Curse

Raptox · Jan 18, 2006, 03:34 PM // 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dood

Oh Yes. 70 miles door to door one way to work. Mostly freeway.

That commute would kill me. I couldn't even stand my 15 mile commute in D.C. Of course, I would sit in traffic for 40 minutes every day somewhere along those 15 miles...

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

i hate it.. I HATE IT.. when the car is parked.. a car is coming to park right next to my car.. and it hits my car.. how dumb can ya be to be hit by a parked car.

How about sitting at a dead stop in bumper to bumber traffic and having a minivan enter the highway and merge right into you?

This woman must have been doing no more then 2mph and still managed to hit me. I was in front of her and to her left, meaning I was right outside her driver's side door.

You can't make this kind of stuff up.

Edit: This happened at the CF in D.C. called the "Woodrow Wilson Bridge."

Ultimate Warrior · Jan 18, 2006, 09:33 PM // 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dood

Ultimate Warrior's Red car would get pulled over in a heartbeat if we were neck and neck down the highway.

Hah yes it probably would, but I am usually going alot faster than the speed limit :P

{integral} · Jan 18, 2006, 09:43 PM // 21:43

The single thing I hate the most is people who drive 4x4s or people carriers, or SUVs or whatever it is you call them in America... bad ass Hummers I've heard...
when there's NO NEED for you to be driving them. If you're taking precious Milly to school, what's wrong with using a hatchback? If you're taking the shopping (groceries) home, why can't you use the back seats as well as the boot (trunk) instead of having a small room as bootspace? Ok, if you have 5 children that all need to be transported, you need a a seven seater vehicle. But not if all you do is drive to the shops (store), to your child's school, and to your work and back each day. You're just wasting the diminishing supply of fuel we have by driving a car that uses too much petrol (gas) for its own good. Oh, and they look SUPREMELY ugly.

EDIT: OH, and WHAT IS THE POINT of having two cars PURELY for the sake of having two cars?

Ultimate Warrior · Jan 18, 2006, 09:46 PM // 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunchbreak

The single thing I hate the most is people who drive 4x4s or people carriers, or SUVs or whatever it is you call them in America... bad ass Hummers I've heard...
when there's NO NEED for you to be driving them. If you're taking precious Milly to school, what's wrong with using a hatchback? If you're taking the shopping (groceries) home, why can't you use the back seats as well as the boot (trunk) instead of having a small room as bootspace? Ok, if you have 5 children that all need to be transported, you need a a seven seater vehicle. But not if all you do is drive to the shops (store), to your child's school, and to your work and back each day. You're just wasting the diminishing supply of fuel we have by driving a car that uses too much petrol (gas) for its own good. Oh, and they look SUPREMELY ugly.

My truck that i described in an above post is my "just for fun" vehicle. And for winter. If I ever met you I probably wouldnt like you. How can you say that trucks look SUPREMELY ugly?

{integral} · Jan 18, 2006, 09:57 PM // 21:57

Quote:

My truck that i described in an above post is my "just for fun" vehicle. And for winter. If I ever met you I probably wouldnt like you. How can you say that trucks look SUPREMELY ugly?

Well, what I meant to say was that Bad Ass Hummers look SUPREMELY UGLY. Also, depending on where you're from in America, 4x4s could be necessary to get around. But as for a "just for fun" vehicle... I agree. If I met you, I definitely wouldn't like you. It is people like you that mean that 30% of the world's fuel goes to America.

And it is BECAUSE of your Bad Ass Hummers and your dependency on petrol that we are running out of fuel QUICKLY and we, as the next generation, will have to find a way to resolve this. It will come as no surprise to you that fuel in America is about half as expensive as most other places in the Western world.

But please - what is the POINT of having a car to drive simply because it is fun to drive it, AS WELL as another car to drive 'because you have to'? Why not just make your "fun" car your "mundane" car and make me angry once rather than twice?

TheEPIC · Jan 18, 2006, 10:00 PM // 22:00

I don't mind people who have more than one car for themselves. If they can afford it they can have it. I plan on keeping my little Honda to mess with after I have a career and can buy a new car for everyday stuff while tuning my Honda for fun. People do stuff like this so they don't have to deal with the issues presented by your "fun" car on a regular basis, say on a daily commute perhaps.

Also, the people that drive enormous vehicles can do so if they desire, they're the ones paying upwards of $50 a gas tank while maybe getting 15mpg, not me. Besides, I don't think it's too far off to start seeing good alternatives to fossil fuels anyways. Once the demand for vehicles operating on these alternatives increases (which we see with current hybrids and such) they will become far more viable. So go ahead people with extraordinarily large automobiles, waste your money away and enjoy yourselves.

Ultimate Warrior · Jan 18, 2006, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunchbreak

Well, what I meant to say was that Bad Ass Hummers look SUPREMELY UGLY. Also, depending on where you're from in America, 4x4s could be necessary to get around. But as for a "just for fun" vehicle... I agree. If I met you, I definitely wouldn't like you. It is people like you that mean that 30% of the world's fuel goes to America.

And it is BECAUSE of your Bad Ass Hummers and your dependency on petrol that we are running out of fuel QUICKLY and we, as the next generation, will have to find a way to resolve this. It will come as no surprise to you that fuel in America is about half as expensive as most other places in the Western world.

But please - what is the POINT of having a car to drive simply because it is fun to drive it, AS WELL as another car to drive 'because you have to'? Why not just make your "fun" car your "mundane" car and make me angry once rather than twice?

I dont live in America. I live in Canada and gas is pretty expensive here.

Old Dood · Jan 18, 2006, 10:42 PM // 22:42

Lunchbreak...

You would have to be born and raised in the United States to understand people's love of vehicles here. Do not judge too quickly on our lifestyle. We have no real public transportation...this is sad. It goes way back to the late 1940's on that score. With that said we are forced to use cars and trucks to get around. We need more then one vehicle because husband and wife work today. When I grew up there was one car in our family. Mom stayed home. That was the norm then....this is now.

I personally do not care to own a SUV. That is my choice. I like the car feel when I drive. SUV's to me are simply trucks and ride like trucks, even the luxury ones do. However, having a bigger vehicle has it's pluses. You can carry allot of cargo with them. Also Americans have always liked bigger vehicles period. They ride better. I cannot stand a 4 cylinder engine. They are Buzz Bombs to me and they do not last as long as a bigger block engine. So you end up buying another car sooner. My cars last me at least 10 years if not more. I drive them till they rot off their tires.

Unless you were around in the 1950's and 1960's in the United States you will never fully understand the wonderful feel and power of the (American) muscle cars of that era. Even the family sedan was a powerful beast compared to todays cars. We could easily go 120-130 mph in the old big block V-8 engines. I use to own a 1970 Lesabre (The next step down from the Electra 225). It had a 455 Cubic Inch engine in it. That car was a tank and it was fun. I hit a telephone pole at 50 mph and smashed the pole....backed up and drove home. I had a V noch in the front of the car, but no damage to the radiator or engine...just the body. American's are bred for their vehicles. It is part of our culture. What we lacked in enginering in the old days we made up for it in raw power. Like I said...you have to experience the old muscle cars to fully understand and appreciate it.

As for the world's oil supply...not a chance in hell we are going to run out anytime soon if at all. That is a myth. By the time we(or IF we) would ever really need to worry about that we will be well on our way with other technology like Fuel Cells.

TheEPIC · Jan 18, 2006, 10:57 PM // 22:57

Us Americans really love our cars, and driving. Personally, I like to take my little Civic out and go out for a drive around to see stuff and just goof off. In places where I know there is no traffic I'll often push my car to its top speeds and such and perform powerslides and all that jazz. Our society just loves cars. Personally, I would never trade my car for public transportation, and can bet that is the case with many Americans.

Oh, and as for how long a car may last, I really don't think engine size has much to do with it rather design and maintenance. Every Honda and Toyota my family has owned has undergone over 200k miles in ridiculous traffic on daily commuting and still held together under normal maintenance without overhauling the engine or anything like that. (This is the reason I love my Hondas so much)

Back on topic, I can not stand when people buy cars they cannot handle. You can really tell who they are when you are in a parking lot and they have to constantly recorrect to park or they have to make something like a 10 point turn to get out of their spot. Or on the road they are constantly slowing ridiculously to make turns, or hesitating to change lanes or anything like that. It should be law that you have to prove your competence behind the wheel of the car you want to buy before you buy it.

I pwnd U · Jan 19, 2006, 02:16 AM // 02:16

ALRIGHT!! my car drove fine today. got the oil changed and everything and the temp seems not to be much of a problem still watch it like a hawk and i still become concerened when it goes somewhat near teh 3/4 temp zone. but i should be ok for now. i personally like my car better then a mustang or anything else but thats only because of its ride. its much smoother more fuel efficent. also police here would rather pull over a mustang (an abudnance here) then a cutlass ciera. i still watch my speed on the main roads but give me my curvy road and im off and tearing around sharp corners at 50 mph! and no i havent crashed yet. but i got to watch it now with my engine temp problems. so i drive slower now.

o well looks like the good ol girl is back to normal such a relief.

fiery · Jan 19, 2006, 03:26 AM // 03:26

get a hummer

I pwnd U · Jan 19, 2006, 04:02 AM // 04:02

wow a hummer is pointless. its a gas guzzler that takes up your whole garage and road. out where i live smaller is better. u cant naviage the roads on a hummer very well they are to small since they are 2 lanes. taht right i live in the country. u want an SUV u get an explorer or a blazer. just get something smaller and you will be ok. hummers are useless unless u use them to work. but thats one expensive vehicle to scratch up. i just dont like hummers.

Ultimate Warrior · Jan 19, 2006, 04:05 AM // 04:05

I used to live in the country. Now I live in the city in some semi-rich area, even though im not rich. And one of my neighbours buys a bunch of trucks and cars. He has atleast 3 hummers and some other nice vehicles.

I pwnd U · Jan 19, 2006, 04:11 AM // 04:11

im sorry i just dont see the point in hummers and owning more cars then u have drivers. we have 4 drivers soon to be 5 and 4 cars. and thats plenty. (considering mines always int he shop

)

Ultimate Warrior · Jan 19, 2006, 04:13 AM // 04:13

Oh yeah I forgot to mention one part about him. He owns a truck dealership... oops, though he usually holds on to his hummers for a while to have some fun with them.

lord of shadow · Jan 19, 2006, 11:03 AM // 11:03

old dood, i am sorry to hear that you can only use a car to get around. but i am afraid that not all americans are so severely disabled that they are incapable of walking,cycling or taking this thing called a BUS! (yes they do have them in america, its the big yellow thing with wheels that stops at bus stops)

Old Dood · Jan 19, 2006, 11:52 AM // 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord of shadow

old dood, i am sorry to hear that you can only use a car to get around. but i am afraid that not all americans are so severely disabled that they are incapable of walking,cycling or taking this thing called a BUS! (yes they do have them in america, its the big yellow thing with wheels that stops at bus stops)

Buses are inefficient. No way I am taking a Bus to work. I work 70 miles from home. It would take hours and hours to get there. What I would like to see in public transportation is the Bullet Trains. Larger cities in the US have some of those or at least regular commuter trains. You have to read up on our history as to why Public transportation was nerfed back in the 1940's & 1950's. Our whole system of transportation is geared toward vehicles. This is why we have the freeway system. There are great dividends to having a freeway system in the United States. I can get into my car and drive across country and never have to stop at a check point or use a passport.

Once again if you never lived here or spent any time here in the United States then you will never understand our culture. I live in the Mid-West. It is a whole different animal then lets say New York City or Chicago. When I am in those cities then the Public transportation is very useful. I take the "L" train or the subways when I am in those cities.

Also I pwnd U, Just make sure your engine temp is between 180-200 degrees and you should be fine.

lord of shadow · Jan 19, 2006, 12:48 PM // 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dood

Lunchbreak...

You would have to be born and raised in the United States to understand people's love of vehicles here. Do not judge too quickly on our lifestyle. We have no real public transportation...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dood

It is a whole different animal then lets say New York City or Chicago. When I am in those cities then the Public transportation is very useful.

i accept that you personally may not have access to public transport for a 70 mile work journey, but even you have conceded that most of the united states has a perfectly adequate public transport system.
i have nothing against you using a car for a sensible journey, but to imply that the only mode of public transport in the entirety of the US is ludicrous.
would you care to explain why people in new york or DC doing the school run need SUVs.
oh and FYI, i lived in Washington DC until i was 15. i now live in london but i think i qualify as having "been born and raised in the US"

Ensabah Nur · Jan 19, 2006, 01:20 PM // 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord of shadow

i accept that you personally may not have access to public transport for a 70 mile work journey, but even you have conceded that most of the united states has a perfectly adequate public transport system.
i have nothing against you using a car for a sensible journey, but to imply that the only mode of public transport in the entirety of the US is ludicrous.
would you care to explain why people in new york or DC doing the school run need SUVs.
oh and FYI, i lived in Washington DC until i was 15. i now live in london but i think i qualify as having "been born and raised in the US"

Daily public transportation (Busses/trains/subways) in the US is often underfunded, and for the most part unreliable, even if you have all the options available to you. They seldom operate on schedule and to actually get to your destination most of the time you need to make @ least 2 transfers. So to get to ones job/school for 8 am you must catch the first transport around 5 am(providing it's on time), hope to catch your first transfer(hope your not late, or it's late), hope to catch your next transfer(hope your not late, or it's late), then maybe arrive at your destination in time. I don't know about anyone else , but I don't want to wake up and be outside waiting for a ride 3+ hours before I'm supposed to be somewhere.

Auntie I · Jan 19, 2006, 01:23 PM // 13:23

What about me? As a Canadian I can assure you that there is no public transporation system. Toronto and Montreal have subways but that's about it. (Unless Vancouver has one, I'm not sure) Trains run between MAJOR cities once a day.....maybe. It's 4000 miles from one end of the country to the other. It's at least a 4 hour plane ride never mind how long it takes on a train. There are local city buses and if I worked in the same community as I lived that might be an option. Since I don't it isn't possible. The car is it. BTW I work in a neighbouring community 30 miles away from my home. Commuting is still cheaper than moving.

Major cities run on different "rules" than the rest of the country. In Rural areas access to a vehicle isn't an option. Most of Canada and a large section of the US is classed as rural not urban. Car/trucks are required not a luxury and even with conversion to non fossil fuel options they will still be necessary.