Well, we need even higher gas prices but also time. Some people have already changed their habits and sold their SUV's or trucks. Of course this means that someone else is driving them now. It will take some more time before they're so worthless that it's more cost-effective to send them to the crusher than to do a major repair.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

So what happens to the rest of the people? Will they be unaffected by the higher fuel prices just so you can achieve your goal? Food prices won't go up even for those who don't drive or take the bus? Oh well, as long as you get your goal.

Maybe after those gas guzzlers go, I hope somebody else feels the same way about your gas guzzlers. After all, the term gas guzzler is relative. 15 mpg is a gas guzzler today by your standards. However, to those Jettas, getting 30 might be considered a gas guzzler or diesel guzzler.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I won't begin to defend those folks... but it is somewhat troubling that I reap what they sow, too. I walk to ride my bike to work daily, but once a month I have to drive a couple of hours each way for National Guard duty, and it's nice to go see family on occassion. Thankfully, a couple of years ago I made the decision to buy a fuel-efficient car (the TDI in my sig), and I am thankful that I did every time I drive it.

It should also be said that I have no beef with the farmers, construction foremen, and other folks who NEED trucks to do their jobs. The folks who fire up the Suburbans to drive four blocks (alone) for a Coke and fries need to re-evaluate their priorities.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Hey, I have the right to be selfish too. Besides my selfishness is for the common good. Our current consumption habits are unsustainable and the sooner we change the better for us.

I would love to have a practical car that gets even better mileage than what I have. So when there's something better I can buy, feel free to accuse me of driving guzzlers.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

However, higher fuel prices will affect them too. Even in the winter when they need heating oil. When they get their daily essentials, see above.

How do we separate them from those who NEED their vehicles?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Getting rid of undesirables are also for the common good. Seems someone tried that once or twice in the past.

Isn't your 210 a gas guzzler by your Jetta's standards? Why haven't you gotten rid of that at this time? As to practical, who defines what is practical? How do you know what they are using that Suburban for? You sure it isn't a 2nd vehicle for them that serves other duties?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Suddenly you're all concerned about a few folks who'll have a hard time. This coming from someone who's repeatedly said the government owes you nothing and who's completely unconcerned about the many people going bankrupt due to medical bills.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I hear you... I really do. I just can't fathom peoples' spending habits/priorities. I understand that demand will regulate fuel prices, and in that regard I think these higher prices might help us in the long run. At the same time, it bothers me that greed and excess are driving the cost of fuel up for me, too. Such is life on the free market, I suppose.

I just don't get it when I see single folks driving massive SUV's around town here -- I'm in a college town and the number of kids driving a few blocks to class is absurd. More absurd are the kids who DRIVE from Greek Court to the Student Rec Center (about four blocks) to "WORK OUT!!!" I heard a girl at lunch ask another girl whether or not she drove to lunch; she said she had, and parked outside the union, so the other girl asked for a ride to her car, which was about 50 yards further north.

We need to re-evaluate our priorities; that's all I'm saying!

__________________
1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Boy, you really love to argue don't you. Yes you could say my 210 is a guzzler by my Jetta's standard, but it's my secondary vehicle. Selling it would make it guzzle even more because most likely the next owner would use it as a primary vehicle. As to practical, define it however you want. As to the Suburbans and similar vehicles, I can see all around me how they're used.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I'm not. I'm pointing out the stupidity of people who seem to think there is one solution out there that causes no ills but does good. It is what I call the "bedtime story ending". The one where somebody does good and doesn't ask for something in return. The one where you get to ask the devil to do your bidding and he disappears after it is done without taking your soul.

I'd rather they go bankrupt than have the govt meddle in healthcare. Otherwise, they'd go bankrupt and also healthcare goes down the toilet. Which seems to be the common thing when the govt gets involved.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

And your little dog, too!

And you are sure that the Burb the guy is driving today is his primary vehicle? I can't tell that.

Then maybe you should go out and buy those gas guzzlers so others don't use them.

OK. Fair enough. Tell me about my Excursion that gets 18 mpg. This week I have been driving it alone to work about 75 miles away. Suggest something better for me that will do all it does. It has to carry 4 dogs, tow an 8000# RV and 2 ATVs, do delivery runs here and there for florists and newspapers and take me to work when the wife is at a conference in a different part of the state. Oh, it has to take me to the store for a Coke and Big Mac run every now and then too. Now, here is the important thing, it cannot cost more than what my Ex would cost in maintenance, insurance and space.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I like the monkeys best.

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Me too.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Of course there's always a downside to everything. I'm certainly not one of those promoting any magic bullets.

Health care is off-topic, but you must have missed last Tuesday's Frontline episode on PBS. You're partly right that in countries with universal health care the financial strain is on the industry rather than the patients, but your argument about health care going down the toilet would hold more water if the citizens of those other countries had lower life expectancy than we do here in the US, which isn't the case. I'm specifically talking about Europe, Japan and Canada. But again, that's off-topic and if you wish to discuss that further I suggest you start another thread.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL