What's everyone's background?

[Synchronicity]

My background is Materials Science, then branching into research.

[wagonef8]

I am a maintenance mechanic fix anything and everything from wall sockets to 60ton mobile cranes I also build Honda's for fun I own two CR-X a civic wagon and a Del Sol

[1carnut]

Software Engineer specializing in PeopleSoft. Have owned way too many cars (32) thus my alias. I have worked on cars off and on over the years and the tests I took in grade school said I was mechanically inclined. Not sure how I wound up slinging code for a living. I have always had some interest in fuel economy so this site is a great fit. I actually ran across the Aerocivic years ago and spent some time checking out the site then but am just now getting serious about things. I am very frustrated by several things auto related.

1. Why aren't most of the fuel efficient cars in the world available in the US?
2. Who keeps deciding that the US won't buy diesel cars? (See gripe #1)
3. Why does every car website have a car configurator/pricer but you have to go the local lot to buy what they have? Why not let us configure and then build it? How much money would that save an ailing industry?

End rant.

[cleanspeed1]

Originally Posted by 1carnut

Software Engineer specializing in PeopleSoft. Have owned way too many cars (32) thus my alias. I have worked on cars off and on over the years and the tests I took in grade school said I was mechanically inclined. Not sure how I wound up slinging code for a living. I have always had some interest in fuel economy so this site is a great fit. I actually ran across the Aerocivic years ago and spent some time checking out the site then but am just now getting serious about things. I am very frustrated by several things auto related.

1. Why aren't most of the fuel efficient cars in the world available in the US?
2. Who keeps deciding that the US won't buy diesel cars? (See gripe #1)
3. Why does every car website have a car configurator/pricer but you have to go the local lot to buy what they have? Why not let us configure and then build it? How much money would that save an ailing industry?

End rant.

1. Because Big Money will suffer a big $$$$$$ loss by having more efficient cars.
2. Big Money. He's a Big *******.
3. Once again, BM.

I am not trying to be facetious, but the way things are structured right now, everyone pays roughly the same for fuel as a proportion of income. So even though there are cars that get double the mpg in other markets, they are paying double for fuel. You put those high mpg vehicles in the North American markets, then the balance ( for them ) is upset. Even though the excuses have been emissions and safety, the reality is $$$$$$$$$.

Think about it, what's the difference between a Frenchman, a Brit and an American that it warrants a whole slew of mechanical reconfigurations so that they can be sold in their respective markets? What makes us so special that we have to have extra bracing, bigger bumpers, less efficient engine calibrations, etc?

I guess we drive so poorly we need saving from ourselves, so fat we need the extra bracing and bumpers, and so apathetic we could care less about getting the highest mpg vehicles available wherever.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by 1carnut

Software Engineer specializing in PeopleSoft. Have owned way too many cars (32) thus my alias.

Welcome to ecomodder.

1. Why aren't most of the fuel efficient cars in the world available in the US ?

Small is not big in the US, and small tends to be more fuel efficient.

2. Who keeps deciding that the US won't buy diesel cars? (See gripe #1)

Maybe that's not such a bad thing.
The diesel soot-filters are causing a number of problems over here in Europe.
It's also becoming clear that they are not solving the particle matter problem, but rather making it worse (by making the particles smaller, and therefore, more penetrating into the lungs).

Forget the Clean Diesel ads.

3. Why does every car website have a car configurator/pricer but you have to go the local lot to buy what they have? Why not let us configure and then build it? How much money would that save an ailing industry?

How much could it cost YOU ?
The local lot has some leeway to lower the price for the customer, in order to compete with other car dealers, or in order to attract more customers for his workshop.

How much would you get off the price from the Big Wheels Online Store?
I very much doubt you'll ever get anything near the full local dealership's cut ...

They'd also still need to physically deliver the car to you, somehow.

[Rajl Abyad]

I'm an Arabic linguist in the Army, but have a background in cars and racing (autocross, track days, was a tire tech, etc.) and a profound love of cars.

[honda_love]

i have my associates degree in liberal arts, i also have my a.a.s degree in automotive technology, worked in a shop for about 3 years got layed off and now im doing pca work in state funded group homes.

[belluno13]

I am working as software Quality Assurance automation engineer.
As a hobby I do programing, web development, study electronics.

Regards,

[justing]

a.s. Biology
a.a.s. Electrical Engineering

PLC programmer
Nuclear Plant operator

[Gone2]

I'm currently a jet engine mechanic for the U.S. Air Force. I am also employed part time doing sewing machine repair and servicing for Bernina. My background is farming to stuctural steel/machining to mechanical design prior to joining the military. There is not much I haven't turned a wrench on.