An Automotive Enthusiast's Nightmare

[Guest]

Given the constant rise in gas prices, can you imagine a world in the not-too-distant future where cars are despised, abandoned, destroyed?

That was my nightmare the other night. Due to some personal issues, I've been having trouble sleeping as of late and this nightmare certainly didn't help matters. In the nightmare, gas prices were nearing the $10/gallon mark, and people with cars averaging less than 25 mpg were terrorized and threatened, while their offending vehicle(s) were beaten up and set ablaze before their very eyes. That included me ... I was forced to watch all 5 of my MCs "burned at the stake". Oddly, the radio on in the background was not playing music ... but a baseball game. The game? Game 7 of the World Series...Cubs winning.

It was then that I woke up.

But...I wonder:
If gas prices continue to rise, is it possible that we could become a society that hates the automobile ... that the hobby that makes me tick becomes a hobby that is despised and ridiculed?

Luckily, automobiles aren't the only hobby I have...but the Monte Carlo certainly is a big part of my life, and I don't see that changing anytime soon....



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I'm walking down the lonely street of dreams, going down the only road I've ever known" ... Whitesnake ... 'Here I Go Again On My Own'

 

[Duff Man]

I drive a pretty nice SUV normally, but I just obtained this POS in anticipation of 8 dollar/gallon gas prices. I got it for about 150 bucks.

I was embarassed to drive it at first, but I'm starting to feel like everyone else is the fool now. 30/35 mpg is nothing to laugh at.

 

[Bonzo Dog]

I drive a pretty nice SUV normally, but I just obtained this POS in anticipation of 8 dollar/gallon gas prices. I got it for about 150 bucks.

150 bucks . Aaron, you were robbed.

 

[hensylee]

hey, great car. what matters what it looks like if it goes and saves gas.

Cort, I already hate my car. If I had a chauffeur, I would be happy!

 

[Ross]

I don't think so. Some of us can and do squeeze every bit of mileage we can out of our properly tuned engines. The shame is, not very many people at mechanically inclined and don't know what to do to keep their vehicles in top performance.

 

[Duff Man]

150 bucks . Aaron, you were robbed.

LOL!


Dude, this thing is worth at least 250 from all the scrap metal. It's probably got an aluminum cylinder head.

Ross knows where I'm coming from This thing has 257,000 miles on it.

 

[Bonzo Dog]

Given the constant rise in gas prices, can you imagine a world in the not-too-distant future where cars are despised, abandoned, destroyed?

Speaking as a bit of a worried petrolhead myself the key is 'gas prices'. Oil is a finite resource, so what of alternatives? The switch to cash crops for biofuels is contributing to the global food crisis and seems doomed. Electric, hydrogen power, I don't know. Where do we look for automobile power?

 

[Bina]

Gas prices here have hit $1.51/litre, which is over $6/gallon. Is that nuts or what?
We have parked our POS pick up truck and only use the car.
Since hubby drives 10 minutes down the road to work, we would really benefit from an electric car. Too bad they are so costly to buy.
I would not even consider the tiny smart cars because of the "Tin Can" appearance. Imagine being in that and coming face to face with a grain combine on a small road
And yes, I still have fantasies (not nightmares) of the good old days in my gas sucking Camaro with the 350 engine.

 

[KAJ]

I don't think Americans will give up the love for the automobile any time soon. We are too spread out. Until public transportation is reliable and get people almost anywhere at any time, we will still value our cars. I seriously doubt that anytime, anywhere public transportation will become a reality in my lifetime.

Speaking of reality, I will not hold my breath about the Cubs even staying in first place to win their division. I can only hope but as with all Cub fans, we have been let down too many times.

Karl

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Oh yes my friend......

Oh yes my friend......

It will happen some day. In some countries gas.... 8.50USD+ a gallon. I will report my findings this summer.

One reason Europeans are healthy, in good shape. Walk, walk, walk.

Living is such a huge city...will be difficult to make such changes. BUT, defecting to less crowded parts may be in order! As long as everyone does not follow with the same plan!

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Go back to sleep Cort because I don't think it will happen anytime soon!

I'm sure that walking is reasonable in some places, but in my part of Texas, an overpopulated suburb of Houston, the closest grocery store is 4 miles away and it is already close to 100 degrees. Even the mini-mart is 2 miles away. I could walk it, but anyone who got within 50 feet of me would be disgusted by the stench! My office is almost 23 miles away, so walking isn't an option. We have public bus transportation, but it is not convenient for commuting to work unless you work downtown. I work in Uptown and it requires a transfer. If the first bus is running late, which it is often because of traffic, you miss your connection and have to wait up to 30 minutes for the next one, again in 100 degree heat. You are drenched by the time you get to work.

I work at home one day each week and might add a second day soon to save miles and gas money.

However, much of the industry here thrives on oil, including my husband's employer, so the higher the prices, the better our economy. That is what has kept the cost of living lower in Houston, houses are still selling, and the economy is better than the rest of the U.S. Our "prosperity" is still affecting my pocketbook, so I can't decide if it's a good thing or a bad thing!

 

[George]

Hey Cort,
I totally understand where you're coming from. As much as I love my '58 Chevy Biscayne, I am very much concerned that the price of fuel is making the old car hobby no longer "politically correct." Just today, I discovered the battery went sour in the Chevy, from lack of use. I Had to replace it. Sad to say, I'm much more inclined to hop in the Toyota, just because of the economics. Taking out the classic is now a luxury. Each "joyride" must be savored.
By the way, Cort, I had a '77 MC for several years. Man, I miss that car! It was a fairly stripped down one. No rally wheels No cruise or tilt. Split bench. 305 V8. bright red/full white vinyl top. Gosh...it would now be considered a classic!.......I'm feelin old now!

 

[hensylee]

\
Walk, walk, walk.

that sounds just like Bonnie..........

I pd 3.99.9 yesterday for gas.

 

[Guest]

If I had a chauffeur, I would be happy!

Ahem.

You KNOW who to hire, don't you?

By the way, Cort, I had a '77 MC for several years. Man, I miss that car! It was a fairly stripped down one. No rally wheels No cruise or tilt. Split bench. 305 V8. bright red/full white vinyl top. Gosh...it would now be considered a classic!

*nods*

Indeedy, it is!

Sounds like a great MC, George. Have any pics, by chance?


*sighs*

Aaron, I see NO reason to be embarrassed to drive that. Some days, I wish I had a "beater" car to drive around and not care about.

BUT...that is not me. I will never buy another car that I don't absolutely love driving. I've owned two I hated (brand new, nonetheless...1997 Corsica/"malibu" and a 2000 Celebrity/Lumina/"monte carlo"), and I will NEVER do that again. Right now, I doubt I'll ever get anything newer. Yes, I like the Dodge Charger and Pontiac G8 (both RWD cars), but, sadly, I can't see me driving anything but a Ch#$r%*et. I say "sadly" because that company sure isn't making anything real that I want. I hate what they've done to the Malibu, Monte Carlo and Impala nameplates ... now all FWD cars that have absolutely NOTHING in common with the originals ... Celebrity/Lumina/"monte carlo" (1995-2007), Corsica/"malibu" (1997-present), and Celebrity/Lumina/"impala" (2000-present). The level of insulting products from Ch#$r%*et is simply astounding.

*shudders*

I have been looking for a "winter beater" for some time now, so that my '87 MC LS doesn't get the rust, etc. But, I haven't found anything I want...yet.

*shrugs*

I'm thinking I was born in the wrong decade....


As for the Cubs...heh...they may have the BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL right now, but...time will tell. They always find a way to collapse....



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I see something that I don't like" ... Sheryl Crow ... 'Real Gone'

 

[Bonzo Dog]

I pd 3.99.9 yesterday for gas.

I know things are getting tough for N.American motorists and budgets are taking a hammering. Spare a thought however for the UK motorist.

The average price of a litre of unleaded in our area is £1.16p. The average US price is £0.44p a litre. Last time I filled up the nearly empty 12 imperial gallon (larger than the US gallon) tank on the Saab, it cost me £67. To translate at todays exchange rate, you N. American guys and gals would be paying $132 to fill up.

 

[hensylee]

we'll eventually be drivin those little bitty cars like you do. People will be clamorin for them.

 

[OldManEmu]

Fuel

Fuel

In Melbourne unleaded is about AUD $1.60 a litre, USD $1.50. Diesel is AUD $1.75 a litre. I only drive on weekends so it isn't an issue. It was one of the criteria when I purchased my house that it was in walking distance to a train station. CBD parking in Melbourne is around AUD $15.00 a day so driving to work you are up for AUD $75.00 a week to park your car before putting a litre of fuel in the tank. My monthly train ticket looks like a bargain compared to this.
Aaron by the way the door looks rust free.!!!

 

[hensylee]

my son in law takes his life in his hands every day by driving his motorcycle to work. He lives just south of ATLANTA! and we all know how dangerous driving there is.

 

[Guest]

we'll eventually be drivin those little bitty cars like you do. People will be clamorin for them.

*gasps*

NNNNOOOOO!!!!!!!!!





Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Time slips away" ... Bruce Springsteen ... 'Glory Days'

 

[Philip B]

Little Cars?

Little Cars?

Geez, I miss my BMW Z3. 35-40 mpg and it would top out around 140 mph.

-Philip