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jvanleuvan · 07-01-2008, 12:17 PM

Here's the thing, in my mind. Any car, to really be usefull (not just trendy for the save the planet types) in the US needs to be able to attain and maintain safely 75MPH. IF not what's the use?

Most of americans' mileage is spent commuting to work. This commute almost always includes freeway travel. which is useually around 75 MPH.

I'm an average american. I live in the suburbs (because I cannot afford $600,000 for a house nearer to the city) I commute about 30 miles on a freeway to work every day.

SO any car that cannot drive on the freeway I can't use for my commute.(or for that matter any other buisness I have out of town, like jury duty, or an infinate list of other things I cannot take care of in my city)

so Such a car would be a second, "around town car" But I don't NEED a High mileage around town car and a lower mileage commuter. thats backwards. I need a high mileage car for going long distances by myself and a larger car to take the family around town.

My friend, in the land of $4.50 gas, just bought a SUV, WHY? cause he needs the space and works in town. When your weekly milage is 50, the difference between 15MPG and 40MPG is less than $10 a week(considering he pays $1750 in rent $10 is less than a drop in the bucket)

And I probably drive less that 50 miles a week in town(to the market and back etc...)

Even if you were retired and only really travelled around town, an non-freeway auto would still have to be a SECOND car, what about when you get jury duty 3 towns over, or need to go to the county seat for offical documents (see the cleark recorder or something) Or for that matter go to the mall thats 2 towns over?

and yes I know you could try to take the "backroads" but thats not really an option most of the time as those will take you (at least in my area) way out of your way(according to google maps my commute would more than double if i chose to "avoid Highways")

I am all for a smaller car - I will probably replace my car with the next fiesta when it comes out... But it needs to work with the way the U.S. roads are designed.

07-01-2008, 12:17 PM	#129 (permalink)
jvanleuvan 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 253	Re: Time For a Smaller Car Standard? Here's the thing, in my mind. Any car, to really be usefull (not just trendy for the save the planet types) in the US needs to be able to attain and maintain safely 75MPH. IF not what's the use? Most of americans' mileage is spent commuting to work. This commute almost always includes freeway travel. which is useually around 75 MPH. I'm an average american. I live in the suburbs (because I cannot afford $600,000 for a house nearer to the city) I commute about 30 miles on a freeway to work every day. SO any car that cannot drive on the freeway I can't use for my commute.(or for that matter any other buisness I have out of town, like jury duty, or an infinate list of other things I cannot take care of in my city) so Such a car would be a second, "around town car" But I don't NEED a High mileage around town car and a lower mileage commuter. thats backwards. I need a high mileage car for going long distances by myself and a larger car to take the family around town. My friend, in the land of $4.50 gas, just bought a SUV, WHY? cause he needs the space and works in town. When your weekly milage is 50, the difference between 15MPG and 40MPG is less than $10 a week(considering he pays $1750 in rent $10 is less than a drop in the bucket) And I probably drive less that 50 miles a week in town(to the market and back etc...) Even if you were retired and only really travelled around town, an non-freeway auto would still have to be a SECOND car, what about when you get jury duty 3 towns over, or need to go to the county seat for offical documents (see the cleark recorder or something) Or for that matter go to the mall thats 2 towns over? and yes I know you could try to take the "backroads" but thats not really an option most of the time as those will take you (at least in my area) way out of your way(according to google maps my commute would more than double if i chose to "avoid Highways") I am all for a smaller car - I will probably replace my car with the next fiesta when it comes out... But it needs to work with the way the U.S. roads are designed.