Comments on: RIP useful, roomy vehicles

By: Nissan 4x4

Nissan 4x4 — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:50:22 +0000

This is yet another series of regulations for one of the most regulated industries. Let’s hope that automakers can develop the technology to comply with the new standards without sacrificing the vehicles’ usefulness and still stay viable (i.e. not go broke!).

When you look at the history of innovation and invention in the auto industry, I’m optimistic that they can do it.

By: HeatherRadish

HeatherRadish — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:15:54 +0000

to get the current crop of cars off the road.

This is the first step to completely banning private vehicle ownership among political outsiders, isn’t it? Outlaw existing vehicles, jack up the cost of new vehicles–congratulations, poor/working class/young people, you don’t get to own a car. Good luck getting to work or school outside of major urban areas.

Not sure what the next step is, but I’m sure someone’s working on it.

By: steveegg

steveegg — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:33:27 +0000

In reply to Obi’s Sister.

2WD SUVs being scrapped in favor of 4WD ones is potentially another unintended consequence of the government trying to micromanage the auto industry. The original CAFE rules gave us the minivan and ultimately extended-cab and crew-cab pickups, the protectionist tariffs on imported 2-door SUVs gave us the 4-door SUV, and increased safety standards gave us 3,000-pound compact cars again.

It’s not too hard to drive on snow. It’s a lot like dirt, only slipperier. One of my favorte pasttimes on snow-covered roads is to see just how far out I can hang the tail of Blue Thunder; I’ve become pretty good at it.

Ice, on the other hand, is a different story.

By: Obi's Sister

Obi's Sister — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:12:40 +0000

In reply to steveegg. I've seen the Mazda 7 on the road - my PT Cruiser will hold more stuff that that thing. And a 4wd Highlander? I don't need 4wd. I live in the South. When it snows we stay HOME. Nobody knows how to drive on that white stuff!

By: steveegg

steveegg — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:42:39 +0000

In reply to Obi's Sister. Supposedly the Mazda 5 can handle 7 (though since it's barely bigger than my Outback Sport, I don't see how). The Highlander does seat 7. Other than that, it looks like they forgot the maxim that passenger-miles-per-gallon gets more-than-halved if a second vehicle needs to be scrounged up.

By: Obi's Sister

Obi's Sister — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:28:32 +0000

So how, exactly, am I to manage an out-of-town soccer tournament in one of those things? Sheesh!