Americans' love for cars on the skids

[Smashing1]

It was a small article I came across online, so I just posted the whole thing. I think the last statistic is the most revealing reason as to why Toyota and Honda cars are selling so well...

The original article can be seen here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...tory?track=rss

Americans' love for cars on the skids

Associated Press
Published August 2, 2006

Americans love their automobiles, but not as much as they used to.

Nearly 7 in 10 drivers enjoy getting behind the wheel; the rest think it's a chore. In 1991, nearly 8 in 10 said they liked driving.


The biggest reasons: traffic and the behavior of other drivers. Only 3 percent point to high gas prices, according to a poll released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center.

The new poll's results were consistent among drivers of cars, pickups and SUVs.

Some of the numbers:



Why driving is a gas

- 21 percent said it's relaxing or time to be alone.

- 19 percent enjoy the scenery or "getting away from things."

- 14 percent cited freedom and independence.



Why it's a drag

- 23 percent said traffic and congestion.

- 14 percent said other drivers, bad drivers or rude drivers.

- 3 percent said gas prices.



Getting personal

- 31 percent said their cars had their own personalities.

- 68 percent have sung out loud in their cars in the past year.

- 38 percent "shouted, cursed or made gestures to other drivers" in the past year. Women were just as likely as men.

- 6 percent had fallen asleep while driving in the past year.

- 7 percent said a person's car reveals the most about "what someone is like." (54 percent said a person's home is most revealing, and 24 percent cited clothing.)

[knightfan26917]

Interesting article.

Originally Posted by Smashing1

Nearly 7 in 10 drivers enjoy getting behind the wheel; the rest think it's a chore. In 1991, nearly 8 in 10 said they liked driving.

The biggest reasons: traffic and the behavior of other drivers.

I can believe that! I _hate_ traffic ... and avoid Chicago as much as possible.

Why driving is a gas

- 21 percent said it's relaxing or time to be alone.

- 19 percent enjoy the scenery or "getting away from things."

- 14 percent cited freedom and independence.

All 3 of these for me .

Why it's a drag

- 23 percent said traffic and congestion.

- 14 percent said other drivers, bad drivers or rude drivers.

- 3 percent said gas prices.

Only the first 2 for me ... gas prices haven't phased me.

Getting personal

- 31 percent said their cars had their own personalities.

I know mine do .



Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker
MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html
"I can’t stop driving" ... New Radicals ... 'Someday We'll Know'

[megeebee]

I always said that Toyotas were "the cars for people who don't like cars".

[LAMRONH]

They wish.
I rekkin their next story will be how most Americans wish they could pile into a subway or bus and ride for an hour to work. Woo hoo!!