2nd Dec 2007, 20:09
I drive a sports car and own an inboard ski/wakeboard boat out after dinner and weekends with my family staying happy... I work hard, but value quality of life as the best quality with no need for antidepressants. Sure beats being parked on the couch watching TV and growing obese overloading the nations healthcare.
3rd Dec 2007, 16:19
Good point. What you've described is exactly why the good old USA is a failing country, on it's way to complete ruin unless things turn around completely and quickly.
I was thrilled when I just heard about the government doing something right for once and imposing a 35 mile per gallon statute for all automakers. This will take effect in 2020; not that far off. That way, these people that buy Hummers, Expeditions, and Suburbans will finally have to squeeze their rear-ends into vehicles of a reasonable size.
Any vehicle that's not a truck or a van and gets less than 20 miles per gallon should be outlawed and sent to the junkyard. Immediately. And if a person is buying a big truck that gets bad gas mileage, they should have to prove that they need it; a contractor's license, some kind of proof that you're not just buying it because you like big trucks.
We're past the point in this country where we can afford to buy them just to haul around some big boat or camper three times a year. Too bad. Sell it. Because conservation is the only way we're going to pull ourselves out of this mess.
4th Dec 2007, 11:44
Although I am a staunch domestic car fan (my experience with Japanese and German imports has shown them to be less reliable), I have to TOTALLY AGREE with comment 16:19.
I just read in this morning's paper where encouraging less driving and fuel conservation is going to HARM our country!! No doubt the article was scripted and hand-delivered to the news service by a representation of the oil industry. Our rampant materialism, and our "I want it because I WANT IT" philosophy in this country (the U.S.) have backed us into a corner where EVERYTHING in our economy is tied to the oil industry and other energy-consuming, materialistic pursuits.
Energy is BIG BUSINESS. Conserving it hits lots of fat cats in the pocketbook. If our government holds true to its promise of making 35mpg a requirement for new cars in a few years, I will be greatly surprised. As long as there is one gallon of oil to be had, oil companies will oppose ANY effort to get better mileage, and the auto companies in this country will side with them (as they ALWAYS have).
The technology has existed for DECADES to build domestic cars with 35+ mpg capabilities. The oil lobby has always lobbied against ANY increases in fuel economy. Gee, I WONDER WHY?? Could it be that greed, rather than concern for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable world for our grandchildren might be the driving force behind all the foot-dragging in new developments in alternative energy sources and oil conservation?? Could it be that our over sized egos insist on driving equally oversized gas-guzzling Hummers at the expense of the lives of future generations?? Sadly, the answer to both questions is a resounding "YES".
It used to be said in auto safety campaigns that "SPEED KILLS". With our ozone layer vanishing, our coast lines receding, our seas dying, our weather becoming more violent and our summers becoming hotter and drier, we might alter that motto to "GREED KILLS".
4th Dec 2007, 15:22
According to the news I have seen by experts, increasing our consumer spending is the solution to stimulate the economy out of debt. Work overtime whatever, and do not be hesitant to put cash into the economy.
9th Dec 2007, 21:59
Actually, I own a boring 7-year-old sedan and a new sports car.
The boring sedan is much more comfortable, rides better and is more fuel efficient.
The sports car has a great "WOW" factor (as my wife puts it) and gets lots of comments from drive-thru window employees at fast food restaurants.
The boring sedan gets driven 90% of the time, while the Wow-mobile gathers dust in the garage.
I guess I'm growing a brain in my old age. Next car I buy won't be determined by how much it impresses fast food workers OR my neighbors.
25th Aug 2008, 22:05
I have a 2001 Buick Regal GS and it runs a 12.7, where are these 12 second Camry's?
2nd Oct 2009, 00:39
First of all, nothing is wrong with your car. If I had this car as a company vehicle, I would be very happy. Second, nothing inside the car is cheap. It has a nice modern radio, comfortable seats, plenty of standard features, and lots of room. I agree with you about the exterior styling. The styling is boring and the car is too chunky. (I had one for a week as a rental).
20th Jul 2010, 05:44
You obviously do not know cars if you bought a Grand AM, but based on what you stated, you are comparing leather/sunroof cars to a BASIC Toyota, why not compare basic to basic.
Love it when people bash a good solid car because it's boring; it's a work A to B car.. reliable and solid.
Grand AM, loaded or not, they are crap.
20th Jul 2010, 12:39
"You obviously do not know cars if you bought a Grand AM"
I sold a Grand Am last year that had been driven 85,000 miles with not one single repair. It was as good as the day it was driven off the dealer's lot. My three imports cost me almost as much in repairs in less than 85,000 miles than I PAID for the Grand Am. I'd regard the Grand Am as a far better and more sensible buy than any import, and especially the problem-plagued and unsafe Camrys.
21st Jul 2010, 07:19
When I see reviews, it's like it's a toaster. A plain appliance you point somewhere. No one comments on the joy of driving or handling or being excited to drive one. There has to be more joy than turning the key and getting in or out.
21st Jul 2010, 12:14
As an avid car enthusiast and mechanic, I totally agree. Yes, some cars ARE like appliances (such as Accord and Camry), yet ALL cars can be a source of enjoyment and freedom. My first car was a beat up Ford that was 15 years old, and yet it was a source of joy and enjoyment for me.
21st Jul 2010, 17:40
Today's headline says a lot about the quality (or lack thereof) of Japanese cars. It says (in very large print) "Toyota gets another subpoena". It seems that Toyota is now being called to account for deaths caused by their vehicles dating back TWO FULL DECADES. These cars were almost exclusively built in Japan, so bashing hard-working Americans won't work this time. It seems they used sub-standard material (what else is new??) in the STEERING RODS on many trucks and SUV's. This makes the THIRD subpoena from a Federal Grand Jury THIS YEAR for Toyota's blatant disregard for the safety (and LIVES) of its customers. Why any person who reads the news would buy one of these death traps is beyond me.
1st Dec 2007, 23:35
Comment 10:53 makes a VERY GOOD point. I'm an older gent who grew up during the 50's and early 60's. I thought my brother's 1000 square foot house was a palace in those days. If we could afford a 5-year-old used car we considered ourselves lucky. Like everyone else, I fell for the "if you don't have more than your neighbor something's wrong with you" attitude and worked myself half to death for my 4-bedroom 2-story home, my SUV, my sports car and my sedan. Looking back, I was much happier in my 900 square foot house driving my 7-year-old Plymouth. America needs its head examined. My relatives drive Mercedes and Hummers and are all on anti-depressants.