Ford Focus Hated. Who did not see this coming?

[EddieWalker]

R. G. LeTourneau is one of my hero's and after reading his biography, I became a fan of the electric motor. His arguments for it in construction equipment made a lot of sense to me, and in time, there is a good chance that his ideas will become reality.

R. G. LeTourneau - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I also like the "idea" of an electric car.

What I don't like if forcing something on us that doesn't work just to make others feel good. When the technology is there, then I will be all for it. Since it relies on massive government subsideries, also known as tax payer hand outs, I'm not in favor of it.

Just like windmills and solar panels, there is no reason to make them better when the company can make a profit on them as they are.

The research will continue, but the waste will have to be cut down when all the free money, guranteed loans and grants dry up.

Eddie

 

[powerpace]

R. G. LeTourneau is one of my hero's and after reading his biography, I became a fan of the electric motor. His arguments for it in construction equipment made a lot of sense to me, and in time, there is a good chance that his ideas will become reality.

R. G. LeTourneau - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I also like the "idea" of an electric car.

What I don't like if forcing something on us that doesn't work just to make others feel good. When the technology is there, then I will be all for it. Since it relies on massive government subsideries, also known as tax payer hand outs, I'm not in favor of it.

Just like windmills and solar panels, there is no reason to make them better when the company can make a profit on them as they are.

The research will continue, but the waste will have to be cut down when all the free money, guranteed loans and grants dry up.

Eddie

Thanks Eddy.
I had seen some the "BIG" trucks up close. Hanna Nickle Mine used some and other makes till they shut down. Impressive machines.

 

[LD1]

They didn't last long because of the smaller motor having to work harder. You were lucky to get 80,000 miles. Most cars made from 1950's to 1980's had planned obsolescence designs. Changing the style each year was created desire for the next model year. They assumed people would buy new every three to four years. Cars were designed to last only a few years or no more than 100,000 miles. Then they would stop supporting that model by not providing repair parts.

BS

It is all in how they are cared for and driven. Has nothing to do with the engine size. You DONT need a 200+ HP engine for a civic or corolla. And thinking the engine will last longer if you have one.....BS

Saturns of the mid-late 90's and up to 2002 had 100HP SOHC motors. Those cars lasted almost forever. I drive one currently w/5-speed. over 40MPG and reliable as heck. And even with a 100HP motor, it certainly isnt laboring the motor.

And if HP/weight is your reasoning that cars didnt last long in the day, what about tractors like mine?? It weighs MORE than my car, and only has about 1/3 the power????

Sure, technology has gotten better. Clearences/tolerances/and designs have gotten better and more reliable, and oil has gotten better. THOSE are why cars are pushing more miles. certainly NOT because of engine size.

 

[powerpace]

BS

It is all in how they are cared for and driven. Has nothing to do with the engine size. You DONT need a 200+ HP engine for a civic or corolla. And thinking the engine will last longer if you have one.....BS

Saturns of the mid-late 90's and up to 2002 had 100HP SOHC motors. Those cars lasted almost forever. I drive one currently w/5-speed. over 40MPG and reliable as heck. And even with a 100HP motor, it certainly isnt laboring the motor.

And if HP/weight is your reasoning that cars didnt last long in the day, what about tractors like mine?? It weighs MORE than my car, and only has about 1/3 the power????

Sure, technology has gotten better. Clearences/tolerances/and designs have gotten better and more reliable, and oil has gotten better. THOSE are why cars are pushing more miles. certainly NOT because of engine size.

It is all in how they are cared for and driven. Has nothing to do with the engine size. You DONT need a 200+ HP engine for a civic or corolla. And thinking the engine will last longer if you have one.....BS

Saturns of the mid-late 90's and up to 2002 had 100HP SOHC motors. Those cars lasted almost forever. I drive one currently w/5-speed. over 40MPG and reliable as heck. And even with a 100HP motor, it certainly isnt laboring the motor.

And if HP/weight is your reasoning that cars didnt last long in the day, what about tractors like mine?? It weighs MORE than my car, and only has about 1/3 the power????

Sure, technology has gotten better. Clearences/tolerances/and designs have gotten better and more reliable, and oil has gotten better. THOSE are why cars are pushing more miles. certainly NOT because of engine size.[/QUOTE]

Saturn Corporation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A fifteen year run.
Saturn. I rest my case. Gm dragged that one to the curb and killed it.
GM brought back and destroyed all the 96'-01' Saturn EV1 cars they produced. The EV1's discontinuation remains controversial, with electric car enthusiasts, environmental interest groups and former EV1 lessees accusing GM of self-sabotaging its electric car program to avoid potential losses in spare parts sales (sales forced by government regulations), while also blaming the oil industry for conspiring to keep electric cars off the road.
Ref Below.
Quiroga, Tony (August 2009). "Driving the Future". Car and Driver (Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.): p. 52

Large tractors are built for a different purpose. Ground traction with gear ratios to match the HP needed for the duty required with a variety of implements.

I didn't mean to say that all all engines were bad. What I did say was the cars including the engines were not designed to last forever. There would be no incentive for a manufacturer to make a car that lasted forever.

A problem is coming soon. The American population is getting older and people are not having as many kids. Older drivers will buy fewer and less expensive vehicles.

Technology is getting better but the issue is how long is the built in service life?

The 10 Most Reliable Car Brands VS Your Preconceived Notions - The Consumerist

 

[two_bit_score]

A report out today says the Chev VOLT will not be cost effective until gasoline goes to $12.50 per gallon.

And we thought the Obama regime wasn't prepared......?

 

[IslandTractor]

A report out today says the Chev VOLT will not be cost effective until gasoline goes to $12.50 per gallon.

And we thought the Obama regime wasn't prepared......?

What report? What assumptions?

 

[two_bit_score]

What report? What assumptions?

Do you know about google? Google Chev volt $12.50 gas and you'll get several reports. The one I saw was on Breitbart.



.

 

[Redneck in training]

Gas might be 12.5 or not regardless who is in power. There is no point to blame the government. Administration has no power to change it. Drilling for our own oil will not make fuel any cheaper because of our domestic production would be only fraction of world production. Refineries will sell fuel for world price overseas. That is why I am saying leave our oil where it is and use it as strategic reserve when the rest of the world runs out.

 

[two_bit_score]

Gas might be 12.5 or not regardless who is in power. There is no point to blame the government. Administration has no power to change it. Drilling for our own oil will not make fuel any cheaper because of our domestic production would be only fraction of world production. Refineries will sell fuel for world price overseas. That is why I am saying leave our oil where it is and use it as strategic reserve when the rest of the world runs out.

You know it's funny that you say it that way -don't blame the government, they cant change it- because that's all we ever heard when GWB was in office. Every story about gas prices going up was because GWB and Cheaney were in cahoots with the 'big oil companies' to screw the public. Gas prices hurt the working man and poor people, etc. But now with Obama regime in power all f a sudden the government as no control over it and it's sold to the taxpayer as really a 'good thing' because it will help us accomplish 'energy independence'.

Do you wake up every day and ask Obama to hurt you some more because it feels so good when it's bad?


.

 

[Johnp33]

I read the articles and do not know how they got to that number, unless you are paying a lot more for electricity than I am.
You plug it in and you get around 40 miles before the engine starts to extend the range. How do you get $12.50 a gallon out of that. Seems like as a grocery getter, second car it would be a great idea. The cost per mile over a standard vehicle, that may not make sense. But then neither does a Corvette and I would like one of them.