Have people changed their attitude to cars?

[bookworm_020]

With all that has been written about "green cars" and "new directions" for car manufacture, have people really changed there thinking about what type or size car they need???

Would you get a smaller car or would you still want that big V8??:hmmm:

Post your reasons and your thoughts!

[Stealth Hunter]

I prefer a more powerful and larger vehicle (I'm a van guy) compared to small vehicles that are really only good for in-town/city driving. Of course, efficiency is also important to me as well.

[TarJak]

I've got a fuel efficent 4pot screamer so I'm not changing.

[Aramike]

With all that has been written about "green cars" and "new directions" for car manufacture, have people really changed there thinking about what type or size car they need???

Would you get a smaller car or would you still want that big V8??:hmmm:

Post your reasons and your thoughts!Personally, I think the economy has done far more to change people's desires for the oversized car than any "green" movement.

$4/gallon gas doesn't mean squat if incomes are 33% higher. Likewise, it's crippling when incomes are lower.

[Letum]

If by small you mean two wheels...

[AVGWarhawk]

Supersize me. :03: Been looking at Ford Explorers, Chrysler Magnums. You know, gas suckers. I have been eyeballing some of the smaller vehicles. I only drive 15 miles a day. Efficiency is not at the top of the list. I have a family of 4. I can not get a showbox on wheels. Sometimes it is just being practical. A Smart Car is not practical.

[VipertheSniper]

Supersize me. Been looking at Ford Explorers, Chrysler Magnums. You know, gas suckers. I have been eyeballing some of the smaller vehicles. I only drive 15 miles a day. Efficiency is not at the top of the list. I have a family of 4. I can not get a showbox on wheels. Sometimes it is just being practical. A Smart Car is not practical.

Especially for short distances it would really make sense to get something like a station wagon that is at least more efficient than an SUV. 7.5 miles isn't exactly a distance where the motor gets in it's optimal operating range temperature wise, at least not for long. So you'll consume more gas anyway than what manufacturers claim (although I heard you got better methods of testing fuel consumption than European carmakers, so I might as well be off on that claim). But still only because a Smart isn't practical for you (which isn't the most efficient car by any stretch either) you're going the other extreme? Doesn't make that much sense to me.

[Thomen]

I choose " I am happy with what I've got".
Ford Explorer and Suzuki Aerio.

[AVGWarhawk]

Especially for short distances it would really make sense to get something like a station wagon that is at least more efficient than an SUV. 7.5 miles isn't exactly a distance where the motor gets in it's optimal operating range temperature wise, at least not for long. So you'll consume more gas anyway than what manufacturers claim (although I heard you got better methods of testing fuel consumption than European carmakers, so I might as well be off on that claim). But still only because a Smart isn't practical for you (which isn't the most efficient car by any stretch either) you're going the other extreme? Doesn't make that much sense to me.

Station wagons are not like those of old. Today's wagon are to small for vacations and day trips. As far as operation temps. yes, after the first two miles of drive I'm at operating temps(winter time not as quickly obviously). Never the less, a 4 banger will not be at optimal temps either but the V-8 heats quickly. No matter, it is a matter of practicality for me. The Mountaineer and Lincoln both average 21 miles to the gallon highway. 15 miles per gallon city. (yes both have the information center for these readings and they are fairly accurate) I do my own fuel/mileage average outside of the program offered on the vehicle dash. Currently a Chevy 4 door Cavalier is not practical for a family of 4 IMO.

[Max2147]

I don't quite get the whole "I need a big car to carry stuff around."

I've got a Mini, one of the smallest cars on the American market. I can pack anything I need into it. Two hockey players, plus hockey bags/sticks, plus me as the driver? No problem. All my worldly possessions for a cross-country move? Easy - I could have taken twice as much stuff. I've had the car for 5 years, and I've never felt like it didn't have enough room.

I also hate how SUVs drive. One of my parents has a big SUV that I drive on occasion. I absolutely hate it. I don't feel like I'm in control. I'm so high off the road that I don't feel like I have any connection with it. The steering has zero feel, and the car goes where all the electronic gizmos tell it to, not where I tell it to. I feel like I'm navigating the car, not driving it. It's even worse in the snow. It's heavy and lumbering, and I can't feel when it's sliding. In the Mini I feel everything, and the car is so light I can control it without any trouble. Even though I'm in Wisconsin, I've never needed snow tires.

Then there's the safety issue. The awful handling makes me feel unsafe in the SUV. People say that an SUV is safer in an accident, but the safest accident is the one you don't have. I was once following an SUV on the road when the car in front of the SUV slowed suddenly. The SUV simply plowed into the back of the car, and if I'd been in an SUV I would have followed them. But since I was in a small, agile car I could simply swerve around it without any trouble at all.

[August]

Two hockey players, plus hockey bags/sticks, plus me as the driver?

That's three people. AVG said 4 people. Then consider that hockey gear packs a lot more easier than diaper bags and formula bottles and child restraint seats.

[Max2147]

That's three people. AVG said 4 people. Then consider that hockey gear packs a lot more easier than diaper bags and formula bottles and child restraint seats.
You ever carried a hockey bag around?

I'm not saying that the Mini is best for everybody, and I wasn't recommending it to AVG. I was just saying that a small car can do a lot more than people think.

[Stealhead]

Much of the car/truck/suv a pseron drives is down to personal tatse.Though really a vehicle should be chosen for what your primary use is going to be.If you are mainly simply driving from point a to b then you should get what best suits that job.

Diffrent people like a diffrent feel from what they drive some like the more commanding view of a truck/SUV others feel best in a car that is lower to the ground.I think cost of fuel is becoming more of a factor now what the hybrids wont tell you is something many europeans have known for years diesel engines in the US you rarely see them cars but they have very good mileage that new WV gets 55 MPG the same a Prius averages and you can still go over 10 mph in the WV.:haha:

I agree with Max2147 I had a 1991 Honda Civic that I hung on to for years until my wife told me to sell it. That little hatch back was versiatle it easliy had the same cargo cap. as a ranger or S-10(short of very tall items) and it had a very uber go-cart feel I got that thing up to 125mph on the autobhan while I was stationed in Germany and it was pretty fun on the hilly roads too.

I have 2 Accords and a late model Prelude. the Accords are pretty meh handling wise like most sedans. The Prelude is fun but that is not a practial car they only get 27MPG from a large 4-banger and mine is worse because I have done lots of stuff to that car i bet it gets 24 now if I go the speed limit.I only have one kid so a sedan is fine for road trips for 3 people and if there where an extra kid thyed be sitting side by side in the back seat just like me and my sister when I was a kid no huge SUV really needed there now if you have 3 or 4 kids that is a diffrent story.

My friend has a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee it is not a bad SUV I suppose its just not the type of thing I like driving. I had a guy who was a huge Dodge truck fan say to me once that once you drive a turck you want one. Not me I drove a truck alomst everyday while in the lower ranks in the USAF it did not make me want to own a truck. Though I fully see the value if one needs a truck for work purposes witch was why I was driving the USAF one.

[AVGWarhawk]

I don't quite get the whole "I need a big car to carry stuff around."

I've got a Mini, one of the smallest cars on the American market. I can pack anything I need into it. Two hockey players, plus hockey bags/sticks, plus me as the driver? No problem. All my worldly possessions for a cross-country move? Easy - I could have taken twice as much stuff. I've had the car for 5 years, and I've never felt like it didn't have enough room.

I also hate how SUVs drive. One of my parents has a big SUV that I drive on occasion. I absolutely hate it. I don't feel like I'm in control. I'm so high off the road that I don't feel like I have any connection with it. The steering has zero feel, and the car goes where all the electronic gizmos tell it to, not where I tell it to. I feel like I'm navigating the car, not driving it. It's even worse in the snow. It's heavy and lumbering, and I can't feel when it's sliding. In the Mini I feel everything, and the car is so light I can control it without any trouble. Even though I'm in Wisconsin, I've never needed snow tires.

Then there's the safety issue. The awful handling makes me feel unsafe in the SUV. People say that an SUV is safer in an accident, but the safest accident is the one you don't have. I was once following an SUV on the road when the car in front of the SUV slowed suddenly. The SUV simply plowed into the back of the car, and if I'd been in an SUV I would have followed them. But since I was in a small, agile car I could simply swerve around it without any trouble at all.

My wife and I are completely opposite from you. We had a Ford Escort. As August said, baby seats, in and out. Baby paraphanilia. After that we got a Dodge mini van and wondered how we lived without it. Ever since the van my wife likes to drive high up like the van and exactly as her Mountianeer is. She says she feels like she is sitting on the road in my Lincoln. BTW, I think the Mountaineer handles very well for being a barn door that it is. Anyway, my girls are now 11 and 14. We still need the room. Packing small dufflebags for vacation just does not happen. Throw in the other beach goodies and crap you will find having the space is much better.

So, your mini gets what per/gallon? 25 miles? Three guys and gear for hockey? My mountaineer gets 21 MPG, 4 people, weeks worth of clothing in no less than 4 suitcases, beach goodies(ie. chair, umbrella, sand buckets) and a cooler. All sitting comfortably and those in the rear watching a DVD on the player:03: Nope, not feeling bad about anything the SUV has or not has to offer.

Go big or stay home:D

[Schroeder]

Still I don't get why a car that obviously isn't smaller than a Mitsubishi Lancer should not be enough for 4 people. We have had one for some years and we were 4 at that time. Absolutely no problem.
When my sister and I were small kids who needed child restraint seats and stuff my parents only owned a VW Golf I. It's rather small compared to modern Golfs and yet there was no space problem.
It's all a matter of what you consider appropriate. If every person in the car must have 6 feet space for his legs than you will have to buy a SUV, if you can sit for hours in a car that gives you just slightly more space than the economy class in a Jumbo then you can take pretty much every car and it will be big enough.

I wonder what my parents did when there were no SUVs around and they had to settle with a tiny VW Beatle over here... I wonder how they survived that. :hmm2:

[Max2147]

Other things you don't need an SUV for....

Off-road driving across Africa (the guys did it in 25 year old used RWD cars): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adkgoa1Eeug

Driving around work (in the smallest car in the world): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfSS0ZXYdo

Top Gear = Best TV Show Ever

[Schroeder]

So, your mini gets what per/gallon? 25 miles? T
:har:

My 17 year old Mazda 323F gets about 30 miles/gallon. The Mini should be even better.
Welcome to European/Asian standards.

[AVGWarhawk]

Still I don't get why a car that obviously isn't smaller than a Mitsubishi Lancer should not be enough for 4 people. We have had one for some years and we were 4 at that time. Absolutely no problem.
When my sister and I were small kids who needed child restraint seats and stuff my parents only owned a VW Golf I. It's rather small compared to modern Golfs and yet there was no space problem.
It's all a matter of what you consider appropriate. If every person in the car must have 6 feet space for his legs than you will have to buy a SUV, if you can sit for hours in a car that gives you just slightly more space than the economy class in a Jumbo then you can take pretty much every car and it will be big enough.

I wonder what my parents did when there were no SUVs around and they had to settle with a tiny VW Beatle over here... I wonder how they survived that. :hmm2:



This is what my parents did:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5034/70ewct7.jpg

9 passenger Porshe.

[AVGWarhawk]

Other things you don't need an SUV for....

Off-road driving across Africa (the guys did it in 25 year old used RWD cars): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adkgoa1Eeug

Driving around work (in the smallest car in the world): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfSS0ZXYdo

Top Gear = Best TV Show Ever

Our SUV is two wheel drive. :03:

[AVGWarhawk]

:har:

My 17 year old Mazda 323F gets about 30 miles/gallon. The Mini should be even better.
Welcome to European/Asian standards.

You are right Schroeder, standards are different. The 78 Chevy Chevette 4 cylinder got worse gas mileage than todays SUV.



The 2008 Mini Cooper delivers solid gas mileage and a whole lot of smiles. The current Mini Cooper Convertible scores 30 and 32 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway (for the manual and automatic, respectively), making it the


Maybe not as well loaded with people. The SUV I drive gets 21 mpg with everyone aboard.

[Sea Demon]

I don't quite get the whole "I need a big car to carry stuff around."

I also hate how SUVs drive.

Then don't buy one. And respect the fact that others do like them and will purchase them accordingly.

[Stealhead]

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/268/talibanthumb.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/talibanthumb.jpg/)

God I want a Mini so badly I hear Ak-47s fit inside them nicely.
Whatever I want a Mountianeer with rear seat DVD so my goats can watch movies and
I will be able to fit more AK-47s and all of you guys and tie my wife to the roof.
I want a Prius so I can be one with nature.
Who said that I am going to shoot whoever said that about the Prius!
Driver:Shut up and respect that I am choosing to drive this Toyo.:rotfl:

[Max2147]

Gas mileage depends mostly on how and where you drive it, not really on how much is in it.

If I drive it like a madman and in a city with a lot of traffic, I could probably get it down to 20 mpg. But with pure highway driving I was comfortably above 40 mpg.

The nice thing about a stick shift car is that you have a lot more control over the mileage. If you want to have a bit of fun and burn a bit more fuel you can run up the revs (the Mini is a blast on highway onramps, especially if they have a few curves), but if you want to be economical you can save a lot of gas by short shifting and coasting in neutral down hills.

But like some others have said, it's mostly down to personal taste. My point was that people tend to exaggerate the flaws of small cars while overlooking a lot of their capabilities.

My beef with SUVs isn't really environmental. I just like cars, and I think driving should be enjoyable. I judge a car based on how it handles and how fast it can take a corner, and SUVs suck for both of those.

[Sailor Steve]

My last car was a '94 Ford Escort wagon. It got 32 mpg in town, and 44 on the freeway. With a whopping 88 horsepower (new - probably only 85 or less when I lost it), it could go from 0-to-60 in something less than a week. But it could haul band equipment, boxes of books and just about anything else I needed to carry. For speed and fun I'll stick with my Kawasaki (if I can ever afford to get the poor thing running again). My next car will probably be a van, as the Old Sailor's band is back together once again.

[Max2147]

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/268/talibanthumb.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/talibanthumb.jpg/)

God I want a Mini so badly I hear Ak-47s fit inside them nicely.
Whatever I want a Mountianeer with rear seat DVD so my goats can watch movies.
I want a Prius so I can be one with nature.
Who said that I am going to shoot whoever said that about the Prius!:rotfl:
The Toyota Hilux pickup has its virtues as well, namely being completely indestructible.

Top Gear once tried to destroy one, and the results were pretty impressive.....

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uc4Ksz3nHM
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfZDtC9kjVk

[clive bradbury]

Personally, I do not think about the planet, or my pocket, particularly, when I am buying a car. The main issue for me is whether I fit in it. I am 6' 4", and have been accustomed to living in a world designed for stunted midgets of 5' 11" and less. This means that about 80% of cars on the European market are quite simply too small for me to drive comfortably.

I have owned a SAAB for the past three years, and loved it. However as the new models are re-badged vauxhalls with really tacky interior trim I cannot go there.

So I am going for a Golf - plenty of room for the driver. So this time it is VW for me.

[AVGWarhawk]

Gas mileage depends mostly on how and where you drive it, not really on how much is in it.

If I drive it like a madman and in a city with a lot of traffic, I could probably get it down to 20 mpg. But with pure highway driving I was comfortably above 40 mpg.

The nice thing about a stick shift car is that you have a lot more control over the mileage. If you want to have a bit of fun and burn a bit more fuel you can run up the revs (the Mini is a blast on highway onramps, especially if they have a few curves), but if you want to be economical you can save a lot of gas by short shifting and coasting in neutral down hills.

But like some others have said, it's mostly down to personal taste. My point was that people tend to exaggerate the flaws of small cars while overlooking a lot of their capabilities.

My beef with SUVs isn't really environmental. I just like cars, and I think driving should be enjoyable. I judge a car based on how it handles and how fast it can take a corner, and SUVs suck for both of those.

I have no issues with small cars. Hell, drove a Geo Storm for 5 years. I do hate stick shifts. Man, stop and go during rush hour. Talk about a worn out left leg from pumping that darn clutch pedal :-?


Storm:http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/vehicle-pictures/1993/geo/storm/90125031990419-480.jpg



Not a family car for sure.

[CastleBravo]

I have never really understood the fascination folks have with large SUV/Hummer/large trucks. I often pose the question of inverse purportion, but seldom get anything more than a dirty look. :O:

I have owned a 32 mpg vehicle since 2000 and it runs just fine. I won't be replacing it anytime soon.

[Schroeder]

you can save a lot of gas by short shifting and coasting in neutral down hills.

Does you Mini still have a carburettor? If not then you should leave the highest gear in while coasting. The injection system won't eject any fuel above a certain RPM level. If you go to neutral the RPMs will drop and the system will inject idle fuel to keep the engine alive.
BTW you can use your engine to support braking with that. Just shift one or two gears down (you should keep it within reasonable revs though;)). Saves plenty of brakes.:yeah:

[AVGWarhawk]

I have never really understood the fascination folks have with large SUV/Hummer/large trucks. I often pose the question of inverse purportion, but seldom get anything more than a dirty look. :O:

I have owned a 32 mpg vehicle since 2000 and it runs just fine. I won't be replacing it anytime soon.


You need to read the thread! Practicality for me and an SUV.

[AVGWarhawk]

Does you Mini still have a carburettor? If not then you should leave the highest gear in while coasting. The injection system won't eject any fuel above a certain RPM level. If you go to neutral the RPMs will drop and the system will inject idle fuel to keep the engine alive.
BTW you can use your engine to support braking with that. Just shift one or two gears down (you should keep it within reasonable revs though;)). Saves plenty of brakes.:yeah:

I don't think anything is built without fuel injection in today's auto world. Fuel efficent is 14:1 air/fuel mixture. Fuel injections does a much better job than a carb could every do. BTW, automatics also downshift automatically and saves your brakes. :03:

[CastleBravo]

You need to read the thread! Practicality for me and an SUV.

I read the thread and understand quite well the practicality issue. But all too often I see these large vehicles with only one occupant. Its their choice/money of course and wouldn't want to take that choice away from them. My response was me thinking out loud. I guess I do that too often.:), Think out loud that is.:O:

[Schroeder]

I don't think anything is built without fuel injection in today's auto world.
Minis have been around for more than 40 years. Maybe his is an old version.;)

[AVGWarhawk]

I read the thread and understand quite well the practicality issue. But all too often I see these large vehicles with only one occupant. Its their choice/money of course and wouldn't want to take that choice away from them. My response was me thinking out loud. I guess I do that too often.:), Think out loud that is.:O:

Well, that is true. For most you do see just the driver in the SUV. But you never really know if it is the family truckster. In my case, my wife is a teacher and kids go to the school she works for. So, the truck is always hauling at least 3 during the week days and 4 on the weekends. :D It is just more practical for us at the moment. Right now, my Lincoln is not practical really it is just I enjoy a large car. This one has a large motor:D I pass everything but a gas station:D

[AVGWarhawk]

Minis have been around for more than 40 years. Maybe his is an old version.;)


Oh hell, I do not see three adults with hockey equipment in one of the original carborated mini :har:

[FIREWALL]

The best car made is.... One that fits your needs and desires while, being one you can AFFORD. :yep:

[Task Force]

I like large cars... and large cars usualy have large engine blocks so enging size dosent bother me... I cant stand something that I cant drive comfertable in... so short cars are out of the picture...

Enviornmentaly... friendly... cannot compute...
I am not a fan of enviromently friendly cars... I see it this way... I could have e eco frendly car and the guy next to me could have a v 12... i could be being eco frendly... but theres hundereds of others that are not... (not includeing the factorys/planes/ships/mines mineing the new materials for the new car.)

In otherwords... I think bigger is better!:D

In otherwords... id like one of these.... the convertable version...
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3127/2006paganizondaroadster.jpg
My favorite modern supercar...

[Schroeder]

I always wondered what you are doing with V8s and bigger engines in a country that allows you only to go 65 mph?
My 4 cylinder engine with 89hp can get me to 110mph, so what do you need all that power (and fuel consumption) for when you can't go faster than 65 anyway?:06:

[Task Force]

we have areas over here that go up to 90 if i am correct... (plus the popo dont know what ya do on the back roads...)

In trucks v8 + engines are for pulling...

and cause I dont want a car I dont like... I myself would perfer to get a car I could enjoy...

In my opinion... a car should be fun, something id enjoy to drive, not some car that puts around and I hate...

[CastleBravo]

The simple answer is, that need and want are two different things. Americans have always had a love affair with bigger, faster, etc., regardless of usefulness. I understand it, I don't neccessarily partake in it but I understand it.

[AVGWarhawk]

I always wondered what you are doing with V8s and bigger engines in a country that allows you only to go 65 mph?
My 4 cylinder engine with 89hp can get me to 110mph, so what do you need all that power (and fuel consumption) for when you can't go faster than 65 anyway?:06:

Midwest speed limit is 75 mph I believe. You can go as fast as you want....just do not get caught. You will find folks walking the dog at 100 mph in the midwestern states of the US :yep: Hell, I track my trucks on comsat, when they get past St Louis all of a sudden they are tracking 75+ mph. :03:

You can do 110mph? Great, I do that between stop lights with my V8:har:


THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR CUBIC DISPLACEMENT.

[CastleBravo]

All speeds in Miles per Hour.



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/US_speed_limits.svg/501px-

[Task Force]

hmm. but people dont realy follow them strictly.
so the interstates around here allow people to go 65, which means you can leagly go 70...

[CastleBravo]

hmm. but people dont realy follow them strictly.
so the interstates around here allow people to go 65, which means you can leagly go 70...

No. It means you can legally go 65 mph. The police authority won't stop you until you exceed 70 mph. What does that tell you?

There RADAR is only so accurate, and it's about what they can prove in court, and the fines are small.

Go 80 mph in a 65 mph zone and the RADAR can distiguish it and you will be pulled over.

It happened to me. 84 in a 65. I paid $75.00 and they ripped up the ticket. No points, no report to insurance.

[Platapus]

Although I am very happy with my Prius, I am also interested in the next generation of technology.

Still waiting for the diesel-electric series powertrain. Peugeot was going to put on in their new 308 but you can't get them here in the states.

The Aptera looks cool but it is only sold in California and it would not be very good in the snow, but it does look cool. :D

[Stealhead]

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3127/2006paganizondaroadster.jpg
My favorite modern supercar...[/quote]


I understand that you also get a pair on fine Italian dress shoes that match the interior if you are a man a woman buyer gets some high hand bag that matches the interior.


At Max2147 Top Gear is a nice show and I have seen the Toyo deal that you mention but I think you might be watching a little too much of it I bet you think you are The Stig so what do you do if you are in front wheel drive car and your realize that you are coming into a turn too fast Stiggy?:03:

Castle how long ago was that ticket? I got popped for going 53 in a 45 and it cost me $113.00 this was just last month though i bet they also threw mine away as at the court house one full week after getting pulled the clerk said they had not put the ticket in the system which is fine by me I was speeding but I am a fairly good driver have 0 accidents and only one ticket prior to this one so I personaly dont think I should have to pay higher insurance just for one ticket.not mention the only reason that i was going that fast was to get around a poorly driver semi in front and antoher behind me that was too close speeding to get around them was the safest option at that moment of course cops never pull over semis even though the semi in front of me failed to maintain his lane for two blocks while the cop was directly behind me and had yet to do the lights but I suppose a sedan going too fast in more dangerous than a 40,000 ton semi that cant stay in one lane.:yeah:

[Task Force]

Max2147 is the stig.:o wait... which one... theres like 4 or 5 stigs includeing the origional one...
edit... well there was
lorry driver stig
fat stig
black stig
stig

so theres 4 stigs...

[Stealhead]

Maybe I am the Stig I was going to wait for the cop to come up then speed away but my daughter was with me and I was not wearing the suit.:har:

[AVGWarhawk]

Although I am very happy with my Prius, I am also interested in the next generation of technology.

Still waiting for the diesel-electric series powertrain. Peugeot was going to put on in their new 308 but you can't get them here in the states.

The Aptera looks cool but it is only sold in California and it would not be very good in the snow, but it does look cool. :D

Diesel electric. Interesting. Peugeot is look into this? I have seriously consider a diesel. I think Mercedes and VW have mastered the diesels for automobiles. A VW diese could very definitly be on the list of cars to look at.

[Task Force]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhNSZ53psS4&fmt=18
hmm... maby it was one of the top gear guys...:yep:

[rubenandthejets]

I get by on late Pliocene technology-AKA two feet and a heartbeat.

I live close to where I work, with most shops for daily eseentials on the way. If I have to go more than 4-5 km, I usually catch a train (lucky I live in a country where trains are cheap, fast, punctual, clean and safe).

When I was a youngster I put up with 2 hour each way commutes, and vowed to always live within walking dsitance of work after that.

[Rilder]

Proud hater of all cars. :DL

[HunterICX]

Personally don't care much about Cars.
so I'm pretty much happy with what I drive currently.
which is my father's Volkswagen Passat Sationwagon from '90

HunterICX

[AVGWarhawk]

I get by on late Pliocene technology-AKA two feet and a heartbeat.

I live close to where I work, with most shops for daily eseentials on the way. If I have to go more than 4-5 km, I usually catch a train (lucky I live in a country where trains are cheap, fast, punctual, clean and safe).

When I was a youngster I put up with 2 hour each way commutes, and vowed to always live within walking dsitance of work after that.

That is the thing. The automobile empowered folks to be away from other forms of transportation, ie trains. Communities sprung up outside of the cities as a result of automobiles. This generated growth in the economy, ie housing starts/sales. New stores in these communities. More jobs. The automobile was once hailed as the worlds greatest invention. Was an integral part of overall growth and urban sprawl. Now the automobile is looked upon as nothing more than a planet killer.

[Kapt Z]

I was torn between -

A more efficient car.

and

I'm happy with what I have.

I really like my 09 Subaru Forester. It is just big enough for our needs, handles good in bad weather, tops in safety and I actually get over 30mpg on the highway.

If it was a hybrid I'd be golden.

That being said, if I had the garage space and the $$ I'd have a Bullitt Mustang just for fun days/nights.:woot:

[JHuschke]

Trucks are better, F-250 ftw!

[Task Force]

yea, you got a point... Truck are nice...:yep: cant haul stuff in a car. lol

[Letum]

Motorbikes are the way to go.
How else can you get from 0-60 in less than 3 seconds for under £1000?

[Task Force]

airline ticket...:D

[Letum]

airline ticket...:D

Are you kidding?
The majority of fighter jets can't accelerate from a stand that fast.

Air provides great speed, but poor torque.
You need a thrust to weight ratio significantly above 1:1 to accelerate
faster than 0-60 in 3 seconds. Modern jets rarely achieve more than 1.1:1.

The F-15 is one of the faster to accelerate and manages ~1:1 with a
normal load, but can get up to 1.6(!) with no weapons, almost no fuel
and abusive use of the afterburners.

That gives it a theoretical 0-60 time of just over 3 seconds under normal
load and just under 2 seconds stripped down assuming it can give
100% of it's rated thrust instantly from a standstill. That doesn't account
for any drag from the wheels or air as well.

Given the time for the engine to go from idle to full thrust, drag and
human reaction times....my bike is still in with a chance.

You might be rich enough to buy airline tickets to space, but even then,
a motorbike is in with a chance of out-accelerating you. A fully loaded
space shuttle has a thrust to weight ration of 1.5:1 (Less that the
stripped down F15!). The theoretical acceleration time is longer.

The shuttle has achieved 3g on takeoff. That's 1g of gravity and 2g of
acceleration. That doesn't match the thrust/weight ratio on a full load,
so I guess the shuttle can manage a thrust/weight ratio of 2:1 with a
lighter load. That seams a little optimistic to me, but I will run with that
number...

2:1 gives a 0-60 time of 1.3 seconds. (plus the time to get to full thrust,
plus drag etc).

That's faster than any road bike, but quite a bit slower than some drag
racing bikes.

[Max2147]

Don't we all know who The Stig is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifrtlC4NTys ;)

It's actually a shame they didn't let the original black Stig speak. He was played by Perry McCarthy, who should have been a stand up comedian instead of a race car driver. His book Flat Out, Flat Broke is easily the funniest racing book I've ever read.

so what do you do if you are in front wheel drive car and your realize that you are coming into a turn too fast Stiggy?:03:
You see what you're about to hit coming towards you, as opposed to a RWD car where you see the road you just came from going away from you. ;)

[Task Force]

A human size slingshot...:up:

one of those clown cannons.

[Platapus]

Diesel electric. Interesting. Peugeot is look into this? I have seriously consider a diesel. I think Mercedes and VW have mastered the diesels for automobiles. A VW diese could very definitly be on the list of cars to look at.

Diesel technology has advanced so much and probably has room for more advancement. It is also my understanding that it is easier/cheaper to convert oil shale into Diesel Oil then it is to convert it in to MoGas.

The more I read about Diesels the more I admire the technology.:D

[bookworm_020]

Some Korean car makers have made hybrid LPG cars. Now I would consider getting one of them! $10 to fill the tank!:DL