Ramble, ramble, ramble.

[conuly]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/04/20/global.warming.ap/index.html

Less than 2 percent of sales are vehicles that get more than 30 miles per gallon

And yet, those are the same people who go out of their way to whine about rising gas prices. I don't understand this. If you're so concerned about gas prices, why don't you change your actions? Then, if you're still upset, you can complain.

Do people think that SUVs are safer? I know I've seen commercials where larger cars (at somewhat cheap prices) are mentioned with the comment "do rich people deserve to feel safer?" There is some evidence to suggest that you are more at risk in an SUV than a smaller car. Actually, by using the highly advanced research tool known as "searching google". Just using the phrase "suv safety", the first 10 sites all made a point of mentioning:

High rollover rates for SUVs
Higher price of gas for SUVs

And my favorite:

Applying engine and fuel efficiency improvements since 1981 towards the improvement of fuel economy would have brought cars on average to approximately 40 mpg, and light trucks to 28 mpg, without any other special effort by automakers. On-the-shelf, currently available technology was also able to augment these gains.

The first two were even mentioned on unbiased sites (true or not, a site designed to fight SUVs is going to be biased).

Not that I know anything about cars. I live in a city which is decent enough to have a good public transportation system and which is fairly pedestrian friendly. Honestly, that's what the country needs, not better cars, but better sidewalks and busses. Oh, and ferries. Best part of my commute :)

Comments

[squittycat.livejournal.com]

Out of curiosity, I went to Toyota's website, and discovered that the Prius gets 60 MPG (city) / 51 MPG (highway). Not too shabby.

Anyway, modern automotive technology certainly allows for some impressive mileage from traditional combustion engines, too. The Toyota Echo, which uses a regular gas engine, boasts 35/43 MPG city/highway.

Even Toyota's SUVs have pretty decent mileage. The RAV4 is listed with 24/30 MPG city/highway. So it's pretty sad that so few new cars get even that. Especially since there's no REAL reason why most people who buy SUVs need one. Heck, many people who buy cars don't really need one.

I don't want to talk about cars anymore. It only gets me upset. :)

[conuly]

Thanks for doing my research for me :)

Sadly, most people who buy cars do need them because of the fucking shitty way the transportation system is designed. There's no decent busses, biking and walking are dangerous. It's like the dark ages.

[squittycat.livejournal.com]

That's why eye hart noo yawk.

Cycling and walking are quite safe and effective here, but if it's not your thing, then the MTA, despite the fact that everybody complains about it, is actually a darned fine way to get around too. Especially if you have an unlimited MetroCard.

[conuly]

And the ferries. I love the ferries. *nodnodnod*

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the Prius is an amazing little machine. My next car is definitely going to be a hybrid.

My mother wanted me to get an SUV because they're safer. Before I got my car (a sports coupe) I'd never driven a car other than my dad's old Camaro. Now that I have a car, I am REALLY glad I didn't get an SUV-- I hate them! And I'd probably hate to drive (I love driving). She was really nervous about my grandparents buying me a car, to boot. But at least it has a steel roll cage and you couldn't roll this thing over if you took a 90 degree turn doing 80.

I'll stop too now. ^^;;

Just want to add-- the Echo is teh oogly!

[conuly]

But... they aren't safer, and they make the road more dangerous for everyone else. At least, that's what I've been told, I refuse to do comprehensive research myself. I rely on the work of others.

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

She said they're safer for me, screw everyone else. Mum wasn't happy until I got a sherman tank.

SUVs make the road much more dangerous for me, though my car is technically safer than SUVs (it's built better than most, etc). That could also be because it's a Mercedes-- and you DO get what you pay for.

Miami is 75% SUV. This means that I can rarely see around the hulking mammoths around me, and SUV drivers tend to be bullies that foam at the mouth when you don't back off. I've been hit by a couple. I got rear ended pretty damn hard once too. Luckily my car's heavy, if it had been a Toyota I would have gone spinning and it would have crumpled like tin foil.

[squittycat.livejournal.com]

Wow, you're right- the Echo ain't no looker! I was just looking at the mileage, trying to see what car had the best mileage with a convenional engine. Besides, what do you expect for $11K? :)

Anyway, SUVs just don't make any sense to me. They're big (read: hard to park), expensive, go through gas faster than I go through orange juice, and not safe for people inside the cab (rollover) or outside (big heavy SUV smash into small light sedan)

Personally, if I had a lot of people or junk that I had to haul on a regular basis, I would probably go with a minivan. But since I have neither, my bike does me just fine well.

[conuly]

Orange juice.... *drools* I should buy some, now that I've got something approximating an income, but that'd mean cleaning out the fridge. *gags*

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

I like cars, what can I say? If I was going for a Toyota I'd get the Matrix (I love cars like that!) or a Celica. But I know that the sales on the Echo (which is a decent car all around) would be much better if it wasn't so darn ugly.

My mom has a pickup truck. She used to have a Tahoe, but we complained mightily that all the fertilizer she hauled made the cab smell. She's one of the few people I've ever met with any use for a truck. And that sucker is impossible to park. I've driven it a few times. Did I mention I hate trucks?