Recent Comments:
Lutz: Cheap gas would be bad {Autoblog Green}
Oct 13th 2008 12:06PM Throwback,
I also live between NY and LA. In central Illinois, in fact. I ride my bike to work -- I just chose to live 2.5 miles from my white-collar job when I moved here.
I do agree those who make food for a living really do need those big machines, and they're welcome to the fuel that my lifestyle-change has made available. Especially since I eat more (and better) now that I get regular exercise. But it seems to me that people who do white-collar work really should opt to live close to work, during their next major life-change.
Kawasaki highlights fuel efficiency on new site {Autoblog Green}
Sep 23rd 2008 9:38PM I sold my Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and, while I technically don't regret it (I needed the money), I sure do wish I had another one!
One note to those considering taking up motorcycle riding: consider the cost of the safety equipment as part of the cost of the bike. That means at least $150 for a helmet, and and between $400 and $750 for an abrasion-resistant riding suit of some sort, and another $200 for gloves, boots, face-shields, and other knick-knacks (you might have to ride with a few variations before you find what you like). I didn't have to use this safety gear -- but some of my motorcycle-riding friends have, and this gear is worth every penny. But a $4500 motorcycle really does cost more like $6500, once you figure in safety equipment, taxes, fees, and other gotchas.
Also, the MSD New Rider course is excellent!
I miss my bike, and I hope to get on. I've been riding a bicycle lately and I really like bicycles too (which is a perfect fit for my existing commute) -- so I have been out in the wind on 2 wheels, and it's Sustainable... But, all rational arguments aside, the motorcycle really does feel like the ultimate in vehicular Independence. :-) Weee!
Volt pics were put up by "human error" {Autoblog Green}
Sep 9th 2008 10:14AM The "human error" was putting those dudes in front of the car! I appreciate that they're the managers and executives who are facilitating the project, but they should quit blocking the view! :-)
I am glad that the Volt looks like more of a normal car. Some members of my family will only drive normal-looking cars/SUVs, and maybe they would drive this to save cash and carbon -- provided the cost becomes reasonable after the first few thousand are sold, of course.
Ford planning F-100 and global Ranger replacement {Autoblog}
Jun 2nd 2008 6:20PM I'd like to see something like the F100 here. I don't know about a small diesel ranger. as much as people love to give lip service on internet car blogs about how awesome a small diesel pickup would be I'd suspect the line to buy a 25-30k diesel new ranger would not be massive.
Sweet, that means that the line will be shorter for me!
I saw absolutely no reason to upgrade my 1998 RWD Ford Ranger, unless there was a diesel option. I also own a 2001 VW Jetta TDI, and driving a torqless/gormless gas-motor in the Ranger is a bummer. I'd happily trade the 115hp 2.5L I4 in the Ranger for that 98hp diesel, and I'd happily put down about $5k extra.
P.S. The Ranger's weight is within about 400lbs of the weight of the Jetta. Weight-reduction is one of the few things that Ford got very-right on the late 90's Ranger.
Derbi DH 2.0: looking to mountainbikes for inspiration {Autoblog Green}
May 13th 2008 6:45PM I, too, would be open to an electric version!
Derbi DH 2.0: looking to mountainbikes for inspiration {Autoblog Green}
May 13th 2008 6:40PM I've been thinking about a lightweight 4-stroke motorcycle with off-road capability lately. I'm short (5'4") so a lot of the normal dirt-bikes look like they'd be uncomfortable.
This thing would fit the bill. This one probably wouldn't be vetoed by the girlfriend, either.
CAW reaches deal with Ford five months early {Autoblog}
Apr 30th 2008 8:19AM I used to think that the universal health-care folks were a bunch of whiners who couldn't handle being responsible for themselves.
However, as I interact more and more with the US healthcare system, it's clear that it's fundamentally messed up, and major changes are needed so that doctors offices spend their time taking care of patients rather than figuring out how to get paid. The doctors that I've dealt with do this as much as possible, but it's still a problem -- one local opthalmologist has an outsourced "wring the insurance company" service which negotiates with insurance companies for them and makes the paperwork go away. Services like that, which are staffed with experts, aren't at all cheap!
Another problem is that the insurance-rate and the cash-rate are quite different. An individual pays a lot more for a given service than the insurance company. It's like this at auto-body shops, too, but that doesn't make it right.
So, there are real problems... We need real leadership and a bunch of changes to the existing system that are too fine-grained for our political system to handle -- or we could wipe it away and replace it with something relatively sane in one fell swoop... And that seems more doable. Unfortunately, making laws that force people to buy insurance isn't going to simplify anything either -- and that seems to be what our remaining candidates are proposing.
If I could have my cake and eat it too, I'd prefer a free-market/libertarian/capitalist solution... But that doesn't seem to be happening, and somebody's gotta fix it...
Is GM "a genius or a dolt for developing the Volt"? {Autoblog Green}
Apr 28th 2008 5:14PM If they can make it work for the price and range that they initially claimed, they'll be geniuses.
If they pack it up and go back to trying to sell the Tahoe, then they'll be dolts to me. I don't want a Tahoe, and I don't know many people who do.
Powerful cars are fun -- especially for car enthusiasts... But for people who need an efficient daily-driver, then the Volt would be a wonderful solution.
If your only criteria when buying a car is the power of the engine, then the Prius or the Volt is not for you! But enthusiasts are only a small part of the market for any necessity.
Can advanced drivetrain tech bring in buyers? {Autoblog Green}
Apr 17th 2008 4:27PM Yes, me. I'm interested by two things:
1) How well does the vehicle fit my needs?
2) How interesting is the technology?
3) Price
That's pretty much what I look for in a vehicle.
But I don't run into very many people like me at the grocery store...
Top gear drives the Smart ED, isn't terribly impressed {Autoblog Green}
Apr 4th 2008 9:41AM rar,
Me too -- I think the limitations of an electric drivetrain wouldn't be a problem for the uses I would have for this car. I'd be inclined to use the little smart-car for work and everyday errands, and with a 70-odd mile range, it would be a great fit.
