Is your car really a necessary symbol of your identity? PLEASE!

[NoSheep]

I just read a post by someone troubled they may be told what kind of car to drive. Basically, I took it to mean this person will drive a gas guzzler if they want to. This is ridiculous!

I am not saying a person should be forced to purchase a new car. I'm just saying all NEW cars should be fuel efficient. If that means they end up looking a certain way...not like a fucking "I'll-run-over-your-whimpy-ass" Hummer or a "My-penis-is-small-and-I-live-on-credit-therefore-I-drive-a-Lincoln Navigator" then so be it.

[1]

1. i drive the prius. how do you like me now?

[NoSheep]

3. I like you just fine! I'd say you're doing the best you can. imagine being able to afford one

and not driving one. being dead set against the idea. Dog's don't poop in their own bed...why do humans?

[1]

4. thees is why i drive the prius.

[DBoon]

42. So do I

I like to think of myself as practical, interested in advanced technology, and wanting to be ecologically sound

[jakefrep]

2. Well, I would like to be able to pick it out in a parking lot. nt

[NoSheep]

5. designers will always keep coming up with new ways to attract our

aesthetic sensibilities. I just think it's nuts to offer an argument against fuel efficient cars by saying you don't want any "comrades" dictating what sort of car you drive. Perhaps a freeper troll roped me in with this crap.

[NoSheep]

6. here's what got me going

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4583550&mesg_id=4583805

[BrklynLiberal]

59. I think you will appreciate these...

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/speeding-small-penis-p1.php


http://store.humperbumper.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=001&Product_Code=d5&Category_Code=E

[Brooklyns_Finest]

7. New Car

I just bought a new Honda Accord last weekend. I must say that this car is sweet and is great on gas. My job is pretty close to my apartment so I have only put 80 miles on this car. THe dealer made sure I left with a full tank of gas. I have used a little less than a quarter tank. I am loving it!

[NoSheep]

10. There you go. A great car! We can't bail out an industry with no conscience!

Those days should be OVER now. It's way too late to let government get by with feeding businesses who get by with feeding the lions. it made me sick today to hear them backtracking. But at least some of our lawmakers are shaming them into it. Help them, but make them conform to strict environmental standards and tell the pigs to get over it.

[rrneck]

8. I drive a POS twenty year old pickup truck,

mostly because I'm a cheap bastard. If I could get somebody else to pay for it, I'd drive whatever they want. All things being equal and if I could make a living without it I'd rather walk everywhere. Buying gas is like throwing money out in the street.

[hunter]

33. Great first post! Welcome.

I drive a 1984 POS.

I loathe cars and it sorta pisses me off that I have to drive one.

[Edweird]

9. People buy what they want. How hard is that to understand?

That whole 'compensation' schtick just makes you look like a bitter jerk.

[Brooklyns_Finest]

11. I agree

My last car was a large SUV and I was never compensating for anything. I just liked a big car. This time I bought a large sedan. Next time it might be a sports car or maybe another SUV. It is all about freedomg of choice.

[NoSheep]

15. "it's all about freedom of choice" What "all" are you referring to?

Is your car identity "all" that there is? Are you suggesting it's just fine for car companies to continue to make gas guzzlers in these environmentally disasterous times? Are you like my brain dead neighbor: a "FOX NEWS person"?

[NoSheep]

12. Bitter jerk? Compensation? What? People shouldn't be ABLE to buy what they want.

Not if MY tax dollars are supporting the industry and especially not now that "what they want" is harming our envir-onment to the breaking point.

[Edweird]

39. Oooh brilliant! Force the American auto industry to build cars Americans don't want.

That'll help. Really. What American car dealers need is a sales lot full of 'NoSheep'-mobiles. :eyes: So instead of the F-150 being the best selling vehicle, it'll be the Toyota Tundra. How unbelievably moronic.

[NoSheep]

40. That isn't at all what I'm suggesting. We buy what they build. Period.

You're missing the point. It is not my job to catch you up.

[Edweird]

46. Not much business experience, huh?

[lumberjack_jeff]

53. Maybe the second year of college will be more beneficial. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

56. Actually that is the problem... they are NOT building what the

people want.

The green cars don't sell mantra is highly disproven by civics and priuses... which can't stay in lots

Teh reason why they like to tell you this is that they get more of a margin (aka profit) with the F-150 per unit, than they would with a Prius equivalent. You make that up in volume sales

But this is too complex for most folks to grasp

[CRF450]

18. I hate that garbage talk too. And I drive a sports car and a truck.

Love the ATHF link BTW, classic episode!

[sciouscience]

13. yes. i am a worker. i drive a work truck.

i drive my (only) motor vehicle: 90% work mileage, 9% commuting & 1% personal. so yeah, somehow it accurately assesses my character.
"I-have-a-small-'savings account'-therefore-i-drive-like-i-am-trying-to-earn-more-money."

[NoSheep]

20. Point taken. I was referring to those who would insist on driving a certain vehicle no matter

the consequences. I think this is a bad attitude. That's all.

[Dr. Strange]

14. God, I hope not.

Otherwise I'm walking around with my check engine light on. :blush:

[NoSheep]

16. lol

[RazBerryBeret]

28. hey!!!

me too...I'm starting to hate that light....
plus I have a slow leak in my right front tire, hmmmm....don't see a parallel there

[gratuitous]

17. Schwinn SuperSport

Which I guess means . . . hell, I don't know.

[flvegan]

19. My car is a reflection of my personality, and says something of my identity.

I'm an enthusiast, and a car is more than just transportation to me, though.

[mondo joe]

21. I like my little Scion XB because its a quirky little toaster of a car.

And I'm driving it no matter what. :-)

[swishyfeet]

57. Your tires appear to be on fire

Might want to check that out...

[SmileyRose]

22. That big ass SUV will come in handy

with so many Americans losing their homes that cargo space in the SUV is going to be a necessity. I've packed everything 2 people needed to survive for a month in mine for recreational purposes. In really bad weather we put put all the seats down flat, tossed in the sleeping bags and slept in it. I could do it for actual survival purposes if I had to but hope I never do.

We off road volunteer for the state and national park service nearly every month. We use the thing for it's intended purpose and fill it up with carpoolers during the week. And on per person carbon footprint versus one person per prius I win. Not to mention the small carbon footprint of my home and the rest of my lifestyle.

Judging me by my car is uninformed at best, deliberately idiotic at worst.

[NoSheep]

24. I think my point was do you judge yourSELF by your car! So many here can't read.

Pity. And how very "idiotic", to use your term!

[SmileyRose]

31. What?

My point was that while some uninformed person may make many negative judgements about my vehicle of choice, "I" know it to be practical and chosen specifically for it's more positive environmental impact within my lifestyle. I was making a "myself" vs "others" comment intended to blend with what you said. I didn't take your comment to be irrationally judgemental of my bigass SUV. Or was it and that's why you took offense at my own comment? Either way, mine was not intended to call you an idiot - hopefully the shoe doesn't fit.

[NoSheep]

36. Perhaps I misunderstood your comment..I'll read it again (4th time)

[NoSheep]

37. Yep. I TOTALLY misunderstood what you wrote. Like I said: Pity some here can't read

:hi:

[nancyr]

23. I buy what I can afford....

I'm an old lady, so I obviously own an old lady car. Even if I could afford a gas guzzling Hummer I would not be caught dead in one. No need to be ostentatious about it.

[spoony]

25. Surely there must be some Godwin-like law

that says if you use the "you do x therefore you have a tiny dick" argument you automatically lose. If there isn't, maybe you can get it named in your honour.

[NoSheep]

26. I'd be honored...to tell you..you either have no sense of humor...or

you have a tiny dick.:)

[spoony]

47. I have a sense of humour when things are funny

Not when people just thoughtlessly blurt out things that were maybe clever the first time they were uttered, fifty or sixty years ago. And I'd rather you spend as little time as possible wondering anything about my dick, thanks!

[Juche]

27. It is their life

Personally I would support a tax on all cars that get low MPG with the money going to renewable energy and tax credits for people who buy fuel efficient vehicles. But if that were in place, Hummer away.

[NoSheep]

30. Problem is, it ISN'T their life" if it involves polluting the environment to excess and usng my tax

money to bail out an industry who had so little forsight that they didn't see the coming of environmental policies that tried to check global warming.

I do agree with your tax idea. But not with the "it is their life" statement.

[Abq_Sarah]

58. In my perfect world

I'd prefer a tax on people who live in urban areas who could use public transportation, but would prefer to drive their own personal vehicles. Those of us who live in rural areas with few paved roads, especially living in the mountains, don't have the same transportation options and we shouldn't be punished for not having the same choices. Personally, I'd love to have the fuel savings you see with a Prius but I don't think it would be wise to drive it down a snow covered switchback in the dead of winter. ;)

[trayfoot]

29. The ONLY thing a vehicle does for me........

is to transport me from Point A to Point B - and hopefully, in an extremely fuel efficient manner!

[NoSheep]

35. Ding.

Now I like a pretty car. Design is cool. But we can get that if we want it.

[yodoobo]

32. Only if you buy what Madison avenue is shoveling

The marketing people are all about convincing you that a car represents you.

I see people buyers of hummers as well as prius'es unwittingly living by what the marketers tell you.

That said. Its your money. Buy want you want, for the reason you want.

As for me. There are some cars that I really like, and some that I would be embarrassed to drive. I try to not buying into that whole "my car is my identity" bs, but its so prevalent and completely accepted in our society, I know I'm not totally immune.

[Better Believe It]

34. So where is that wonderful gas saving little YUGO when we need it?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

44. They saved gas because they wouldn't start.

I had a friend that sold them. He told me that on a cold day, when they had to move the new car stock for snow removal, 1/3 would start, another 1/3 would need to be jumped and the last third just weren't starting - no way no how. They needed to be pushed.

[DJ13]

38. Yes! I drive a convertable so I can drop my top & show off my man boobs

:silly:

[Better Believe It]

41. You have man boobs? Perhaps a diet would be in order.

:)

[DJ13]

50. You know how much it costs to lighten up a car?

Oh, you mean.........

:blush:
:hi:

[Waiting For Everyman]

43. Incentivize fuel-efficient cars - it's simple.

And buydown the cost of at least one model to around $10K so that anybody can afford one. Give a tax/registration break to people trading in a guzzler for a new one. Then junk the guzzlers into scrap.

And btw, gas taxes are stupid!!! Discourage gas use by registering vehicles by WEIGHT. Make it cheap to register and renew a light car, and make it cost to register a heavy one. I'm fed up with paying extra for gas because of idiots who don't get it, and figure they can afford to be stupid. Discourage that idea, make it cost the ones who are guzzling without penalizing everybody!!!

[sakabatou]

45. I currently own no cars

[CoffeeCat]

48. My car is an extension of my PTSD...

I have PTSD from childhood stuff. About a year ago, my therapist and I got into a discussion
about my car, and I came right out and told him that, because the car is tall, I loved being "above" most
other cars. Also, I feel insulated in the car, because it is pretty heavy--6,000 lbs.

The car is tall and I feel more in control in it.

Is this a weakness of mine? Yes. Am I being environmentally irresponsible, as far as car choices? Yes.
However, it is....what it is. It's what I need to feel "safe" right now. For the time being. It's
just something I accept about myself.

I asked my therapist if he thought this was selfish of me, and he said, "Honey, after what
society has done to you, this is the car you should be driving."

I loved that.

Sometimes, you can be doing something that isn't "optimal"...and it can be ok.

I'm looking forward to the day when I feel secure enough to drive a Prius.

[TahitiNut]

49. Sure ... trustworthy, reliable, warm hearted, cool, accommodating, built for comfort not for speed.

Any other questions? :dunce:

[backscatter712]

51. I drive a Jetta.

Sure, it makes the UAW unhappy because it's an import, but it does get 30mpg on the highway.

[buzzard]

52. I have to say my husband had a Navigator not so much because he wanted one but due to his height it

was one of the vehicles he could sit in and not have to duck down to see out the window. We both went out and looked for something smaller but they were all to short for him and we tried every car and truck available. He is looking at having the seat lowered next time but it voids the warranty. He would love to have a fuel efficient vehicle but there are none that fit the bill.

[LeftyMom]

61. Have you looked into a TownCar or Crown Vic (same thing, different trim levels)

My Dad has the TC and drives it comfortably for hours at a stretch as his work vehicle. He's pretty damned tall and real big through the shoulder besides. I know that on the rare occasions I have to drive it (I'm really short, if I didn't look like him I'd want to know how tall the mailman was) my feet barely reach the pedals with the seat all the way forward and I have to sit so low to reach I can barely see over the steering wheel, so it's definitely designed with tallish people in mind.

Anyhow, cops drive 'em and some of them are pretty darn big. I'd guess that'd work, though honestly the mpg isn't all that much better than the Expedition/Navigator, because it's still a heavy vehicle with a pretty big engine.

[1]

54. i drive car that will get me the layed...

if i want get the layed by the liberal woman... i drive prius.

this car speaks to her that i am the concerned about environment and that i have the soft gooie insides. i too put the many "bumper stickers" on the prius. she seem to enjoy this too.

if i want to get the layed by the conservative woman... i drive the hummer.

no bumpers stickers. she wants to know the man because the large car he drive. large car. she know. heh! but then she discover not true. too late!

ha!

i own the prius. i own the hummer.



does this answer question?

[lumberjack_jeff]

55. Perhaps they buy 'em just to get you all flustered. n/t

[JDPriestly]

60. Mark my words! The day is coming when those who drive gas-guzzlers

will be viewed as poor. And those who own SUVs will be viewed as most likely homeless.

No matter how low the price of oil falls, it won't be low enough to support gas-guzzlers in the new, free market economy. Please understand by "free market" I refer to the freefall of wages that is about to happen.

As one who worked for a homeless shelter for years, I must admit that as soon as I saw SUVs I foresaw that Americans would be living, sleeping, eating in those things sooner or later. They are the mobile homes of the future for millions of Americans.

I do not want to be told what kind of car to drive. My common sense tells me to drive a small car. I might feel differently if I were a gardener or a real estate agent and I had to transport heavy equipment or lots of clients. But, for me and most people a small car is fine. We each get to choose the style we like withing that parameter.

[quaker bill]

62. There will be a time

when driving these massive gas guzzlers will be a social embarrassment. The people will throw rotten fruit at them and their drivers. Rightly or wrongly, they will be seen as those selfish folks whose conspicuous consumption raises the price for all.

Like all fads, conspicuous consumption will go out of style.