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Pain Point? - READ ONLY

60 messages,  Last post on Dec 12, 2008 at 2:32 PM

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What is this discussion about? Automotive News, Car Buying, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Coupe, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, SUV


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#51 of 60
I think we have changed. by boaz47
Dec 10, 2008 (3:55 pm)
But I also agree we don't have many improvements economy wise to choose from. My last real small car was a old Civic SI hatch back in the 80s I think. Thing ran forever on a gallon of gas. I also had a B-210 slug that got great mileage and it might have been responsible for me feeling we needed more power than was offered by many small cars at the time. I got a Pulser for my son and it wasn't bad on fuel even if it almost made me swear off of Nissans.
 
But the pain point has changed me I believe. I no longer need at least 150 HP no matter how small the car. I love my Tahoe and use it as a SUV should be used, towing and hauling. I don't love my 4 banger but I like the mileage it gets and plan on keeping it till the wheels fall off. The only thing that will get me into a new small car is if they make one that gets the kind of mileage of an Insight for the price of a Aveo, or maybe I could stretch it to the price of a focus. Other than that I moved to a smaller place and don't have to commute. From most of the people I talk to most people have changed how they drive even if not as many changed what they drive as some had hoped.
#52 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [boaz47] by fezo
Dec 10, 2008 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 10, 2008 3:55 pm)

I remember my, I think, 85 Sentra. The thing was slow but on a trip it would break 40 mpg no sweat. I'm thinking I could live with a car that slow again.
#53 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [fezo] by nippononly
Dec 10, 2008 (9:57 pm)

Replying to: fezo (Dec 10, 2008 6:00 pm)

I will "echo" that!
(pun intended, given the model of car I drive for my commute, which by the way is not nearly as slow as most cars I drove in the 80s.....that was before I could afford a new car, or even a fast used car)
#54 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [fezo] by boaz47
Dec 10, 2008 (10:43 pm)

Replying to: fezo (Dec 10, 2008 6:00 pm)

I never thought I would be interested in a small slow car but I have found that the economy showed me that the car simply wasn't all that important anyway. I could live with a small city car as long as I didn't intend to travel any real distance in one. But city cars only need to be comfortable for maybe 100 miles. So in that regard I have changed but if they came up with an alternative fuel source or high mileage mid sized car I would be very interested. But I would even give up a city car if we had a good public transportation system or light rail in our state. That is one direction in which I have changed. I took the Metro Rail into LA a few times and it was one of the most relaxing rides into the City I have ever had. Had it been available when I worked in LA I would have never driven as a commuter.
#55 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [nippononly] by andre1969
Dec 11, 2008 (5:50 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Dec 10, 2008 9:57 pm)

Isn't the Echo actually pretty quick with a stick shift?
#56 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [boaz47] by gagrice
Dec 11, 2008 (6:09 am)

Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 10, 2008 10:43 pm)

I agree. I can drive most any little beater for running errands and even short trips to San Diego 30 miles away. In fact when I go shopping I would just as soon not have a nice car as door dingers drive me crazy. If I am headed to Phoenix or Las Vegas and points beyond I like the comfort & safety of a larger vehicle.
 
My closest point to catch the Trolley is 13 miles from home. Or an hour on the milk run bus with only 4 chances per day. If you miss the bus it is a $50 cab ride.
#57 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [andre1969] by nippononly
Dec 11, 2008 (7:17 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Dec 11, 2008 5:50 am)

Yup, the stick shift Echo has a 0-60 time of 8.5 seconds, so pretty quick for an econobox. The automatic was about 2 seconds slower and 15% less fuel-efficient to boot.
 
They are reporting this morning that the trade deficit jumped enormously in October, primarily due to massive increases in oil imports. So clearly things are not so bad that people can't buy lots more gas at $2, and $2 is WELL below the pain point!
#58 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [gagrice] by boaz47
Dec 11, 2008 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Dec 11, 2008 6:09 am)

Now there you have a good point. Taking the Tahoe or even my PT, before I sold it, to the mall was always a difficult experience. But with an econobox who cares? I thought about getting a Aveo or Corolla or Civic just for such trips. But my little Pontiac 4 banger gets along just fine and so there is no reason to get a new car. No sub compact is an upgrade and I don't need a mid sized car while I have the Tahoe and an old compact. But public transportation isn't readily available where I live unless you consider Dial-A -Ride. I tend to cycle more places now and 10 to 20 miles is getting pretty easy.
#59 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [boaz47] by fezo
Dec 11, 2008 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 11, 2008 3:50 pm)

Yeah, an Echo can move - and, heck, a Corolla these days does OK.
 
Funny thing with that old Sentra. It was small but it was comfortable. I'd drive it from South Jersey to Maine. The only problem was getting it up to speed. Once there it was fine and with the stick you could manage passing a slowpoke.
#60 of 60
Re: I think we have changed. [fezo] by boaz47
Dec 12, 2008 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: fezo (Dec 11, 2008 7:13 pm)

It is those cross state journeys that make me take the Tahoe. There are time when I get out on a long freeway like the 10 going through Texas or the 40 through New Mexico where the captain chair type of seats and cruise control make life a lot easier. I tend to not be effected by the wind as much on 40 or the rain groves on 10 like I do in a small car. I always thought they should put a cable down the middle of the lane on parts of ten so when you put the car in cruise control you could simply sit back and let the vehicle track down the road for 200 miles at a time. To tell the truth a new Accord or even a Camry isn't bad on such a road but a Corolla will tire you out a bit. I have gone 600 miles in the Tahoe and been just about as rested as if I had spent the day in my living room watching TV. After 300 miles in my sons old, 2001, Civic we both would have to get out of the car and stretch and let the blood return to our "hinter" regions.
 
Still I hardly ever drive my Tahoe locally and I only drive my 4 banger when I have to. Because of that I believe at least my family has changed.

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