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Author Topic: America wants to save fuel and yet... Post a Reply Back to Topics
sobanek

Rookie Author
New Jersey

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Message Posted: Jun 12, 2011 8:14:51 AM

You still drive huge V8s and V6s.
You're anti-diesel.
You still buy huge Ford trucks.
You still buy huge cars.
REPLIES (newest first)
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oilpan4
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Jul 26, 2011 3:46:07 PM

V6 out sells V8 in ford F-150
Some one got the hint.
"the 3.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine made up 41% of [F-150] sales in north america" as of last week.
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jorobins538
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Jul 26, 2011 2:31:59 PM

greedy greedy unpatriotic piggies.
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PaylessKY
Champion Author Kentucky

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Message Posted: Jul 26, 2011 12:30:54 AM

The car I have came in a 6 and 4 cyl. I chose the 4 which has plenty of power.
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Pruislove
All-Star Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Jul 25, 2011 6:20:40 AM

hahaah true, we have a pruis and a scoooter!
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busybeeBC
Veteran Author Vancouver

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Message Posted: Jul 24, 2011 3:50:06 PM

it's not doing anything but whine
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oilpan4
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Jul 24, 2011 3:30:56 PM

"Car maker and after market does not want to sell gas saving devices for older cars"
Yes they do.
If you want more economy, take it.,http://ecomodder.com/wiki/index.php/Car_MPG_Efficiency_Modifications_Main
Don't wait around for the government to do it for you.

I am just saying that if I can get 27mpg with out "hyper miling" (aka doing any stupid stunts that slow the flow of traffic) or drafting with my 5,800lb truck that was made 27 years ago, has the aerodynamic profile of 2 stacked bricks, is on 31'' tires, had 235,000 miles on the old engine (RIP), an auto transmission and has nothing newer than early 1990s technology you shouldn't have any problem getting well over 50mpg on the highway with in a straight 4cyl gaser car made with in the last 10 years. A hybrid or diesel should get a lot more, no problem.
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Pede
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Jul 24, 2011 11:36:50 AM

Car maker and after market does not want to sell gas saving devices for older cars
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CactusBobs
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Jul 24, 2011 10:52:27 AM

reb4 wrote
And they get all huffy about vehicles that get good mileage, because it makes them look bad, or they get 27MPG once on a trip and tell everyone that's what they always get"........100% true i see it all the time
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reb4
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Jul 24, 2011 8:45:28 AM

bingo sluggopyle, marketing to the "wants" of the people is what it's all about. I moved once, I should have a moving truck in case I need to move again.

And they get all huffy about vehicles that get good mileage, because it makes them look bad, or they get 27MPG once on a trip and tell everyone thats what they always get...


[Edited by: reb4 at 7/24/2011 8:48:07 AM EST]
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oilpan4
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Jul 24, 2011 6:31:15 AM

If I can get nearly 30mpg highway out of an SUV the auto makers can do it too. (You have to drive the speed limit or forget about getting over 25mpg)
The only problem is will any one buy a 2wd, on road only truck that can only tow around 6,000lbs?
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sluggopyle
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Jul 24, 2011 2:39:30 AM

=>Now if they created an SUV that got 50 mpg and all of a sudden, the consumer did not purchase any other SUV except that one. I can tell you other manufacturers would be in a race to create a similar one. <=

They would, but I sure wouldn't want one. And if they did come up with a 50mpg inverted bathtub, then they should be able to use the same technology to make a 100mpg reasonable car with the agility the bathtub will never have.

SUVs with silly centers of gravity and their evil twins the plethora of ever-huger pickup trucks are the result of one factor and one factor only: marketing. People are lemmings who won't stop to think that they don't actually *need* a vehicle capable of towing an asteroid. And knowing this, car companies invented these profit cows to milk, at the expense of efficiency, safety and simple common sense.

Take a survey some random day of all the pickup trucks you see and count how many of them are actually carrying anything at all. When I do this I see about 80-90% stone empty. Lemmings.


[Edited by: sluggopyle at 7/24/2011 2:41:50 AM EST]
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jul 23, 2011 5:59:36 PM

REB4 writes: I had bought Taurus line for many years, but now that has grown to the full size vehicle...
_____
The Fusion is the actual continuation of the old Taurus. The original Taurus was put out to pasture and replaced by the Fusion. Taurus was reborn as a rebadge of the Ford 500 which put people to sleep.
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CactusBobs
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Jul 23, 2011 3:38:02 PM

wildddkattt80 : well.......not everybody on here is to blame ...other than my first few cars bought used in my teen years i have been on the small car bandwagon ........you can go far in life with the money you DON'T put in your gas tank ....second life tip : don't buy anything that goes down in value on credit...... EVER !
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wildddkattt80
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Jul 23, 2011 9:32:36 AM

People on here are correct. We are part of the problem as well. When people purchase those huge vehicles with lousy gas mileage, you are just telling the manufacturers, we don't care. Now if they created an SUV that got 50 mpg and all of a sudden, the consumer did not purchase any other SUV except that one. I can tell you other manufacturers would be in a race to create a similar one.
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reb4
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Jul 23, 2011 8:20:25 AM

pgerassi, the other misleading fact is car manufacturers continue to make cars bigger. We bough a 2009 Corolla to replace our 99 corolla which we gave to our son. My wife insisted on getting another because of it's the only car we have ever had that had o problems and was nice and small for her to drive...

She was willing to look at other vehicles because it was so big. Yet it still gets 10 - 20% better gas mileage than 99.. which was great!

I had bought Taurus line for many years, but now that has grown to the full size vehicle...
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Jul 23, 2011 7:45:14 AM

Alexi7 - That's an interesting prediction.
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Alexi7
All-Star Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Jul 23, 2011 7:10:36 AM

My theory: As we Boomers retire/die(unless you've left a huge chunk of change for your kids to blow) there will be fewer motorhomes,SUVs, trucks etc on the road and oil consumption will drop even further.
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aftiggerintel
All-Star Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Jul 23, 2011 12:13:31 AM

We love our Jettas and are slowly changing family and friends over to TDIs.
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pgerassi
Champion Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Jul 22, 2011 9:08:22 PM

I have seen engine sizes go up for years. I learned to drive in a classic VW Bug (Beetle) with a 1.5L 8V flat 4 engine and 4 speed stick. The engine developed 54HP, topped out at 79MPH and took 22 seconds to go from 0-60. It got 22-25MPG on the highway (70MPH in the day, 65MPH at night and 55MPH for trucks), 20MPG in the city and could get to a little over 30MPG at a continuous 35MPH on a flat straight rural highway in calm conditions.

Today's compact cars (2012 Ford Focus) have 2.0L 16V I4 w/6spd automated manual which puts out 160HP, tops out at 134MPH and takes 8.0 seconds to go 0-60. It gets 28MPG city, 40MPG highway, 33MPG combined using a new rating system that is quite a bit harder than the one in place in the 90's and early 00's. A car (2001 Focus ZX3 manual developing 130HP) doing 25/34/29 in the old system, got 22/30/25 in the new one.

A older European Focus could be had with a 1.4L engine that produced 75HP, did 0-60 in 15.4 seconds and topped out at 105MPH. It got 30/57 using the new EPA standards. Judging by these these data points, a 54HP engine would be about 0.7L using 2011 standards. It would do 0-60 in about 20 seconds (better and more gear ratios plus wider flatter torque band) and top out at 92MPH. It likely would do about 40MPG in the city, 70MPG on the highway making for a combined of 54MPG. The trouble is that those cylinder sizes are much more used in motorcycles and small utility engines like for tow behind air compressors and pumps.

Its hard for some designers of new stuff to go down in HP and that much smaller in engine sizes thinking that it wouldn't be marketable. However if one goes into the real world, and measure how fast people actually go from 0-60, most take 20-30 seconds to do so even when their vehicles could do it in far less time. So a 20 second 0-60 time would be acceptable in the real world (except for "performance enthusiasts" aka lead foots). And they rarely go more than 90MPH even when there is no limit (Montana for a while and I70 in rural Indiana during the summer before 1975). Thus the above 700cc Focus (likely with that 6 speed automated manual) would be good enough for most people and even as a cheap commuter car for those lead foots while they drive their "other" sports car during the weekends and to brag about it.

BTW those using diesel to compare to gasoline powered cars, do note that diesel has 108% of the energy of gasoline so you should divide any MPG claim by 1.08 to compare fairly between the two. Thus a 40MPG 2012 Focus SE SFE would be as efficient as a 43.2MPG diesel. Lastly, one can do far better than the ratings indicate (they are conservative even for drivers without a clue). In the above 22/30/25 rated ZX3, I was able to get 42MPG by driving a constant 40MPH down that straight flat rural highway. The less powerful 110HP 2.0L 8V I4 SOHC Focus sedan gets 46MPG at that same constant 40MPH. And it does 38MPG at a cruise controlled 60MPH. Its only rated at 31MPG EPA highway (1MPG more than the ZX3). I assume that a good mileage conscious driver would get over 90MPG in that 700cc EcoBoost Focus and an average driver over 80MPG. Only the lead foot crowd would do less than 70MPG on the interstate in that 0.7L Focus.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Jul 22, 2011 1:24:45 PM

...runs the car AC when it's 103 out....ooops, actually had mine on today it being 103 and all.
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jul 22, 2011 9:10:17 AM

CACTUSBOB writes: . . . but what is the #1 seller again this month the F150 . . .
______
I suspect that most of the people buying F-150s are replacing less fuel-efficient trucks so there is some reason for optimism. In the case of the F-150, they are moving from V-8 to the Ecoboost V-6 that provides better fuel economy when the truck is lightly loaded.
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Pitbull1
Veteran Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Jul 21, 2011 8:45:45 PM

E-85 Cactusbobs! Fuel made in America along with my car and truck that is made in America! Thats what its all about. Support American companies, workers, and farmers. The Smart, Yaris, and oriental cars don't give America one stinken cent. Time to wake up!

I read about the new Chevrolet Cruze that will have a diesel and 6 speed trans that will get 51 MPG. The car is assembled in Ohio by Americans. That is where to look next not to overseas cars that do nothing for our Engineers, Businessmen, Accountants, Salemen, Assemblers, Skilled Tradesmen, and everybody in between. And you know what? The money, tax money, and their futures stay right here in the USA!

[Edited by: Pitbull1 at 7/21/2011 8:50:11 PM EST]
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Jul 21, 2011 4:35:37 PM

Maintains ice skating rinks in the summer months.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Jul 18, 2011 8:34:07 AM

....run the AC even when it's 70 degrees out.
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sobanek
Rookie Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Jul 18, 2011 8:05:25 AM

scotty - 525i doesn't have a V6. It's an inline-6
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CactusBobs
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Jul 17, 2011 10:47:22 PM

"smaller more Efficient cars would help " DON'T LIE ! we have the smart and the yaris and the leaf and a bunch of others ....but what is the #1 seller again this month the F150 .......all talk that's all it is .....are you in joying your slavery to the oil co's ? you must be !
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Sweetridge
Rookie Author New York

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Message Posted: Jul 17, 2011 9:12:59 PM

smaller more efficent cars would help
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missbridge
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Jul 17, 2011 8:22:19 PM

I agree. We need smaller cars.
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scottydoesnt
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Jul 13, 2011 6:16:58 AM

I don't think the size of the car matters. I drive a 1994 BMW 525i Station Wagon. The thing weighs in around 3900lbs, has a V6 engine, but yet I get 25-29mpg every fill up. So . . . I put the next move on car manufacturers. But they struggle due to all the emission obstacles they must pass.

[Edited by: scottydoesnt at 7/13/2011 6:17:25 AM EST]
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farrot
Veteran Author Hawaii

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Message Posted: Jul 13, 2011 3:01:37 AM

I drive a Mini Cooper.
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wintersucks
Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Jul 13, 2011 2:59:35 AM

I'm not anti diesel, I currently drive a V8, Ford trucks arn't the only trucks, and a car I'd like to have but for what I do another vehicle doesn't work. Most of my miles are to the farm, the mileage to work is minimal. Fuel would have to be a whole whole lot more before I would think of buying another vehicle just for mileage. A car I'd get might get 5-10mpg better but would only get used on the short trips to the hourly job. Some it may make sense for, but driving a V8 that gets 15-19mpg, or an I6 that gets 15-22mpg in the summer vs. another vehicle to purchase, maintain, insure, and put more fuel in that gets 25-35 if I'm lucky (i'd like a Jetta TDI but I'm not paying a ton for one just for the great mileage) doesn't make sense after doing the math.
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roadrunnin
Champion Author Richmond

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Message Posted: Jul 12, 2011 1:14:51 AM

The more you waste, the more you have to buy. More buying = more taxes paid.
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sobanek
Rookie Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Jul 9, 2011 6:09:59 AM

@roadrunnin: explain?
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roadrunnin
Champion Author Richmond

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Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 11:34:03 PM

How about wasting gas as a means of "stimulating the economy"?
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 8:09:10 AM

...drive down the road with roof-top carriers.
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RickF350
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 1:38:47 AM

sluggopyle, I'm just having a wee bit of fun.
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sluggopyle
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 1:18:00 AM

RickF350: I think the poster meant "you plural".

Not sure why he singled out Ford though. Lots of brands make silly-big trucks.
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RickF350
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 1:11:47 AM

I'm not anti-diesel.
My huge Ford truck has a huge v8 diesel engine, and it's burns a lot of diesel.
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reb4
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 7:18:07 PM

nice truck, I remember seeing rodman's hummer (the big one) and he had several I believe, and he had a driver / security guard that drove him around. Not sure how he could fit in it personally.
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sluggopyle
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 6:51:29 PM

=> Every One Look At Joe Johnson's Truck <=

Wow. One word comes to mind: "compensation". And I don't mean monetary.
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cheapmonkee
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 4:52:49 PM

You're Einstein
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rumbleseat
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 4:46:46 PM

Diesel or not, this is consumption of a ridiculous nature.
Every One Look At Joe Johnson's Truck
An F-650 for personal transportation?
This is mindful of the wastrels who run A/C full tilt in the summer so they can have a big fire in the fireplace.
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Jul 5, 2011 10:56:16 PM

"Everything that says "made in China" is made by communists the last time I checked."

What's that got to do with the topic at hand? Answer absolutely nothing. Your batting 1.0000 pitbull...
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Pitbull1
Veteran Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Jul 5, 2011 9:49:12 PM

Everything that says "made in China" is made by communists the last time I checked.
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roadrunnin
Champion Author Richmond

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Message Posted: Jul 4, 2011 10:57:56 PM

I hear sales of mopeds and scooters are up now that the price of gas has been rising, but they're only practical for short distances. [and no baggage]
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hnofer17
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Jul 4, 2011 3:33:43 PM

People buy v8's and v6's to accelerate faster.
People buy huge trucks/cars to haul stuff.

Why doesn't everybody just walk then?
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oloung1
All-Star Author Florida

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Message Posted: Jul 4, 2011 2:05:23 PM

i dont think ford is the only manufacturer of full size trucks,
what happened to gm,chrysler,nissan and toyota?
what about all those people driving their internationals as a daily driver?
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 12:36:50 PM

Puts big roof top carriers on the SUV.
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oilpan4
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 4:48:25 AM

"Perhaps I should've stated "fuel-mileage" but it's surprising that you nit pick so much when you should get the basic concept".
He has nothing else to attack you on so he goes after the low hanging fruit.
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roadrunnin
Champion Author Richmond

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Message Posted: Jul 2, 2011 9:30:57 PM

Hemond,

Don't know about "cowboys" working out of "barns" just know what worked for us. All the parts are aftermarket accessories and as far as diesel here we can choose from regular diesel or biodiesel for standard vehicles and off road diesel for equipment. Perhaps I should've stated "fuel-mileage" but it's surprising that you nit pick so much when you should get the basic concept.
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