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Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for it

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by cwerdna, Apr 7, 2011.

  1. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    For this test to be meaningful, the current miles on the tank (trip meter) should match closer than that. If one is at 200 miles and the other at 400, the display arithmetic alone could create the described result.
     
  2. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    macmaster05 - If you don't work for the government, you have missed your calling. Why you have it all figured out, and even know what Americans need. How many square feet should our homes be? How many gallons of water should we consume?

    I know that is an overreaction, (sorry) and I agree we are spoiled. However, our economy is based on wants ..... not needs. If we suddenly limited everyone to needs .... there would be a world collapse of manufacturing, employment opportunities, monitary systems ... well you get the idea.

    I am really thankful that I do not live elsewhere, and have not experienced yesterdays hardships. Yep ... I am spoiled too. BTW, I do not own an full-size SUV (I have no "need" for one), but I do own a CRV.
     
  3. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    If it is a choice between the ecosystem and the monetary system, I for one will choose the ecosystem. I can't breathe (or drink or eat) cash.
     
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  4. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    Felt,
    If society moved more towards a less-waste consumption model the economy would most certainly shrink, but people would have commesurate (?) less obligations. The rats should quit the race. It is not good for the Earth, and it is not good for the rat.

    As one small example, my wife and I are interested in reducing plastic consumption, saving money on food, and eating healthy. So we buy food staples in bulk to prepare at home, and pretty much limit our weekly shopping to dairy and vegetables. Most meals cost about 50 cents a person, or $50 per month*person. It is true that I am not supporting a worker at McDonalds or a butchery; but that same person can eat well on less than minimum wage if s/he adopts my food lifestyle, and as a bonus will be much healthier.

    My point is not to argue preferences, but that less waste does not lead to a drop in quality of life.
     
  5. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    I don't agree with the supposition that the economy will shrink if society wastes less. The cost of waste and how to dispose of it must be taken into account as well.

    Wasting less should lead to lower prices, thereby increasing wealth and productivity.
     
  6. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    Society will never move to using less in any meaningful way. The overgrown, bloated institiution which are the federal, state and local governments are way to dependent on over-consumption.

    Case in point: had a conversation with an in-law last month. His view is the world is ready to implode at any moment( you know the aztec or mayan calendar ends in 2012) and that society is going to go back to everyone living off the grid and and "live off the land". He of course is completely dependent on the government for everything, so i asked him if that all happens what will he do? "Why would I not continue to receive my assistance?" Morons.
     
  7. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    From the guy who sells gas guzzlers. People like Malorn are blind to their own culpability.
     
  8. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    Responsabilities are split between customers habits and manufacturer offers...
     
  9. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    What sell gas guzzlers? Ford and GM? Compared to who Toyota? so 15,000 Prius a month gets a company off the hook. so will the volt get GM off the hook? What do I have to do with bloated governments?
     
  10. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    Funny, considering that according to fueleconomy.gov the ECO gets 2 mpg better than the non-ECO. Manual is irrelevant, it's noise, nobody buys them anymore (my last car was a manual but the writing is on the wall).
     
  11. krelborne

    krelborne New Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    Yes, by my math, at 150,000 miles of combined driving and $4/gallon, you would save $1428, roughly covering the ECO premium stated in that article. You get much better savings (over $2000) with the manual and highway numbers.
     
  12. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    No, not GM, you. Personally. You sell (and apparently BUY) gas guzzlers.
     
  13. skruse

    skruse Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    TANSAAFL - There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. Fuel is $20 gallon ($5 Liter) in Europe. We are spoiled. We have a major deficit and are a debtor nation because we like to pay it back, not pay it forward. We want benefits without cost.

    We have substituted oil for knowledge for over 100 years and have become addicted to cheap and easy. We must now make the transition to walking & bicycle routes, light & high speed rail. Individual vehicles will become increasingly cost prohibitive when you take into account the cost of sprawl, air quality, energy.
     
  14. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    I've been trying ...
    ... but the 'manufacturer offering' is the primary reason I have not been buying what malorn sells.
     
  15. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    Completely separate from your reason for pointing to this article, the author completely missed on his major point:
    Obama was talking CAFE, not EPA. The fuel economy standards imposed on manufacturers have always been on the CAFE scale. And at least one model of the Cruze (possibly several) exceeds 50 on this scale.

    Remember that the 2010-11 Prius exceeds 70 on this scale
     
  16. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    Hello. My name is Nobody. My spouse's name is also Nobody. Neither of us will voluntarily own a slushbox.

    I voluntarily drive an HSD most of the time, but still get some stick time in on my old car. The other Nobody in the house still refuses to switch. Her old one still consumes very little repair money.
     
  17. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    Re: Consumer Reports Survey: Americans want better fuel efficiency--but don’t want to pay extra for

    Finally got an accurate tank for the Fiesta. 31.8mpg all city.

    Not bad for a car we paid 16k for.