for<br>
licensing, registration and insurance./<br>
<br>
<br>
No motorcycle license needed in California.<br>
<br>
7. What sorts of accessories are popular? /To each his own and<br>
mostly custom./<br>
<br>
<br>
Well obviuously that would be the stereo with the booming subwoofer. And<br>
of course the multi colored oscillating LEDs on the under-carriage. And<br>
maybe a Barbie bust on the roof. And the surfboard rack is a popular<br>
item. And don't forget the concealed siren.<br>
<br>
8. How comfortable is the seating? /Average to not very. Is it<br>
possible to install more comfortable seats? Yes./<br>
<br>
<br>
I'd say insanely comforable in the Interceptor. A big bucket seat.<br>
<br>
9. Can these cars tow small trailers etc? /Yes./<br>
<br>
<br>
Ditto, but careful of that tranny if you're going to load it down and<br>
drive on hills.<br>
<br>
10. How many miles are they good for lifetime? /Depends on<br>
maintenance and parts availability. Your answer is in the age of<br>
some of these vehicles still on the road./ Are there any danger<br>
points like say 50k for some domestic US cars? /Danger points?????<br>
Unknown./<br>
<br>
<br>
Who knows. They're cheap enough that you can just get another one<br>
though. But seriously, I've seen lots of them with around 70k miles that<br>
still drive great. Replace the shocks and give things a good lubing.<br>
<br>
11. What sorts of general security issues are involved with these<br>
cars (hot wiring etc.)? /Later Cushman’s and GO-4s have locking<br>
doors. Not sure about early models. I would say the security issues<br>
are similar to any other enclosed lockable vehicle. I.E., if a<br>
professional thief wants your vehicle, he will get it./<br>
<br>
<br>
If you keep it looking exactly like a metermaid vehicle you'll get<br>
grafittied, your windows will be broken, and your car will be turned on<br>
its side. Modify it and all will be fine.<br>
<br>
12. Are they noisy to drive? /Not really. / /The stock engines and<br>
exhausts are about as noisy as your car./ How is the ride in<br>
general? /Rough like a mid-sized motorcycle, sports car, or just a<br>
little bit worse. A Cadillac this ain’t./<br>
<br>
<br>
I'd say they're very smooth, but then I'm mostly only comparing them to<br>
Cushmans...<br>
<br>
<br>
Er, was it something I said? These are pretty fundamental<br>
questions. The website associated with this list suggests<br>
subscribing for info on these cars.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Sorry sir!<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
gj<br>
<br>
------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br></div></div>
*From:* b b <<a href="mailto:brazoraton@yahoo.com" target="_blank">brazoraton@yahoo.com</a> <mailto:<a href="mailto:brazoraton@yahoo.com" target="_blank">brazoraton@yahoo.com</a>>><div class="im"><br>
*To:* Silly Little Email List<br>
<<a href="mailto:silly_little_cars@lists.sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">silly_little_cars@lists.sillylittlecars.com</a><br></div>
<mailto:<a href="mailto:silly_little_cars@lists.sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">silly_little_cars@lists.sillylittlecars.com</a>>><div><div></div><div class="h5"><br>
*Sent:* Wed, November 17, 2010 1:57:59 PM<br>
*Subject:* [Silly Little Cars] Silly little Q.s<br>
<br>
Hi,<br>
<br>
I'm part of what no doubt is an invasion of new list members dur to<br>
the recent WSJ article. But I come by my interest a bit more<br>
innocently, perhaps, since over the last few weeks I've been mulling<br>
over the practicality of these cars, due to some recent<br>
health-related issues over my ability to drive. I have a tone of<br>
questions and hope the list might not mind taking a crack at some of<br>
them.<br>
<br>
1. Are there any other models similar to the GO-4?<br>
<br>
2. Is the Go-4 Interceptor suitable for extensive street driving,<br>
meaning could I reliably drive 40-50 mile round trips 3 times a week<br>
in them?<br>
<br>
3. What is it's realistic top speed?<br>
<br>
4. are any of these SLCs capable of holding more than one passenger?<br>
<br>
5. Who can I best turn to to customize them (for storage, catering,<br>
bikes, etc)?<br>
<br>
6. I'm in California; do I need to have a motorcycle license to<br>
drive these?<br>
<br>
7. What sorts of accessories are popular?<br>
<br>
8. How comfortable is the seating? Is it possible to install more<br>
comfortable seats?<br>
<br>
9. Can these cars tow small trailers etc?<br>
<br>
10. How many miles are they good for lifetime? Are there any<br>
danger points like say 50k for some domestic US cars?<br>
<br>
11. What sorts of general security issues are involved with these<br>
cars (hot wiring etc.)?<br>
<br>
12. Are they nooisy to drive? How is the ride in general?<br>
<br>
A lot of questions, I know, but I'm a complete newbie. Any help<br>
much appreciated.<br>
<br>
regards,<br>
<br>
gj<br>
<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Silly Little Cars Email List<br>
<a href="mailto:sillylittlecars@sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">sillylittlecars@sillylittlecars.com</a><br></div></div>
<mailto:<a href="mailto:sillylittlecars@sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">sillylittlecars@sillylittlecars.com</a>><div class="im"><br>
<a href="http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com</a><br>
Use the wiki at <a href="http://sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">http://sillylittlecars.com</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Silly Little Cars Email List<br>
<a href="mailto:sillylittlecars@sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">sillylittlecars@sillylittlecars.com</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com</a><br>
Use the wiki at <a href="http://sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">http://sillylittlecars.com</a><br>
<br>
<br>
</div></blockquote><div><div></div><div class="h5">
_______________________________________________<br>
Silly Little Cars Email List<br>
<a href="mailto:sillylittlecars@sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">sillylittlecars@sillylittlecars.com</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">http://lists.sillylittlecars.com/listinfo.cgi/silly_little_cars-sillylittlecars.com</a><br>
Use the wiki at <a href="http://sillylittlecars.com" target="_blank">http://sillylittlecars.com</a><br>
<br>
<br>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br>