Are we 1%-er's???????????????? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

larrybuck · 07-06-2011, 12:06 AM

For yrs. I have heard that at least in the USA, only 7% of the general population are "car nuts" who spend their money and time to race, restore older cars, modify existing cars: in general terms; anybody thats got the bug.

In Europe and elsewhere of course, fuel is much more expensive than here in the USA. Stock OEM vehicles there are much better for our Eco-driving needs.

A regular Joe in Europe drives his econo-diesel in normalcy!! He/she is like an OEM civilian compared to us Eco-modders.

So my point is; are we part of the 7% group; or are we a separate group that will advance in % points as economy worsens; but what % do you think we are at now??

I think of how in the 50's, Hollywood told us that all those terrible Harley riders were like criminals; losers and 1%er-'s, the scum of the earth, which eventually transferred to bikers of any brands.

Your thoughts; please????????

cfg83 · 07-06-2011, 01:39 AM

larrybuck -

I think there is an equation out there for Internet Forum participation and representation among the populace. I think that for every member of a forum, there are about 10 lurkers "on average". From that total I think you could figure out how many people out there are interested in this stuff.

But I wouldn't only count Ecomodder. I'd survey all the forums that are devoted to automobile fuel economy. There will be overlap among users, but I think that total would give us a better idea.

With all that said, I'd hazard to guess that yes, we're the 1%-ers.

CarloSW2

bestclimb · 07-06-2011, 01:18 PM

look at 100 people you know, how many of them are econonuts?

Old Tele man · 07-06-2011, 02:42 PM

...can you say "FRINGE" without 'cringing'?

...and, yes, many of us are definitely "...beyond the third-sigma..."

rmay635703 · 07-06-2011, 03:11 PM

Third sigma is right, I would say .1% or less, most people are too fixated on day to day and their rage of the moment to worry about saving money.

Kodak · 07-06-2011, 04:20 PM

That's an interesting thought, larry. I've only encountered a few drivers on the road that made me think 'that's probably a hypermiler' but then again it isn't always glaringly obvious (esp. since there is a spectrum of mild-moderate-extreme hypermilers).

When it fits, I throw 'hypermiling' into conversations to see if it is well received. Hey, at least it's in the dictionary.

1%er...hmm...you're probably right. But I suspect that there are a few people who use some of the techniques without knowing the term - just out of common sense. Even some users around here have said things like: I've been coasting to red lights for years just because it makes more sense. Not sure if that counts.

cleanspeed1 · 07-06-2011, 07:12 PM

Yep, we're a small group for now, until we can find a way to make what we do "mainstream cool".

Just like Harley used to be fringe, it just takes the right marketing strategy.

BHarvey · 07-07-2011, 03:49 PM

We are the TOP 1%!

Old Tele man · 07-07-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHarvey

We are the TOP 1%!

...now, that really depends upon which direction (+ or - ) you're looking from the MEAN (wink,wink)!

JRMichler · 07-07-2011, 09:04 PM

I've met only one person who was willing to ecomod his vehicle. My brother.

A couple people wanted to know if my topper saved any money. None of them were seriously interested, it was idle curiosity every time.

So, yes, I'd say that anybody who actually ecomods is in the wacko fringe 0.1%.