AndyMan 7 #26 December 30, 2002 QuoteNot "now", but after the 03 model year IIRC because they can't effectively make that vehicle meet that new standard (size/weight/engine combo I think). SUVs are a cash cow for automakers, especially the ones like Excursion, Expedition, Suburban, Tahoe, Sequoia..these are all built on Truck platforms. Easy to build, little to re-tool in the factory. Not only that, but SUV's are tax deductable to farmers the same way a tractor is. A minivan isn't. So, every farmer who buys an SUV gets half the cost back in taxes. Nice, eh? This was a gift from the democrats to the farm states, or Detroit. Not sure which... _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #27 December 30, 2002 Quote Isn't smoking at something like a 50 year low right now....? In Canada, smoking rates among high school students (when most smokers start) largely has mirrored (inversely) the price of those cigarettes. I can't talk to all the info I am trying to remember, that and the fact that I recently quit smoking, I'm not objective on this issue right now (kinda like I smell everything now... ) Quote Back to the point, SUV sales dropped sharply during the high gas prices of the last Gulf war, and rebounded imediately afterwards. We were in a recession then too, as we are now, the differenct is that SUV sales increasing and are just peachy for the automakers. If they weren't we wouldn't be seeing Volvo, Honda, introducing new models along with enhanced line-ups from Toyota, Rover, BMW (soon), VW, Ford and GM. Quote Low gas prices not only encourage people to buy inneficient vehicles, which only manifests the problem, but also is the central issue in many of the US's current foreign relations problems. Perhaps in another thread... _AmSo I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IronMike 0 #28 December 30, 2002 QuoteNot only that, but SUV's are tax deductable to farmers the same way a tractor is. A minivan isn't. So, every farmer who buys an SUV gets half the cost back in taxes. Nice, eh? Shit, I grew up in Texas on a farm and I can tell you, beyond doubt, that no self-respecting farmer would be caught dead in a mini-van, even if it was free. You social status depends on the 'F factor' of your truck. F-350 Dually being the Bentley of Trucks. You also call a $100 bill a "Long Wheelbase 10". Yall bet now listn' Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,989 #29 December 30, 2002 >Other issues at hand with these areas are the phases of development, and the > cost of the equipment at the time of the development. The area I'm in in > Orange County is majority electric utilities for heat/water. Go to New >England and you'll see a much greater saturation of oil heat, not >because of market appeal, but also because the housing in that area is >older than anything here on the west coast. Many new homes in NY have oil heat as well. It's generally cheaper than gas, and heating is a bigger money sink in NY/NE than in CA. I agree that what's cheaper when the house is built is a big issue; the market has inertia. >The guy that buys a BMW 745i and just paid a huge gas guzzler tax >is not going to be too concerned with paying $3.00 per gallon, versus $1.70-.90. I agree, but most people do take that into account. Rich people will continue to do whatever they want no matter how much gas costs. >Not "now", but after the 03 model year IIRC because they can't effectively >make that vehicle meet that new standard (size/weight/engine combo I think). There are no such standards yet, just the usual CAFE requirements that have been around since the 80's (20/27mpg fleet minimums, I believe.) There may be such standards in the future, but that's up to CARB now, and they haven't decided yet. >I'm not sure if I understand. What kind of plastics? Recycle bottles and cans. You need oil to make plastics, paint, fertilizers, asphalt, paint, diesel - there are a million applications for it. If anything, it's just too valuable a raw material to use it in the quantities we use it for vehicle fuel. Natural gas works just as well, is 95% domestically produced, and we have a much larger reserve of it than we have of oil. Recycling is nice, but it's not 100% efficient. (You need energy to even reuse the plastic.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IronMike 0 #30 December 30, 2002 I just noticed it has wheelie bars. Every male needs to own a car with wheelie bars at some point in his life. It should be a right of passage. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #31 December 30, 2002 QuoteI just noticed it has wheelie bars. Every male needs to own a car with wheelie bars at some point in his life. It should be a right of passage. Yep...and they are fully functional...Hey, I gotta have some way to keep the front end from climbing so high, I can't see... On the serious side, that machine is built for POWER. I mean, REAL POWER...The last time it was timed, it cranked out a 9.9 but I've had it down (over the years) to 9.2 - that is zinging...And the reason it's in the body shop (other than a new winter coat) is the drag chute didn't open...and I ran out of track. FFF "Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #32 December 30, 2002 Mustang...yuck. 350Z!!! I posted on here awhile ago that I wanted one. Was talking to a guy at work that same day telling him that I wanted one but couldn't justify it since I drive maybe once a week. Well, the jerk went out and picked one up this weekend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mindcake 0 #33 December 30, 2002 Sweet ride Triple F! I am with you life is too short, drive what you want. My last nice car was a 67 Camaro RS with a blown 396 and this awsome hounds tooth interior. I can relate to the 4-6 MPG thing but there is nothing quite like hitting the gas and hooking up, everyone should take a ride in a powerful car that gets the power to the ground. I am quite sure that a quality 66 Mustang can be had for much less than a new Cobra SVT and it will only go up in value rather than down like a new one will. Jim Don´t belive the hype Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #34 December 30, 2002 Mindcake, (Boy, this is gonna hurt you...lol.) I have a friend (ex-assistant district attorney for Fulton County) that bought a 65 Mustang, brand new, as an investment. It's been stored in his garage for all this time and has only the mileage from the delivery on it. I've been working on him, trying to get him to sell it to me, but so far, no luck..Hey, I'm working on it...lol. FFF "Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #35 December 30, 2002 BUMP... I can't let this die just yet...I gotta read the reaction Mindcake's gonna have when he reads about that Mustang...lol. FFF "Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mindcake 0 #36 December 30, 2002 OMFG don't tell me it is a fastback (that would really hurt) and it better not be white either.. lol Jim Don´t belive the hype Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #37 December 30, 2002 Naa, dude, It's that yucky dayglow orange color...I'm not sure they made a fastback that year, but this one isn't...make ya' drool yet?? FFF "Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #38 January 1, 2003 QuoteHeck, Im actually doing pretty good. My last toy burned 18 gallons an hour of leaded gasoline and I used it every day. I sold it a year ago, not because I'm green but because the insurance went up after Sept 11. Mike Mike get a thrasher and cash in your sweet caddy for a new Pitts 12 with the roundy engine you know you want to. And us skydivers can do anything we WANT to. scew insurance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #39 January 1, 2003 "Apres moi, le deluge!" hehehe"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZBone 0 #40 January 2, 2003 OK, I confronted a kid at work one day, strict veg environmentalist, the whole works, but drives a big SUV. His logic was that the sooner we burn through the oil reserves, the sooner we will move on to alternative energy sources an start healing the planet. Not sure I agree, but a different point of view... _________________________________________________ If you hadn't read this, would it have made a sound? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,989 #41 January 2, 2003 >His logic was that the sooner we burn through the oil reserves, the sooner we > will move on to alternative energy sources an start healing the planet. I think that's dumb for two reasons. One, the environment can handle some pollution. There were forest fires long before we got here. The trick is just not giving it more than it can handle, as we are now doing with CO2. Intentionally increasing pollution levels then dramatically decreasing them when we suddenly run out is worse on the environment than just giving it levels of pollution it can handle, even if it takes twice as long to run out. Two, we're going to run out of oil. No question about that. On that day, I hope that we: -have efficient cars that will stretch the remaining supply out as long as possible -have enough alternatives (biodiesel, natural gas, electric, hydrogen, alcohol) so the eventual end of oil means just having to buy another model of car, not the end of transportation as we know it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DZBone 0 #42 January 2, 2003 Quote the environment can handle some pollution. Hehe. I heard a great quote from Gaia theory guy James Lovelock. Basically, he said that people are incorrect when they say that global warming will destroy the planet. The planet will be just fine, it's civilization that will be destroyed. _________________________________________________ If you hadn't read this, would it have made a sound? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,989 #43 January 2, 2003 >The planet will be just fine, it's civilization that will be destroyed. That's definitely true. We're kidding ourselves if we think we have the power to even cause a big extinction; at best, we can make _our_ lives miserable. It seems a foolish thing to strive for though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kirils 1 #44 January 2, 2003 Shit... you should feel the the drive of a 426 '68 'Cuda. Blown to 580 ponies. they don't make em like that anymore. Screw the environment, Mother Nature is the ultimate bitch and WILL destroy human life if given a chance. Radical conservation won't work dude! Drive that gas pig...drive it fast!"Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #45 January 2, 2003 QuoteShit... you should feel the the drive of a 426 '68 'Cuda. Blown to 580 ponies. they don't make em like that anymore. Pictures....we want pictures...Where's the pictures??? FFF If ya' got it, brag..If ya' don't - whimper "Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
