Quote:
|
Originally Posted by DieselAddict
I couldn't agree more. I mentioned elsewhere that a mere 5 mpg increase of our vehicles would save us the equivalent of imported oil from Saudi Arabia. I'm actually glad that oil is getting more expensive because I see nothing but positive changes so far as a result of it. People are finally starting to think about fuel economy, and alternatives like biodiesel and ethanol have a much better chance now of taking a hold in the market. Do you really think Bush would speak so fondly of ethanol if gas was still $1.50 per gallon?
Agreed. But I wouldn't call it sacrificing comfort. I've driven compact, efficient cars like the Jetta and Civic and they're quite comfortable. The nice thing about diesels is that you can get good size if that's your thing and still get pretty good fuel economy, or go for a compact car and get superb economy, better than the complicated and potentially dangerous gas hybrids.
|
I don't know about that. I asked this question before and got no answer so here goes. My dad, among many others, I am sure cancelled a vacation or two because fuel prices were so high last year from Katrina. Also several fishing trips. So, who benifited from his sitting at home? Certainly not the fishing stores or the truck stops or the restaurants, etc, etc. So, is it still only good? Yes, his truck didn't suck up any fuel but neither did he spend any money on the trips he cancelled. As far as Bush endorsing ethanol, why is it greeted so warmly when everything else he says is met with skepticism? IMO, I haven't seen any benifits to me running ethanol. I don't see any lower prices at the pump and I will never run E85 again since my power and mileage sucked the big one. Lastly, the government will endorse pretty much any product that will pay them enough. Think the Corn Farmers didn't have a thing to do with it?
I disagree. I would. I have never sat in a compact car that was comfortable for anything more than a 5 - 10 mile trip. The diesel Jetta I drove for a bit was ok for short distances but when it comes to longer distance driving, it didn't do so good. I noticed myself feeling more beat up than when I drove the 201, 202 or 210. Having survived better than the driver of a Civic who T-boned me in the driver side door, I think I can earn a few dollars more to drive my larger car than to drive a Civic or any smaller compact car. If I wanted to sit in a beercan, I'd fill my bathtub up with beer.