DEAR GASPIG
There is a good article on SUVs in the Jan 20, 2003 edition of
The NewRepublic titled "Axle of Evil." In it, you will
find that:
-Occupant deaths are higher in SUVs as a class versus cars as a
class.
-
The NHTSA rollover ratings are theoretical, not the result of
tests. Only this year, will the ratings be based on actual tests.
-
SUVs are not required to have the same bumper effectiveness as
cars.
-
"Almost all regular cars now have a "unibody"
design, in which the driver and passengers sit protected by a
single-unit metal enclosure that bends but does not break, except
in the worst crashes. The body-on-frame construction used in SUVs
by contrast, bends poorly; when something slams into an SUV, the
body and frame may separate, exposing the vehicle's
occupants."
-
Good article and mentions a book, "High and Mighty,"
that also looks like it could be interesting.
DEAR GASPIG
the sentence that reads "You
wouldn't, but you could cause you're Mountaineer leading an
Excursion" should be "You wouldn't, but you could cause
you're a Mountaineer leading an Excursion".
This error is on the page: http://www.gaspig.com/photo29.htm
Michael
DEAR GASPIG
.... Gotta
love it.. My Diesel 300SDL benz gets about 30mpg highway. Its gas
equivalent (300SEL) gets about 18 highway, using 92 octane.
This car is basically the size of a Lincoln Town Car, with a
front seat long enough for my height while still seating another
4 people comfortably.
At 371k miles, it's just about nicely broken in.
Volkswagen still imports diesels (TDIs) that get between 46 and
52mpg, and they're much newer and cleaner than mine.
Cheers! - MAtt
DEAR GASPIG
gaspig,
I have a friend who agree's with you totally. He bikes mostly,
during 8 yrs I have known him he only had a car for 2 (for
school!) yrs. we've discussed the issue many times, I have a 91
pathfinder that gets 20 MPG day in day out (automatic V-6, 4x4),
I traded in a VW Eurovan that only got 18 MPG.
anyway if I didn't need a truck (my nissan HAS found many a path)
I would go back to my vw diesel (50 mpg, I should never have
gotten the eurovan)! other than the mileage concerns (you only
get 14 ? I swear I have gotten 20mpg for 6 years solid!) I do
agree with you more than I disagree which is why I have passed
your link along to folks I know!
anyway, I found you link via slashdot (I have 170,000 miles also,
if it ever does die many we can drop it from the sky and add it
to the pyle!) and only have one question.
no , not what would jesus drive. But who's statue would he have
on his dash!
wwjd = what would jerry do!
have a great day,
mg
mg
thanks for the email. let me know when your truck dies and lets
blow it sky high! tell your friend to drop me an email and i'll
mail a sticker off to him... my '93 pathfinder is a real gas hog,
especially around the city where i live. i filled the tank and
averaged the mileage and came up with 14mpg - who knows, perhaps
a good tune up would improve its mileage. sounds like you're
making use of the truck. would you like a sticker for it?? all
the best!
joe
the Pig
DEAR GASPIG
Regarding letter #57...asking about VW turbo diesels... tell the guy to check out www.tdiclub.com Jamie