"Calif Bill" wrote in message
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"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
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"Calif Bill" wrote in message
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"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
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"Calif Bill" wrote in message
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"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
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"Eisboch" wrote in message
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Do you know what cracks me up about some of the various views
expressed about fuel prices?

It wasn't too many years ago that those with more left leaning
political views were concerned about the high consumption rate of
gasoline in the USA, it's continued supply and it's artificially low
price per gallon compared to the rest of the world. Conservation
was preached, encouraged and some even advocated raising the price
of gas to force further conservation and the use of smaller, fuel
efficient autos in order to reduce demand.


Fast forward to today and it seems that the same people are now
blaming big business greed and politicians lining their pockets for
the natural increase in prices.

Can't win.

Eisboch


The problem with preaching conservation is that the suggested methods
usually involve long term solutions. I wonder what would happen if a
real president with some balls said the following during one of his
TV appearances:

"I can fund research until the cows come home, but we might never
find solutions which make every type of vehicle more efficient. And,
at some point, you have to stop looking for others to find solutions,
and volunteer to do the one thing that's inarguably effective. Next
time you're ready to buy a car, be honest, and buy based on your real
needs. Stop thinking that the only alternative to an SUV is a Ford
Focus. Ignore the crap you're being told in the commercials. Is the
only reason you bought an SUV that you have a family of 5 and a
week's worth of groceries? Wouldn't a van fit your needs equally
well? Did you justify the SUV by convincing yourself they were safer,
or that you wanted to be able to see over all the other trucks? Did
you buy a pickup to haul 3 sheets of plywood just once in the entire
time you owned the vehicle? Those aren't reasons. I'm not saying you
have to go out and buy a Prius or a Mini-Cooper. But, how about
reducing your gas usage by 30%, just by looking at the difference
between an SUV and a mini-van? (points to chart with 5 car models
shown below) We can't create laws to change your buying habits, and
there's nothing I can do about what oil companies charge for fuel.
But, you are capable of having a significant impact on how much oil
this country uses.

If you're not buying a car this year, write to your favorite car
manufacturer and tell them what you want to buy when you're ready. If
they continue to pile up SUVs at their dealerships, that's their
problem, not yours.

During WWII, our grandparents planted victory gardens. You can't pick
a better car, in order to help this country? Grow up already."


Toyota Sequoia SUV: 15/18 mpg
Toyota Sienna van: 19/26 mpg
Chrysler Town & Country van: 19/26 mpg
Ford Crown Victoria: 17/26 mpg
Buick Lucerne: 17/28 mpg


What is an SUV? My wife drives a 1996 S-10 Blazer. It is smaller
than the Sienna van.


You know exactly what I mean. Stick with the example shown, since it is
100% valid in this context.


Nope, what is an SUV? The boogey man of the 21st century. Why is it
when an SUV type vehicle is in an accident, it is always reported the
SUV crashed. But if it is a mini car that crashed into the SUV, it will
read SUV involed in accident. The first reporting seems as if the SUV
is doing the driving, not a person.


Look at the list of vehicles I provided. It does not contain a generic
SUV. It contains a specific one which may be representative of others
which get similar mileage. Any normal person should be able to interpret
that list and say "Yeah...mine's like that one", or not.

Any normal person.


I was referring to your "SUV".


You did a great job of "referring" to it. You mentioned a Blazer, and
provided no numbers to show whether it belonged in the list. No mpg numbers,
and your words are empty.