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Gary
Person of Interest
Joined: November 01, 2002
Posts: 17069
Location: 127.0.0.1
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 Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:42 am Post subject: |
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| Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
Americans need to look at the rest of the world and see how they confront this issue, are we so arrogant as to think we have all the answers????...More mass transit, smaller vehicles, technology and more awareness coupled with a large dose of personal responsibility instead of an attitude of I'll waste gas because I can..... What are you leaving for children and grandchildren???
Manufacturers need to be forced to make fuel efficient vehicles because its a fact consumers will buy what ever is produced out of necessity |
People buy what they want. And right now, they don't *want* shoebox cars. If that were the case, why did Honda redesign the Accord, which is now the biggest one ever? Americans like large vehicles.
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| No forward movement or advancement comes unless they are pushed to modernize, look at consumer product safety nothing much happened until groups banded together hired lawyers and forced the industry to make safer products.. |
Those are called "mandates" which drive up prices.
_________________
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) |
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johnshenry
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2001
Posts: 9410
Location: Northwood, NH USA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:59 am Post subject: |
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| Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
Americans need to look at the rest of the world and see how they confront this issue, are we so arrogant as to think we have all the answers????...More mass transit, smaller vehicles, technology and more awareness coupled with a large dose of personal responsibility instead of an attitude of I'll waste gas because I can..... What are you leaving for children and grandchildren???
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When gas hits $8/gallon, things will change.
| Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
..... I'll leave you with this one question..
Why are all the manufacturers offering cars that get between 50-60 MPG in Europe but are unable to offer the cars here???? Hint don't say emissions, thats not it... I know this will be greeted with skepticism and hatred by a few but perhaps it might spark thought with a few others...
All the best to you and yours....
Jim-  |
Because gas is $8/gallon there.
That, and the culture to drive a 6000lb, 13mpg "SUV" has never existed there (kudos to them).
_________________
John Henry
'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab |
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marklaken
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2004
Posts: 2416
Location: fort collins, CO
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:40 am Post subject: |
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| Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
| Why are all the manufacturers offering cars that get between 50-60 MPG in Europe but are unable to offer the cars here???? |
almost all manufacturers ARE offering 50+ mpg cars in the US - they just aren't advertising them because they are not very profitable models.
my bad - there aren't any 50+ mpg offerings for '08 and only 1 40+ mpg offering (hybrid civic) according to US fuel economy website.
pretty sad, really -
_________________
Wish List:
1967 Wesfalia SO-42 Parts Needed: Kitchenette, Cot Poles
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Mark Laken
Fort Collins, CO |
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Rick73Super
Samba Member
Joined: June 30, 2004
Posts: 1792
Location: Ocala FL 34481
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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| I get 28MPG highway in my '95 BMW, it's big and heavy, why drive an econobox? |
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67stang302
SBS Hit Squad
Joined: February 08, 2005
Posts: 1236
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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I manage 23mpg in my sqaureback with the gas heater going full force. I am happy with the mileage I get. Although I have been thinking about buying a new car just for the safety reasons, and not the mileage.
Right now I drive the car that get the best mileage daily, which happens to be the type 3, and take the Bus out on the weekends.
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| EverettB wrote: |
| Hondaz rulez my lifez |
SBSeven 1 YR and still going
59 Kombi laying beam
64 type 34 |
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pohaku
Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2004
Posts: 16
Location: lurking
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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my 1989 honda crx gets 52 city 56 hwy.saweeeeeet.
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78westy |
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mackteck
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2006
Posts: 372
Location: trim,Ireland
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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I get about 650 - 700 miles for 60L (about 15gallons us) driving about 50/50 open road and stop-go city in my 130ps tdi Audi a4.
It's as quick as my corrado - but does twice the miles! |
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Bugdog67
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2006
Posts: 225
Location: The Castle Anthrax
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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| johnshenry wrote: |
Actually, there are several V6 engined cars out there now that can hit 30mpg. My brother has a Ford 500. As much as I hate fords, and as much as I swore he was lying, he has proven to me that if you drive it on the highway no faster than about 62mph, it will get 30-31 mpg. And it is a fairly large and heavy car.
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Another one is the Chevrolet Impala. We rented one to make a quick round-trip to Kentucky, drove it like we stole it and got over 30 mpg! We were regularly hitting 80-85 mph. It was quick and comfortable.
When we got home I stopped by the local dealer, he had 3 on the lot that were brand new but from the previous year, discounted down around 18K. If I was in the market for a 4-door sedan, I'd seriously consider buying one. |
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helowrench
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2003
Posts: 567
Location: dallas texas
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, I was rather disappointed in the much touted "hybrid" Tahoe that debuted this year. Big battery pack, all of the other associated crap to break/stop working correctly, and my 1999 Suburban with a larger engine (5.7 instead of the 5.3) gets only 1MPG less on the highway.
I get 19MPG at 65. the new hybrid Tahoe (supposedly by EPA test) gets 20.
Wow all of that extra technology adds a whopping 1mpg.
I can install electric fans and get better than that.
I had a dream the other night that I installed a TDI into my suburban.
hmmm.
Rob
_________________
Current VWs:
70 bug vert for wifey
73Thing bucket o rust
73 914 1.7
12 Passat 2.5 Highway cruiser |
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Russ Wolfe
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2004
Posts: 25187
Location: Central Iowa
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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Back in 1968, Motor Trend did a road test comparison between a 4 cyl Chevy Nova, and a T-3 FI fastback. During one leg of the road test, the fastback got 45 mpg. And I don't think it got less than 30 mpg during the whole test.
A properly maintained and tuned T-3 FI will get that kind of gas milage.
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Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey
Gary: OK. Ima poop. |
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vwracerdave
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004
Posts: 15601
Location: Deep in the 405
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Doesn't matter how much gas prices go up. Americans are fat and lazy. They will pull up to the pump and fill up the tank. You still won't see any of them walking or riding a bicycle.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK |
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tatersgravy
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004
Posts: 833
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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Its all about supply and demand.
They'll supply it as long as Americans demand it.
What gets me is why don't we use our own oil and why do we continue to buy from the OPEC countries. And don't get me that $hit that its cheaper and we'll run out if we use or own oil.
When cars get 45-55 mpg the gas prices will go up accordingly as the oil companies are not in the business to loose money or worry about your how you are going to pay for that next tank of gas.
Just my .02 worth.......... |
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busfreak_71
Flat 4 Junkie
Joined: April 29, 2007
Posts: 1191
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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I can get ~ 6L/100KM out of my Jetta if I don't drive it hard, and when it warms up here I'll start burning my home brewed Bio-diesel.  Not bad for a 19 year old car with 433 500KM on it.  
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'99.5 Bora TDI
'85 Jetta Coupe
'85 Mercedes 300SD
Resident Off-Grid hippie and diesel advocate. |
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blankc72
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2007
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| My brother's '07 Shelby GT 350 gets 21-25 mpg city/highway. Not bad for a 3500 lb car with a 4.6 litre V8 capable of producing 350 hp. |
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millerje78
Samba Amishman
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 2445
Location: Holmes County, Ohio
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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| pohaku wrote: |
| my 1989 honda crx gets 52 city 56 hwy.saweeeeeet. |
you simply cannot kill those cars. my buddy in VA has one with 310,000 miles on it. it burns oil, and the suspension is SHOT, but it starts and drives as his daily. a marvel.
our society simply isn't geared for compromised comfort and power, and our infrastructure can't support a mass transit system like the one that Europe enjoys. We blew it with the interstate system...thank Ike!
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always seeking a better way
my 73 standard project
do your research, consult with experts, and buy quality parts. you won't be sorry |
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
Manufacturers need to be forced to make fuel efficient vehicles because its a fact consumers will buy what ever is produced out of necessity.... No forward movement or advancement comes unless they are pushed to modernize, look at consumer product safety nothing much happened until groups banded together hired lawyers and forced the industry to make safer products... Cigarrettes are a prime example of making a defective product that if used as directed will almost certainly lead to death and disease..... I'll leave you with this one question..
Why are all the manufacturers offering cars that get between 50-60 MPG in Europe but are unable to offer the cars here???? Hint don't say emissions, thats not it... I know this will be greeted with skepticism and hatred by a few but perhaps it might spark thought with a few others...
All the best to you and yours....
Jim- |
You can't legislate consumer demand. When oil supply is sufficiently outstripped by demand, prices will naturally rise, and the market will eventually favor smaller, more efficient cars and mass transit. Why involve costly government bureaucracy in an otherwise self-correcting problem?
- Scott
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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Mr. Bungle
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2003
Posts: 1707
Location: Vancouver BC, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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| johnshenry wrote: |
| ....I know recent changes in test rules have made it pretty conservative.... |
iirc, you are absolutely right. mpg tests for 2008 vehicles are made to be a little more "realistic".
2007 & prior, advertised mpg and actual mpg were 2 completely different birds.
advertised mpg tests were done in a controlled environment at a consistent speed.
actual mpg is usually stop & go in moderate to extreme conditions (temperature, humidity, elevation, road, grade, idling, city, even the highway is stop & go sometimes + wind resistance, etc) plus turn on the a/c and put an extra load on the motor, or using the engine as a brake (during decelleration).....all this adds up to a way lower mpg average than what the consumer is expecting from his/her vehicle.
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Silas
Zundfolge Car Club
Stock Motor Challenge website |
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