Truck & SUV "solution" to Fuel Prices/Demand

[Auto-Union]

The diss-incentive to drive efficient cars does not seem to phase the fiscally irresponsable. Even if, it takes a long while for the market to correct.
Anyway, I calculated that I'm saving almost $100/month in gas with my RSX over my V6 Audi A4 Avant that got a decent 22-24. I scored a hair under 33 in my RSX last tank and drive a bit faster.
I'm also saving $100/mo in repairs too! lol

 

[Shaman]

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Originally posted by PandaBear:
I suggest banning anything V8 and anything sporty.

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This is where I, and anyone who drives an F-Body or Vette will disagree with you, and also where I disagree with the government of Japan.

There are 4 bangers on the road that cannot get what a LTX or LSX can get both city and highway. I don't think tha punishing a car for it's engine is the right thing to do. In japan I get punished for having anything over 660cc. Taxes and inspection go up exponentially after 660ccs.

Punishing a car for it's gas mileage is the thing to do.

I think that there should be a tax on any car that can't get better than a certain mileage, and it should be continued. I think that 15-25 is a safe place. I also thik that the government should be held to the taxes too.

 

[Dan4510]

Well I drive a v-8 car I built myself and the only way I will let go of it is if they pry it out of my cold dead hands.

All of you that ask for more government intervention seem to be convinced that government is the answer to teh problem.

There are reasons why suv's and trucks have become popular. People have needs to carry around more than a pitiful 90hp four banger can carry. The government in its CAFE madness mandated that vehicles over a certain weight do not have to meet emissions standards of passenger cars. Therefore two tiers emerged, those that had no need for power, towing ability, or space bought the 4 and 6 banger cars. Those that needed space, power, or towing ability bought suv's or trucks.

Cars with performance are a thing of the past unless you can afford 35-30K for one. I chose to build something I liked that had the acceleration, braking, and handling I wanted.

For us that grew up in the 60s and 70s, an accord with a far*t can muffler is not a hot rod, neither does a wing and 5000 watt stereo make a hot rod.

I conclude, I will drive my v-8 till they pry it from my cold dead hands. And if you think there is a problem with eminent domain, start trying to legislate who can drive what, then you will see the ultimate idiocy of government regulation.

Dan

 

[JHZR2]

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Originally posted by joatmon:

PS: JHZR2, thanks for not participating.

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Oh thats a great, mature way to behave

Sorry, I forgot, you are the most wonderful, most perfect person, and you have it all figured out. You can do nothing wrong. Of courseyour ____ doesn't stink.

___ forbid anyone have an opinion that differs from yours.

Sheesh, lets be 9-year olds...

Love,

Pickup truck owner JMH

 

[1sttruck]

"Even the biggest luxury cars reach the high 20's on the road. No truck or SUV approaches that. Most of them are unneeded, excessive gas guzzlers. Every trip I take, I see no end of big trucks with 1-2 people and no more stuff than would fit in the trunk of my Cavalier. "

I've talked to more than a couple of owners of older Dodge diesels who can squeeze mid 20s doing 60 mph to 65 mph, and I can currently get 20 mpg in my newer one. I get about the same mileage in town as a Honda mini-van, BMW, etc., so if you're going to be swinging at vehicles for low mileage at least do so based upon mileage, not type. I also carpool so I guess I get an effective 36 mpg in a 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup :^)

We got the truck after driving places with two cars, and after getting a large dog. I guess PC logic says that if I get a truck I should also get yet another car to drive.

 

[Al]

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Originally posted by Auto-Union:
I'm saving almost $100/month in gas with my RSX over my V6

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Every time I hear someone talking about their RSX, I'm jealous. Whish they would not have discontinued it. I was going to buy one next year.

 

[labman]

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Originally posted by adam123:
Maybe a 90's model jeep ? The 4.0's are as bullet proof as they come. Just have to watch the rear main seal and make sure that the trans is workin good.

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This post is from the thread on First Car where the guy is looking for something for a girl to commute to college in. I think suggesting a Jeep illustrates how far out of touch from reality many SUV owners are. Why would she want a big guzzler with high upkeep?

 

[Shaman]

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Originally posted by labman:

quote:

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Originally posted by adam123:
Maybe a 90's model jeep ? The 4.0's are as bullet proof as they come. Just have to watch the rear main seal and make sure that the trans is workin good.

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This post is from the thread on First Car where the guy is looking for something for a girl to commute to college in. I think suggesting a Jeep illustrates how far out of touch from reality many SUV owners are. Why would she want a big guzzler with high upkeep?

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20’s on the highway, a big piece of metal with low prices on replacement parts, a vehicle that never really changed, I don’t see the problem. I honestly think that first time drivers should be stuck in Geo metros and be told sink or swim. But I also think that everyone on the road should be forced to take a motorcycle training course, and spend a few days behind the handlebars to know how the non-cagers live, and how ignorant they(cagers) can be.

 

[MarkC]

In the 9 years and 4 months, and 124,235 miles I've had my Cherokee, other than routine maintenence(by which I mean fluids, filters, tires, brakes, plugs, etc.) I have yet to spend any money on it.
It's been the opposite of a high upkeep vehicle, nor is it big, or reall a guzzler. I consistantly see 21 mpg in combined driving. Granted, it doesn't get 30, like an econobox does, but that's okay with me.

 

[Bret Chase]

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Originally posted by labman:
I see no end of big trucks with 1-2 people and no more stuff than would fit in the trunk of my Cavalier.

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I'd like to see you haul my welder in your cavalier.

 

[jsharp]

quote:

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Originally posted by labman:
Even the biggest luxury cars reach the high 20's on the road. No truck or SUV approaches that. Most of them are unneeded, excessive gas guzzlers. Every trip I take, I see no end of big trucks with 1-2 people and no more stuff than would fit in the trunk of my Cavalier.

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Some of it is - How many vehicles can you afford to own. Drive through suburbia and you see lots of houses with a car and a pickup truck, plus maybe one or two more cars. Likely both adults work and some of the cars are the kids. So one adult drives the pickup to work. It's also likely that adult isn't a farmer or a tradesman who *needs* it.

I have a midsized SUV and a Mustang for just me, plus my son has a vehicle. Adding another econobox vehicle will cost me even more in insurance and taxes. Getting rid of one of the others will take away functionality that I like having. It's what I use my vehicles for. So I pay the price in fuel and don't let it bother me much...

 

[JHZR2]

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Originally posted by Bret Chase:

quote:

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Originally posted by labman:
I see no end of big trucks with 1-2 people and no more stuff than would fit in the trunk of my Cavalier.

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I'd like to see you haul my welder in your cavalier.

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But that kind of argument is relatively ridiculous. If you require a welder to make your livelihood, and you need the capacity to carry it, then you need it - no issues about it whatsoever. While many will argue that hopefully youll drive an efficient diesel like 1sttruck's vehicle, that is not quite the issue.

The real problem is that so many bought this or that truck as a fashion statement, with even their weekend warrior needs being quite lame - capacity need wise.

Get a large popultion that buys low MPG vehicles, and owes more than the vehicles are worth, and st they cant readily sell them for reasonable money. Have this high demand for fuel and a population that can be easily leveraged to pay the super high 'panic
prices', and you have a recipe for artificially high fuel prices. And it hurts everyone the same - 50 MPG or 5.

If you need it, fine, OK. I think most folks that take issue have an issue with those that dont really need it, which is most folks. When fuel is 80c/gal (like in 1998), increased demand and the resultant increased prices does not hurt anyone much. When it is $3/gal - the story is much different, and if youre contributing to the problem and not the solution - well, gee thanks

But yopu have a real need - all thge best to you and your endeavours.

JMH

 

[Texas Aggie]

I don't know why people in a free country would have issue with people buying what they want, because they might not 'need' it. There's nothing wrong with people driving the vehicle they like. If you have a car that gets 50 mpg, that's fine. Those that enjoy vehicles that get fewer mpg pay the price by buying more fuel and paying higher gasoline taxes. There's nothing wrong with it.

 

[dima]

Because it is a right thing to do is to be responsible and conservative. Been in a Free country does not imply that you have to be blind to waist. By live large we as society rubbing our future generations from availability of natural resources. We do have an obligation to be responsible for our actions and be able to see years ahead of the future.

 

[JAYCEE]

We would have much lower fuel/energy prices if the government would simply deport all illegal aliens.

With 10,000,000 to 20,000,000 fewer people in line at the gas station and pluging in to our electrical grid, prices would drop overnight.

 

[Al]

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Originally posted by JAYCEE:
We would have much lower fuel/energy prices if the government would simply deport all illegal aliens. .

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Hahahaha..that's something I would say. Quoted for truth.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

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Originally posted by Texas Aggie:
I don't know why people in a free country would have issue with people buying what they want, because they might not 'need' it. There's nothing wrong with people driving the vehicle they like. If you have a car that gets 50 mpg, that's fine. Those that enjoy vehicles that get fewer mpg pay the price by buying more fuel and paying higher gasoline taxes. There's nothing wrong with it.

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The solution, if you can't afford the gas, drive less. Simple.

 

[dima]

Or perhaps we should use up all the petroleum resources so our kids don't have to face the pain of conservation. This'll put everyone in the same boat and get rid of the geopolitical tension we now have over petroleum. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Perhaps, but than there will be tensions around wood for powering up all woodburning stows

 

[jsharp]

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Originally posted by labman:
Driving something more fuel efficient isn't an option?

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It's always an option. Sometimes it's not a good one though for other reasons. A lot of us like the versatility, or performace, or whatever of what we drive. If we could get the economy without sacrificing those things and without spending more $ than we'll ever get back in fuel savings we'd do it.

If not, we'll keep driving what we drive as long as we can afford it...

 

[jsharp]

quote:

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Originally posted by dima:
Because it is a right thing to do is to be responsible and conservative. Been in a Free country does not imply that you have to be blind to waist. By live large we as society rubbing our future generations from availability of natural resources. We do have an obligation to be responsible for our actions and be able to see years ahead of the future.

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Ok, so where does this "responsibility" and "obligation" stop?

Huge tax surcharges for people who build houses larger than 1500 sq.ft. because no one "needs" a house that big and it's wasting energy to heat and cool it? How about laws that don't let thermostats be set above 65 in the winter or below 80 in the summer? And is there any good reason vehicles shouldn't be limited to the level of the highest national speed limit?

It's one thing to be conscious of waste and try to prevent it. It's another when the government decides what is "needed" and anything more is excessive and no longer allowed...