Off-topic: new Dodge Challenger concept and car safety
A link to the retro Dodge Challenger concept sparked comparison with the Lotus Elise and debate on American muscle versus lightweight sports cars. It moved on to SUV safety, rollover risk, tailgating, lane discipline and speeding.
off-topicreal motorsport
Automated summary.
In article <9Kfvf.91071$oG.47485@dukeread02>,
Larry (The Other Larry) says...
> http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html
That's simply gorgeous.
--
Cheers,
Rod.
Larry (The Other Larry) says...
That's simply gorgeous.
--
Cheers,
Rod.
"Larry (The Other Larry)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:9Kfvf.91071$oG.47485@dukeread02...
> http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html
>
> -Larry
Bah, another big and clunky american car. This is true beauty
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=108618#26
:-)
--
David G Fisher
Only one problem. I need two of those.
One for each foot.
Besides, nothing beats good old fashioned Detroit Iron/Torque.
-Larry
"David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (9 lines)
> Bah, another big and clunky american car. This is true beauty > http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=108618#26 > > :-) > > > -- > David G Fisher >Chaps -you simply cannot beat this.....except.....only millionares
could afford it and they had to limit the top speed because it went too
fast - and have a look how quick it goes even with the limit!
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2005/12/stories/03/1.html
"David G Fisher" wrote...
> Bah, another big and clunky american car. This is true beauty <snip>
Traction control on an Elise? -how crap do you need to be to require that?
Even I managed the raw form easily when I had a test drive back 2003. Can't
imagine an extra 50hp could have turned it into an animal.
If I had money to throw away on a car I would rarely use, I'd have one.
Jan.
=---
On Thu, 5 Jan 2006 15:56:59 -0500, "Larry \(The Other Larry\)"
<[email hidden]> wrote:
>http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html
Muscle car styling of old with a modern touch, I love it.
> Only one problem. I need two of those.
>
> One for each foot.
>
> Besides, nothing beats good old fashioned Detroit Iron/Torque.
Yeah, still going strong those Detroit factories.. lmao
Yeah? Try keeping up with an Elise in that two ton (yes, two ton) P.O.S.
And I feel fully comfortable saying that, having once owned one of the
original versions that bloated retromobile is styled to look like. Best
thing that ever happened to it was a buddy of mine wrapping it around a tree
so I could buy something that didn't suck with the insurance settlement. He
never quite got why I was so understanding about the whole thing... ;-)
What is it with cars these days getting so porky? Even a freaking GTI
weighs well over 3000lbs.
"Larry (The Other Larry)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:uFgvf.91075$oG.64307@dukeread02...
Quoted text (22 lines)
> Only one problem. I need two of those. > > One for each foot. > > Besides, nothing beats good old fashioned Detroit Iron/Torque. > > -Larry > > "David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > >> Bah, another big and clunky american car. This is true beauty >> http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=108618#26 >> >> :-) >> >> >> -- >> David G Fisher >> > >
"Steve Blankenship" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
They weigh so much so people like your buddy can walk away from accidents
without a scratch. I couldn't even imagine driving something as small as
the Elise (or even a GTI, for that matter) in traffic anywhere in America.
You'd also be surprised how well you can get those old musclecars to handle,
and beating the Elise down a straightaway is easy business.
Ryan
Quoted text (10 lines)
> Yeah? Try keeping up with an Elise in that two ton (yes, two ton) P.O.S. > And I feel fully comfortable saying that, having once owned one of the > original versions that bloated retromobile is styled to look like. Best > thing that ever happened to it was a buddy of mine wrapping it around a > tree so I could buy something that didn't suck with the insurance > settlement. He never quite got why I was so understanding about the whole > thing... ;-) > > What is it with cars these days getting so porky? Even a freaking GTI > weighs well over 3000lbs.> They weigh so much so people like your buddy can walk away from accidents
> without a scratch. I couldn't even imagine driving something as small as
> the Elise (or even a GTI, for that matter) in traffic anywhere in America.
That's American logic for you....no wonder they all drive SUVs in the
cities.
Larry (The Other Larry) wrote:
> http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html
I like it, but remember the Charger. Concept looked like a Charger,
when it actually hit the street, it looks like a 300C.
Don McCorkle
"Steve Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
No, actually we don't. ;-)
Yeah, the car as battering ram is indeed one approach to safety, and size =
safety is an easy concept for car shoppers to grab onto and salesmen to
push. But stats I've seen suggest SUV's aren't really safer than cars as
far as prevention of injury. And of course passive safety isn't the only
kind; the land yachts need it since they can't maneuver around accidents,
besides being intended for people who are not particularly skilled at, or
interested in, driving. Fair enough, but I'll take my chances in the
vehicle that delivers useable, efficient performance every day over the one
that gives me something I haven't needed in several decades of driving.
Come to think of it, that FZR I used to sport around on probably wasn't so
safe either; how did I ever survive?
As for beating an Elise or similar car down a straightaway with a musclecar,
no argument if it's long enough, straight enough and flat enough. But I
generally avoid roads like that except as basic transport routes to work or
such. Any road with enough character to turn onto for entertainment's sake
looks very different. And on one of those, the musclecar finds itself in an
argument with the laws of physics. One that can be won with brute force
and/or cubic dollars, but that really shouldn't be needed.
Colin Chapman was right, you know...
Quoted text (8 lines)
>> They weigh so much so people like your buddy can walk away from accidents >> without a scratch. I couldn't even imagine driving something as small as >> the Elise (or even a GTI, for that matter) in traffic anywhere in >> America. > > That's American logic for you....no wonder they all drive SUVs in the > cities. >On Fri, 6 Jan 2006 19:58:15 +1000, Steve Simpson wrote:
>
> That's American logic for you....no wonder they all drive SUVs in the
> cities.
Last I heard the "an SUV is safer in case of an accident" claim is wrong
because of the relatively high rollover risk these cars suffer from.
Far too many people consider their car an artificial penis extension
IMHO anyway.
Cheers, uwe
--
GPG Fingerprint: 2E 13 20 22 9A 3F 63 7F 67 6F E9 B1 A8 36 A4 61
The business aspects aren't my concern. I just care about the old-school,
Muscle-Car styling.
Look at the new Mustang. You can barely buy one, and if you want a GT, good
luck. They are as hard to find as XBox 360's.
In short, retro is where it's at. Those that are doing it are selling
everything they can build.
It's pretty clear that people are tired of round, oval or otherwise circular
styling and throw-backs to the day are what's 'in' right now.
-Larry
"Steve Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:43bde474$[email hidden]...
Quoted text (9 lines)
>> Only one problem. I need two of those. >> >> One for each foot. >> >> Besides, nothing beats good old fashioned Detroit Iron/Torque. > > Yeah, still going strong those Detroit factories.. lmao > >Wow have you missed the point!
The point here is Retro styling with Modern Mechanicals.
You are completely right about one thing. The original Muscle-Car era was
about straight-line performance. Turning required careful planning and a
flight plan.
This new stuff gets rid of that problem.
I'm sure it doesn't handle like the Elise (from what I've heard, not much
does). But that's not the point here. It's not meant to be compared to
that car.
-Larry
"Steve Blankenship" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (38 lines)
> Yeah? Try keeping up with an Elise in that two ton (yes, two ton) P.O.S. > And I feel fully comfortable saying that, having once owned one of the > original versions that bloated retromobile is styled to look like. Best > thing that ever happened to it was a buddy of mine wrapping it around a > tree so I could buy something that didn't suck with the insurance > settlement. He never quite got why I was so understanding about the whole > thing... ;-) > > What is it with cars these days getting so porky? Even a freaking GTI > weighs well over 3000lbs. > > > "Larry (The Other Larry)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:uFgvf.91075$oG.64307@dukeread02... >> Only one problem. I need two of those. >> >> One for each foot. >> >> Besides, nothing beats good old fashioned Detroit Iron/Torque. >> >> -Larry >> >> "David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >> news:[email hidden]... >> >>> Bah, another big and clunky american car. This is true beauty >>> http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=108618#26 >>> >>> :-) >>> >>> >>> -- >>> David G Fisher >>> >> >> > >Most accidents are not roll-overs, but you are otherwise correct.
I've driven trucks all my life so I'm used to them.
Bigger Iron does win sometimes win though.
We had an extremely sad incident here in the DC area about 6 months ago
where a very well liked radio personalities wife was killed in a head-on
collision. She was driving a new Lexus SC430. The other was an Explorer.
He walked away, she didn't stand a chance.
The SC430 is some pretty big iron in it's own right.
Man I hate stuff like that. One of the reasons I gave up Auto Mechanics in
1979 was I didn't want to drive tow trucks any more. I had seen enough,
including the blow'd-up Pinto thing.
I am sometimes grateful that I can't even possibly fit inside anything
smaller than a Taurus or Explorer.
-Larry
"Uwe Sch�rkamp" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (16 lines)
> On Fri, 6 Jan 2006 19:58:15 +1000, Steve Simpson wrote: >> >> That's American logic for you....no wonder they all drive SUVs in the >> cities. > > Last I heard the "an SUV is safer in case of an accident" claim is wrong > because of the relatively high rollover risk these cars suffer from. > > Far too many people consider their car an artificial penis extension > IMHO anyway. > > Cheers, uwe > > > -- > GPG Fingerprint: 2E 13 20 22 9A 3F 63 7F 67 6F E9 B1 A8 36 A4 61"Steve Blankenship" wrote
That's why I drive a Caterham (Lotus) 7 every day :)))
Quoted text (11 lines)
> > As for beating an Elise or similar car down a straightaway with a > musclecar, no argument if it's long enough, straight enough and flat > enough. But I generally avoid roads like that except as basic transport > routes to work or such. Any road with enough character to turn onto for > entertainment's sake looks very different. And on one of those, the > musclecar finds itself in an argument with the laws of physics. One that > can be won with brute force and/or cubic dollars, but that really > shouldn't be needed. > > Colin Chapman was right, you know..."Steve Blankenship" wrote
That's why I drive a Caterham (Lotus) 7 every day :)))
Manuver around accidents Har har har...
hell 90% of accidents are rear enders or left turns in front of others I
"think". last week a gal flying down the highway, just slammed on her
brakes to make a last minute left turn, got ran over. She had no more idea
what the F was around her than the man on the moon. But unlike the gal 2
weeks before she and the 6 passeengers lived to whine to everyone that the
trucker was at fault. Last time that scenario it was a tiny minivan,
everyone died.
I'll take that SUV, just in case my honey forgets to shut up and drive,
because I wanna think safety...
Another thing that f#cks with my brain is, these soccer-mom types, you know-
in the big urban areas... Got the kids helmet gloves knee pads, elbow pads,
butt pads before the kids can even think about the riding of a bicycyle or
skateboard (THem are strictlyoff limits without proper safety gear) But
just 2 minutes ago, while headed home from the Friggin soccer game, they
all were buckled in, traveling 80mph less than 4ft from the next asshole in
front of them, on the 6 lane expressway.... and dont even think about the
Danger they were exposing everyone to, for what, 2.4 minutes cut off the 20
minute drive? Get real, once again Cars dont Kill People stupid people kill
people with cars...
Steve Blankenship enlightened us with:
Quoted text (34 lines)
> "Steve Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... >>> They weigh so much so people like your buddy can walk away from >>> accidents without a scratch. I couldn't even imagine driving >>> something as small as the Elise (or even a GTI, for that matter) in >>> traffic anywhere in America. >> >> That's American logic for you....no wonder they all drive SUVs in the >> cities. >> > > No, actually we don't. ;-) > > Yeah, the car as battering ram is indeed one approach to safety, and > size = safety is an easy concept for car shoppers to grab onto and > salesmen to push. But stats I've seen suggest SUV's aren't really > safer than cars as far as prevention of injury. And of course > passive safety isn't the only kind; the land yachts need it since > they can't maneuver around accidents, besides being intended for > people who are not particularly skilled at, or interested in, > driving. Fair enough, but I'll take my chances in the vehicle that > delivers useable, efficient performance every day over the one that > gives me something I haven't needed in several decades of driving. > Come to think of it, that FZR I used to sport around on probably > wasn't so safe either; how did I ever survive? > As for beating an Elise or similar car down a straightaway with a > musclecar, no argument if it's long enough, straight enough and flat > enough. But I generally avoid roads like that except as basic > transport routes to work or such. Any road with enough character to > turn onto for entertainment's sake looks very different. And on one > of those, the musclecar finds itself in an argument with the laws of > physics. One that can be won with brute force and/or cubic dollars, > but that really shouldn't be needed. > Colin Chapman was right, you know..."Steve Blankenship" wrote
That's why I drive a Caterham (Lotus) 7 every day :))) What's the point in
driving fast in a straight line?
I rely on its nimbleness to avoid accidents and that's worked apart from the
2 ton heap of scrap iron Jeep that drove over my rear wheel when its driver
couldn't be bothered with the effort of keeping it in its lane round the
roundabout...
Quoted text (11 lines)
> > As for beating an Elise or similar car down a straightaway with a > musclecar, no argument if it's long enough, straight enough and flat > enough. But I generally avoid roads like that except as basic transport > routes to work or such. Any road with enough character to turn onto for > entertainment's sake looks very different. And on one of those, the > musclecar finds itself in an argument with the laws of physics. One that > can be won with brute force and/or cubic dollars, but that really > shouldn't be needed. > > Colin Chapman was right, you know..."Steve Blankenship" wrote
That's why I drive a Caterham (Lotus) 7 every day :))) What's the point in
driving fast in a straight line?
I rely on its nimbleness to avoid accidents and that's worked apart from the
2 ton heap of scrap iron Jeep that drove over my rear wheel when its driver
couldn't be bothered with the effort of keeping it in its lane round the
roundabout...
Quoted text (11 lines)
> > As for beating an Elise or similar car down a straightaway with a > musclecar, no argument if it's long enough, straight enough and flat > enough. But I generally avoid roads like that except as basic transport > routes to work or such. Any road with enough character to turn onto for > entertainment's sake looks very different. And on one of those, the > musclecar finds itself in an argument with the laws of physics. One that > can be won with brute force and/or cubic dollars, but that really > shouldn't be needed. > > Colin Chapman was right, you know...
"PlowBoy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:6%Avf.75093$sg5.71573@dukeread12...
There is NOTHING a person does on the road that infuriates me more than a
tail-gater. Absolutely moronic driving. I've gotten out of the car at lights
and given people hell for riding my a**. So tempted to just slam the brakes
sometimes, especially when the idiot is on the cell phone.
--
David G Fisher
Quoted text (23 lines)
> Manuver around accidents Har har har... > > hell 90% of accidents are rear enders or left turns in front of others I > "think". last week a gal flying down the highway, just slammed on her > brakes to make a last minute left turn, got ran over. She had no more > idea what the F was around her than the man on the moon. But unlike the > gal 2 weeks before she and the 6 passeengers lived to whine to everyone > that the trucker was at fault. Last time that scenario it was a tiny > minivan, everyone died. > > I'll take that SUV, just in case my honey forgets to shut up and drive, > because I wanna think safety... > > Another thing that f#cks with my brain is, these soccer-mom types, you > know- in the big urban areas... Got the kids helmet gloves knee pads, > elbow pads, butt pads before the kids can even think about the riding of a > bicycyle or skateboard (THem are strictlyoff limits without proper safety > gear) But just 2 minutes ago, while headed home from the Friggin soccer > game, they all were buckled in, traveling 80mph less than 4ft from the > next asshole in front of them, on the 6 lane expressway.... and dont even > think about the Danger they were exposing everyone to, for what, 2.4 > minutes cut off the 20 minute drive? Get real, once again Cars dont Kill > People stupid people kill people with cars..."Seven Smiles" wrote....
3 versions of the same message :(
Bloody computers!
"Seven Smiles" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:
> "Seven Smiles" wrote....
> 3 versions of the same message :(
>
> Bloody computers!
Maybe it's not the Computer but yer brainpan all
shook up from driving a leetle teeny tiny car with a
motuhcykle engine init.
I am torn on this one. I LIKE smaller more manuerable cars,
(think rallye types..Mitsubishi Evo or WRXsti. BUt I also fondly
remember the age of Stang's and Cudas and HAS ANYONE SEEN CHEVY'S
ME TOO attempt to steal the Challenger's thunder by releasing some
mockups<sic sick lol>of a new/old Camaro? Shameful. Here Dodge is
already riding on the coattails of the Ford Mustang and CHevy has to
be an attention whore. lol.!!!
Anyhow, I'd love a nice little car. But I'd sure have fun for a
few days in this hugely oversized Challenger. At least it LOOKS like
a Challenger, not like the lump of clay they call a CHarger.
(Where are Bob Lutz's old Chrysler Co, Designers? Answer: drawing ME TOO
chevy's for GM sigh.....)
dave henrie
A) The comparison had already been made; I was just joining the
conversation.
B) Yeah, it's an apples vs. oranges comparison, but people will argue all
day long about which is better. Let's just say I had a really bad apple
back in the day!
C) No doubt the new Dodge will be less of a POS than the original; it would
have to be. But it's still two tons of iron you have to get to stop, go and
change direction. The laws of physics don't care about capturing their lost
youth... ;-)
"Larry (The Other Larry)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:cUvvf.103204$oG.52809@dukeread02...
Quoted text (58 lines)
> Wow have you missed the point! > > The point here is Retro styling with Modern Mechanicals. > > You are completely right about one thing. The original Muscle-Car era was > about straight-line performance. Turning required careful planning and a > flight plan. > > This new stuff gets rid of that problem. > > I'm sure it doesn't handle like the Elise (from what I've heard, not much > does). But that's not the point here. It's not meant to be compared to > that car. > > -Larry > > "Steve Blankenship" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... >> Yeah? Try keeping up with an Elise in that two ton (yes, two ton) P.O.S. >> And I feel fully comfortable saying that, having once owned one of the >> original versions that bloated retromobile is styled to look like. Best >> thing that ever happened to it was a buddy of mine wrapping it around a >> tree so I could buy something that didn't suck with the insurance >> settlement. He never quite got why I was so understanding about the >> whole thing... ;-) >> >> What is it with cars these days getting so porky? Even a freaking GTI >> weighs well over 3000lbs. >> >> >> "Larry (The Other Larry)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >> news:uFgvf.91075$oG.64307@dukeread02... >>> Only one problem. I need two of those. >>> >>> One for each foot. >>> >>> Besides, nothing beats good old fashioned Detroit Iron/Torque. >>> >>> -Larry >>> >>> "David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>> news:[email hidden]... >>> >>>> Bah, another big and clunky american car. This is true beauty >>>> http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=108618#26 >>>> >>>> :-) >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> David G Fisher >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >Quoted text (8 lines)
> Bigger Iron does win sometimes win though. > > We had an extremely sad incident here in the DC area about 6 months ago > where a very well liked radio personalities wife was killed in a head-on > collision. She was driving a new Lexus SC430. The other was an Explorer. > He walked away, she didn't stand a chance. > > The SC430 is some pretty big iron in it's own right.Alan Le wrote:
I think so too, my car weighs 1800 pounds. Concerning the SUV thing,
how many of these accidents wouldn't have happened if the vehicle was
not an SUV? There's a very good chance that Freda Sorce (the radio
guy's wife) would have had an uneventful drive home if that kid had been
driving a reasonable car. He hit the brakes because of a traffic jam
and ended up on the other side of the road on top of an oncoming car.
Who can feel safe in a vehicle which rolls over and kills your family if
you get a flat tire?
Don McCorkle
Quoted text (7 lines)
> At 3800+ lbs, yeah, it's pretty hefty. But that also goes to show that > weight in and of itself does mean a car's "safe." Personally, I can live > with some added weight for better collision protection and a tiny bit more > comfort, but many "sports" coupes and sedans are hitting 3300-3500 lbs right > now which seems excessive if driving dynamics truly is a core focus. Heck, > from a handling standpoint, I think my smallish convertible is porky at > nearly 2900 lbs!In article <cUvvf.103204$oG.52809@dukeread02>, "Larry \(The Other Larry
\)" <[email hidden]> says...
No, it was about who could put the most performance-tuned cubic inches
under the hood, regardless of intended use.
> This new stuff gets rid of that problem.
>
> I'm sure it doesn't handle like the Elise (from what I've heard, not much
> does). But that's not the point here. It's not meant to be compared to
> that car.
>
Precisely. The Lotus is also targeted at a very different market.
Dodge is simply trying to do the same thing Ford did. And watch for the
new old Camaro from Chevrolet in 2007.
Quoted text (7 lines)
> Wow have you missed the point! > > The point here is Retro styling with Modern Mechanicals. > > You are completely right about one thing. The original Muscle-Car era was > about straight-line performance. Turning required careful planning and a > flight plan.In article <W_vvf.103308$oG.40353@dukeread02>, "Larry \(The Other Larry
\)" <[email hidden]> says...
>
> I am sometimes grateful that I can't even possibly fit inside anything
> smaller than a Taurus or Explorer.
>
I drive a 2004 Crown Victoria LX Sport. Good solid car, fast when it
needs to be, and has the added benefit of looking like a cop car (to
keep the bozos at bay, at least temporarily).
Ryan wrote:
> get those old musclecars to handle, and beating the Elise down a
> straightaway is easy business.
There is a company that puts a 420 bhp Audi 2,7 biturbo engine into the
Elise. That would fix the "straightway problem" but I'm not quite sure if it
will improve handeling and drivability. It's called Lotus Esthi.
http://www.classicdriver.de/de/magazine/3100.asp?id=1712
Jone T.
"Jone T." <jone> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
That's as mad as the RST V8 Caterham http://www.rst-v8.com
750 bhp/ton.
Road car :@
Quoted text (12 lines)
> Ryan wrote: > >> get those old musclecars to handle, and beating the Elise down a >> straightaway is easy business. > > There is a company that puts a 420 bhp Audi 2,7 biturbo engine into the > Elise. That would fix the "straightway problem" but I'm not quite sure if > it will improve handeling and drivability. It's called Lotus Esthi. > > http://www.classicdriver.de/de/magazine/3100.asp?id=1712 > > Jone T.
"Dave Henrie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Yeah, maybe it was a mistake fitting the bare fibreglass seat in place of
the upholstered one :)
And mine has a car engine - 1.8 litre Rover K series for a more leisurely
driving experience...
Quoted text (11 lines)
> "Seven Smiles" <[email hidden]> wrote in > news:[email hidden]: > >> "Seven Smiles" wrote.... >> 3 versions of the same message :( >> >> Bloody computers! > > Maybe it's not the Computer but yer brainpan all > shook up from driving a leetle teeny tiny car with a > motuhcykle engine init."Steve Blankenship" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> The laws of physics don't care about capturing their lost youth... ;-)
That would be REcapturing of course! Couldn't resist revisiting this thread
after running across the following quote today:
"Weight saving should be by design and not a post process. Weight is the car
designer's biggest enemy. It works against you in every single aspect of
vehicle dynamics. Power-to-weight ratio is one of the most misunderstood
figures in the auto-motive world. Achieving a good power-to-weight figure by
applying huge horsepower to a heavy car is in no way the same thing as
achieving the same ratio with a very light car. "
Gordon Murray on the also-overweight and similarly ill-conceived Bugatti
Veyron... ;-)
Woodie83 <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:
> I think so too, my car weighs 1800 pounds.
>
> Don McCorkle
And I thought my VW GTI was light at 2400lbs. Are you driving a Lotus Elise
Don ?
DonS
Yeah, I wanted a Chevy Impala SS when they re-made them in 94 or so, but it
wasn't in the wallet at the time.
-Larry
"John Simmons" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (11 lines)
> In article <W_vvf.103308$oG.40353@dukeread02>, "Larry \(The Other Larry > \)" <[email hidden]> says... >> >> I am sometimes grateful that I can't even possibly fit inside anything >> smaller than a Taurus or Explorer. >> > > I drive a 2004 Crown Victoria LX Sport. Good solid car, fast when it > needs to be, and has the added benefit of looking like a cop car (to > keep the bozos at bay, at least temporarily). >Don,
What makes you think him driving a truck was _unreasonable_ ? Maybe it was
reasonable for his needs?
I drive an 05 Explorer. I _need_ every inch of space and capability this
vehicle offers. That's why I bought it.
I sure as hell wouldn't put up with the Gas Mileage if I didn't :)
-Larry
"Woodie83" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (11 lines)
> I think so too, my car weighs 1800 pounds. Concerning the SUV thing, how > many of these accidents wouldn't have happened if the vehicle was not an > SUV? There's a very good chance that Freda Sorce (the radio guy's wife) > would have had an uneventful drive home if that kid had been driving a > reasonable car. He hit the brakes because of a traffic jam and ended up > on the other side of the road on top of an oncoming car. Who can feel safe > in a vehicle which rolls over and kills your family if you get a flat > tire? > > > Don McCorkleDon Scurlock wrote:
Something a little less sexy, I'm addicted to the Geo Metro/Suzuki
Swift, my fourth and fifth ones are sitting out in the driveway right
now. The first, an '89 Metro XFI, weighed under 1600 pounds. Now I've
moved up to the big-block, 1.3 liter. More weight and less mileage, but
having the fourth cylinder is a lot of fun!
Don McCorkle
Quoted text (7 lines)
>>I think so too, my car weighs 1800 pounds. >> >>Don McCorkle > > > And I thought my VW GTI was light at 2400lbs. Are you driving a Lotus Elise > Don ?Larry (The Other Larry) wrote:
>
> What makes you think him driving a truck was _unreasonable_ ? Maybe it was
> reasonable for his needs?
>
It was a high-school kid alone in the Explorer. That, and my experience
looking around me in traffic allow me to make a slight leap to that
conclusion. Here in the Washington DC area a 6,000 pound SUV with a 100
pound driver commuting to work alone is the norm. Plus, I think that
any vehicle that rolls over because of a flat tire is unreasonable. A
flat tire should be an inconvenience, not a tragedy.
Don McCorkle
In article <[email hidden]>, Woodie83 <[email hidden]> wrote:
>That, and my experience
>looking around me in traffic allow me to make a slight leap to that
>conclusion. Here in the Washington DC area a 6,000 pound SUV with a 100
>pound driver commuting to work alone is the norm.
I also had (okay, still tend to) make the same conclusion. But
consider how your sampling is done. You are noticing this while
driving in commuter hours. So everyone else is commuting. Now say
that same SUV is pulling a a boat on the weekend, or a gaggle of
soccer players. Now both parents drive to work the following
Monday. It is quite likely that one of them will be using that SUV,
solo. You see it, you conclude "yep, big SUV, being used *only* for
a single commuter".
So frankly, your test observation is biased and probably not
terribly valid.
.. not to say that SUV's in general are that different from other
vehicles: subject to fad and fashion, and not logically purchased
based on needs rather than wants.
.. back to simulators ... :-)
"David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Front end looks like it doesn't know if it wants to be like a Mazda,
Porsche, or a Viper. Too confused. Plus, I'm not that tall (six foot and
change), but any cars like that when I sit in them, my knees are in my face.
It's fine for small statured men or women.
Quoted text (16 lines)
> > "Larry (The Other Larry)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:9Kfvf.91071$oG.47485@dukeread02... >> http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html >> >> -Larry > > Bah, another big and clunky american car. This is true beauty > http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=108618#26 > > :-) > > > -- > David G Fisher >
"Steve Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:43bde474$[email hidden]...
Yeah, laugh your ass off, so when any of the "big three" goes under it is
sure to send a large portion of the country in a big recession. Keep
laughing jerkoff.
Quoted text (9 lines)
>> Only one problem. I need two of those. >> >> One for each foot. >> >> Besides, nothing beats good old fashioned Detroit Iron/Torque. > > Yeah, still going strong those Detroit factories.. lmao > >
"Steve Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Obviously you don't know what you are saying and haven't lived in the
northern climates of the US. I have an SUV to manage my trips outside of
Detroit, along dirt roads and trails just to make it to visit family and
friends. I doubt any Lotus Elise could make it two feet down any roads that
we are forced to travel.
Quoted text (9 lines)
>> They weigh so much so people like your buddy can walk away from accidents >> without a scratch. I couldn't even imagine driving something as small as >> the Elise (or even a GTI, for that matter) in traffic anywhere in >> America. > > That's American logic for you....no wonder they all drive SUVs in the > cities. > >
"David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Easy Rosco, easy.
Quoted text (36 lines)
> > "PlowBoy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:6%Avf.75093$sg5.71573@dukeread12... >> Manuver around accidents Har har har... >> >> hell 90% of accidents are rear enders or left turns in front of others I >> "think". last week a gal flying down the highway, just slammed on her >> brakes to make a last minute left turn, got ran over. She had no more >> idea what the F was around her than the man on the moon. But unlike the >> gal 2 weeks before she and the 6 passeengers lived to whine to everyone >> that the trucker was at fault. Last time that scenario it was a tiny >> minivan, everyone died. >> >> I'll take that SUV, just in case my honey forgets to shut up and drive, >> because I wanna think safety... >> >> Another thing that f#cks with my brain is, these soccer-mom types, you >> know- in the big urban areas... Got the kids helmet gloves knee pads, >> elbow pads, butt pads before the kids can even think about the riding of >> a bicycyle or skateboard (THem are strictlyoff limits without proper >> safety gear) But just 2 minutes ago, while headed home from the Friggin >> soccer game, they all were buckled in, traveling 80mph less than 4ft from >> the next asshole in front of them, on the 6 lane expressway.... and dont >> even think about the Danger they were exposing everyone to, for what, 2.4 >> minutes cut off the 20 minute drive? Get real, once again Cars dont Kill >> People stupid people kill people with cars... > > There is NOTHING a person does on the road that infuriates me more than a > tail-gater. Absolutely moronic driving. I've gotten out of the car at > lights and given people hell for riding my a**. So tempted to just slam > the brakes sometimes, especially when the idiot is on the cell phone. > > > -- > David G Fisher >
"Woodie83" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
No point in arguing a shoulda-woulda-coulda. It didn't happen, so its all
speculation. People's attention during driving is what causes accidents most
of the time unless it is a mechanical failure or "Act of God".
Quoted text (21 lines)
> Alan Le wrote: > >> At 3800+ lbs, yeah, it's pretty hefty. But that also goes to show that >> weight in and of itself does mean a car's "safe." Personally, I can live >> with some added weight for better collision protection and a tiny bit >> more comfort, but many "sports" coupes and sedans are hitting 3300-3500 >> lbs right now which seems excessive if driving dynamics truly is a core >> focus. Heck, from a handling standpoint, I think my smallish convertible >> is porky at nearly 2900 lbs! > > I think so too, my car weighs 1800 pounds. Concerning the SUV thing, how > many of these accidents wouldn't have happened if the vehicle was not an > SUV? There's a very good chance that Freda Sorce (the radio guy's wife) > would have had an uneventful drive home if that kid had been driving a > reasonable car. He hit the brakes because of a traffic jam and ended up > on the other side of the road on top of an oncoming car. Who can feel safe > in a vehicle which rolls over and kills your family if you get a flat > tire? > > > Don McCorkleIn article <NZ%vf.111569$oG.44063@dukeread02>, "Larry \(The Other Larry
\)" <[email hidden]> says...
I actually had a choice between a new Mustang or the Crown Vic, and
since I am planning on having to drive old-folks (my dad's getting up
there in years) around, I thought they'd appreciate the leg room of the
Crown Vic.
Quoted text (21 lines)
> Yeah, I wanted a Chevy Impala SS when they re-made them in 94 or so, but it > wasn't in the wallet at the time. > > -Larry > > "John Simmons" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > In article <W_vvf.103308$oG.40353@dukeread02>, "Larry \(The Other Larry > > \)" <[email hidden]> says... > >> > >> I am sometimes grateful that I can't even possibly fit inside anything > >> smaller than a Taurus or Explorer. > >> > > > > I drive a 2004 Crown Victoria LX Sport. Good solid car, fast when it > > needs to be, and has the added benefit of looking like a cop car (to > > keep the bozos at bay, at least temporarily). > > > > >When someone is tailgating me I just get out of the way.
Obviously the tailgater is in more of a hurry than I am so why not just get
out of the way and let him continue in his hurry?. Oh thats just too fn
easy eh?
Nothing I HATE worse than some POS activist blocking the lanes of a highway
just cause he can... I know of assholes that get into the fast lane and go
slow just so he can watch people blow a gasket.
Mitch
"HockeyTownUSA" <magma at comcast dot net> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (42 lines)
> > "David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... >> >> "PlowBoy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >> news:6%Avf.75093$sg5.71573@dukeread12... >>> Manuver around accidents Har har har... >>> >>> hell 90% of accidents are rear enders or left turns in front of others I >>> "think". last week a gal flying down the highway, just slammed on her >>> brakes to make a last minute left turn, got ran over. She had no more >>> idea what the F was around her than the man on the moon. But unlike the >>> gal 2 weeks before she and the 6 passeengers lived to whine to everyone >>> that the trucker was at fault. Last time that scenario it was a tiny >>> minivan, everyone died. >>> >>> I'll take that SUV, just in case my honey forgets to shut up and drive, >>> because I wanna think safety... >>> >>> Another thing that f#cks with my brain is, these soccer-mom types, you >>> know- in the big urban areas... Got the kids helmet gloves knee pads, >>> elbow pads, butt pads before the kids can even think about the riding of >>> a bicycyle or skateboard (THem are strictlyoff limits without proper >>> safety gear) But just 2 minutes ago, while headed home from the >>> Friggin soccer game, they all were buckled in, traveling 80mph less than >>> 4ft from the next asshole in front of them, on the 6 lane expressway.... >>> and dont even think about the Danger they were exposing everyone to, for >>> what, 2.4 minutes cut off the 20 minute drive? Get real, once again >>> Cars dont Kill People stupid people kill people with cars... >> >> There is NOTHING a person does on the road that infuriates me more than a >> tail-gater. Absolutely moronic driving. I've gotten out of the car at >> lights and given people hell for riding my a**. So tempted to just slam >> the brakes sometimes, especially when the idiot is on the cell phone. >> >> >> -- >> David G Fisher >> > > Easy Rosco, easy. >Quoted text (14 lines)
>>> They weigh so much so people like your buddy can walk away from >>> accidents without a scratch. I couldn't even imagine driving something >>> as small as the Elise (or even a GTI, for that matter) in traffic >>> anywhere in America. >> >> That's American logic for you....no wonder they all drive SUVs in the >> cities. >> > > Obviously you don't know what you are saying and haven't lived in the > northern climates of the US. I have an SUV to manage my trips outside of > Detroit, along dirt roads and trails just to make it to visit family and > friends. I doubt any Lotus Elise could make it two feet down any roads > that we are forced to travel.No kidding - if only the morons would get how much better and safer traffic
flows when everyone reserves the left lane for overtaking and yields it to
anyone going qucker. Just did about 1,300 miles of highway travel over the
holidays, and that about drove me bananas. The ones who are wedded to their
damned cruise controls are the most comon offenders; they'll just sit there
mile after mile when they're going .02 mph faster than the car in the right
lane. Sure they're passing; it just takes a county or two. God forbid they
actually accelerate one or two mph to get around and clear the line of
traffic they've stacked up behind them. I don't care if I'm doing 70 in a
50; if someone's overtaking me I'm moving over and letting him by. After
all, it might be Surtees and you know what that means!
Just thought I'd get this thread back in RAS-mode... ;-)
SB
"Mitch_A" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:I3dwf.72421$[email hidden]...
Quoted text (60 lines)
> When someone is tailgating me I just get out of the way. > > Obviously the tailgater is in more of a hurry than I am so why not just > get out of the way and let him continue in his hurry?. Oh thats just too > fn easy eh? > > Nothing I HATE worse than some POS activist blocking the lanes of a > highway just cause he can... I know of assholes that get into the fast > lane and go slow just so he can watch people blow a gasket. > > Mitch > > > "HockeyTownUSA" <magma at comcast dot net> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... >> >> "David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >> news:[email hidden]... >>> >>> "PlowBoy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>> news:6%Avf.75093$sg5.71573@dukeread12... >>>> Manuver around accidents Har har har... >>>> >>>> hell 90% of accidents are rear enders or left turns in front of others >>>> I "think". last week a gal flying down the highway, just slammed on >>>> her brakes to make a last minute left turn, got ran over. She had no >>>> more idea what the F was around her than the man on the moon. But >>>> unlike the gal 2 weeks before she and the 6 passeengers lived to whine >>>> to everyone that the trucker was at fault. Last time that scenario it >>>> was a tiny minivan, everyone died. >>>> >>>> I'll take that SUV, just in case my honey forgets to shut up and drive, >>>> because I wanna think safety... >>>> >>>> Another thing that f#cks with my brain is, these soccer-mom types, you >>>> know- in the big urban areas... Got the kids helmet gloves knee pads, >>>> elbow pads, butt pads before the kids can even think about the riding >>>> of a bicycyle or skateboard (THem are strictlyoff limits without proper >>>> safety gear) But just 2 minutes ago, while headed home from the >>>> Friggin soccer game, they all were buckled in, traveling 80mph less >>>> than 4ft from the next asshole in front of them, on the 6 lane >>>> expressway.... and dont even think about the Danger they were exposing >>>> everyone to, for what, 2.4 minutes cut off the 20 minute drive? Get >>>> real, once again Cars dont Kill People stupid people kill people with >>>> cars... >>> >>> There is NOTHING a person does on the road that infuriates me more than >>> a tail-gater. Absolutely moronic driving. I've gotten out of the car at >>> lights and given people hell for riding my a**. So tempted to just slam >>> the brakes sometimes, especially when the idiot is on the cell phone. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> David G Fisher >>> >> >> Easy Rosco, easy. >> > >You have no right to violate the law by exceeding the speed limit then
expect everyone else to accomodate you.
Steve Blankenship wrote:
Quoted text (82 lines)
> No kidding - if only the morons would get how much better and safer traffic > flows when everyone reserves the left lane for overtaking and yields it to > anyone going qucker. Just did about 1,300 miles of highway travel over the > holidays, and that about drove me bananas. The ones who are wedded to their > damned cruise controls are the most comon offenders; they'll just sit there > mile after mile when they're going .02 mph faster than the car in the right > lane. Sure they're passing; it just takes a county or two. God forbid they > actually accelerate one or two mph to get around and clear the line of > traffic they've stacked up behind them. I don't care if I'm doing 70 in a > 50; if someone's overtaking me I'm moving over and letting him by. After > all, it might be Surtees and you know what that means! > > Just thought I'd get this thread back in RAS-mode... ;-) > > SB > > "Mitch_A" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:I3dwf.72421$[email hidden]... > >>When someone is tailgating me I just get out of the way. >> >>Obviously the tailgater is in more of a hurry than I am so why not just >>get out of the way and let him continue in his hurry?. Oh thats just too >>fn easy eh? >> >>Nothing I HATE worse than some POS activist blocking the lanes of a >>highway just cause he can... I know of assholes that get into the fast >>lane and go slow just so he can watch people blow a gasket. >> >>Mitch >> >> >>"HockeyTownUSA" <magma at comcast dot net> wrote in message >>news:[email hidden]... >> >>>"David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>>news:[email hidden]... >>> >>>>"PlowBoy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>>>news:6%Avf.75093$sg5.71573@dukeread12... >>>> >>>>>Manuver around accidents Har har har... >>>>> >>>>>hell 90% of accidents are rear enders or left turns in front of others >>>>>I "think". last week a gal flying down the highway, just slammed on >>>>>her brakes to make a last minute left turn, got ran over. She had no >>>>>more idea what the F was around her than the man on the moon. But >>>>>unlike the gal 2 weeks before she and the 6 passeengers lived to whine >>>>>to everyone that the trucker was at fault. Last time that scenario it >>>>>was a tiny minivan, everyone died. >>>>> >>>>>I'll take that SUV, just in case my honey forgets to shut up and drive, >>>>>because I wanna think safety... >>>>> >>>>>Another thing that f#cks with my brain is, these soccer-mom types, you >>>>>know- in the big urban areas... Got the kids helmet gloves knee pads, >>>>>elbow pads, butt pads before the kids can even think about the riding >>>>>of a bicycyle or skateboard (THem are strictlyoff limits without proper >>>>>safety gear) But just 2 minutes ago, while headed home from the >>>>>Friggin soccer game, they all were buckled in, traveling 80mph less >>>>>than 4ft from the next asshole in front of them, on the 6 lane >>>>>expressway.... and dont even think about the Danger they were exposing >>>>>everyone to, for what, 2.4 minutes cut off the 20 minute drive? Get >>>>>real, once again Cars dont Kill People stupid people kill people with >>>>>cars... >>>> >>>>There is NOTHING a person does on the road that infuriates me more than >>>>a tail-gater. Absolutely moronic driving. I've gotten out of the car at >>>>lights and given people hell for riding my a**. So tempted to just slam >>>>the brakes sometimes, especially when the idiot is on the cell phone. >>>> >>>> >>>>-- >>>>David G Fisher >>>> >>> >>>Easy Rosco, easy. >>> >> >> > >Bullshit! Here in Detroit, travelling I-696 and I-275 is like driving NASCAR
every day. Cops will pass you going 100+ and not think twice as you're
cruising *WITH TRAFFIC* at 85-90mph. Going with the flow is the name of the
game on freeways at least. Nothing worse than a speed limit at 65mph with a
twinkie holding off traffic sitting in the left lane going 60 because he's
below the speed limit.
I have not had ONE single driving incident in the last 17+ years I've been
driving. I may drive fast, but I drive safe. Speed limits are the law and
are ther to regulate the speed of traffic, but more or less a suggestion if
you go with the flow.
I *will*, however, block off assholes that drive to the front of long line
of traffic merging due to a construction site. Dipshits don't realize that
by trying to force themselves in only slows the flow and is more likely to
cause an accident.
I always thought they should offer a school for seasoned drivers with a
clean record that can pass a strict driving course and allow them to issue
basic traffic tickets to offending drivers. I know it will never happen, but
it would for one, encourage people to drive better so they can become a
citizen traffic cop, and also help stop the idiots on the road that cops
just aren't around to see and stop on a daily basis.
"rex roland" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:68iwf.7235$[email hidden]...
Quoted text (86 lines)
> You have no right to violate the law by exceeding the speed limit then > expect everyone else to accomodate you. > > Steve Blankenship wrote: >> No kidding - if only the morons would get how much better and safer >> traffic flows when everyone reserves the left lane for overtaking and >> yields it to anyone going qucker. Just did about 1,300 miles of highway >> travel over the holidays, and that about drove me bananas. The ones who >> are wedded to their damned cruise controls are the most comon offenders; >> they'll just sit there mile after mile when they're going .02 mph faster >> than the car in the right lane. Sure they're passing; it just takes a >> county or two. God forbid they actually accelerate one or two mph to get >> around and clear the line of traffic they've stacked up behind them. I >> don't care if I'm doing 70 in a 50; if someone's overtaking me I'm moving >> over and letting him by. After all, it might be Surtees and you know >> what that means! >> >> Just thought I'd get this thread back in RAS-mode... ;-) >> >> SB >> >> "Mitch_A" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >> news:I3dwf.72421$[email hidden]... >> >>>When someone is tailgating me I just get out of the way. >>> >>>Obviously the tailgater is in more of a hurry than I am so why not just >>>get out of the way and let him continue in his hurry?. Oh thats just too >>>fn easy eh? >>> >>>Nothing I HATE worse than some POS activist blocking the lanes of a >>>highway just cause he can... I know of assholes that get into the fast >>>lane and go slow just so he can watch people blow a gasket. >>> >>>Mitch >>> >>> >>>"HockeyTownUSA" <magma at comcast dot net> wrote in message >>>news:[email hidden]... >>> >>>>"David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>>>news:[email hidden]... >>>> >>>>>"PlowBoy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>>>>news:6%Avf.75093$sg5.71573@dukeread12... >>>>> >>>>>>Manuver around accidents Har har har... >>>>>> >>>>>>hell 90% of accidents are rear enders or left turns in front of others >>>>>>I "think". last week a gal flying down the highway, just slammed on >>>>>>her brakes to make a last minute left turn, got ran over. She had no >>>>>>more idea what the F was around her than the man on the moon. But >>>>>>unlike the gal 2 weeks before she and the 6 passeengers lived to whine >>>>>>to everyone that the trucker was at fault. Last time that scenario it >>>>>>was a tiny minivan, everyone died. >>>>>> >>>>>>I'll take that SUV, just in case my honey forgets to shut up and >>>>>>drive, because I wanna think safety... >>>>>> >>>>>>Another thing that f#cks with my brain is, these soccer-mom types, you >>>>>>know- in the big urban areas... Got the kids helmet gloves knee pads, >>>>>>elbow pads, butt pads before the kids can even think about the riding >>>>>>of a bicycyle or skateboard (THem are strictlyoff limits without >>>>>>proper safety gear) But just 2 minutes ago, while headed home from >>>>>>the Friggin soccer game, they all were buckled in, traveling 80mph >>>>>>less than 4ft from the next asshole in front of them, on the 6 lane >>>>>>expressway.... and dont even think about the Danger they were exposing >>>>>>everyone to, for what, 2.4 minutes cut off the 20 minute drive? Get >>>>>>real, once again Cars dont Kill People stupid people kill people with >>>>>>cars... >>>>> >>>>>There is NOTHING a person does on the road that infuriates me more than >>>>>a tail-gater. Absolutely moronic driving. I've gotten out of the car at >>>>>lights and given people hell for riding my a**. So tempted to just slam >>>>>the brakes sometimes, especially when the idiot is on the cell phone. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>-- >>>>>David G Fisher >>>>> >>>> >>>>Easy Rosco, easy. >>>> >>> >>> >>Bzzzztt...wrong answer. The 70/50 situation was hypothetical, meant to
convey the point that even if I were in the left lane at above the limit, if
someone was overtaking me I'd still yield the lane to them. You see I am
accomodating, unlike some others. Absolute speed is irrelevant; it's
relative speed I'm talking about. Besides, it's not my job to enforce the
speed limit, nor is it anyone's who's not driving a patrol car and carrying
a badge. It IS on me to drive attentively, responsibly and to do so in a
way that will enable the smooth flow of traffic. All someone accomplishes
by blocking faster vehicles (and that quite often does NOT mean me) in the
left lane, for whatever reason, is to cause a clot in the flow of traffic.
And that's when it becomes more dangerous, with cars getting too close
together and dicey moves popping up by those who are blocked and frustrated,
like weaving right and left through cars at a higher rate of speed. That's
where you get ugly accidents. If people would just get off their high
horses and yield the lane from the outset, none of that would happen.
There's a reason all those signs (and laws, btw) say "slower traffic keep
right". And it works so damned well if people will do it; everything goes
smoothly, everyone gets where they're going at the pace they choose.
This is probably a US phenomenon; I lived and worked in the Netherlands some
years ago and found European drivers far better about this sort of thing
(driving in general, in fact). One of the funniest things I remember was
when this complete a**hole New Yorker I worked with got a ticket on the way
to Amsterdam. The guy had no visible regard for others whatsovever; the
sort of guy who'd walk into a place with a queue fifteen deep and walk
straight to the front, elbow whoever was there out of the way and never
think twice about it. And he drove the same way, constantly in the left
lane. We were cruising at about 170kph on a four lane road posted at 130.
And he got written up for driving in the left lane! Still makes me laugh,
even today...
What were those road signs over there? Oh yeah; "Drive Right!" Sounds good
to me.
SB
"rex roland" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:68iwf.7235$[email hidden]...
Quoted text (86 lines)
> You have no right to violate the law by exceeding the speed limit then > expect everyone else to accomodate you. > > Steve Blankenship wrote: >> No kidding - if only the morons would get how much better and safer >> traffic flows when everyone reserves the left lane for overtaking and >> yields it to anyone going qucker. Just did about 1,300 miles of highway >> travel over the holidays, and that about drove me bananas. The ones who >> are wedded to their damned cruise controls are the most comon offenders; >> they'll just sit there mile after mile when they're going .02 mph faster >> than the car in the right lane. Sure they're passing; it just takes a >> county or two. God forbid they actually accelerate one or two mph to get >> around and clear the line of traffic they've stacked up behind them. I >> don't care if I'm doing 70 in a 50; if someone's overtaking me I'm moving >> over and letting him by. After all, it might be Surtees and you know >> what that means! >> >> Just thought I'd get this thread back in RAS-mode... ;-) >> >> SB >> >> "Mitch_A" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >> news:I3dwf.72421$[email hidden]... >> >>>When someone is tailgating me I just get out of the way. >>> >>>Obviously the tailgater is in more of a hurry than I am so why not just >>>get out of the way and let him continue in his hurry?. Oh thats just too >>>fn easy eh? >>> >>>Nothing I HATE worse than some POS activist blocking the lanes of a >>>highway just cause he can... I know of assholes that get into the fast >>>lane and go slow just so he can watch people blow a gasket. >>> >>>Mitch >>> >>> >>>"HockeyTownUSA" <magma at comcast dot net> wrote in message >>>news:[email hidden]... >>> >>>>"David G Fisher" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>>>news:[email hidden]... >>>> >>>>>"PlowBoy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >>>>>news:6%Avf.75093$sg5.71573@dukeread12... >>>>> >>>>>>Manuver around accidents Har har har... >>>>>> >>>>>>hell 90% of accidents are rear enders or left turns in front of others >>>>>>I "think". last week a gal flying down the highway, just slammed on >>>>>>her brakes to make a last minute left turn, got ran over. She had no >>>>>>more idea what the F was around her than the man on the moon. But >>>>>>unlike the gal 2 weeks before she and the 6 passeengers lived to whine >>>>>>to everyone that the trucker was at fault. Last time that scenario it >>>>>>was a tiny minivan, everyone died. >>>>>> >>>>>>I'll take that SUV, just in case my honey forgets to shut up and >>>>>>drive, because I wanna think safety... >>>>>> >>>>>>Another thing that f#cks with my brain is, these soccer-mom types, you >>>>>>know- in the big urban areas... Got the kids helmet gloves knee pads, >>>>>>elbow pads, butt pads before the kids can even think about the riding >>>>>>of a bicycyle or skateboard (THem are strictlyoff limits without >>>>>>proper safety gear) But just 2 minutes ago, while headed home from >>>>>>the Friggin soccer game, they all were buckled in, traveling 80mph >>>>>>less than 4ft from the next asshole in front of them, on the 6 lane >>>>>>expressway.... and dont even think about the Danger they were exposing >>>>>>everyone to, for what, 2.4 minutes cut off the 20 minute drive? Get >>>>>>real, once again Cars dont Kill People stupid people kill people with >>>>>>cars... >>>>> >>>>>There is NOTHING a person does on the road that infuriates me more than >>>>>a tail-gater. Absolutely moronic driving. I've gotten out of the car at >>>>>lights and given people hell for riding my a**. So tempted to just slam >>>>>the brakes sometimes, especially when the idiot is on the cell phone. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>-- >>>>>David G Fisher >>>>> >>>> >>>>Easy Rosco, easy. >>>> >>> >>> >>"HockeyTownUSA" <magma at comcast dot net> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
<snip>
> I *will*, however, block off assholes that drive to the front of long line
> of traffic merging due to a construction site. Dipshits don't realize that
> by trying to force themselves in only slows the flow and is more likely to
> cause an accident.<snip>
Another thing that about did me in over the holiday. Idiots trying to race
up the front of a merge, which is 100% guaranteed to cause a huge cluster
f**k traffic jam about five miles long. I love it when a couple of truckers
will get side by side, well back of a lane closure merge and block the lane
so the morons can't get around them and screw the whole thing up. It's
beautiful... ;-)
HockeyTownUSA wrote:
> I always thought they should offer a school for seasoned drivers with a
> clean record that can pass a strict driving course and allow them to issue
> basic traffic tickets to offending drivers. I know it will never happen, but
> it would for one, encourage people to drive better so they can become a
> citizen traffic cop, and also help stop the idiots on the road that cops
> just aren't around to see and stop on a daily basis.
While I agree in principle, I think the reality would be disastrous. If
you tried this, especially in a major city, you'd probably get off two
or three tickets before somebody blew your head off. The type of person
who exhibits this kind of behavior is a sociopath, with no regard for
others.
Don McCorkle
rex roland wrote:
> You have no right to violate the law by exceeding the speed limit then
> expect everyone else to accomodate you.
The law states that you must yield the left lane to faster traffic
regardless of speed. So do common courtesy and common sense.
Don McCorkle
"Steve Simpson" <[email hidden]> wrote
> Even the cities in the southern climates are full of them. Most of them
> never leave the city limits either.
They're called Chelsea tractors in the UK - the only time they go off road
is when mummy parks on the curb to drop off her precious little darlings at
school.
Seven Smiles wrote:
> They're called Chelsea tractors in the UK - the only time they go off
> road is when mummy parks on the curb to drop off her precious little
> darlings at school.
Here in the Netherlands we call'em "PC Hooft tractors", named after PC
Hooft-street in Amsterdam, the city's upper class, high fashion shopping
street. :)
Cheers, Hans
"Mitch_A" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:I3dwf.72421$[email hidden]...
> When someone is tailgating me I just get out of the way.
>
> Obviously the tailgater is in more of a hurry than I am so why not just
> get out of the way and let him continue in his hurry?. Oh thats just too
> fn easy eh?
<snip>
Have to try "tailgating" you at one of our races ! ;o)
Elrikk
On 09.01.2006 04:59, Steve Blankenship wrote:
<snip>
> This is probably a US phenomenon; I lived and worked in the Netherlands some
> years ago and found European drivers far better about this sort of thing
> (driving in general, in fact).
You can find left land drivers over here too, but generally people are
aware of their driving and use it only for passing.
In germany and england I have frequently seen vast speed difference
between left and right lane which can make life harder for those of us
wanting to go a little faster than the people with hats and lorries in
the right lane... This excuses holding up traffic in the left lane for
10 secs, but not more. If you go 40 mph faster in the left lane, and
there are only two of them you can't really expect to be unhindered in
any way...
> One of the funniest things I remember was
> when this complete a**hole New Yorker I worked with got a ticket on the way
> to Amsterdam. The guy had no visible regard for others whatsovever; the
> sort of guy who'd walk into a place with a queue fifteen deep and walk
> straight to the front, elbow whoever was there out of the way and never
> think twice about it.
That kind of behaviour really isn't accepted at all here, and continuing
to do so will just get you a fat lip at some point. I have seen entire
queues of normal non-aggressive peopl team up against a bully. Those
moments are so sweet...
> And he drove the same way, constantly in the left
> lane. We were cruising at about 170kph on a four lane road posted at 130.
> And he got written up for driving in the left lane! Still makes me laugh,
> even today...
I know that misusing the left lane on the continent (we don't have left
lanes here in Norway. ;-) gets fined heavily and frequently, simply
because it has to do with safety. Regardless of speed.
---A---
