Quote from: Speedbag on June 30, 2012, 11:41:43 AM
Yeah, when was the last year anything was sold under the Datsun name? My bets are that can is ornamental only.

I wouldn't toss it out though, detail items like that are gold to restorers and the concours crowd.

According to wiki...March '86.

We had a Datsun B210 when I was a kid. I thought it was cool because it have turtle shell hub caps. lol

Hmm I heard the new fiat 500 DON'T come with a spare.  Thought it was strange.  It looks like it may not be so strange after reading this thread.  What a BS to not include one!

Quote from: Speedbag on June 30, 2012, 11:41:43 AM
I wouldn't toss it out though, detail items like that are gold to restorers and the concours crowd.

Precisely why it and the OEM spare still rest in below the hatch deck.  Simply for originality!

JM

Quote from: ab on June 30, 2012, 07:37:27 PM
Hmm I heard the new fiat 500 DON'T come with a spare.  Thought it was strange.  It looks like it may not be so strange after reading this thread.  What a BS to not include one!

AAA has a list of newer cars that come sans spare.

Total BS, and in the future I will verify if a potential new car has one or can be fitted with one....if not, I'll buy something else.

Quote from: Speedbag on July 02, 2012, 07:48:17 AM

AAA has a list of newer cars that come sans spare.

Total BS, and in the future I will verify if a potential new car has one or can be fitted with one....if not, I'll buy something else.

In some cases, there simply isn't room for a spare (iQ, 500, ForTwo, Prius Plug-in). 

As mentioned previously, it's mainly a weight issue...spare tires (full size or not) plus a jack, tire iron, and related parts add weight to a car.  With ever increasing fuel economy & emission requirements, every ounce of a vehicles weight is scrutinized.  Eliminating a spare can easily drop 50lbs from the curb weight.

Think 50lbs doesn't matter?  Take the 2012 Camry Hybrid as an example - LE version weighs 3,417 and gets 43 city/39 hwy/41 combined - XLE version: 3,441 40 city/38 hwy/40 combined. 

No doubt that the weight matters. But still BS.

I'll take the MPG to not get stranded in BFE without a spare.

JM

When it comes to larger than sub compacts there are other weight saving techniques.  Some cost a bit, like alloy wheels instead of the standard steel wheels and plastic wheel covers.  Well, maybe not, in 1992 we made the mistake of buying a Civic SI that came with plastic wheel covers and steel wheels.  $65 a cover plus wheels?  First week that car got alloy wheels (TUV approved) for not much more than the price of four wheel covers.  Certainly weight and cost can be saved on more upscale cars by careful gadget elimination.  Do we really need a motor to adjust the steering wheel?

Quote from: Randimus Maximus on July 02, 2012, 08:39:31 AM
In some cases, there simply isn't room for a spare (iQ, 500, ForTwo, Prius Plug-in). 

As mentioned previously, it's mainly a weight issue...spare tires (full size or not) plus a jack, tire iron, and related parts add weight to a car.  With ever increasing fuel economy & emission requirements, every ounce of a vehicles weight is scrutinized.  Eliminating a spare can easily drop 50lbs from the curb weight.

Think 50lbs doesn't matter?  Take the 2012 Camry Hybrid as an example - LE version weighs 3,417 and gets 43 city/39 hwy/41 combined - XLE version: 3,441 40 city/38 hwy/40 combined. 

Of course weight matters.  EPA should be telling people to lose 50 lbs instead if you want better fuel mileage, not putting it on the manufacturers.  :-)

Fuel mileage has gone up arithmetically in car models year after year, despite average BMI/weight going up geometrically.

Want better gas mileage?  Stop eating.

Quote from: the_Journeyman on July 02, 2012, 10:50:19 AM
I'll take the MPG to not get stranded in BFE without a spare.

Yep.

Having been stuck in semi-BFE for a few hours with no spare, I assure that it is no fun. Could have been a much worse area.....or the Deliverance-looking pair in the ratty plumbing service van that stopped to see if I needed help could have really been Deliverance-esque after all.

Quote from: ducatiz on July 02, 2012, 11:16:05 AM
Of course weight matters.  EPA should be telling people to lose 50 lbs instead if you want better fuel mileage, not putting it on the manufacturers.  :-)

Fuel mileage has gone up arithmetically in car models year after year, despite average BMI/weight going up geometrically.

Want better gas mileage?  Stop eating.

Ding!

Quote from: ab on June 30, 2012, 07:37:27 PM
Hmm I heard the new fiat 500 DON'T come with a spare.  Thought it was strange.  It looks like it may not be so strange after reading this thread.  What a BS to not include one!

Not entirely true, yet not entirely false, either.

The various Fiat 500's (Pop, Sport, Lounge, Abarth) don't come with spare tires.
However, all the models, with the sole exception of the Abarth, has an option group you can choose that contains the spare tire kit.

The spare tire is mounted under the car, all the way in the back.

I know from personal experience of having a 500 Sport in my garage from September 4th through June 13th, and now currently an Abarth from June 13th on.

BC.

Quote from: Randimus Maximus on July 02, 2012, 08:39:31 AM
In some cases, there simply isn't room for a spare (iQ, 500, ForTwo, Prius Plug-in). 

As mentioned previously, it's mainly a weight issue...spare tires (full size or not) plus a jack, tire iron, and related parts add weight to a car.  With ever increasing fuel economy & emission requirements, every ounce of a vehicles weight is scrutinized.  Eliminating a spare can easily drop 50lbs from the curb weight.

Think 50lbs doesn't matter?  Take the 2012 Camry Hybrid as an example - LE version weighs 3,417 and gets 43 city/39 hwy/41 combined - XLE version: 3,441 40 city/38 hwy/40 combined. 

Dood...

think being make the beast with two backsing stranded in the middle of BFE doesn't matter?

Pull that gizmo out of the closet that will improve cafe and stop poking the consumer. 

Quote from: ducpainter on July 02, 2012, 04:19:54 PM
Dood...

think being make the beast with two backsing stranded in the middle of BFE doesn't matter?

Pull that gizmo out of the closet that will improve cafe and stop poking the consumer. 

Our cars (Toyota & Scion) that don't come with spares (but do come with tire inflation kits) also come with 3 years of road side assistance.

While it might not help you if you're in BFE....

Quote from: Randimus Maximus on July 02, 2012, 04:46:03 PM
Our cars (Toyota & Scion) that don't come with spares (but do come with tire inflation kits) also come with 3 years of road side assistance.

While it might not help you if you're in BFE....

for the record...

I know how to, and am still capable of, changing a tire.

Give me the materials and figure another way to pass 'the test'. 

Just sayin'