Bruce in Bangkok wrote:

Basically, probably misconceptions about autos. Have you ever heard
the phrase "a heavy car holds the road better".

On the other hand, racing cars are all lighter then "road" cars and
apparently hold the road much better.

The argument that heavy cars reduce trauma is also somewhat erroneous.
Just look at accidents on the race track. So traumatic that most of
the car disintegrates.... and the driver walks away. But yet the race
car is lighter then even "light" road cars.

Basically it is fairly simple to design a safe vehicle, or an
efficient vehicle, or a non-contaminating vehicle. The problem is that
the car buying public doesn't want one.

I have no special feeling for any particular sort of motor vehicle but
the car buying public is particularly hypocritical. On one hand they
are **so** concerned with the environment and on the other they *need*
that six liter auto.

Cheers,

Bruce in Bangkok
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

A friend wrecked her old beater Lincoln Town Car this week.

She lost it somehow going over a wet hill top and knocked down a 60
foot tall interstate highway light post(!)

She was lucky - no serious injuries. Seat belt and air bags worked as
advertised - even after 21 years. No broken ankles, no smashed knees,
some bruises on the shoulder and a sore breast bone.

The undamaged part of her car was two feet past the place where the
light pole _was_. It stopped in a hurry!
Speed was estimated by the cops at 40 or maybe a bit more.
Speed limit was 55 there.

I've been to a lot of car wrecks as a volunteer fireman and you never
know what to expect in a situation like that.

But if I had to do that stunt, I'd rather be in the Town Car than a
little plastic roller skate car.

I think we found her a pick up today. (It's Texas - girls drive trucks here)
2005 Ford F150 LS:
Short bed 3 L. V6, 4 speed stick, air conditioning, and not much else
For right at 6k.

It ought to run well for another five or ten years - if there is gas to feed it.