$5 gas by 2012?
01-04-2011, 11:52 AM
#54
We obviously aren't from the same place.... Because here quite a lot of people make a living where they have to carry a large amount of equipment around the city to do their job. Whether they are in construction, private contracting, landscaping, plumbing, HVAC, or numerous other jobs in the same type of work. How often is it transported? FIVE DAYS A WEEK... Just because wherever you are from doesn't usually require trucks/SUVs doesn't mean that nowhere does... And yeah, you try pulling a piece of heavy machinery behind a station wagon and see how it does when you have to come to a stop with a few thousand pounds connected to the back of it.... I used to work in private contracting, and I can guarantee you that trying to do that job with anything short of a truck or SUV simply wouldn't work.... Not to mention the fact that plenty of jobs require a vehicle that is capable of easily and safely going off-road.
Not to mention what makes you hate SUVs so much in the first place? The only two arguments against them are that they take up too much space and they get bad gas mileage... Since you are recommending the Fiat Ducato, you obviously don't have a problem with the size of the vehicle. And as for gas mileage, these days a lot of SUVs get better gas mileage than our RX-8s do... A lot of the mid and small size ones get in the mid 20s. And even some of the big ones get just about the same as our cars... A new Chevrolet Suburban gets 21mpg on the highway (and can tow up to 9.5k lbs. A station wagon cannot do that). That is better than plenty of people on this forum get with their cars. So aside from size (which you don't mind) and gas mileage (which you can't say is that bad considering a lot of SUVs get better gas mileage than you do in your 8), what is so bad about SUVs?
Not to mention what makes you hate SUVs so much in the first place? The only two arguments against them are that they take up too much space and they get bad gas mileage... Since you are recommending the Fiat Ducato, you obviously don't have a problem with the size of the vehicle. And as for gas mileage, these days a lot of SUVs get better gas mileage than our RX-8s do... A lot of the mid and small size ones get in the mid 20s. And even some of the big ones get just about the same as our cars... A new Chevrolet Suburban gets 21mpg on the highway (and can tow up to 9.5k lbs. A station wagon cannot do that). That is better than plenty of people on this forum get with their cars. So aside from size (which you don't mind) and gas mileage (which you can't say is that bad considering a lot of SUVs get better gas mileage than you do in your 8), what is so bad about SUVs?
Most people/drivers don't need a Tank ... err I mean SUVs to go around and work, they got it simply because of the typical American Style of "The bigger the better"
Lets face it people think "bigger cars" are safer. While I won't deny that, because on a pure science point of view when an impact happens the bigger/heavier object will always protect better and "bounce" the smaller object away. but my solution to this is we just need "better" drivers, not a tank to protect us on the road. They just need to make the test harder, Im sure that will make the accident rate go down at least 50%. Some f-ing idiots can't even park and they can still get a "driver's license".
Im not sure about other states but NY tri-state area has one of the most ridiculous insurance rates, that should tell you all something. The "drivers" are the problem. Too many idiots got their hands behind the wheel and that's the root cause.
Now back to "People need SUVs" for their work. Well well, if all other country can live without oversize SUVs/Tanks for their work/DD. What makes our country so special that we really need oversized SUVs for our work? and don't give me that "we just do because blah blah blah" It is the "Auto companies" that makes you think you need it. All SUVs comes with very good profit for them so yea of course they will do everything, commercials, ads, everywhere to make "you" think that you need it.
as for MPG, I get pretty good MPG out of my 8 + comparing SUV to a sport cars is just pure stupid. Ferrari gets what 8 mpg. some Super car gets 3 mpg. OMG IT HAS HORRIBLE MPG ITS WORST THAN THE WORST SUV, does that make u happy now?
EPA's MPG numbers, even with the new standard, are just wayyyy off than real life scenario. You have a heavy right foot? you get **** mpg. its that simple.
Last edited by nycgps; 01-04-2011 at 12:07 PM.
01-04-2011, 12:02 PM
#55
I agree with you nycgps 
A lTdi engine is also way more efficient thana a 5.2na petrol engine that is directly derived from 50yo technology, let's face it. This while being half the displacement.
So a "working" platform is still the best solution- They're pretty common in here.
If you work and need to transport stuff just buy something like this
or the bigger version. You can have them with open backs, ceilings, fridges or whatever your need is.
The comparison with an rx8 is also incorrect. A sports car rarely does 20.000+miles a year.
For your city driving and short (sub 150miles) trips this is all you need, face it:
It's really this simple!
A lTdi engine is also way more efficient thana a 5.2na petrol engine that is directly derived from 50yo technology, let's face it. This while being half the displacement.
So a "working" platform is still the best solution- They're pretty common in here.
If you work and need to transport stuff just buy something like this
or the bigger version. You can have them with open backs, ceilings, fridges or whatever your need is.The comparison with an rx8 is also incorrect. A sports car rarely does 20.000+miles a year.
For your city driving and short (sub 150miles) trips this is all you need, face it:
It's really this simple!
01-04-2011, 12:37 PM
#56
A number of people on this forum made fun of me for buying a TDI wagon.
I got an avg of 49.5 mpg over a 650 tank of fuel at 75 mph by doing pulse and glide over the hills. With just cruise control it dropped to 45 mpg. This is a 3300 lbs car. 240 lb/ft torque at 1700 rpm.
I got an avg of 49.5 mpg over a 650 tank of fuel at 75 mph by doing pulse and glide over the hills. With just cruise control it dropped to 45 mpg. This is a 3300 lbs car. 240 lb/ft torque at 1700 rpm.
01-04-2011, 12:42 PM
#57
The Slow and the Serious
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Communistwealth of Virginia
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A number of people on this forum made fun of me for buying a TDI wagon.
I got an avg of 49.5 mpg over a 650 tank of fuel at 75 mph by doing pulse and glide over the hills. With just cruise control it dropped to 45 mpg. This is a 3300 lbs car. 240 lb/ft torque at 1700 rpm.
I got an avg of 49.5 mpg over a 650 tank of fuel at 75 mph by doing pulse and glide over the hills. With just cruise control it dropped to 45 mpg. This is a 3300 lbs car. 240 lb/ft torque at 1700 rpm.
I am eagerly awaiting Mazda's new Sky-D engines to make it over here.
01-04-2011, 12:44 PM
#58
I may trade my TDI in for Mazda's diesel. The HPFP failures from VW make me uneasy. Especially since VW likes to blame the customer and deny warranty claims.
I know from the RX-8 that Mazda takes responsibility if their design is lacking -- fixing the vehicle and extending the warranty period.
I know from the RX-8 that Mazda takes responsibility if their design is lacking -- fixing the vehicle and extending the warranty period.
01-04-2011, 02:56 PM
#59
I like diesel engines.
The reason why I didn't get it ---- not much station around me that carries Diesel. There is one on the way to my gf's home, but thats it.
people who laugh at diesel engines are either moron or still living in their pass which makes them think diesel engines are "dirty"
when Mazda's Sky-D comes ---- hell I might just get it, even tho I might lose a lot of money on my current Mazda 3.
The reason why I didn't get it ---- not much station around me that carries Diesel. There is one on the way to my gf's home, but thats it.
people who laugh at diesel engines are either moron or still living in their pass which makes them think diesel engines are "dirty"
when Mazda's Sky-D comes ---- hell I might just get it, even tho I might lose a lot of money on my current Mazda 3.
01-04-2011, 09:23 PM
#64
01-04-2011, 09:33 PM
#65
I did the whole crotch rocket thing about 6 years ago. Had a Honda CBR 929, It was traded for a Yamaha YZF R6. I worked on a rode my ex gfs suzuki a lot. She bought it for 2500 dollars, the motor had cracked heads on it and the guy just wanted to be rid of it. I had a Ducati Hypermotard I traded the Yamaha for. Now I am over that phase. The last bike I owned was an 1300 water cooled V-Star but a drunk driver drove over it in his truck, so it was totaled, and now I am just waiting till I purchase my next bike. I prefer cruisers now, and its a toss between a Victory and a Harley. Both incredibly reliable cruisers with plenty of power.
My dads had me on bikes since I was carried on a back carrier n his. I have seen a lot of bikes, but the only ones I have seen his buddies be able to hold onto for over 25 years are Harleys and Indians. Indians are 35000+ where as the Harley Night Rod, and the Victory Vegas 8 ball are closer to 15,000 and much more reliable than any Yamaha or Honda would be minus the Gold Wings which again are 35000+.
My dads had me on bikes since I was carried on a back carrier n his. I have seen a lot of bikes, but the only ones I have seen his buddies be able to hold onto for over 25 years are Harleys and Indians. Indians are 35000+ where as the Harley Night Rod, and the Victory Vegas 8 ball are closer to 15,000 and much more reliable than any Yamaha or Honda would be minus the Gold Wings which again are 35000+.
01-05-2011, 08:11 AM
#69
The Slow and the Serious
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Communistwealth of Virginia
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That part I only partially agree with... I commend Mazda for the way they handled the RX8 issues, but they really dropped the ball on the Speed6/Speed3/CX7 smoking turbo problems. Speed6 owners were especially screwed, since the official "fix" finally showed up after most of those cars were out of warranty, regardless of when the issues actually started.
01-05-2011, 01:01 PM
#70
hehe. I understand. Best I've gotten is 34 mpg on my Hayabusa.
I guess my point is that recommending a 1000+ cc bike that weighs so much, for a fuel efficient ride, is like recommending a corvette for the fuel economy. -- it can get 30 mpg on the highway. However neither are practical or best choices for the task at hand.
Getting a 150 or 250cc bike can net you 70-90 mpg. But no one wants to max out a bike to move at high way speeds, or look like a noob on the street.
01-05-2011, 01:12 PM
#71
If I ever get a 250cc is gonna be a yamaha dirt bike. If I ever get another 650 or 750 is gonna be an ATV :P I like cruising now. For one my back doesn't take any punishment doing it, and for two while it was fun to have the girl on the back of the crotch rocket, she enjoys the ride much more on a cruiser. at 1300cc the VROD has plenty of power and speed, I believe its 140hp. Theres just something relaxing about a nice 75 degree day on a cruiser.
01-05-2011, 01:22 PM
#72
hehe. I understand. Best I've gotten is 34 mpg on my Hayabusa.
I guess my point is that recommending a 1000+ cc bike that weighs so much, for a fuel efficient ride, is like recommending a corvette for the fuel economy. -- it can get 30 mpg on the highway. However neither are practical or best choices for the task at hand.
Getting a 150 or 250cc bike can net you 70-90 mpg. But no one wants to max out a bike to move at high way speeds, or look like a noob on the street.
I guess my point is that recommending a 1000+ cc bike that weighs so much, for a fuel efficient ride, is like recommending a corvette for the fuel economy. -- it can get 30 mpg on the highway. However neither are practical or best choices for the task at hand.
Getting a 150 or 250cc bike can net you 70-90 mpg. But no one wants to max out a bike to move at high way speeds, or look like a noob on the street.
Getting a 150\250cc scooter\bike\whatever is wise only if you live in the city and are planning on not leaving it on 2 wheels. I own a craptastic 500cc bike and when cruising at 75mph you feel like it's going to explode after a while.
Looking like a newbie is fun though, you get a lot of guys on supersports that really know nothing about what they're trying to do
If i still had both arms working properly i'd pick a motard for city driving\fun and probably a triumph as a cruiser.
Gotta love being OT!
01-05-2011, 03:02 PM
#74
Strength/Confidence
Guess I'm getting a prius in 2012. Jk, never!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ShellDude
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
5
10-01-2015 09:55 PM
