Originally Posted By fkurucz << I would rather be in a bigger vehicle than one than can easily slide under one...>> That's fine. I hope that you can still afford to fill the tank 2-3 years from now.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<If ANY vehicle suffers a high speed blowout you are in a heap of hurt.>> Absolutely. But in that scenario I would prefer to be driving a good handling vehicle with a LOW center of gravity. FWIW, 99% of the vehicles I see upside down in the median out here(especially in the winter) are SUVs and trucks. On a bad winter drive to Denver it wasn't unusual to see 3 or 4 of those "safe" trucks reaching for the sky.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<DH took the Saturn to work again today. I guess he's determined to save money on gas one way or another! At least he loves his job!!>> Perhaps the most cost effective solution is to get some work done on the Saturn and drive it until it dies.
Originally Posted By fkurucz << saw an accident in LA - a miata and a suburban>> I don't think that anyone will argue that a tiny convertible is the safest choice one can make.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<That's fine. I hope that you can still afford to fill the tank 2-3 years from now.>> The key is to live close to work and minimize your other trips. I put less than 5,000 mile per year on my vehicle. <<FWIW, 99% of the vehicles I see upside down in the median out here(especially in the winter) are SUVs and trucks. On a bad winter drive to Denver it wasn't unusual to see 3 or 4 of those "safe" trucks reaching for the sky.>> Agreed. But I don't think that is because they are inherently unsafe. Most SUVs now have stability control which helps a lot. I think the problem is with the idiot drivers. They figure they have four wheel drive and are invincible. They drive way too fast for the conditions, forgetting that 4WD doesn't stop any faster or better on slippery surfaces than 2WD.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I think anyone one of us could make a compelling arguement that there needs to be more public transportation choices, rather than be completely dependent on one's own individual transportation. Walt Disney certainly had it right when his envisioned future communites with monorails, omni mover and people movers. I'm not trying to suggest that every community have monorails. I'm merely suggesting that where ever possible as a society we need to impliment mass transportation.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed Tom. Although I have to say I hate having to rely on mass transit in my new job. I hate being beholden to other timetables and out in the elements. But at least in my new gig, it is more environmentally friendly!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains <I hope that you can still afford to fill the tank 2-3 years from now.> I never fill my tank now - why would I want to drive around carrying 44 gallons of Diesel Fuel. Unless I am going on a trip (aka Disneyland) I don't put more than 1/3 of a tank. I don't drive in the snow - but have earlier in life - I have spun out in a 78 chevy stepside - that was my one and only learning experience with that type of thing - I realized quickly to drive slow and respect the weather.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo A full tank is better for the longevity of your car than an empty one.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Eeeek, motorcycles are scary!!! I know they can save on gas though. Living close to work would be the optimum situation, but not possible for us now. My dh did work 10 miles from home, but due to downsizing because of the housing economy, he now has a job 50 miles from home. We could move closer, if we could afford a house in the east bay on one salary (plus my piddly wages) and if I wanted to pull my dd in 5th grade away from her close friends just before Jr. High. Both of those are "no ways", so, he's stuck commuting. I wish BART came up toward Sac town. He could take BART to work. That would be great.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains There is a train that goes up and back - One of Dh's friends took the train and then bart to work in Fremont for the last year or so before he retired.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<They figure they have four wheel drive and are invincible.>> True <<They drive way too fast for the conditions, forgetting that 4WD doesn't stop any faster or better on slippery surfaces than 2WD.>> As a friend of mine likes to say: all cars come equipped with 4 wheel stop.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<I never fill my tank now - why would I want to drive around carrying 44 gallons of Diesel Fuel>> Now, now, don't be disingeneous. You know what I meant: Will you able to afford to drive your Excursion when diesel is $10 a gallon?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains If Diesel hits $10 a gal there won't be anywhere to go - The truckers in CA are already talking about parking their trucks and walking away - most are barely breaking even and can't feed a familiy with the high costs of fuel now! <Now, now, don't be disingeneous> Really I wasn't - this was a conversation had over the weekend with my sister who just parked her suv and bought a little used car... Difference is I have four kids 2 are tall teens and one getting taller preteen boy plus a little girl - SHe has two children both on the short side - Room isn't an issue for her...If the kids hadn't grown up so fast I would still be driving my minivan or my forester!
Originally Posted By friendofdd This is a bit of a different view about the cost of gasoline. <a href="http://moneynews.newsmax.com/money/archives/st/2008/4/" target="_blank">http://moneynews.newsmax.com/m.../2008/4/</a>
Originally Posted By friendofdd I'll try again. <a href="http://moneynews.newsmax.com/money/archives/st/2008/4/25/175710.cfm?s=sp&promo_code=6235-1" target="_blank">http://moneynews.newsmax.com/m...e=6235-1</a>
