Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
Hey Rick - congrats on the paradigm shift.
I consider that a pretty accurate indicator of a person's efficiency motivation: when they're driving someone else's vehicle, burning fuel that they don't have to pay for, how do they drive?
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It's not entirely about the money. I appreciate the understanding
I just completed a ~600 mile trip around the State of Kansas for work. Instead of a larger vehicle, I felt more comfortable with the Chevy Cobalt Coupe:
32.1 MPG at 47 MPH avg. (Winds at 20 MPH - North; averaged W travel)
22 City/31 Highway EPA
148 HP at 152 ft-lb torque (2.2L "Ecotec" DOHC I-4)
(Trip computer and stereo was nice, all else basic -- seating terrible, painful)
Yesterday was 10-hours in the cabin (worked in the car in small towns between work visits -- about drained the batt using an inverter with the engine off to power the laptop
)
I don't save our company any money, but the company that hires us saves. They don't "bean-count" that sort of stuff -- I could've had a V-8 Cadillac for all they care. Burning up gas is indeed the paradigm shift. I just can't justify speeding and excess luxury anymore. Let me stress:
it has taken a while to sink in.
But, it took some diplomacy out on the 2-lanes. Grain and Cattle trucks rode my bumper at 65 MPH (limit), so I just took the shoulder and waved them around. We met-up in the next small town, so there's the expensive Diesel burnt-up for no good reason.
Side note: I drove through Greensburg, KS.
Not sure if you remember, but this
small town experienced an EF-5 Tornado about 10 months ago that completely destroyed the entire town.
I have to honestly say that almost a year later, it looked like a war zone. Very eerie and chilling. The Hospital was a few trailers and Army tents. Seeing it made the impact real.
Then it was on to Dodge City, and back home via Great Lakes Aviation
(at least it's 5-hours faster
)
Catch ya on the next trip...
RH77