American Public Memory

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by TestDrive

2) What's your basis for saying Americans have forgotten that SUV's get crappy MPG. Fourth quarter sales were still way down the last time I looked.

Still way down, but rebounding, even surprising the manufacturers:

Last year, when the price of gas spiked above $4, Prius was selling out, and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. was setting monthly records for sales of its Civic compact car.
Robert Nardelli, chairman of Chrysler, talked about the reverse trend [of fuel prices in the US] at the show on Sunday, even as his company unveiled its hybrid-electric vehicles.
"If you went back six months ago, SUVs were dead," Mr. Nardelli said.
But at the moment, 35 per cent of Chrysler customers trading in their sport utility vehicles are buying new ones, he said.
"That's much higher than anyone would have expected," he added.

source: reportonbusiness.com: Plunging gas prices zap sales for new fleet of electric vehicles

I've seen actual monthly sales figures showing the SUV/truck rebound (dead cat bounce?), but am too lazy to look for them. :P

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

basically the same reason a good many of their owners hang fake plastic testicles from the trailer hitch

I'm happy to report I haven't seen this yet.

If I do, I hope to forget it quickly (see! sticking to the "memory" theme of the thread!)

[aerohead]

I wanted to respond to your thread.Many have already listed much grist for the diesel issue.I'd like to offer an observation: The Chubb Realty Co.,Denton,Texas,parks their Hummer in front of Denton's Banter eatery with the engine running,Great Dane dog inside,and air-conditioner running.The "realtors" husband and wife,go in,have lunch,then linger to drink an extra beer.-------------- After a leisurely and relaxing lunch,they walk out of Banter,then up the sidewalk to Slinky Whistle Bait,a vintage clothing store,so the female "realtor" can shop.----------------- The entire time,the Hummer has been idling with the air conditioner on to keep the dog comfortable.After about an hour of all this,the "realtors" leave,no doubt,to go off and do whatever "realtors"do.---------------- Consider that the entire cost of the Hummer is a tax writeoff,all the fuel is a writeoff,and the state of Texas got sales tax on a $100,000 vehicle and 23-cents fuel tax on every gallon wasted,it becomes obvious,that the SUV has never been about fuel economy.It's the Golden Goose! GM made $50,000.The State Comptroller cleans up.The Feds make $0.181 on every gallon wasted .Not only is it legal,it's encouraged by the lawmakers and subsidized by you.You have no say in the matter.------------------ It's not about fuel economy.It has more to do with re-distribution of wealth away from your wallet,to someone who's prettier,with fresher breath,and lower underarm odor.

[TestDrive]

Originally Posted by aerohead

It's not about fuel economy.It has more to do with re-distribution of wealth away from your wallet,to someone who's prettier,with fresher breath,and lower underarm odor.

[blueflame]

Amen aerohead!! Off with their heads! But the ethical question arises: is the dog completely innocent? Or would he be mitigated in his involvement, if he had chewed up the interior of the hummer?


In NZ diesel used to way cheaper...2/5ths the cost of petrol 2 years ago, then 7/8ths the cost of benzine, now 4/5ths the cost of benzine, plus road tax $36 per 1000km which used to be around $18 for a compact.

I always had diesel cars(at least 15 or so over the years), even though you had to change the oil twice as often, and the financial threat of costly engine rebuild was always in the background.

With these recent price hikes I now wouldnt bother. Plus the fact that FAS ing a diesel isnt a good idea.