I agree that CAFE standards should be higher. I don't buy this free market nonsense about the market will straighten itself out thru higher gas prices. Some day there will be severe shortages at our current pace and it will affect everybody. The "free market" system needs sensible regulation. I am 6'5" and can't fit into a subcompact car (only exception I have ever seen is the new Chevy Cruze). I would like to see more R&D into low cost lightweight materials. Plastics have advanced a long way in the past 50 years, and I believe that is part of the future in making a good gas mileage car.
Should C.A.F.E standards be raised even higher?
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Originally Posted By: MNgopher
At this point, let the market drive things. With expensive fuel, the market will respond and start with more fuel efficient offerings. You can't have it both ways - cheap fuel and fuel efficient. You are going to pay somewhere...
Tiered speed limits are a terrible idea that have traffic safety implications. How states ever thought that was a good idea is a mystery to me. There are some conditions, such as steep grades, that warrant slower speed limits for heavy vehicles, but as general practice it is a terrible idea.
As far as shifting cross country truck traffic to trains, while that sounds like a great idea, it completely ignores the fact there are some types of services trains do well, and some it does not. Living in the part of the country I do, the delivery times on products train versus truck would surprise you. As a result, there is a reason so much traffic went to trucks. Perishable product in particular is an issue that trains cannot compete easily on.
+1
At this point, let the market drive things. With expensive fuel, the market will respond and start with more fuel efficient offerings. You can't have it both ways - cheap fuel and fuel efficient. You are going to pay somewhere...
Tiered speed limits are a terrible idea that have traffic safety implications. How states ever thought that was a good idea is a mystery to me. There are some conditions, such as steep grades, that warrant slower speed limits for heavy vehicles, but as general practice it is a terrible idea.
As far as shifting cross country truck traffic to trains, while that sounds like a great idea, it completely ignores the fact there are some types of services trains do well, and some it does not. Living in the part of the country I do, the delivery times on products train versus truck would surprise you. As a result, there is a reason so much traffic went to trucks. Perishable product in particular is an issue that trains cannot compete easily on.
+1
I don't think it will make much difference.
Studies in Germany have been done infinitum about speed limits every time some some group suggest implementing them.
They have proven time and time again that this lead to more traffic jams and congestion on the highways and cities.
This consequence alone translates in even more fuel being burned.
Draconian speed limits and these kind of regulations are not about saving fuel but thinly veiled attempts to exert even greater control over peoples lives.
Studies in Germany have been done infinitum about speed limits every time some some group suggest implementing them.
They have proven time and time again that this lead to more traffic jams and congestion on the highways and cities.
This consequence alone translates in even more fuel being burned.
Draconian speed limits and these kind of regulations are not about saving fuel but thinly veiled attempts to exert even greater control over peoples lives.
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In my view, a LOT more folks need to be considering fiscal care and closure of debt. Alas, many of the escalade drivers who "deserve" excess consumption also have fat mortgages, credit card debt and HELs to pay for this lifestyle. It is self-destructuve
I have said the same eaact thing for many years. Lots of middle class folks simply refuse to accept the fact that they are middle class and should live that type of lifestyle but live way beyond their financial means. Maybe the current economic times will force people to re-think how to save and budget their money more carefully. Lots of Americans like to make up excuses for being broke. Even with almost 3 years of my gross pay saved (liquid cash in the bank) I still watch every dollar and don't buy [censored] I really don't need.
In my view, a LOT more folks need to be considering fiscal care and closure of debt. Alas, many of the escalade drivers who "deserve" excess consumption also have fat mortgages, credit card debt and HELs to pay for this lifestyle. It is self-destructuve
I have said the same eaact thing for many years. Lots of middle class folks simply refuse to accept the fact that they are middle class and should live that type of lifestyle but live way beyond their financial means. Maybe the current economic times will force people to re-think how to save and budget their money more carefully. Lots of Americans like to make up excuses for being broke. Even with almost 3 years of my gross pay saved (liquid cash in the bank) I still watch every dollar and don't buy [censored] I really don't need.
It's all about choices.
To me, the right choices lead to being free of any and all debt by the time you are in your forties, along with a useful amount of cash on hand.
That way, if you want to take a vacation, buy a new car, or if you need to put a roof on the house or deal with some major unexpected expense, you have the flexibility to do so.
Many of our peers, however, have adopted indebtedness as a lifestyle.
They may have a larger house than I do, and they surely drive newer and more expensive cars, which they can't afford to maintain properly, but they will never be out of debt as long as they live, and any unexpected expense is a fiscal emergency for them.
Did I mention that they also tend to favor outsized, fuel hog vehicles?
If you have family income well into six figures, and you have to scrape to put gas in the big, flashy SUV, something is wrong.
To me, the right choices lead to being free of any and all debt by the time you are in your forties, along with a useful amount of cash on hand.
That way, if you want to take a vacation, buy a new car, or if you need to put a roof on the house or deal with some major unexpected expense, you have the flexibility to do so.
Many of our peers, however, have adopted indebtedness as a lifestyle.
They may have a larger house than I do, and they surely drive newer and more expensive cars, which they can't afford to maintain properly, but they will never be out of debt as long as they live, and any unexpected expense is a fiscal emergency for them.
Did I mention that they also tend to favor outsized, fuel hog vehicles?
If you have family income well into six figures, and you have to scrape to put gas in the big, flashy SUV, something is wrong.
Originally Posted By: kelpie
I would like to see more R&D into low cost lightweight materials.
Well you can have one or the other but not both. Just compare modern aircraft to modern cars. Low cost materials are heavy (cars), and lightweight materials are expensive (aircraft). There is plenty of R&D on lightweight materials. It would just be too expensive.
Originally Posted By: kelpie
Plastics have advanced a long way in the past 50 years, and I believe that is part of the future in making a good gas mileage car.
You do know that the raw material needed to make most plastic comes from oil and natural gas right? Not being smart, just seems ironic to use more products made from oil to save oil.
I would like to see more R&D into low cost lightweight materials.
Well you can have one or the other but not both. Just compare modern aircraft to modern cars. Low cost materials are heavy (cars), and lightweight materials are expensive (aircraft). There is plenty of R&D on lightweight materials. It would just be too expensive.
Originally Posted By: kelpie
Plastics have advanced a long way in the past 50 years, and I believe that is part of the future in making a good gas mileage car.
You do know that the raw material needed to make most plastic comes from oil and natural gas right? Not being smart, just seems ironic to use more products made from oil to save oil.
+1, no +100!!
Living easily within ones income is so full of huge benefits.... but the forces of marketing and advertising suck in the gullible!!
Earlier I also noted a poster bemoaning small "slow" cars. Perhaps he had not noted that a lot of these cars are quicker than SUVs, Pickups, large cars, etc, indeed a few are rockets.
The 0-60 time on my wife's Corolla is the same as the stunning quick Chrysler 300 in the 50's.
Living easily within ones income is so full of huge benefits.... but the forces of marketing and advertising suck in the gullible!!
Earlier I also noted a poster bemoaning small "slow" cars. Perhaps he had not noted that a lot of these cars are quicker than SUVs, Pickups, large cars, etc, indeed a few are rockets.
The 0-60 time on my wife's Corolla is the same as the stunning quick Chrysler 300 in the 50's.
Drive what you like. If you want a small car buy one. I'm against government mandating what car i drive or what engine is in it. The market will sort that out. If i can afford to fuel an avalanche, worry about what you can fuel not what i can.
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Drive what you like. If you want a small car buy one. I'm against government mandating what car i drive or what engine is in it. The market will sort that out. If i can afford to fuel an avalanche, worry about what you can fuel not what i can.
Low mpg vehicles drive up the cost of gas for EVERYONE. Like I said in a previous post, people had more common sense years ago. But some Americans don't care. They're out for #1, and screw everybody else.
Drive what you like. If you want a small car buy one. I'm against government mandating what car i drive or what engine is in it. The market will sort that out. If i can afford to fuel an avalanche, worry about what you can fuel not what i can.
Low mpg vehicles drive up the cost of gas for EVERYONE. Like I said in a previous post, people had more common sense years ago. But some Americans don't care. They're out for #1, and screw everybody else.
They could make smaller SUV's and Pick ups. If that is all they offered in this country that is what people would buy and they would get used to it.
Do we really need 400-600 hp vehicles?......No
Do we really need these huge vehicles?...No
I may want to be a millionaire but do I need to be one?....No
We need to seperate wants from needs.
Don't fool yourselves. We are not free....We only have as much freedom as we are given.
You also forget how we as humans are greedy and look out for ourselves and how soon we forget the bad things that happen to us. (High fuels prices that then dropped low again and people bought big vehicles again)
Do we really need 400-600 hp vehicles?......No
Do we really need these huge vehicles?...No
I may want to be a millionaire but do I need to be one?....No
We need to seperate wants from needs.
Don't fool yourselves. We are not free....We only have as much freedom as we are given.
You also forget how we as humans are greedy and look out for ourselves and how soon we forget the bad things that happen to us. (High fuels prices that then dropped low again and people bought big vehicles again)
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Originally Posted By: spasm3
Drive what you like. If you want a small car buy one. I'm against government mandating what car i drive or what engine is in it. The market will sort that out. If i can afford to fuel an avalanche, worry about what you can fuel not what i can.
My thoughts exactly.
Drive what you like. If you want a small car buy one. I'm against government mandating what car i drive or what engine is in it. The market will sort that out. If i can afford to fuel an avalanche, worry about what you can fuel not what i can.
My thoughts exactly.
If i can afford a 30 room mansion for my wife and I should I have it just because I can afford it?
Lets say it uses enough resources/materials to build and fuel 5 other houses.
Is that right? Is that greed? Is that thinking long term and what is good for society and the world?
We often confuse want with need because of greed.
Lets say it uses enough resources/materials to build and fuel 5 other houses.
Is that right? Is that greed? Is that thinking long term and what is good for society and the world?
We often confuse want with need because of greed.
Quote:
We need to seperate wants from needs.
Don't fool yourselves. We are not free....We only have as much freedom as we are given.
Are we still talking about the U.S.A. here?
We need to seperate wants from needs.
Don't fool yourselves. We are not free....We only have as much freedom as we are given.
Are we still talking about the U.S.A. here?
I read every week about the new car and SUVs coming out in the Chicago Sun Times' car section.
Many mid and high end models get atrocious around town mileage [and the highway is nothing to really brag about, either].
These are new cars - the highest technology.
What the heck are they thinking?
And people buy them all! What the heck are they thinking?
Many mid and high end models get atrocious around town mileage [and the highway is nothing to really brag about, either].
These are new cars - the highest technology.
What the heck are they thinking?
And people buy them all! What the heck are they thinking?
Originally Posted By: xxch4osxx
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Drive what you like. If you want a small car buy one. I'm against government mandating what car i drive or what engine is in it. The market will sort that out. If i can afford to fuel an avalanche, worry about what you can fuel not what i can.
My thoughts exactly.
+2 100%
Kudos to those folks that have the 100ft motor yacht and the 30 room mansions along with the private jets.
If they can pay for it good on them,a lot of people worked and make a living to build and maintain those things.
Personally i will take trickle down wealth as opposed to trickle up poverty any day.
Just looking at the other side of the coin,every coin has two sides.
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Drive what you like. If you want a small car buy one. I'm against government mandating what car i drive or what engine is in it. The market will sort that out. If i can afford to fuel an avalanche, worry about what you can fuel not what i can.
My thoughts exactly.
+2 100%
Kudos to those folks that have the 100ft motor yacht and the 30 room mansions along with the private jets.
If they can pay for it good on them,a lot of people worked and make a living to build and maintain those things.
Personally i will take trickle down wealth as opposed to trickle up poverty any day.
Just looking at the other side of the coin,every coin has two sides.
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Money is not evil...the love of money is the problem
On that we can agree!
Nothing to be sorry about ZZman its a fair debate,i respect your opinion.
Money is not evil...the love of money is the problem
On that we can agree!
Nothing to be sorry about ZZman its a fair debate,i respect your opinion.
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I don't know about multiple tiers for vehicles, but many states already have tiers for trucks. So why not just say any vehicle that is classified as a truck by the manufacturer now must abide by the truck speed limit?
That would include my minivan, which I believe Toyota calls a truck.
They certainly do not handle as well as cars, so one could make an argument for that. But I don't think it would work to have more than the two tiers.
Maybe we just need to run out of oil and be done with it. Rip the bandaid off!
That would include my minivan, which I believe Toyota calls a truck.
They certainly do not handle as well as cars, so one could make an argument for that. But I don't think it would work to have more than the two tiers.
Maybe we just need to run out of oil and be done with it. Rip the bandaid off!
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