Our Buddies

[Tony_SS]

The Dems gets you drunk, wait to you pass out, then rape you. The NeoCons just kick you in the head and rape you.

And don't confuse NeoCons with Republicans. The NeoCons came from the left, instilling a fascist ideology in the Republican party.

 

[GP403]

The Dems gets you drunk, wait to you pass out, then rape you. The NeoCons just kick you in the head and rape you.

So what you're saying is either way we're f[CENSORED]d?

 

[Tony_SS]

The Dems gets you drunk, wait to you pass out, then rape you. The NeoCons just kick you in the head and rape you.

So what you're saying is either way we're f[CENSORED]d?

I'm afraid so, unless the Republicans oust the NeoCons that have taken over the party, adopt a sensible foreign policy and go back sound money.

 

[Derision]

1. No one is entitled to a car to drive....if you can afford it, fine. Public transportation, just like public schools, is just good social policy.

You know, I like to b*tch and complain about how poor I am, how my job sucks and I've never got money. I've come to realize, though, that... if I can afford $3.77 gas for a V8 Grand Prix and a gas-hog Cougar... I must be doing better than I thought.

There's no solution to the oil problem. None.

Didn't some company make synthetic oil back in the 70s and 80s, which drove down the prices of the crude? Why don't we do that again??!

 

[srercrcr]

The price of crude oil came down in the 80s because "our buddies", the Middle East folks, let the oil flow again after shutting it off, so we went back to driving big rides again...Hummers, Escursions, etc. We never learn.

 

[megaladon6]

and who's fault is that? it's a common problem in this country. we like to blame everyone else, schools, gov't, corporations etc, but americans don't take responsibility for their own actions anymore.
if people want "greener" vehicles and lower gas prices, they should take some responsibility, do some research on what cars really are green, not just the ones the media talks about, and buy what they need. not some v10 excursion for a single person who drives to work and the supermarket.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Yeah, if I see another "green" bumper sticker on the back of some large truck or SUV, I am gonna scream. I do drive a 4 cylinder vehicle every day, and I used to drive an even smaller one before my accident. I am wiling to drive a small vehicle, but the problem is there is no market for them so they are not sold here like they were in the 80's and 90's. Back then, a Civic or Sentra was cheap basic transportation that got good fuel economy and little else. If you wanted it, you could get a automatic trans or maybe A/C, but everything was extra. If I could get a cheap, dependable hatchback with nothing but A/C on it, I would. I would back when gas was 99 cents a gallon too. Now, no one makes a robust enough car for my needs that is cheap and good on gas, and can endure 300k miles of pizza delivery. My old Frontier can(with it's forged crank and rods, timing chain with tensioner and high nickel Iron block), but I don't trust any of the over-complicated newer designs with engines stripped of any more than minimal internal strength. Add to that the extra weight the safety-Nazis insist on and you have the makings of a car that just won't last too long. Hell, a new Sentra or Civic is within 300lbs of a V8 G body. If a Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio were durable, I would probably buy one. Same thing a TDI VW. Give me a car that can take the abuse I dish out and also gets good fuel mileage, and I am there.

 

[HFX]

A lot of new cars weigh more then my 86 Cutlass and don't have as good of gearing. Not to mention when it comes to long trips, my Cutlass is pretty darn comfortable over many new cars. 20mpg city and 27-30 highway out of an anemic v8, hell yeah. However, it is slow and I drive it like a grandma. It has never left me stranded though. I am about to retire it, hence I've been starting to work on restoration / stabilization of non mechanical parts.

Another forum I frequent was talking about the huge bulk of many new cars where even compacts are tipping the scales at 3200lbs.

 

[Tony_SS]

If GM gets their act together with the Volt, that could show some promise.

There are tons of homebuilt electrical cars on YouTube. Granted they only have a range of 40-70 miles, but it would be good for the 9-5 commuters and running errands.

It can be done. The cost is up there for the motor, but over the long term, one can save 1000's.

 

[megaladon6]

the thing that everyone misses about plug-ins is where does the power come from? it generally comes from an oil fired plant. so plug ins will actually use more fuel and cause more pollution, unless of course the power station is nuc, hydro etc.
one thing i saw yesterday that was interesting was a wind turbine on top of a ski mountain is massacheusets. if more of them had that, it could start making a dent. the peaks are up at the 2-3k level and the wind is always blowing. (plus the company i work for makes the bearings. and i get profit sharing 🙂 )
85cutlassb just so you know, vw did strengthen the diesel block as usual and the manual trans is (at least on the 96-98's) the same as that used on the VR6. so drivetrainwise the will hold up extremely well. the suspension holds up well to, but of course it's not designed for jumps.