_RaT_
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/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif You got it!
Diesel Passenger Cars in the U.S.
- Thread starter AndyM
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_RaT_
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"what someone spends on commuting is a function of where they choose to live compared to where they work. "
Mike, I couldn't agree more. All choices we make and control.
Mike, I couldn't agree more. All choices we make and control.
OP
AndyM
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<font color="blue"> Andy, I don't mean to offend, however, what someone spends on commuting is a function of where they choose to live compared to where they work. </font>
We live in the cheapest place available--
30 miles between each of our employers, in opposite directions.
The company I work for is one of the rare companies in the area that has over 1000 employees. I know of people who are driving as far as 75 miles one way for a decent well-paying job. There's several who live around me, and we've talked about car-pooling, but none of them work the same schedule as I do.
We live in the cheapest place available--
30 miles between each of our employers, in opposite directions.
The company I work for is one of the rare companies in the area that has over 1000 employees. I know of people who are driving as far as 75 miles one way for a decent well-paying job. There's several who live around me, and we've talked about car-pooling, but none of them work the same schedule as I do.
MikePA
Super Moderator
<font color="blue"> I know of people who are driving as far as 75 miles one way for a decent well-paying job. </font>
Just curious, do they consider the job well-paying when the cost of a 150 mile daily commute is subtracted from their wages? The reason I ask is I have had discussions with my wife when she wanted to work outside the home, part time. The kids were in school and one of us would have been home when the kids were, i.e., no daycare, latchkey stuff.
The reason she wanted to work was for more family income. When I indicated that whatever she earned would be eaten up by increased vehicle expenses and taxes and that she'd be working for about $1/hour. This surprised her. I was quick to add that if she wanted to work for other reasons (get out of the house, interact with others, maintain her skills, etc.) that was fine with me but it probably would not appreciabley add to our family income.
Just curious, do they consider the job well-paying when the cost of a 150 mile daily commute is subtracted from their wages? The reason I ask is I have had discussions with my wife when she wanted to work outside the home, part time. The kids were in school and one of us would have been home when the kids were, i.e., no daycare, latchkey stuff.
The reason she wanted to work was for more family income. When I indicated that whatever she earned would be eaten up by increased vehicle expenses and taxes and that she'd be working for about $1/hour. This surprised her. I was quick to add that if she wanted to work for other reasons (get out of the house, interact with others, maintain her skills, etc.) that was fine with me but it probably would not appreciabley add to our family income.
TresCrows
Elite Member
"I work with people who commute to work each day, by themselves, in an Escalade. While that choice would be wrong for me, I am not going to judge them because I don't know their situation."
An observation of behavoir is not a condemnation of it. It could be that in the future we will keep our large trucks for working and drive a smaller communter vehicle. Some people, I have seen some doing it already, will sell out and move in closer. Some will continue to drive gargantuan vehicles great distances all the time. Some will realize that a huge truck that only goes to Wal Mart is a lifestyle statement and that it ain't their lifestyle anymore /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.
The auto makers have been following demand for bigger vehicles. I like that GM opted to put a 5 cylinder in their new midsize--good for them. I hate that Toyota feels the need to increase the size of their small trucks--they could just build a bigger truck--they are and keep the mini truck as is but diesel or hybrid. I think in a few years SUVs and trucks may be using such technology to get much better mileage.
I can afford gas at almost any price, Idrive smaller vehicles becuase that is what I like. My bigger worry is long term resale of rural properties if gasoline prices get above 3.00 current dollars.
In any case, if Toyota or Ford come out with a midsize truck with a supercharged diesel I might give one a try or next time I get a truck I might get a 3/4 ton and suck up gasoline like it is going out of style--wait--it is going out of style /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. One of my portfolios and one of my major stock ownerships definitly benefits from high oil prices /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. Still, I would rather see moderation, better for the economy and everyone.
Before this turns into a bad scene--outa here. Like the ConeHeads--long live Mass Consumption--why use a little when you can use a lot /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif for the same result. J
An observation of behavoir is not a condemnation of it. It could be that in the future we will keep our large trucks for working and drive a smaller communter vehicle. Some people, I have seen some doing it already, will sell out and move in closer. Some will continue to drive gargantuan vehicles great distances all the time. Some will realize that a huge truck that only goes to Wal Mart is a lifestyle statement and that it ain't their lifestyle anymore /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.
The auto makers have been following demand for bigger vehicles. I like that GM opted to put a 5 cylinder in their new midsize--good for them. I hate that Toyota feels the need to increase the size of their small trucks--they could just build a bigger truck--they are and keep the mini truck as is but diesel or hybrid. I think in a few years SUVs and trucks may be using such technology to get much better mileage.
I can afford gas at almost any price, Idrive smaller vehicles becuase that is what I like. My bigger worry is long term resale of rural properties if gasoline prices get above 3.00 current dollars.
In any case, if Toyota or Ford come out with a midsize truck with a supercharged diesel I might give one a try or next time I get a truck I might get a 3/4 ton and suck up gasoline like it is going out of style--wait--it is going out of style /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. One of my portfolios and one of my major stock ownerships definitly benefits from high oil prices /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. Still, I would rather see moderation, better for the economy and everyone.
Before this turns into a bad scene--outa here. Like the ConeHeads--long live Mass Consumption--why use a little when you can use a lot /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif for the same result. J
hazmat
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Interesting thread. Now that gas is near $2 a gallon, it costs me >$40 to fill up my truck. It used to be high 30's but that $40 is a psychological barrier. I get 15 mpg on a good tank, usually 14.
An interesting read with some statistical/factual basis is High and Mighty, the Dangerous Rise of the SUV (link to Amazon)
The author obviously has an agenda (he's a car guy if you couldn't tell from the title). It was enlightening to learn how much today's popularity of the SUV was influenced by some of the governments's rules / laws concerning safety/fuel consumption and what is a "truck" and what is a "car".
An example is the new IRS deduction for vehicles over 6,000lbs GVW. The 6,000 # number was chosen so that business people couldn't write off their luxury cars. So they simply buy a luxury SUV instead - ie a real estate broker can write off his Navigator, when the law was intended for the farmer/plumber etc. to write off his truck.
It all traces back to American Motors getting the Jeep CJ classified as a truck because they told the government that if they had to meet the car fuel & safety standards, the company would go under and 100,000 people would lose their jobs. They later made the Jeep Cherokee which was the first SUV with mass appeal spawning Ford's entry with the Explorer.... The rest, as they say, is history.
The book also shows some of the positive impact of the SUV. It has kept the big three profitable & lots of autoworkers employed for the last 15 years.
Disclaimer here - I drive a SUT sport utility truck - F150 supercrew, wife drives a Honda Pilot SUV.
I'd love it if I could get a turbo 4 or 6 cyl diesel in a 1/2 ton truck as long as it didn't cost me $5K.
An interesting read with some statistical/factual basis is High and Mighty, the Dangerous Rise of the SUV (link to Amazon)
The author obviously has an agenda (he's a car guy if you couldn't tell from the title). It was enlightening to learn how much today's popularity of the SUV was influenced by some of the governments's rules / laws concerning safety/fuel consumption and what is a "truck" and what is a "car".
An example is the new IRS deduction for vehicles over 6,000lbs GVW. The 6,000 # number was chosen so that business people couldn't write off their luxury cars. So they simply buy a luxury SUV instead - ie a real estate broker can write off his Navigator, when the law was intended for the farmer/plumber etc. to write off his truck.
It all traces back to American Motors getting the Jeep CJ classified as a truck because they told the government that if they had to meet the car fuel & safety standards, the company would go under and 100,000 people would lose their jobs. They later made the Jeep Cherokee which was the first SUV with mass appeal spawning Ford's entry with the Explorer.... The rest, as they say, is history.
The book also shows some of the positive impact of the SUV. It has kept the big three profitable & lots of autoworkers employed for the last 15 years.
Disclaimer here - I drive a SUT sport utility truck - F150 supercrew, wife drives a Honda Pilot SUV.
I'd love it if I could get a turbo 4 or 6 cyl diesel in a 1/2 ton truck as long as it didn't cost me $5K.
_RaT_
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"I'd love it if I could get a turbo 4 or 6 cyl diesel in a 1/2 ton truck as long as it didn't cost me $5K. "
Stephen, I would too. I read an article about Ford looking hard at someone to supply or build just that for the F150. Concerns over the Chevy 1/2 ton popularity seems to be one of the motivational factors. Apparently Ford is having a pretty hard falling out with the folks at Navistar so that won't be the engine maker according to the article. Cummins and Detroit are showing interest. I understand the development of a new diesel has gigantic research and development costs associated with it. It was said to be considerably smaller then the current 6.0L currently in the F250 and up Ford trucks. I'm just trying to remember where I saw that article.
PS. the diesel will cost more to be sure. The diesel and its extra accesories like turbo, intercooler, 2 batteries etc., all make up extra cost
Stephen, I would too. I read an article about Ford looking hard at someone to supply or build just that for the F150. Concerns over the Chevy 1/2 ton popularity seems to be one of the motivational factors. Apparently Ford is having a pretty hard falling out with the folks at Navistar so that won't be the engine maker according to the article. Cummins and Detroit are showing interest. I understand the development of a new diesel has gigantic research and development costs associated with it. It was said to be considerably smaller then the current 6.0L currently in the F250 and up Ford trucks. I'm just trying to remember where I saw that article.
PS. the diesel will cost more to be sure. The diesel and its extra accesories like turbo, intercooler, 2 batteries etc., all make up extra cost
cowboydoc
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Rat,
International and Ford had a deal a six cylinder diesel. After IH developed it the price was so unrealistic that Ford passed. The engine was going to be roughly the same as the 6.0. IH has since sued ford and a deal was reached to settle out of court. Report is IH is trying to peddle the engine to another mfg. but we'll see. Also Ford was disappointed in the mileage on the motor as well. Reports were it was low 20's, high teens on the highway and mid to lower teens in town. Not much better than the current configurations.
International and Ford had a deal a six cylinder diesel. After IH developed it the price was so unrealistic that Ford passed. The engine was going to be roughly the same as the 6.0. IH has since sued ford and a deal was reached to settle out of court. Report is IH is trying to peddle the engine to another mfg. but we'll see. Also Ford was disappointed in the mileage on the motor as well. Reports were it was low 20's, high teens on the highway and mid to lower teens in town. Not much better than the current configurations.
Hambone
Platinum Member
I get confused too(thats nothing new). If I drive my full size 4x4 to work everyday, 32 miles round trip, 160 miles per week. At 15 MPG that is 10.66 gallons. $2.00 equal $21.33. If I choose to drive a cracker box at 30 MPG that is 5.33 gallons equals $10.66. It cost a whole $10.67 extra per week to drive what I want, what I like. If people want to judge, watch Judge Judy or something. Get a life.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your time.
_RaT_
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Richard, it will surely be interesting to see where we go in the next 10 - 15 years. The world is surely changing. Now that you mention it, I do recall the V6 you mention in the article. For my needs, a smaller diesel and truck for that matter would work well since I don't have much need to tow a trailer but have a need for a truck. I enjoy the new crop of diesels that have come out. Besides being quieter and more powerful, they are surely cleaner burning, something that I'm quite sure is not lost on folks watching me chug up to the Donner summit in Tahoe. I have to believe that the folks in Detroit are thinking hard about where their market is heading. Ford always seems to be willing to spend the money to develop the new ideas. I would really like to see this one play itself out. Mark
