04-23-2008, 09:59 AM | #29 |
Drives: V8 american car Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 1,417
|
the real solution
The real solution is to just duplicate the technology of tesla motors.
Edit: BUT make a functional commuter car that is affordable using the technology. http://www.teslamotors.com/ (For reference only) Their extremely expensive sports car doesn't use any gas. 220 miles per charge. 0-60 3.9 seconds. Last edited by 2001ragtop; 04-23-2008 at 01:31 PM. |
04-23-2008, 10:47 AM | #30 | |
Drives: BMW 335 Cabrio Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 41
|
Quote:
If we could use nuclear power generation this would make sense. But the tree huggers are stopping us.
__________________
|
|
04-23-2008, 10:55 AM | #31 |
Moderator
|
My kids are getting electric scooters.
__________________
RDP Motorsport//GEN5DIY//Cultrag Performance//JPSS//Rodgets Chevrolet//
Operation Demon//Buy at Invoice//RACECARWEAR RESPECT ALL CARS. LOVE YOUR OWN. warn 145:159 ban |
04-23-2008, 11:55 AM | #32 | |
Auto Pilot
Drives: Gunmetal Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: L.A.
Posts: 1,307
|
Quote:
While Bob Lutz has more than a little insight on things effecting our future transportation needs and what not, I wouldn't take the $6g guesstimate he made for the increased cost of purchasing a car as gospel, and even if that's the case you'll still have plenty other options as will everyone else who can't afford a car that would cost %4-$6g's more several years from now. Another thing to consider is that we pay the LEAST for our cars out of anywhere else in the world, we've got it pretty good. And NOTHING changes the fact that you get greater fuel efficiency with diesel than you do with gasoline requiring far fewer trips to the pump (something some of you guys can't seem to wrap your head around) that the increased cost is almost made up for immediately.
__________________
"Let the rest of the world dream of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and dinky little British two-seaters. In this country speed doesn't look like that." Got SS?
|
|
04-23-2008, 12:31 PM | #33 |
www.Camaro5store.com
|
to the Fed gov't for forcing our automakers to change w/out giving any assistance AT ALL.
Before some of you sit there and complain to me on why should the fed gov't be forced to help out our big three, take a step back and think about it. ...I know the majority woudn't complaing about my response...so... But, the Fed Gov't already helps out everyone, everywhere. Tornado rolls through, they declare an emergency and help out.....town floods? They're there. Shoot...no rain? We have a drought and Fed's are there. It's about keeping people on their feet so they can survive, right?....RIGHT? Well, here we are.....2010 and GM's doing thier damndest to figure out how to make all their fleet hit CAFE of 36mpg's. They can't figure it out. They put more people on it spending LOTS of money on this project..........after all, if they don't get it done, they can't meet the fed gov't's requirements and you know what that means......no more GM. Or, GM building nothing but two seater golf carts....sounds like fun. Wait....we at GM have got it! We can shut down the IN plant saving us about 5 million....we didn't need those "whatever" cars since they weren't selling that much anyway. Oh, and the 5,000 plant employees? I'm sure they'll get by. (beginning to catch my drift here?) 2014 - New CAFE is right around the corner. After shutting down two more lines of vehicles (meaning two more vehicle assembly plants and one engine plant, let's not forget about all the little guys that put together the small products for those killed off lines either....or THEIR families). Really, it's not that bad. We only cut another 20K american jobs.....screwing all of their families too. Wait, unemployment......doesn't that mean they are going to have to go to a gov't office to file for assisstance??....since there are no other jobs available? Hmmm.... Let me say this.....and this is only MY personal opinion here. I don't mind at all about our Federal Government hiking up the required mile per gallon minimums. That's completely fine by me. BUT...DO NOT put the existence of several of the greatest auto manufacturing enterprises in jeapordy. The Fed Gov't needs to recognize that they are looking at some serious problems if they don't help out. And no....the feds can't just sit back and say, "Well, they want to drive it, they have to pay the extra $6,000 for it." That's not going to work. People won't be able to buy new vehicles if they go for $6K more. Auto manufacturers won't be selling as much, will have to cut jobs, and God forbid some will shut down. This is just one more way we are going to be screwing ourselves in the long run..........................WITHOUT assistance from the Feds. |
04-23-2008, 12:56 PM | #34 | |||||
I used to be Dragoneye...
|
Quote:
Quote:
Nuclear is a good idea, so is wind, hyrdo, solar, Geothermal, etc, etc. I'd go for all of it. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
|||||
04-23-2008, 01:16 PM | #35 |
Auto Pilot
Drives: Gunmetal Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: L.A.
Posts: 1,307
|
Well, Dragon that just means you won't be buying diesel and there's a high probability I will. To each his own.
__________________
"Let the rest of the world dream of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and dinky little British two-seaters. In this country speed doesn't look like that." Got SS?
|
04-23-2008, 03:03 PM | #36 | |
Drives: 2010 SS & 2008 C6 Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: VA
Posts: 1,819
|
Quote:
GM its time to call Jenny Craig!....Stop building porkers!!! |
|
04-23-2008, 03:37 PM | #37 | |
Petro-sexual
|
Quote:
I say if you want to buy that big 'ole heavy truck or whatever, be prepared to pay the price. There are many responsible ways to be more efficient than we're being and these gas prices and fuel economy standards may be the kick in the zipper we need to start actually setting a good example to the world. Don't ask me to propose how to do that, but I know there are things we can do to help.
__________________
'20 ZL1 Black "Fury" A10, PDR, Exposed CF Extractor Magnuson Magnum DI TVS2650R // RFBG // Soler 103 // TooHighPSI Port Injection // THPSI Billet Lid // FF // Katech Drop-In // PLM Heat Exchanger // ZLE Cradle bushings // BMR Chassis-Suspension Stuff // aFe Bars // Diode Dynamics LEDs // ACS Composites Guards // CF Dash // Aeroforce // tint // other stuffs |
|
04-23-2008, 03:59 PM | #38 | |
Drives: Firebird Formula Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 63
|
Quote:
|
|
04-23-2008, 04:11 PM | #39 |
Moderator.ca
|
Most other automakers get assistance from their governments in one form or another. However, in north america the domestics tend to have to fight the government. Its sad, and its stupid. And its not going to change either. Increasing fuel economy won't solve much, particularly if the cars are more expensive. people won't buy expensive cars to save gas, well most won't. So you end up with a 2 problems -older, less efficient cars are staying on the road, while fewer new cars are getting built which could mean job losses and so on which tag talked about.
The way to get people to drive more efficiently is to make it more expensive to get the gas. Then, reinvest money from gas taxes into green alternatives -be it cellulose ethanol production, biodiesel, clean energy, subsidising for hybrids/diesels, mass transit, etc. But, like most politicians, they didn't bother to create a solution to the problem at hand, but rather made something that could be put into a headline then have their name attached in the article so that they look better.
__________________
Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them
__________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!!__________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum |
04-23-2008, 10:19 PM | #40 |
Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 3,812
|
Guys, calm down. The sky isn't falling. Yes gas is more expensive now, but adjusted for inflation, its about the same price as gas during the 70s oil crisis, but this time around our cars are at least twice as efficient. Even though we're paying more for gas, our fuel expenditures are still a FAR smaller percentage of our income than it was during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. We just don't notice it because that extra money goes towards new ipods and plasma screens and other things we "need". Even on an intern's income, driving 60 miles a day in bumper to bumper traffic and filling up with California's hugely cost inflated gas, gas is still only 8% of my income. It is so easy to get caught up in negative headlines, but except for the past few years, we've never had it so good. Even better, the commodity bubble will pop soon. Once someone teaches Bernake about inflation (assuming he listens) and he stops lowering the rate, all the commodity traders will realize how overvalued their investments were, and they'll lose out big. High gas prices aren't the oil companies' fault any more than high housing prices were the contractors' fault.
|
04-23-2008, 11:05 PM | #41 | |
Drives: BMW 335 Cabrio Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 41
|
Quote:
And then there is weight. There should be an aluminum space frame like an Audi maybe.
__________________
|
|
04-23-2008, 11:30 PM | #42 |
Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 3,812
|
Aluminum space frames would make this car cost as much as an Audi too. That would defeat the purpose. However, I definitely agree that the whole high beltline in many modern cars is annoying. I prefer better visibility and lighter weight to simulating a WWII pill-box. Now not commenting about the rest of the car, think about an older Civic hatchback. That thing has nearly 360 degree visibility through the windows, and they extend lower too. The car is lighter and safer because you can see out of it. I imagine you're right about impact protection being an advantage to the smaller greenhouses, but I think "style" has a lot to do with it too.
|
|
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Help Me Pick An Economy Car | Marosolid | Off-topic Discussions | 75 | 07-11-2009 06:41 AM |
35 MPG Mandate Clears Senate Committee | KILLER74Z28 | General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion | 10 | 05-14-2007 10:59 AM |