RE: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Gas prices.. was a weird forward..

["Hargus, Duane" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

I hate to say it, but I own one of those " big, dangerous, off-road gas
guzzler" SUV's and I must say it gets better mileage than my car (a
Cavalier).  My Jeep gets 29 mpg highway, 20 city, and having owned 2 jeeps
and played with half a dozen more, I must say they are no more dangerous
than a car.  The main problem seems to when they let them be modified beyond
any reasonable specs.   Simple physics says raising a vehicle will raise the
center of gravity as well.  When you raise the tire size, it decreases fuel
economy and engine effisincy.  That said, I must agree, somewhat, the
sentiment towards most of them; that they are loud, dangerous, and just
plain crazy.  But, if they want to play, make them pay, by all means.
Duane Hargus
MIS-DED 

-----Original Message-----
From: EMAIL:PROTECTED
[mailto:EMAIL:PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Neil Bradshaw
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2001 9:44 AM
To: EMAIL:PROTECTED
Subject: Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Gas prices.. was a weird forward.. 


You know, I don't mean to troll or anything, but I think a lot of the
problem with gas consumption is SUVs. Everyone has to have their own big,
dangerous, off-road gas guzzler so they can go get groceries and fit in. I
read in a report that gas consumption is again at the same level as it was
in the 1970s because everyone has to have a monster SUV.

I have a 16 year old Toyota Corolla. Sure, it isn't big and shiny. But at
least I'm getting decent gas mileage.

There are some people who need SUVs. I have friends that live out in the
countryside where the plows never hit that need the power SUVs provide
just to get out of the driveway. But I seriously doubt that the people I
see driving around everyday in Columbia need them. I see so many SUVs
around town that it's almost scary. Out of all the ones I've seen, I doubt
that most of the have ever even seen off-road activity, and if they did it
was more than likely because someone was drunk and wanted to tear it up
(which is retarted, anyway).

And it is scary. SUVs tip because of a high center of gravity. They also
tend to give their drivers a feeling of invincibility. If I get hit by an
SUV--and I almost did when some stupid jackass was flying down 63 at 80
mph in a downpour and slid onto my side of the highway--I'm dead. Does
this mean I too have to buy an oversized SUV just to protect myself from
all the wannabe outdoor-types?

Anyway, if people really want to bring gas consumption down and save a
lot of fuel, they'll quit buying those silly SUVs and stick with something
that's a little more fit for frequent work/grocery store trips. Or, people
in this country could actually stand up for their rights and demand
cheaper, more efficent energy sources for transportation.

Regards,
Neil


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