For Import Haters...

[StageLeft]

I know. The gas mileage on this car pisses me off endlessly. At least if I owned a fast sports car I could sit content knowing that although I have crappy mileage I have a fast car!

 

[Eug]

<< For a family, small cars suck. >>

Often true. However, many mothers and fathers will tell you they'd prefer a minivan, etc.


<< No elbow room, less safe and frequently anemic. >>


Most people I know like a bigger vehicle when they have kids, but the car being anemic is not really the problem. Mothers with 3 year old kids aren't going to be drag racing too often. As for being less safe, that simply isn't true. Some of the smaller Japanese and German cars have excellent safety ratings. Many don't but the same can be said about bigger cars. Big size does not equal safe. For example, the Beetle compact is rated as being safer than most mid-size American cars.


<< Your local cops drive what would more likely be the smarter solution for a family. >>

See above re: minivan.


<< If you live in the mountains, I'd still go for whatever the cops and rangers use in that area for my family too. >>


Well, some cops drive SUVs, which may be practical for some families. The rest still drive the same type of cruisers. I don't understand why you think police and families should drive the same cars.

 

[Ornery]

&quot;I don't understand why you think police and families should drive the same cars.&quot;

Ah hah, that's what I've been driving at. The cops choose those type of cars for the very same reason a family should. The initial price is more than fair for what you get. They have plenty of room, they're safe and the mileage isn't bad. The cost to keep them up is lower since they're sturdier in the first place and price of parts is low. Not to mention they are easier to work on when they do need repair.

They're smooth and quiet for long trips with plenty of cargo space. They can accelerate into flowing traffic at a good clip, which is just more safety. And the reason this was brought up is because there is no import to take it's place. It's the one car Detroit does right!

 

[rahvin]

<<Ah hah, that's what I've been driving at. The cops choose those type of cars for the very same reason a family should.>>

So let me get this straight. Your family engages in high speed pursuits, needs fast acceleration to chase people, carrys emergency equipment, needs the ability to mount large computers, cameras, and shotguns in their vehicles, has comfortable seats for driving 8+hours at a time, and large backseats that accomidate a screen for carrying (often roudy)prisoners?

Your family has very differnt needs than mine....

 

[vi edit]

<< So let me get this straight. Your family engages in high speed pursuits, needs fast acceleration to chase people, carrys emergency equipment, needs the ability to mount large computers, cameras, and shotguns in their vehicles, has comfortable seats for driving 8+hours at a time, and large backseats that accomidate a screen for carrying (often roudy)prisoners? >>



His name isn't Ornery for nothing

 

[Ornery]

Bottom line is, that cruiser is the most bang for the buck for any family. I'll stack the pros and cons of that vehicle against any alternative you care to weigh against it.

 

[geno]

<< The cops choose those type of cars for the very same reason a family should. >>


You need to take a look at who's buying these cars. What percentage of car buyers are buying them to transport a family? I personally know no one who has needed their car for

They're smooth and quiet for long trips with plenty of cargo space. They can accelerate into flowing traffic at a good clip, which is just more safety.[/i] >>



You need to take a look at who's buying these cars. What percentage of car buyers are buying them to transport a family? I personally know no one who has needed their car for a long trip where they're hauling a family. The only person I know around here with a family is my father, and they have a Subaru Forester, there's never more than 3 people in that car including my 4 year old sister. Not everyone out there needs a big station wagon to haul their families to picnics with. You're right that they make great family vehicles, but the percentage of people out there who utilize this aspect of them is much lower than the percent who doesn't need a huge beast, that has better performance, and more/less luxury. I think that we got a little off track in this thread and lost sight of this fact, just as long as you know I realized it

 

[Ornery]

&quot;...the reason this was brought up is because there is no import to take it's place. It's the one car Detroit does right!&quot;

And how many cops do you see patrolling in one of these cars, generally? How many SUVs do you see with more than the driver? How many pickups do you see with loads in the bed? How many sports cars do you actually get to see &quot;racing&quot;? Are they racing 50% of the time? I'll bet they spend less time actually racing than a soccer mom spends carting kids.

But that patrolman has a car that does what it needs to do in those few instances when he needs the extra room. Why wouldn't a soccer mom want a rugged vehicle with a low initial cost, smooth, quiet riding, safe and easy to maintain vehicle? It's got the goods when needed for trips or what have you, and comfort and safety for the daily commute. have your cake and eat it too. It's all American and the imports can't touch it for the price!

 

[geno]

Hey, I'm not disagreeing with you at all here, Ornery. I hope you read my whole post.



<< How many sports cars do you actually get to see &quot;racing&quot;? >>


No one really races the car they drive. I'd consider it &quot;spirited&quot; driving Which I know many people who do. Everyone I know with ANY type of car drives it in a sporty/racy fasion, it's just that a Sports car does it all more gracefully

 

[Ornery]

Well, for that matter, even my behemoth only has two speeds... FAST &amp; STOP!

 

[geno]

Oh, and:


<< You're right that they make great family vehicles, but the percentage of people out there who utilize this aspect of them is much lower than the percent who doesn't need a huge beast, that has better performance, and more/less luxury >>


What I should have said was that there are more people out there who don't need this sort of car. I wasn't questioning whether or not people use the cars to their fullest.

 

[Ornery]

I'll bring this right back on topic, right now. Back in the 70s, when Detroit was getting rocked by all the sales going to imports, I said, &quot;I'll buy a Japanese car when they make a V8, RWD, 4dr&quot;. I don't think it was too many years later that they came out with the Lexus LX400 and Infinity Q45. Oh brother! I guess I should have put a price in my wish list too, because those bastards started at $38,000 back when they first came out!

Needless to say, I broke my promise about buying the Japanese vehicle.

 

[geno]

I don't blame you, either. Big bucks! My mom has a '93 Infiniti J30t (V6,RWD), and it's nice. Once the Q45's come down in price, you owe it to yourself to check them out Though, they're geared for luxury more than utility, but they're still great cars.