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Automotive News & Views Are gas prices fueling your pain? 
10042 messages, Last post on Jul 12, 2008 at 3:07 PM
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Replying to: avalon02wh (Apr 22, 2008 3:17 am) I think how masochistic you are is more key here, rather than "proper design". I'm 6'3", and about 200 pounds, and know I'd be miserable in either of those cars. One thing to keep in mind is that not all 6'3", 200 pound people are built the same way. In my case, I need a lot of legroom, but headroom is usually not too much of an issue. And I need my legroom to be the type where I can stretch out. Some cars with a tall seating position might boast a good measurement for legroom, but in my experience you're just too close to the firewall to really be able to stretch out. I guess what I'm saying is that I'd rather be stretched out in a livingroom recliner than perched on a cheap, thin kitchen chair. Interestingly, the Fit's front legroom is published at 41.9". For comparison, my 2000 Intrepid is 42.2", and I dug up some old stats for my '79 New Yorker and '76 LeMans that put them at 42.3" and 42.5", respectively. However, from sitting in them all, I can tell you that there's a lot more than 6/10" of an inch difference between a Fit and my LeMans! However, the LeMans does have a power seat that goes into some pretty contorted positions. It has a much wider range of motion than my New Yorker. Whenever they list front seat legroom dimensions, they must have some kind of standard they put the seat at, because I notice that on cars with a power seat, the dimension is the same as an equivalent car without a power seat. For instance, an Intrepid R/T or ES would have a power seat, but it's listed at the same 42.2" as my base model, which just has manual fore/aft. If you're comparing an '02 Avalon to a Suburban, I'd agree with you on the legroom and headroom front. Those Avalons are very roomy cars in that degree. They're a bit narrow inside, noticeably narrower than a Suburban. But that's really only going to come into play if you need 3-across seating. The Avalon is also very slab-sided, almost like a mid-60's car, so you don't have the sides curving in, cutting into passenger space like they do on most modern cars. Now back in high school and college, a friend of mine had a 1980 Accord hatchback. I drove it a few times, and it was a pretty good fit for me. Well, at the time at least. That was 20 years ago. Dunno if I'd be able to tolerated it nowadays! 
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Replying to: andre1969 (Apr 22, 2008 4:54 am)
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Replying to: kernick (Apr 22, 2008 4:48 am) Sometime in August I'll do the Cape May ferry which is great. About 70 minutes out on the water and you're in Lewes, Delaware which is another nice little town. Spend the day and take an evening ferry back. Makes for a good day and, staying on topic, saves gas.... |
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No? Duh! http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20080422_Hybrid_cars__Sales_are_u- p_as_drivers_look_to_cut_gas_costs_.html
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Replying to: lemko (Apr 22, 2008 7:24 am) 
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Replying to: lemko (Apr 22, 2008 7:02 am) Actually, if it weren't for the skimpy legroom, it wouldn't be a bad little car, but it just forces me into a cramped position that's really uncomfortable for my legs. Headroom in the car is pretty good, although there's too much curvature in the sides for my tastes. The steering column is also too low for my tastes. Now if I just needed to hop in the car for 5-10 minutes, it would be fine. But it's not a good long distance car. Not for me, at least. I'd probably have the same problem with the Aveo...tight legroom. I think the Aveo's seat might be a bit higher than my uncle's Corolla, though, so that would be an improvement if it gives me some thigh support. Still, the Aveo is roomy for a small car. Actually, for its small size, the Corolla is pretty roomy. But it still can't escape the fact that it's a small car, and if you're used to the comfort of a midsized or large car (or even an "old school" compact like a '68 Dart ), it's still going to be a compromise. Now the Civic feels a lot more comfy inside to me. It has a somewhat lanky ~106" wheelbase, which a few years back would have been indicative of a midsized car. I'm actually pretty comfortable behind the wheel of a Cobalt or G5. But if I'm going to get a car that small, I'm getting it for the fuel economy, and I don't think a Cobalt is really any more economical than a 4-cyl Accord, Camry, Altima, or Malibu. |
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Oil just hit $118. Gasoline soon to follow higher. It's already at $3.50 national average. The jitters from Nigeria have gotten their predictable publicity. Next month, we have the "summer driving season," so that effect is near. Then, the next month begins "hurricane season." So we can expect plenty of doomsday predictions, along with another "cautionary rise" in oil prices. Consumers can't cover $4 gasoline (and $5.50 diesel). The U.S. economy can't absorb it.
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As quickly as I could type the previous post, oil hit $119.
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Replying to: 1stpik (Apr 22, 2008 7:52 am) Restaurants around here are still jammed. Went for a boat ride last night, and people were using the lake. Drove around Chicago (I80 to I94) over the weekend and the traffic was heavy and traveling 80+. I guess time is still more valuable than gas. |
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Replying to: 1stpik (Apr 22, 2008 7:51 am) Sure it can; but some adjustments might be needed to compensate, and people of lower income may have to give up some things. 1) many employers could go to (4) 10-hr days. There is no golden-rule that businesses run (5) 8-hr days. 2) people will move closer to work, or take a job closer to home. 3) people may walk and bike more to local stores. 4) people will choose to shop at the closer stores rather than drive further. 5) People may take trips to closer spots - the lake 10 miles away rather than 30 miles away. 6) People may decide they rather have money for gas, than spend $100/month on cable and cell-phone. Or wasting money on their 15th Chinese-made "designer" purse, or upgrading their perfectly fine golf-clubs. And lastly before you get everyone all gloomy and doomy, higher gas prices is not the end of the world. Other countries with lower GDP, and individual incomes are getting along ok with these prices.
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