What I think needs to be done about oversized trucks and SUV's.

[All Else Failed]

Wow...just wow. I'll have to break this up a bit.

1.) Thank you, AEF, for opening my eyes to the dark and disturbing truth that people actually don't need everything that they buy. Coincidentally you told me this on a computer through an internet connection both unescessary for your basic survival.

2.) If you want to help save the environment then driving smaller cars WILL NOT HELP. If you really want to save the environment, then start driving an electric car that runs on solar energy. Or try horse and buggy.

3.) First off, stop reffering to the Constitution as if it's some moral backing. The Constitution has been rethought, rewritten and blatanlty violated. It exists now to give people the illusion that their freedoms are safe. It means nothing.

Plus it was written almost 250 years ago before modern technology and enviromental issues even existed, let alone were relevant.

Secondly, telling people what they can and cannot purchase with their own money is a slippery slope and can olny open new doors to eliminating freedom. Not as if that mentality doesn't already exist, but it doesn't need to be perpetuated in any new outlets.

4.) And seriously, this is personal opinion dressed up as logical thought taken to a frighteneningvel. It sounds to me like you're pissed off at some dickhead Hummer guy and are taking it out in the form of a "philisophical topic."

Driving smaller cars that are better on gas will do more good than bad. What makes us think that just because we can buy it means its responsible?



I'm not using the Constitution to justify what I'm saying. The people here saying its somehow a right to buy a truck are.



There are a lot of things people can't buy right now, and its not harming your freedoms at all.


How is any of this "frightening"??? If by frightening you mean being responsible with your purchases and helping yourself economically and the environment all at once, yes its incredibly frightening.

 

[GraceAbounds]

Daily Kos: Doing what Detroit says is impossible

 

[GameCrazed]

1.) ...yes and you've completely bypassed my point entirely. People don't by things for the sake of nescessity, yourself included, so waht gives you the right to impose on someone else's spendings?

2.) I wasn't adressing you solely the entire time. My statements are meant for wherever they are applicable.

3.) Actually, not having the freedom to buy something does impose on our freedoms. Jesus, did I reaslly have ot make it that clear?

4.) Please go back and reread where I used the word "frightening" and then think about in what way I am using it. Please.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

AEF, what year make and model of car do you drive?

 

[dt3]

AEF, what year make and model of car do you drive?

I bet it ain't a Prius

 

[Johnny C]

Let's see, where shall I start? Well, I'm not going to quote everyone for everything I'm responding to, so, I'm just going to point out a few things:

First off, for the manufacturers to STOP making them would be stupid, on their part. It's like a beer company NOT making beer because it's bad for you. NO ONE makes you drink/drive the beer/SUV, and until people STOP driving them, they're going to make them. NOW, at the same time, for people to have a huge Ford Excursion (not made anymore) to drive their kids around, that's just plain stupid. I understand if you NEED the HP/torque to pull some stuff, like the guy who has horses, that's TOTALLY understandable. There are TOO many women who have SUVs just for the sakes of having them. I mean, for god sakes, my father-in-law has a 2007 Yukon XL Denali with the huge 6.2L engine with 380hp. It's just him and his wife..... THEY DON'T NEED THAT DAMN THING!!! LoL, which is why they are trading it in for a 2008 Town and Country. (they loved ours so much, they wanted one for themselves)

Second, someone mentioned not being able to fit a 4x8 piece of dry wall in your van, well, then you need to upgrade. My 2008 Town & Country can hold a 4x8 piece of plywood, and lots of it too, approx 980lbs to be precise, and that's just the rear wheel limits, so once you spread it out towards the front, you could hold prolly around 1,200 lbs. That's alotta wood/drywall. ( the 2007s and before with stow and go can do this as well)

Third, my 2008 Town & Country has a tow rating of 1,800 lbs, and that's WITHOUT the towing package. So you could haul a small trailer and one-two quads on it. Now, if I would have opted for the towing package, that amount would go up to 3,800 lbs, damn, that's another car I could tow behind it if I wanted to. So, unless I'm hauling some horses, or some big machinery, why would I need a big SUV?? I wouldn't.

Now, as far as where I stand, like I stated above, it's a free country, and if you insist on driving something THAT huge for no damn reason, maybe they should slap a gas guzzler tax or something to that effect like they do on a lot of the larger engined sports cars (Dodge Viper).... not that it will help the environment, but like I said, SUVs aren't going anywhere until EVERYONE stops driving them, which is not going to happen.

:willy_nilly:

 

[Johnny C]

Oh, and as a side note, damn GP and AV, let AEF have his opinion, it's not wrong to have an opinion, really guys. If you disagree, do it's honorably.

 

[Johnny C]

There are plenty of cars that can fit 5 people in them that get around 34 miles to the gallon.

Agreed, but people like to be comfortable too man. I mean, my Dodge Neon can fit 5 people in it, but damn, to do that for more than 30 minutes would be torture. There are smaller SUVs, like the Pontiac Torrent/Chevy Equinox can comfortably fit 5 people in it, and they have V6s and get around 26mpg or so. I have my Dodge Neon because I drive over 100 miles per day and I need it for gas mileage, it's the smart thing to do, buy your personal vehicle for your specific needs. Otherwise, I'd be driving my 2007 Z06 everyday ninja:willy_nilly:

 

[All Else Failed]

AEF, what year make and model of car do you drive?

2006 Hyundai elantra. it gets around 33-34 MPG.

 

[Johnny C]

2006 Hyundai elantra. it gets around 33-34 MPG.

And this is the car you can fit 5 people in? Man, I know you can do it, but still, that's torture. There are plenty of larger vehicles that are becoming hybrids, like the Toyota Camry, as much as I hate imports, and now GM and other American made cars have the FlexFuel, which uses Ethanol. I know it's hard to find, but they're trying to make a step in the right direction. Ford has the Escape which is a Hybrid, I mean, c'mon, give 'em a break, they're trying.

 

[All Else Failed]

1.) ...yes and you've completely bypassed my point entirely. People don't by things for the sake of nescessity, yourself included, so waht gives you the right to impose on someone else's spendings?

2.) I wasn't adressing you solely the entire time. My statements are meant for wherever they are applicable.

3.) Actually, not having the freedom to buy something does impose on our freedoms. Jesus, did I reaslly have ot make it that clear?

4.) Please go back and reread where I used the word "frightening" and then think about in what way I am using it. Please.

1) Things that are harmful must be regulated for the better good. You may not like it, but SUV pollute at a much higher rate than smaller, more gas efficiant vehicles.


2) w/e


3) Can you please find me the amendment, article, line etc etc of any legal document that says you have the RIGHT to buy something.


4) sure

 

[All Else Failed]

And this is the car you can fit 5 people in? Man, I know you can do it, but still, that's torture.

It's not, really. Plus, I'm willing to sacrifice some comfort. Thats what Americans don't want to do. We're too used to be comfortable.

 

[Johnny C]

It's not, really. Plus, I'm willing to sacrifice some comfort. Thats what Americans don't want to do. We're too used to be comfortable.

But fitting 5 people into a Elantra, or even a Caliber for example, isn't just sacrificing comfort, it's sacrificing ALL comfort once you put 5 people in there. When we had our HHR, my 2 kids and their friend were SQUISHED back there, they looked like sardines.

 

[dt3]

3) Can you please find me the amendment, article, line etc etc of any legal document that says you have the RIGHT to buy something.

It's a loose/strict construction question really. It's all how you interpret it.

Because I know you can't show an amendment, article, line, etc etc of any legal document that says the government has the RIGHT to tell me I can't buy a certain vehicle.

 

[All Else Failed]

And this is the car you can fit 5 people in? Man, I know you can do it, but still, that's torture. There are plenty of larger vehicles that are becoming hybrids, like the Toyota Camry, as much as I hate imports, and now GM and other American made cars have the FlexFuel, which uses Ethanol. I know it's hard to find, but they're trying to make a step in the right direction. Ford has the Escape which is a Hybrid, I mean, c'mon, give 'em a break, they're trying.

I always laughed at the concept of ethanol. It won't solve anything. In fact, it produces much more pollution just to make it. I mean, its good that they are trying to come up with alternatives, but their alternatives still need a vast amount of oil/gas to produce and they opperate off of the same principle.

 

[All Else Failed]

It's a loose/strict construction question really. It's all how you interpret it.

Because I know you can't show an amendment, article, line, etc etc of any legal document that says the government has the RIGHT to tell me I can't buy a certain vehicle.

Plenty of harmful things are banned by laws. I'm sure SUV's would qualify.

 

[Johnny C]

I always laughed at the concept of ethanol. It won't solve anything. In fact, it produces much more pollution just to make it. I mean, its good that they are trying to come up with alternatives, but their alternatives still need a vast amount of oil/gas to produce and they opperate off of the same principle.

Where does it say it produces more pollution to make ethanol? And produces more pollution than what? Making gas? Using gas? Using alcohol? That was an open ended statement.

 

[All Else Failed]

But fitting 5 people into a Elantra, or even a Caliber for example, isn't just sacrificing comfort, it's sacrificing ALL comfort once you put 5 people in there. When we had our HHR, my 2 kids and their friend were SQUISHED back there, they looked like sardines.

I just don't see that as a big deal, really. I'll put up with some temporary discomfort to try to do some good.

 

[All Else Failed]

Where does it say it produces more pollution to make ethanol? And produces more pollution than what? Making gas? Using gas? Using alcohol? That was an open ended statement.

The production of vehicle usable ethanol involves much more production procedures than oil.

 

[Johnny C]

I just don't see that as a big deal, really. I'll put up with some temporary discomfort to try to do some good.

But aren't you the driver? Then you wouldn't be that uncomfortable, and what you are doing is sacrificing OTHER people's comfort for your peace of mind.