SUV drivers should be subject to National Speed Limit! (red light, Smart, compare)

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by Boomerang

The most obvious flaw in this logic is that weight isn't the only factor in MPG.
My extremely large (by today's standards) 4-door, 8 cyl sedan gets better mileage than many cars 2/3 to 1/2 its size -- e.g., Toyota Camry, "Mini" Cooper, many others.

I wouldn't mind semis being subject to a lower national limit as they are in some European countries, just for safety reasons. This does impact traffic flow though - on a 2 lane highway you can end up with the right lane solidly packed with slow-moving trucks while all cars must stay to the left if they want to stay out of the way of trucks and/or pass.

imagine the mileage that you'd get if your car was lighter.

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by Boomerang

The most obvious flaw in this logic is that weight isn't the only factor in MPG.
My extremely large (by today's standards) 4-door, 8 cyl sedan gets better mileage than many cars 2/3 to 1/2 its size -- e.g., Toyota Camry, "Mini" Cooper, many others.

Its safer too. If you get into an accident with a car that weighs half as much as yours, you'll bounce around 1/4 as much as the occupants of the tin can. Simple physics....

[Ellise]

Originally Posted by burdell

There was a collision near me the other day where one Volvo rear-ended another Volvo, burned like a Pinto. I think the general perception of Volvos being safer than anything else is based more on marketing than fact.

Maybe, maybe not. I hope I don't find out. A Volvo's gotta be safer than the Ford Escort I was driving before, though.

Point is, I'll be holding onto the Volvo until there are a lot fewer 6,000 lb. behemoths on the road. Then I'll think about getting a Civic or a Camry or something that gets 30 mpg or more.

I wish they'd make more small station wagons. You've got the best of both worlds there, good mileage and a lot of cargo space with the rear seats folded down.

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by 58robbo

imagine the mileage that you'd get if your car was lighter.

A 70,000 pound truck (or Lorry in your case since you don't live in the US), can get 10 mpg. To get the same efficiency in a 1200 pound car, you'd have to get 580 mpg.

[revelated]

Originally Posted by sterlinggirl

Its safer too. If you get into an accident with a car that weighs half as much as yours, you'll bounce around 1/4 as much as the occupants of the tin can. Simple physics....

Simple circular logic. Weight =/= immediate safety. In fact, the weight of a vehicle can increase your risk of death in some cases. And I'm talking cars built nowadays, not cars built in the 40's - 60's. Back then when the entire car was essentially a hunk of painted metal, your safety was a lot more assured. SUV car bodies are nowhere near that solid, the bulk of the weight is in the engine compartment and underbody. That's the prime reason that super speeding is a dangerous profession in an SUV - the weight distribution is often uneven. Mitsubishi learned that the hard way with the Montero.

Also, all you're talking about is the risk of collision with another car. What about road hazards? Guarantee you're probably better off dodging hazards in an SLK 230 Kompressor than you are in any SUV.

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by revelated

Also, all you're talking about is the risk of collision with another car. What about road hazards? Guarantee you're probably better off dodging hazards in an SLK 230 Kompressor than you are in any SUV.

Drive an X5 some day and get back to me.

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by sterlinggirl

A 70,000 pound truck (or Lorry in your case since you don't live in the US), can get 10 mpg. To get the same efficiency in a 1200 pound car, you'd have to get 580 mpg.

your point?

[sterlinggirl]

My point is that the mods should move this thread to the politics and controversies forum.

[revelated]

Originally Posted by sterlinggirl

Drive an X5 some day and get back to me.

I value my life.

BMW X5 steering wheel snaps

And my personal favorite:

BMW X5 Recall Information - BMW Recalls & Problems = 10 recalls, some quite major

Compared to -

MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 Recall - Recall MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 = 0 recalls


I already said...some of you females want your SUVs so you can look fashionable. That's fine, do you. But don't try to claim that your SUVs are any "safer" than the other cars on the road.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by burdell

A sample size of one is what one of my old professors would refer to as 'statiscally insignificant'. The fact is just about any modern production vehicle is designed to do the same in a collision.

Actually - it is far from "one" - Volvo files are repleat with many, many, MANY files - with the same outcome -