does our love affair with cars come to an end?

Skybird · 07-03-08, 08:29 AM

This is true not only for America, but to varying degrees for all nations with high ammounts of cars in use.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7486705.stm

Quote:

It is not that oil is running out - this we also established is a fallacy.
But we do not need it to run out for us to change our ways. As Sheikh Yamani, the former Saudi Oil Minister, said in 1973 during the first oil shock: "The stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones."

TDK1044 · 07-03-08, 09:41 AM

Our love of cars will remain the same. It's the fuel source that will change.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/4251491.html

rifleman13 · 07-03-08, 09:52 AM

We, as the buying public, should be more interested in not only in energy-efficient cars, but also the ones that are fueled by alternative resources!

The reason why big companies aren't making more of these stuff is because there isn't, they say, enough consumer demand for them.

So let's show them that we want these cars to be made!

It worked when the car was introduced!

So why we can't repeat history here?:hmm:

goldorak · 07-03-08, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rifleman13

It worked when the car was introduced!

So why we can't repeat history here?:hmm:

Number one : bomb those greedy oil companies
Number two : the way is paved for energy efficient transportation.

jpm1 · 07-03-08, 11:33 AM

because of the oil prices i've opted for the scooter with 5€ i make 100km

goldorak · 07-03-08, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpm1

because of the oil prices i've opted for the scooter with 5€ i make 100km

Viable option only in a city, and even then a smart car is better as far as protection against cray drivers is concerned.

MothBalls · 07-03-08, 11:57 AM

I never had a love affair with any car. A vehicle is a tool just like a hammer or screwdriver. I have a truck to pull trailers and haul stuff, and a car for basic transport from point A to B.

I used to live in Houston which this article talks about. You do need a vehicle, Houston is a huge city and the public transportation system is lacking. The light rail line wasn't put where commuters could use it most, it was put in the dumbest place anyone could imagine. They need rail from The Woodlands, Katy, Sugarland, Pasedena to downtown for it to make any sense. Instead, they just keep adding lanes to the freeways.

Monica Lewinsky · 07-03-08, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MothBalls

I never had a love affair with any car. A vehicle is a tool just like a hammer or screwdriver. I have a truck to pull trailers and haul stuff, and a car for basic transport from point A to B.

Ditto here. I, too have a full size truck as my main girl. Gotta car too - rarely use it - mainly for spouse usage - hate driving it - it's like being in a future coffin 12 inches off the ground with wheels.

Cars suck for what I do. Not complaining about the prices of gas. EVERYONE is paying the same cost as me. Mine might be higher, but a car as the main machine - no way.

Skybird · 07-03-08, 07:16 PM

Me too does not love cars, and seeing them as a tool only. I have a driving licence of course, but never use it, since I do not own, do not desire and do not need a car. The infrastructure in and around my hometown, Münster, is optimal and specially designed for bikes anyway. What is in reach (40-50 km), and if weather is not too bad, I do by bike, else I use trains - I hate bus driving. I invest in good tires for the bike, and maintenance, good, bright lights instead, and bad-weather-cloathing.

Never have missed a car since I moved out of my parent's household over 20 years ago.

bookworm_020 · 07-04-08, 01:51 AM

I've been using public transport for years to get to work, as there was no way I would want to fight the traffic.

Now I have to fight for a space on the train due to the large numbers of people who are making the switch!

UnderseaLcpl · 07-04-08, 09:51 AM

Get a motorcycle!* Not only do they come with great gas mileage but the totally badass ability to kill yourself by twisting the throttle too hard. Well, I like that about them anyway.

In all seriousness, to hell with gas prices, oil whatever, energy this or that. Let the market do its work. No one is smart enough to provide answers for all of us.

*proud owner of a Honda CBR-1000

Hitman · 07-04-08, 03:04 PM

Bike rider here

The thing I hate most in life is wasting time. I really can't unerstand those guys who spend two hours sitting in a car just to get to their work and back. I see that as a horrible way of dillapidating the only resource we can't replace: time.

With my bike, my conmute to the job is done in 10 minutes. 100 km cost 3 Eur

and I love riding the bike, what else can I ask for?

But as my father used to say: "Life is just four days, and if you have a motorbike then it's two"

STEED · 07-04-08, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDK1044

Our love of cars will remain the same. It's the fuel source that will change.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/4251491.html

They look a little small for you guys.

Frame57 · 07-05-08, 04:59 PM

They will have to take my 455 Cutlass from my cold dead hands.

Skybird · 07-05-08, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frame57

They will have to take my 455 Cutlass from my cold dead hands.

Who would want it? They will happily take your gas dollars from your still warm hands instead, and every time a little bit more!

07-03-08, 07:16 PM	#9
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Me too does not love cars, and seeing them as a tool only. I have a driving licence of course, but never use it, since I do not own, do not desire and do not need a car. The infrastructure in and around my hometown, Münster, is optimal and specially designed for bikes anyway. What is in reach (40-50 km), and if weather is not too bad, I do by bike, else I use trains - I hate bus driving. I invest in good tires for the bike, and maintenance, good, bright lights instead, and bad-weather-cloathing. Never have missed a car since I moved out of my parent's household over 20 years ago. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

07-04-08, 01:51 AM	#10
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I've been using public transport for years to get to work, as there was no way I would want to fight the traffic. Now I have to fight for a space on the train due to the large numbers of people who are making the switch! __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

07-04-08, 09:51 AM	#11
UnderseaLcpl Silent Hunter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Storming the beaches! Posts: 4,254 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Get a motorcycle!* Not only do they come with great gas mileage but the totally badass ability to kill yourself by twisting the throttle too hard. Well, I like that about them anyway. In all seriousness, to hell with gas prices, oil whatever, energy this or that. Let the market do its work. No one is smart enough to provide answers for all of us. *proud owner of a Honda CBR-1000 __________________ I stole this sig from Task Force

07-04-08, 03:04 PM	#12
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Bike rider here The thing I hate most in life is wasting time. I really can't unerstand those guys who spend two hours sitting in a car just to get to their work and back. I see that as a horrible way of dillapidating the only resource we can't replace: time. With my bike, my conmute to the job is done in 10 minutes. 100 km cost 3 Eur and I love riding the bike, what else can I ask for? But as my father used to say: "Life is just four days, and if you have a motorbike then it's two" __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

07-03-08, 09:41 AM	#2
TDK1044 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 2,674 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Our love of cars will remain the same. It's the fuel source that will change. http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/4251491.html

07-03-08, 09:52 AM	#3
rifleman13 Grey Wolf Join Date: May 2008 Location: Depth-charged to Kingdom Come Posts: 927 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	We, as the buying public, should be more interested in not only in energy-efficient cars, but also the ones that are fueled by alternative resources! The reason why big companies aren't making more of these stuff is because there isn't, they say, enough consumer demand for them. So let's show them that we want these cars to be made! It worked when the car was introduced! So why we can't repeat history here?:hmm:

07-03-08, 11:33 AM	#5
jpm1 Captain Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 544 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	because of the oil prices i've opted for the scooter with 5€ i make 100km

07-03-08, 11:57 AM	#7
MothBalls Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,012 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	I never had a love affair with any car. A vehicle is a tool just like a hammer or screwdriver. I have a truck to pull trailers and haul stuff, and a car for basic transport from point A to B. I used to live in Houston which this article talks about. You do need a vehicle, Houston is a huge city and the public transportation system is lacking. The light rail line wasn't put where commuters could use it most, it was put in the dumbest place anyone could imagine. They need rail from The Woodlands, Katy, Sugarland, Pasedena to downtown for it to make any sense. Instead, they just keep adding lanes to the freeways.

07-05-08, 04:59 PM	#14
Frame57 Sea Lord Join Date: May 2008 Location: 1300 feet on the crapper Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	They will have to take my 455 Cutlass from my cold dead hands.