Please joint in the "Gas Out" - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dynalow · #61 05-04-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

You gotta love our tax laws. Social legislation through the tax code!

My wife just recently returned, on a part time basis, to her before-motherhood career: tax accounting.

The stuff you find in the tax codes (as you already know) is incredible!

BTW Jim, have you had a chnace to work on the idle oin your 300CE?

I was wondering if the "fix" suggested in Stu's book actually works.

Here's how government works. The credit goes down as more vehicles are sold.? This makes sense?

More drop in the bucket nonsense.

This also perfecetly illustrates why there will NEVER be a VAT or comsumption tax in America. The code as you correctly state, is a tool for social engineering as well as revenue raising. Jobs credit, investment credit, maunfacturing credit, enegry tax credit, rehab credits, and on and on and on..

I'll never lack for work!

And I haven't tried that fix idle yet. I have to get her in for her 90K servicing. I will fool around with it after that.

Using petroleum and natural gas to generate electricity is a huge waste.
Get over the TMI fears and build more nuclear plants for commercial and residential uses.

Time to park the Benz and get on the Harley. The gf is getting antsy

Maybe Sunday.

aklim · #62 05-04-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

SUVs are wasteful means of transportation. they are not even very intelligently designed.

Any imbecile can take a big ass, wasteful engine and build a large vehicle around it. That takes absolutely no intelligence at all.

It takes real genius, however, to design an efficient and powerful engine and then carefully design a vehilce around it that will carry people and their belongings in comfort and save fuel at the same time.

The Ford Excursion or Ford conquest, or whatever that monstrosity is called, is an example of an imbecile taking a big engine and building a huge, and ugly, body around it.

Unfortunately there are no examples of intelligent SUV design.

So is the truck any better since it is basically a truck with an enclosed bed?

aklim · #63 05-04-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenTay

This idea is like a timeshare swap. Looks good on paper until you actually attempt to get a swap.

Points are better. We have made it work with points

raymr · #64 05-04-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

So is the truck any better since it is basically a truck with an enclosed bed?

Trucks are just as wasteful, though you see them being used more as work vehicles rather than personal transportation. Most SUV drivers use their vehicles for roles that a VW Rabbit or a Civic could do. Those cars get 2-3x the MPG of a typical SUV. The "sometimes" advantage of an SUV becomes an "all the time" habit.

aklim · #65 05-04-2007, 10:55 AM

Does anybody know why people tend to point fingers at SUVs claiming they are gas hogs but yet, nobody ever talks about the good ol' boy's truck? I mean, they are, for all practical purposes, the same thing. I do see a lot of guys with trucks that have no load in them, one driver, etc, etc. Could it be that the SUV is the feminine version of the man's truck and it is not accepted while we have been ingrained that trucks are a guy thing and come to accept it?

aklim · #66 05-04-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

Trucks are just as wasteful, though you see them being used more as work vehicles rather than personal transportation. Most SUV drivers use their vehicles for roles that a VW Rabbit or a Civic could do. Those cars get 2-3x the MPG of a typical SUV. The "sometimes" advantage of an SUV becomes an "all the time" habit.

If it were a company truck, yes. But take a walk around the neighborhood sometimes. Count the trucks and look at their hitches and beds. Go to a used car lot and look at the truck beds. Hardly a scratch. If they were hauling something, it must be pretty padded. If they were used as more than personal transportation, the used car lots don't reflect that when you see the bed. Once in awhile, I see a work truck. Most of the time, I see a personal transporter. I see the bed nice and shiny and I know it might have seen work once or twice a year. Any work truck will be pretty scuffed up in the bed for sure. So, if the bed is nice and shiny, I conclude it was a personal transporter.

raymr · #67 05-04-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

If it were a company truck, yes. But take a walk around the neighborhood sometimes. Count the trucks and look at their hitches and beds. Go to a used car lot and look at the truck beds. Hardly a scratch. If they were hauling something, it must be pretty padded. If they were used as more than personal transportation, the used car lots don't reflect that when you see the bed. Once in awhile, I see a work truck. Most of the time, I see a personal transporter.

I might see one pickup a day, outside of business trucks. But I see countless Navigators, Sequoias, etc., all clean and pretty of course! It depends where you live. I agree that SUVs make an easier target. It's because they are primarily passenger vehicles, a job that can be done more efficiently with almost any regular car. You usually can't downsize a truck, unless its as you say, just used for show. They probably constitute a pretty small segment overall.

AustinsCE · #68 05-04-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Does anybody know why people tend to point fingers at SUVs claiming they are gas hogs but yet, nobody ever talks about the good ol' boy's truck? I mean, they are, for all practical purposes, the same thing. I do see a lot of guys with trucks that have no load in them, one driver, etc, etc. Could it be that the SUV is the feminine version of the man's truck and it is not accepted while we have been ingrained that trucks are a guy thing and come to accept it?

Dude, stop already my god. Good ole boys, that is a real one, probably has horses, and cows, and spend a lot of time in the hills on their ranches, yet probably live on enough to be comfortable with one vehicle, and cant afford to get another car to drive when they get into town etc, etc, etc. Women in SUVs are in shopping malls, nail salons, even work! But rarely....nope never, have I seen a woman in an SUV towing 4 horses in a huge trailer. Besides, I dont know where you live but round here as many if not more women drive trucks as men.

And how about them 1600 lb. ATVs?? You like driving off-road trails in your Lotus Elise huh? You get a lift kit on there or what? 2 700 atvs, pretty big mind you, and a trailer is probably not even 1600 lbs. N***a please.

aklim · #69 05-04-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

I might see one pickup a day, outside of business trucks. But I see countless Navigators, Sequoias, etc., all clean and pretty of course! It depends where you live. I agree that SUVs make an easier target. It's because they are primarily passenger vehicles, a job that can be done more efficiently with almost any regular car. You usually can't downsize a truck, unless its as you say, just used for show. They probably constitute a pretty small segment overall.

Must be the area, I guess. I do see a lot of kids and guys, mostly, in pickup trucks. I know my neighbor is a 2 truck family although I haven't seem much that they are hauling.

Yes, it can be done more efficiently but I think guys like the truck image and for women, the SUV is their "truck". Personally, I don't like driving in either of them as I like the lower slung cars more but I cannot see having a car for each purpose. I'd have to have a truck to haul the camper and a station wagon for dogs and driving around. I prefer driving the Vette but other than putzing around, it isn't good for much more so it is just a Hi-Po toy for me. When the wife is around, we drive her car because I can take the corners faster with it. With her car, I can do corners at 85 which the truck would be dangerous to do at 70.

aklim · #70 05-04-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

Women in SUVs are in shopping malls, nail salons, even work! But rarely....nope never, have I seen a woman in an SUV towing 4 horses in a huge trailer. Besides, I dont know where you live but round here as many if not more women drive trucks as men.

And how about them 1600 lb. ATVs?? You like driving off-road trails in your Lotus Elise huh? You get a lift kit on there or what? 2 700 atvs, pretty big mind you, and a trailer is probably not even 1600 lbs. N***a please.

Men in trucks are there too. What of it? My point is that there are many men who drive a truck for the simple reason that it is a manly vehicle and not that they have a practical reason for it. Further to that, there are many trucks out there that are not used for hauling or dragging stuff more than once every year or so. However, they don't get the negative issues.

WTF are you talking about? Not sure if it is your grammer or lack of it but I am not clear on what you are saying or trying to say. A Polaris Sportsman 500 is 715# and a Polaris Sportsman 800 is 770#. Both are dry weights. Total about 1485# dry weight. Add fuel, oil, coolant, baggage, winch, extra fuel tanks, etc, etc and you are talking about 1600#. Do you even know what you are talking about or did you just have flatulence? Dry weight of 1485# leaves 115# between 2 machines. How heavy do you think the winches are? What about fuel? Fluids? Other equipment you bring along? How heavy do you think the trailer itself is? I'll tell you what. I'll even put the 2 machines on my light trailer and ready them for a ride. Full fuel load and all that. If they and the open bed trailer don't top 1600, I'll give you $50 for every pound it is under and you give me $10 for every pound it is over. I'll still come out ahead. Now, we won't even get into the discussion of how heavy the enclosed trailer is.

Oh, BTW, are you aware that the sail area of the trailer also affects how the vehicle is towed? More sail area means the engine works harder. Less sail area, engine has an easier time and I am talking about 2 trailers with identical weights and different sail areas.

Edit: Oh, I'll be nice. The open trailer is 375#. Still wanna bet?

BENZ-LGB · #71 05-04-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynalow

Here's how government works. The credit goes down as more vehicles are sold.? This makes sense?

More drop in the bucket nonsense.

This also perfecetly illustrates why there will NEVER be a VAT or comsumption tax in America. The code as you correctly state, is a tool for social engineering as well as revenue raising. Jobs credit, investment credit, maunfacturing credit, enegry tax credit, rehab credits, and on and on and on..

I'll never lack for work!

And I haven't tried that fix idle yet. I have to get her in for her 90K servicing. I will fool around with it after that.

Using petroleum and natural gas to generate electricity is a huge waste.
Get over the TMI fears and build more nuclear plants for commercial and residential uses.

Time to park the Benz and get on the Harley. The gf is getting antsy

Maybe Sunday.

Damn nice picture...And I wasn't just referring to the bike...

Have fun riding her...

...the Harley.

I agree, everyone else is building nuclear power plants. I don't see why we should be the only ones not to.

My wife is back on track to get her CPA. I am considering getting an accounting degree and eventually a CPA. CPA & JD...now that's a scary combo!

AustinsCE · #72 05-04-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Men in trucks are there too. What of it? My point is that there are many men who drive a truck for the simple reason that it is a manly vehicle and not that they have a practical reason for it. Further to that, there are many trucks out there that are not used for hauling or dragging stuff more than once every year or so. However, they don't get the negative issues.

WTF are you talking about? Not sure if it is your grammer or lack of it but I am not clear on what you are saying or trying to say. A Polaris Sportsman 500 is 715# and a Polaris Sportsman 800 is 770#. Both are dry weights. Total about 1485# dry weight. Add fuel, oil, coolant, baggage, winch, extra fuel tanks, etc, etc and you are talking about 1600#. Do you even know what you are talking about or did you just have flatulence? Dry weight of 1485# leaves 115# between 2 machines. How heavy do you think the winches are? What about fuel? Fluids? Other equipment you bring along? How heavy do you think the trailer itself is? I'll tell you what. I'll even put the 2 machines on my light trailer and ready them for a ride. Full fuel load and all that. If they and the open bed trailer don't top 1600, I'll give you $50 for every pound it is under and you give me $10 for every pound it is over. I'll still come out ahead. Now, we won't even get into the discussion of how heavy the enclosed trailer is.

Oh, BTW, are you aware that the sail area of the trailer also affects how the vehicle is towed? More sail area means the engine works harder. Less sail area, engine has an easier time and I am talking about 2 trailers with identical weights and different sail areas.

There are many women who drive trucks for the hell of it??? my point is shut up about the women already. SUVs catch more hell because they have no use any time of the year. Not even once.

You have an SUV and you tow the gas? Put it in back. Do you need to tow them gassed? Unless you include the cargo weight with the towed weight to make a point. But still doesnt work as a truck is still better than an SUV. No trailer needed, and no need to figure it in. If alls you got is a Wagon, then you probably got a nice Raptor at only 300 lbs anyway, that way you can tow it. Easily, with gas in it. Isnt that the whole issue, how much is necessary? Why did you get a 700 polaris? Even the Yamaha 700 is lighter. Not to mention, if you do have an excursion, you can fit one whole atv in the back with the seats down if required. Its laziness, to get an enclosed!?!?! trailer for atvs? That is gay.

Nobody cares about sail area. Nobody. Drafting doesnt even work below about 90MPH Im sure the effects are meager.

aklim · #73 05-04-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

There are many women who drive trucks for the hell of it??? my point is shut up about the women already. SUVs catch more hell because they have no use any time of the year. Not even once.

You have an SUV and you tow the gas? Put it in back. Do you need to tow them gassed? Unless you include the cargo weight with the towed weight to make a point. But still doesnt work as a truck is still better than an SUV. No trailer needed, and no need to figure it in. If alls you got is a Wagon, then you probably got a nice Raptor at only 300 lbs anyway, that way you can tow it. Easily, with gas in it. Isnt that the whole issue, how much is necessary? Why did you get a 700 polaris? Even the Yamaha 700 is lighter. Not to mention, if you do have an excursion, you can fit one whole atv in the back with the seats down if required. Its laziness, to get an enclosed!?!?! trailer for atvs? That is gay.

Nobody cares about sail area. Nobody. Drafting doesnt even work below about 90MPH Im sure the effects are meager.

Wanna bet? Come down here and I'll show you enough to crash that theory or whatever you call it.

Once again, you obviously have no clue about ATVs. For one, you are never sure of the gas you get on the trails, assuming you even can get gas. Best bring your own. For two, even if you do run it empty, it doesn't save very much. Also, you probably don't know the difference between a Raptor and a Sportsman, do you? I got the ATV I liked. I can also use it for trail riding which the wife can also ride along. We don't go around high speed turns in mudholes. Also, I use it for hunting. Further to that, I have 2 ATVs because my wife is also a rider. Lets see, I go for a ride and come back muddy and dirty. What would I like to do now? Jump into the car and drive to the next location? Trailer lets us drive in, dress and undress into some decent clean clothes. Good storage for the machines so they don't rust also. I still think you know absolutely nothing about ATVs other than what you see on TV. Go for a ride sometime and get a clue.

If you think I want the muddy ATVs in my excursion or any vehicle I own, you are nuts. I don't happen to have junk cars and I don't treat them as such. I hope you realize they are not all showroom clean after a ride. Not even if the trail is bone dry. So, how do you plan to fit 2 machines inside any vehicle? BTW, my dogs ride in the back. That saves boarding costs and gives them someplace to be. Where do you think we should put the gear?

I got the machines we got because they were EFI. I didn't want to screw around with carburetors when the altitude changes. The machines we got are suitable for what we intend to do with them. Raptors are for other types of trails. Totally different. But if you knew anything about ATVs you wouldn't need me to tell you that. So please, do your research before you start spouting off crap.

AustinsCE · #74 05-04-2007, 01:14 PM

I didnt say 2 I said one. Like I said, youre gay. Go out riding in the mud and worry about getting the seats dirty... Sounds to me like you putt along out in the wilderness pretending to be doing something. Avoid mudholes? Stay in the SUV, there Percy.

And no, Im not going to drive to Wisconsin to prove to you that nobody decides to go ATVing and gets out the calculator. Throw em in the truck and get going.

aklim · #75 05-04-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

I didnt say 2 I said one. Like I said, youre gay. Go out riding in the mud and worry about getting the seats dirty... Sounds to me like you putt along out in the wilderness pretending to be doing something. Avoid mudholes? Stay in the SUV, there Percy.

And no, Im not going to drive to Wisconsin to prove to you that nobody decides to go ATVing and gets out the calculator.

Throw em in the truck and get going.

So what should I do with the wife when I go riding and she wants to come along? Tell her to clean the house while I go out and play? So you come home muddy and just lay in bed? Like I said, my items are not cheap nor are they free. As such, I take good care of them. We ride along trails to see scenery and not to see which of us can get stuck in this or wrap our machines around that. It is very difficult to explain the differences in the types of riding to someone who has no clue. You can take a ride to someplace where there is no mud. All sand dunes. You can go mudding. You can even go do a little of both. You can go on rocky paths where your Raptor would be at the bottom of the hill. Seen it happen. So tell me, besides TV, what do you know of riding ATVs?

I was talking about proving that SUVs have "no use any time of the year. Not even once." as you so state.

Spoken like a guy who has no clue about ATVs.

Edit: Maybe I am looking at this all wrong. You live in a pig sty and don't mind having more mud. Some of us don't and want our possessions to be clean and functional.