3rd May 2011, 13:47
Why would anybody want a smelly, underpowered, unsafe car? Trabants are not good cars. How many people want a car that has only 23hp, has emissions worse than a steel plant, and one of its greatest changes from 1964 to 1989 was that it received a 12v power system. Time Magazine said: "This is the car that gave Communism a bad name. A virtual antique when it was designed in the 1950s, Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658533_1658030,00.html
Truth be told, a 71 Ford Pinto is better!
4th Jan 2014, 12:52
The Trabant is a classic vehicle. This status is not only to do with its age, but many other factors. Its faults (when compared to more modern vehicles) are therefore irrelevant.
It was designed with simplicity and reliability in mind; remember where and when it comes from. It adheres rigidly to its design brief, and actually did better in crash tests than you'd think.
The vehicle was built from almost completely recycled materials, so the environmentalist argument doesn't stand up either; think of the overall carbon footprint of modern vehicles!
Lastly, I cannot take seriously your negative comments, as the USA has consistently produced awful vehicles, failing to meet even basic standards of economy or roadholding, especially given the technology and investment available in the country. What excuse can there be for the shortcomings of the '71 Pinto mentioned in your comment? American cars have only recently upped their game, and still nobody wants them outside of the US, whilst European and Japanese cars dominate there, why is that?!
Trabants rule, don't make me come over there!
5th Jan 2014, 09:09
European and Japanese cars do not "dominate" in the US; do you even know what you are talking about?
The Trabant was a joke -- worst car ever built.
5th Jan 2014, 10:02
Yeah they do!
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2013/11/usa-20-best-selling-cars-october-2013-sales-figures.html
24th Nov 2004, 13:20
If the Trabant you're bringing is more than 25 years old, it is exempt from the emissions regulations that kept Car & Driver's Trabi off of the road. There are probably 50 or more "vintage" (25+ year old) Trabants registered in the states.