It's Official: Goodbye High Horsepower era...again

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by Sleepwalkr

Why does the government need to regulate the mileage that cars get? Especially something as impractical as what this new bill requires. I was listening to a guy from GM on the radio the other day when this new bill was passed and he said with our current technical, it ain't gonna happen. Granted, they have 12 1/2 years to figure it out, but what if they still aren't there then?

I guess what bothers me is my opening sentence. Why do they feel the need to say what cars from a Private Company can and can not do? This is not what our government is there for.

Economics.

We do ask our govt to regulate our economy so it doesn't suffer, correct?

Think about gas prices, yes they've slumped off recently but they've been consistently rising. And unlike other countries we don't really have the option of public transportation. So if prices continue to rise and gas mileage stays the same people will eventually be unable to afford gas, and thus be unable to work. Cars that get better mileage will make gas stay affordable, even if the price rises to say $9/gal..if your car is then getting 100mpg then you compare that to a car now that pays $3/gal and gets 30mpg..you can see how it maintains the affordability. (And neither number is a stretch)

This would be my theory, I'm sure I'm not that far off. Then there's the whole global warming thing, but you probably think that's a scam (even if new land masses are appearing around Greenland as we speak..). And that's a subject for another thread entirely.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

Economics.

We do ask our govt to regulate our economy so it doesn't suffer, correct?...

LMAO

Anyone checked their investments in the US lately (after converting to their own foreign currency) ?

[Sleepwalkr]

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

Economics.

We do ask our govt to regulate our economy so it doesn't suffer, correct?

Think about gas prices, yes they've slumped off recently but they've been consistently rising. And unlike other countries we don't really have the option of public transportation. So if prices continue to rise and gas mileage stays the same people will eventually be unable to afford gas, and thus be unable to work. Cars that get better mileage will make gas stay affordable, even if the price rises to say $9/gal..if your car is then getting 100mpg then you compare that to a car now that pays $3/gal and gets 30mpg..you can see how it maintains the affordability. (And neither number is a stretch)

This would be my theory, I'm sure I'm not that far off. Then there's the whole global warming thing, but you probably think that's a scam (even if new land masses are appearing around Greenland as we speak..). And that's a subject for another thread entirely.

Regulating our economy (if thats what you wanna call it) is fine as long as it doesn't infringe upon our rights as Americans. Last time I checked, GM and the vast majority of the auto makers are privately owned companies, not government owned. If I want to make a vehicle that only gets 5mpg, thats my right as my own company to do so. Granted, if thats all I made, I'm not gonna sell many cars, but it should be my right as part of a capitalistic society. The federal government has no business telling me what my product has to be or do. That is communism....plain & simple. Whats next?.... Banning trans fat in my KFC? Oh wait........

Telling me my product, say Twinkies, has to have a certain amount of protein in it is wrong....... no no no...... you can not do that in our "free" society.

Besides, the way I look at it; When GM, Toyota, Ford, or whoever, spends the next 10 years researching and developing an engine that will get this 35mpg, how much money are they going to have spent on all that? Do you think they're going to take the financial hit for that? Hell no! They're going to pass that right on to us, the consumer. Then, yeah, we'll be getting 35mpg in our $600 per month economy car that has a 0-60 time of 15 seconds and a 1/4 mile of 20 sec. Thanks for the savings!

[Sleepwalkr]

Originally Posted by bballr4567

Then who should regulate it?? A private corporation??

You & Me!

We The People! Stuff like this always regulated....... By us!

We are the ones who determine what sells and what doesn't. If we, the consumers, buy cars that get high mileage and nothing else, eventually, the companies are gonna take a hint, and start trying to outdo each other, then eventually and WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, our cars will get higher gas mileage.....maybe even up to that 35mpg within the next 15 years. Its quite simple. Think about it, gas mileage has gone up and vastly improved in cars in the last 30 years. Who would've thought 30 years ago that a 400hp Vette could get 18mpg city & 24mpg highway? This is because of the people, NOT the government. How many cars get less than 10-12 mpg and sell in huge numbers? Besides, even though cars like this still exist, its my right to own one if thats what I want. This is the American way. Whoever can build a better moustrap.

The point is, why do we always feel like the goverment or some big company has to step in and do something when ultimately its up to us? We the people have the ultimate say so.

[bballr4567]

Well they have been doing this with the MPG for years really. You just never heard about it because it wasnt a big deal back then.

I do agree with you. Hell my next two cars are going to be 300+ HP stock.

[WeibSunder]

Does this mean that say a 2005 GA would get banned or altered to get 35 mpg?

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by WeibSunder

Does this mean that say a 2005 GA would get banned or altered to get 35 mpg?

I believe it only applies to brand new production cars..the older cars will phase out as their upkeep becomes pricier. Kind of like classic cars today.

[JohnnyB4439]

How about the damn oil companies get off there fat rich asses and lower the gas prices.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by WeibSunder

Does this mean that say a 2005 GA would get banned or altered to get 35 mpg?

No.

It is about the manufacturing of new vehicles.

They aren't banning any vehicles.
They will just charge the manufacturer (which will pass it along to the buyer) a gasoline mileage excise tax surcharge, if the manufacturer does not meet the standards.

[Mike Jung]

This is how Canada is handling it currently; as of March 19, 2007.

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

Lets put a new Excise Tax on Fuel Inefficient Cars

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/agency/budg.../excise-e.html

I'm sure that it will be revised, as the new CAFE standards are put in place.

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB4439

How about the damn oil companies get off there fat rich asses and lower the gas prices.

Because that would cut into their profits.

But this brings up another point, why would Bush and other Republicans in power that have holdings in these companies push for this type of legislation that would ultimately limit the amount that they generate off of these companies?

Now there's something to think about...

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB4439

How about the damn oil companies get off there fat rich asses and lower the gas prices.

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

Because that would cut into their profits...

Now there's something to think about...

^
& taxes generated from the profits & sales of the crude oil products.

[crazypontiac03]

Just be prepared to have the already expensive Car's/Trucks are going to get even more Expensive.

There also was a Bill on the table to build more refineries, Bushy Boy shot that down. In order for CAFE to get there 30-35mpg rating crap.

Even if the vehicle's stay under 40k. Most people can't just run out to the dealer and buy something that gets better MPG,Exspeically if you still have a payment. Avg Car/Truck last 7-8yr's So ur pretty much going from one payment to another.

Face it, everything will go up. Even if all your Car's get 30-35mpg Gas will still be high, then u will feel it at the grocery store, along with anything else you buy. It all take's fuel to get there.

Maybe its time to move to Canada!

[crazypontiac03]

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

Because that would cut into their profits.

But this brings up another point, why would Bush and other Republicans in power that have holdings in these companies push for this type of legislation that would ultimately limit the amount that they generate off of these companies?

Now there's something to think about...

They just pass the bill onto us. Like Bush care's he's in his last year, get's 100k a year untill he's dead. Im sure he has enough saved up.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

Economics.

We do ask our govt to regulate our economy so it doesn't suffer, correct?

Think about gas prices, yes they've slumped off recently but they've been consistently rising. And unlike other countries we don't really have the option of public transportation. So if prices continue to rise and gas mileage stays the same people will eventually be unable to afford gas, and thus be unable to work. Cars that get better mileage will make gas stay affordable, even if the price rises to say $9/gal..if your car is then getting 100mpg then you compare that to a car now that pays $3/gal and gets 30mpg..you can see how it maintains the affordability. (And neither number is a stretch)

it seems like making the auto companies change technology (which apparently isnt that easy) might be a backwards way of getting the results they want. id like to think there are easier ways and different people to go after.

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

Because that would cut into their profits.

But this brings up another point, why would Bush and other Republicans in power that have holdings in these companies push for this type of legislation that would ultimately limit the amount that they generate off of these companies?

Now there's something to think about...

i dont understand what you are saying. it sounds like republicans were against this?

Originally Posted by article

The amendment also would require that half the vehicles sold by 2015 be flexible fuel vehicles, hybrids, fuel-cell or other alternative fuel vehicles.

this could be bad. theres that article floating around here how honda is stopping production on the accord hybrid because it just isnt selling. so if half of the vehicles are supposed to be alternative fuel cars and they dont sell, that could be pretty disastrous for the auto companies.

i just think they are going about this the completely wrong way. i also, agree with sleepwalker that the government shouldnt be meddling in private companies. the government wants to control everything. apparently theres a bill (or whatever, i never saw that school house rocks episode) theyre trying to pass in california making it illegal if you dont spay or neuter your animals. thats just insane.

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by Rich

i dont understand what you are saying. it sounds like republicans were against this?

well you would think that Bush and his cronies who are known for having investments in the oil industry would be against this. considering that this would make gas more affordable for the rest of us and thus lower the potential profits the company would have had if legislation like this weren't passed.

which makes one wonder what more they would have to gain for making gas more affordable to the masses...which brings me back to my first post, "economics."

[Mirage85]

It doesnt mean its the end of high horse power cars at all, it just means that the auto companies actually have to put some money into R&D for new engines. We may still see some highpower cars, most likely they will shut off half the cylindars when they arent needed, but so what, you cant feel that when your crusiing at speed anyway. Its only means that we will have to pay more for these cars, not that they wont make them.

[Pontiac Ninja]

All I gotta say, is my poor poor kids! They just won't be able to experience the same type of NEW vehicle experience near as easily.

RWD and 400hp!!!

[Ajaxus]

Originally Posted by Pontiac Ninja

All I gotta say, is my poor poor kids! They just won't be able to experience the same type of vehicle NEW experience near as easily.

buy a classic car, rev it in their faces..then smile to yourself. problem solved.

[Mirage85]

what sucks is, they will decrease demand since everyone will use less... so they will cut production and raise prices, so we will be paying $7 a gallon instead of 3 something, even though we will fill up half as often, we will be paying twice as much each time, so we will be spending the same amount, if not more. I realize its for the environment and health... but there will be many other things affected besides the cars we drive.