Nothing Wrong With A Gas Guzzler

JohnM · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:42 am Post subject: Nothing Wrong With A Gas Guzzler

I realize many of you peak oiler's are strongly against gas guzzling vehicles. To and extent I can relate to that and I agree. However, in my opinion there is nothing wrong with owning a gas guzzler, as long as you really want to own one.

Most people who own an SUV or a sportscar, don't REALLY truly deeply want to own one. The reason they do though, is because the marketing division of a corporation preys on people's insecurities, fears and vanity. Some people buy a Ferrari because they think more people will look up to them and to impress girls - wrong reason. Some buy a Hummer because they would feel embarrased by driving in a small Suzuki Swift, because that's how society views it at that particular time - wrong reason.

In my mind there are basicly three types of drivers, the A-to-B drivers, then there's those who truly enjoy the whole experience and the one's who are a combination of both.

The majority of humans on this earth are A-to-B drivers and could technically be driving small fuel efficient cars, even electric cars, when they need to, otherwise they could take public transportation, and they'd most likely be totally fine with it if they'd only have the courage to be themselves.

The second largest part is obviously the A-to-B-but-also-passionate-drivers, whom I personally belong to. These drivers could also be fine with public transportation and small fuel efficient cars as daily drivers as the A-to-B drivers, but would also own a sportscar or sportbike, like I do, because they simply love the whole experience of driving and like to take their vehicle and themselves to the limit every once in a while.

On that note, because of fuel efficiency the speedlimits on highways should be much higher, but there should be a recommended speed for each vehicle, perhaps even a button that automatically sets cruise control to that speed. Because different types of cars have different optimal fuel efficiency at different speeds, a Ferrari F430 for instance has it's optimal fuel efficiency at 160-170km/h because of it's aerodynamic design and other features, while a Hummer H2 might have it's optimum at 80km/h. Also accidentwise, speed often has little to do with accidents, especially on highways, which has been suggested to be true in several studies, however little real and big scientific studies have been done in this area.

That's the way we should've done it. But now it seems to be a bit too late, or maybe not, time will tell.

dub_scratch

As far as I'm concerned, the massive car culture will be mostly dead within a decade, and not soon enough, as far as I'm concerned. And the fact that the average fuel efficiency of the current fleet is so poor means that the highways will be cleared out sooner, rather than later. When shortages become chronic and rationing becomes the norm, there won't be any way people can buy a high MPG or an EV replacement as long as a gas hog has zero trade in value. I tell people to look around at he car fleet today, and imagine that as the car fleet 20 years from now.

The irony is that the gas guzzling SUVs of today could become the post-peak oil means of transport for the future-- at least for a little while. If you just hook a big passenger trailer to a Navigator, you've got your mass transit.

aflurry · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 28, 2005 Posts: 838

golly, i've never thought about it that way before. you rule.

joeltrout · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 1317

GHD · Coal Joined: May 19, 2008 Posts: 7

You make a good point, and it's why I'm not concerned about people not being able to part with their SUVs. A large number of people who own them do so for vanity reasons, and once the fashion changes (as is happening right now), the number of SUVs on the roads will quickly drop.

That said, it was hugely irresponsible on the part of many people that they were around for so long. Most people worry way too much about their images and their places in the societal ladder. But that's how things have always been.

vision-master

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3448 Location: Maine

The SUV is so last century now. Who is going to be stuck with them? I guess if you are a reactionary then you need one for your image, but smart people have moved on.

I saw an ad where they were offering $2000 less than the Kelly Blue book price for SUV's. If they are really old you might do better at the scrap iron place. A 6000 pound vehicle will get you almost $1500!

With the money you spend driving an SUV you can buy and drive a smaller car. You'll find that life is better without it. You can park again, the cost of tires is half as much and you won't feel like a dinosaur. You will even be safer. (SUV's aren't actually all that safe)

Those SUV's will get traded to rural people and the working poor. They can use them for real things, and then scrap them.
_________________
Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.

gollum

I think a smart person will buy an efficient car for everyday things, and keep their truck or suv for things you need those vehicles for. pretty hard to haul firewood in a prius. Different tools for different jobs.

Cashmere · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 1971

MarkJ · Heavy Crude Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 215

Many of the local village, suburban and semi-rural residents that own full sized 4WD trucks and/or SUVs also own more fuel efficient mid sized or smaller cars. Since many people have paid off their SUVs or bought them used, the cost of gas isn't as big of an issue since they're effectively becoming a second, third or special purpose vehicle. Crossover sales are doing quite well locally.

Heineken

Aren't you concerned about global warming, JohnM? Unnecessary waste of precious resources?

Your comments remind me of those of rich ladies who insist on owning rare luxury furs because they're so beautiful and comfortable and warm. Just wanting them, and being able to afford them, is reason enough for them. And to hell with everything else.
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

heartandseoul · Tar Sands Joined: May 29, 2008 Posts: 31

Hello,
I'm new here, and and struggling with giving up my SUV. I'm a mom of three, owner of 2 horses, hubby and I & kids live on 7 acres and haul 7 kids to school each day due to no bus service.
I was planning on giving up our SUV (fully paid off and owned for 10 years and it has 70,120 miles on it) and have been actively searching for a fuel-efficient car. Then I read this story yesterday:
Trading in Gas Guzzler May Cost You
So, now I'm undecided. I found this forum while searching for more ways to save energy, gas, food, you know, just about everything.
thanks, this is quite an interesting site. I have a lot of reading to do.

berational · Coal Joined: May 29, 2008 Posts: 3

pstarr

mos6507