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How Cars Turned Into Giant Killers

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Re: How Cars Turned Into Giant Killers

#21

Post by dontlaugh »

frumper wrote: post #15
willio58 wrote: post #14

It's sad that we've taken it so far. Cars don't inherently have to be death traps (see smaller cars in europe), and we shouldn't have to use them for basic needs like getting groceries, but to just keep making them bigger and more dangerous for those outside of the car is plain insane. And now these death machines are going electric, which is slightly better but now they're wayy heavier. How many deaths are we going…

The weight difference between a Camry and Model 3 isn't much heavier. You probably won't see a lot of deaths from hummer ev's because there just won't be very many.

I looked up the Camry, it’s quite big and heavy already. The Model 3 too. The real comparison would be something like a Hyundai i10 or a VW Up, or at most a Fiesta or Golf.

Re: How Cars Turned Into Giant Killers

#22

Post by frumper »

dontlaugh wrote: post #21
frumper wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The weight difference between a Camry and Model 3 isn't much heavier. You probably won't see a lot of deaths from hummer ev's because there just won't be very many.

I looked up the Camry, it’s quite big and heavy already. The Model 3 too. The real comparison would be something like a Hyundai i10 or a VW Up, or at most a Fiesta or Golf.

I fail to see how that is the comparison to make. That's what you'd make if you want to be as extreme as possible. If you'd like to compare the best selling ICE sedan with the best selling EV sedan, then you'd compare a Camry and Model 3. They're also at least closer in price and someone considering a sedan might actually look at both. The person buying a Model 3 isn't going to buy a Hyundai i10, or a Fiesta.

Re: How Cars Turned Into Giant Killers

#25

Post by Justsignedup »

vlucas wrote: post #10

I am glad the article mentions CAFE standards. Government CAFE regulations are the primary reason vehicles like Trucks and SUVs have gotten so much larger in recent years, and almost no one talks about it when these conversations come up. Simply put, CAFE standards were modified to include a vehicle "footprint" measured in square feet in addition to vehicle weight. The larger the footprint, the lower the fuel efficie…

I think they did the right thing with CAFE but they forgot one critical aspect. Licenses. In order to qualify for the lower emission standards, your car must have commercial plates with appropriate commercial license requirements.

This will solve all problems immediately. Work trucks can effectively be affected independently from residential trucks.

(I also think the 0-60 of a car should require specialized licenses. Like anything under 8 seconds should require a license that a rich 16yo can't just get just because)

In any case, thats my thoughts.

Re: How Cars Turned Into Giant Killers

#26

Post by RecycledEle »

giraffe_lady wrote: post #7
RecycledEle wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the regulations and abusive media tactics that led to the near extinction of traditional (V8, rear wheel drive, American made) cars, which forced consumers to flee to the closest substitute: light trucks.

What does "abusive media tactics" mean?

The media mocked cars that made sense as environmental disasters (e.g., large, American-made, rear-wheel drive, V8-powered cars) when they were not. Those cars got 300,000+ miles before being scrapped. I am most familiar with the 1993 Chevy Caprice, which got 24 MPG on the highway.

The media ripped those cars and the companies who made them until the business-class* executives gave up and took them out of production.

* business-class refers to accountants, attorneys, and MBAs who are more than 2 levels above the lowest workers in the company and who genuinely do not understand the words they are using. They often say a word thinking of a common usage of it, not understanding that in their work it is industry-specific or company-specific jargon.

Re: How Cars Turned Into Giant Killers

#27

Post by RecycledEle »

dwallin wrote: post #8
RecycledEle wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the regulations and abusive media tactics that led to the near extinction of traditional (V8, rear wheel drive, American made) cars, which forced consumers to flee to the closest substitute: light trucks.

That seems disingenuous. No doubt there are some car owners who do care about these things, but the vast majority of drivers would likely be hard-pressed to know what type of engine their car has, or what the differences between rear and front drive are. Most people select cars based on some mix of cost, perceived safety, utility, and by what other people they know are getting. (edit) Went to add sourcing and was sur…

> there are some car owners who do care about these things, but the vast majority of drivers would likely be hard-pressed to know what type of engine their car has, or what the differences between rear and front drive are

I'm very surprised by this answer.

May I ask: Where do you live? What are your degrees in?

I live in Texas, and my degrees are in STEM fields like Computers and Engineering.

Re: How Cars Turned Into Giant Killers

#28

Post by RecycledEle »

r00fus wrote: post #9
RecycledEle wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the regulations and abusive media tactics that led to the near extinction of traditional (V8, rear wheel drive, American made) cars, which forced consumers to flee to the closest substitute: light trucks.

Light trucks sell well because of the chicken tax loophole.

I did not realize that. Thank you.

More info on the chicken tax: https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/a44373090/chicken-tax-trucks...

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