[29134]

Re: Please God, Let the USA have a Gas Crunch

Couldn't agree more!

How many times has the government demonstrated the 'given an inch, take a mile' approach??

I would love to see fewer SUVs on the roads, but I'm not going to tell my neighboors with the Excursions and Trailblazers they can't have 'em. I might try to talk some sense into them with logic (lemme see, Bill, you only drive it to commute and take the family out to Denny's on the weekends? Have you ever considered a SEDAN? or, God forbid, a WAGON?) but I don't want to outlaw the things.

When you look at your own stable of vehicles, how many do you really think are safe? I'd bet there is somebody, somewhere who thinks you shouldn't have at least one of your rigs. Lord knows, they would have a field day with me:

19' ski boat

36' boat (hey, it's the same make as Burnsies!)

1 Honda, 1 Triumph

1 Audi, 1 Alfa Romeo

1 Ford Lightning

With the exception of the Alfa (which I'll be selling) I can justify all of them. And despite all this I probably still burn less fuel than the average Joe since I ride to work 12 months a year!

 

[9878]

Walked away last year?

RE: Last year, MotoGP star Valentino Rossi and World Superbike's Colin Edwards easily walked away with the 8 Hours victory -

I thought the Rossi/Edwards victory last year was the result of the pitstop fiasco among the Honda teams? (Rossi/Edwards getting the nod over Barros/Katoh with regards to crew "efficiency" and stop strategy)

Or has that been two years?

 

[vfrpinckney]

Re: Praying for Devastation of Large Vehicle Resale Value...

Is there really any point in enforcing fuel economy standards? What difference does it make if the world's oil supply runs out in 55yrs or 60yrs (no, I don't know how long it will last--just an example). We're probably going to burn it all anyways.

The Middle East will be a great place when the oil starts to run out.

 

[29134]

Re: Praying for Devastation of Large Vehicle Resale Value...

Indeed, some of 'em are pretty big....and yes, they burn a ton of fuel (sometimes litereally).

And yes, they will keep on truckin' despite the cost of fuel. However, 'they' are often as not just average Joes who spend their cash on this particular form of recreation. (it's not as expensive as it looks at first glance...20 year loan, tax write-off as a second home, etc) Not just 'rich people'. Granted, the typical boat owner is not exactly poverty level. Once again, the smaller guy will feel the hit the worst.

I just cring any time somebody suggests the government should have more power over our personal freedoms. I am able to see multiple sides of the issue, but don't feel that raising the cost of fuel to drive the SUVs off the street is the best answer. If I had to get behind any one policy (uh, I'm in trouble now) I would rather see something that says you should have a need for that big arse SUV or you should pay an extra fee. After all, most wagons or minivans will do everything an SUV will ever be asked to do excpet portrey the 'macho' image. If they still need the moral boost, they can get a 5 series wagon.

Not that I am proposing such a thing or in support of it. It's just one idea for a 'worst case' that doesn't, on the surface, appear to hurt everybody.

(Pesonally, I don't know why people want to drive an SUV anyway. I have a truck, a Ford Lightning, and despite it being the 'sportiest' truck on the market, I'd still rather drive a car any day of the week. Or better yet, my bike!)

 

[29134]

Re: Praying for Devastation of Large Vehicle Resale Value...

er, um, after re-reading some of the posts it seems I am confusing multiple threads.

Doing this while at work is just not very effective.

 

[torkmonster]

The GPZ1100 was actually manufactured in Japan until 1999.