View Poll Results: How much hp will your daily driver have in 2010?
Less than 250.
10
15.38%
250 to 325.
18
27.69%
325 to 400.
18
27.69%
Over 400.
19
29.23%
Voters: 65. You may not vote on this poll
So how much hp will you buy in 2010?
05-29-08 | 11:50 AM
#31
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 0
From: California
To me it means that once all the big posters who just have to have over 600hp and don't care at all what gas costs get out of study hall and go with Mom to get gas in the minivan and see 6 or $7/gal, they might regret those words. And when they get into long pants and have to pay those prices themselves, 0-60 times start to mean a lot less. Anyone who has been in a Miata knows what a hoot bit has when he drives his. But very few of the big posters realize that hp and 0-60 time are not tightly related. You can rocket to 60 with little hp if the vehicle is light enough. That's why I made the poll hp. Just saves pointing out the obvious in the posts and evaluate the posters.
I am not saying I am a genius but I started telling people around the first of the year that we are going to see $5/gal gas here in Cali this summer. No big insight, for the last couple of years we have been seeing a 50% increase in the price of gas from the low (Dec - Jan) to the high (Aug - Sept). Well, as of today, here in NoCal, the lower priced stations are at 4.20/4.30/4.40 and we are only one week after Memorial Day.
I don't know whether I was just fearmongering or not with the prediction but now that it is here, it sinks in every time you get gas. My brain knew it was possible but now that it is here, it is somewhat of a shock - I guess I was hoping that I was really wrong and their is an oil bubble. My wife and I have really gotten into it over starting to cycle into higher mileage cars than our two second gen GSs but if you look around, the vast majority of sedans, especially larger ones, are in the 20mpg range at the most. And the luxo/sport sedans can easily be down in the 15-16 range. Ridiculous for this period of time. I can pretty much drive whatever I want but I just don't see either my wife or I having gotten to where we are in life jumping in our Prius. I am waiting/predicting/hoping/pleading that the usual suspects in the luxury/sport car range get some higher mileage vehicles here within the next two years. Even vaunted Toyota can't get the Lexus version of the Prius here until 2010 according to other threads.
I'll give the mfrs a year or so to see how their higher mileage vehicles are working and then pull the trigger. Up until then, I just feed my habit and grumble. I was pretty well convinced that I would be getting one of the high tech diesels but with the price of diesel, it is getting to be a much tougher sell. Problem is some other issues are going to keep me out of a much smaller car. Right now, the new 7 may have to be it if the twin turbo drags out a couple of more mpg. My GS430 is pretty much in the 18mpg real world, overall mileage range and if the new 7 gets up to 22 to 24, that may be a good compromise and a real improvement for me.
I am not saying I am a genius but I started telling people around the first of the year that we are going to see $5/gal gas here in Cali this summer. No big insight, for the last couple of years we have been seeing a 50% increase in the price of gas from the low (Dec - Jan) to the high (Aug - Sept). Well, as of today, here in NoCal, the lower priced stations are at 4.20/4.30/4.40 and we are only one week after Memorial Day.
I don't know whether I was just fearmongering or not with the prediction but now that it is here, it sinks in every time you get gas. My brain knew it was possible but now that it is here, it is somewhat of a shock - I guess I was hoping that I was really wrong and their is an oil bubble. My wife and I have really gotten into it over starting to cycle into higher mileage cars than our two second gen GSs but if you look around, the vast majority of sedans, especially larger ones, are in the 20mpg range at the most. And the luxo/sport sedans can easily be down in the 15-16 range. Ridiculous for this period of time. I can pretty much drive whatever I want but I just don't see either my wife or I having gotten to where we are in life jumping in our Prius. I am waiting/predicting/hoping/pleading that the usual suspects in the luxury/sport car range get some higher mileage vehicles here within the next two years. Even vaunted Toyota can't get the Lexus version of the Prius here until 2010 according to other threads.
I'll give the mfrs a year or so to see how their higher mileage vehicles are working and then pull the trigger. Up until then, I just feed my habit and grumble. I was pretty well convinced that I would be getting one of the high tech diesels but with the price of diesel, it is getting to be a much tougher sell. Problem is some other issues are going to keep me out of a much smaller car. Right now, the new 7 may have to be it if the twin turbo drags out a couple of more mpg. My GS430 is pretty much in the 18mpg real world, overall mileage range and if the new 7 gets up to 22 to 24, that may be a good compromise and a real improvement for me.
05-29-08 | 01:37 PM
#33
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,084
Likes: 0
From: California
I'm old enough to remember the really bad old days of getting excited about the return of the Z28 and buying one in 1978, 5.7l V8 and 185 hp. I don't see that happening again but enthusiasts are sure going to be in for some changes. At least lighter weight means that some of these pigs are going to be able to handle a lot better. Feeding a 400hp grocery getter is going to be plain old dumb.
06-01-08 | 08:34 AM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
For most of us who commute 20 miles or more to work each day we probably need to re-think our automotive priorities. If we add up the miles spent in the daily slog to work, maybe picking up the dry cleaning and a couple of bags of groceries on the way home, we don't need that 400 hp, 11 mpg beast of our dreams. We need an appliance. Except for the white enamel paint, this is your refrigerator. Buy it like one.
OTOH, enthusiasts are never going to be enamored of an automotive appliance whose only claim to performance is miles-per-dollar. We need something more visceral. OK, we propose you become a 2-car person.
Look at your freeway commute with new eyes. How much performance do you really NEED to follow that bumper in front of you in stop and go traffic that never exceeds 40 mph? Something that gets 40 mpg with a reasonable amount of comfort and safety - a good AC, state-of-the-art telematics, good visibility, brakes, and a VSC/ABS system will be high on my list. Heavy acceleration, braking, and ultimate cornering, like top speed are completely useless in commuter traffic. Why pay for them just to plod along day after day?
Instead, you might consider something like a Smart, a Civic Hybrid, or one of a dozen other more efficient transport appliances - including the coming generation of electrics and hybrids - for your weekday transportation. This is your beater - you don't have to get your ego involved in its selection. Tint the windows dark and nobody will ever know you own it.
NOW - with the money you save on the purchase, feeding, insurance, and maintenance of your beater, go crazy on something wildly inappropriate for your "fun" car. Treat yourself to that classic pavement shredder you always wanted. Lavish care and expensive hand waxes on it, polish it every Saturday morning. Consider something in a convertible that you can be SEEN in. Yes, this is your ego-mobile, flaunt it. You're only going to put a a hundred miles or less on it every weekend, so rip a couple of black stripes from the traffic light. The whole weekend's worth of flogging will still consume less cash than your beater will for a whole week's service.
You are only going to drive it on weekends or maybe one or two nights a week anyway, so it won't cost much to keep in gasoline, oil, and brake pads. This is the car you drive to the gym, to the club, or to the theater where someone might recognize you and be impressed. Flex your ego here, because it's going home to the garage for another week on Sunday night.
OTOH, enthusiasts are never going to be enamored of an automotive appliance whose only claim to performance is miles-per-dollar. We need something more visceral. OK, we propose you become a 2-car person.
Look at your freeway commute with new eyes. How much performance do you really NEED to follow that bumper in front of you in stop and go traffic that never exceeds 40 mph? Something that gets 40 mpg with a reasonable amount of comfort and safety - a good AC, state-of-the-art telematics, good visibility, brakes, and a VSC/ABS system will be high on my list. Heavy acceleration, braking, and ultimate cornering, like top speed are completely useless in commuter traffic. Why pay for them just to plod along day after day?
Instead, you might consider something like a Smart, a Civic Hybrid, or one of a dozen other more efficient transport appliances - including the coming generation of electrics and hybrids - for your weekday transportation. This is your beater - you don't have to get your ego involved in its selection. Tint the windows dark and nobody will ever know you own it.
NOW - with the money you save on the purchase, feeding, insurance, and maintenance of your beater, go crazy on something wildly inappropriate for your "fun" car. Treat yourself to that classic pavement shredder you always wanted. Lavish care and expensive hand waxes on it, polish it every Saturday morning. Consider something in a convertible that you can be SEEN in. Yes, this is your ego-mobile, flaunt it. You're only going to put a a hundred miles or less on it every weekend, so rip a couple of black stripes from the traffic light. The whole weekend's worth of flogging will still consume less cash than your beater will for a whole week's service.
You are only going to drive it on weekends or maybe one or two nights a week anyway, so it won't cost much to keep in gasoline, oil, and brake pads. This is the car you drive to the gym, to the club, or to the theater where someone might recognize you and be impressed. Flex your ego here, because it's going home to the garage for another week on Sunday night.
Excellent post as usual Lil4X.
Reality will certainly hit people that car's will HAVE to be more of an appliance than a toy especially for those who work more than 10 minutes from home.
Do you guys really think you'll buy 400 HP in 2010 when gas will be $5-$6/gal?? I don't think so unless you make well over $100K a year and work close from home.
I wish the poll had an option for LESS than 125 hp. That's where I'll be.
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