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[JCJRSmith]

I've had the car debate at work several times. I work for a 'green' non-profit. I totally believe in the work we do AND I own an Explorer - many people I work with bike to work and don't own a car at all. Whenever they question me, I tell them as soon as they make an affordable hybrid that will hold hockey gear for 4, all our camping equipment, our large dog kennel, tow our boat, and hold everything we need to live for 2 months (military moves = 2 months of homeless cross country excursions), then I'll consider a 'responsible' car.

Here ya go: http://www.chevrolet.com/hybrid/ind...EPAGE_MASTHEAD_CHEVY_MASTHEAD_2008.SWF_HYBRID

 

[Mkrop]

So it is ok for her to judge someone and be rude back but not be called out for it?

She would never had to comment at all if the Escort guy had just minded his own beeswax.

 

[PghLybrt]

She would never had to comment at all if the Escort guy had just minded his own beeswax.

I understand that, but it does not make it right. I in no way judged her on her car or what grade of gas or amount of gas.

I was only saying calling someone rude but being rude yourself kind of defeats your own purpose. Therefore I asked if she thought her comment was not ignorant. I viewed it as such maybe she didn’t.

 

[JCJRSmith]

I look at it this way: If you can afford to drive the vehicle, drive the vehicle. I used to drive a Ford F150 as my everyday vehicle and to tow our camper. Gas prices were killing me, but we still love camping. So, we got rid of the trailer and truck, and got a Motorhome and a Saturn Ion. We get the same mileage using the Motorhome we got with the truck and trailer and we are more comfortable when we use it. And my costs in gas to use the Ion as my everyday vehicle have been cut by 2/3.

Now, as to the "Safety" arguement - anyone who drives a pickup or SUV who has not recieved specific training in how to handle that vehicle in an emergency reaction situation is fooling themself if they think they are safer in the SUV/Pickup. These vehicles were not designed to handle the type of high-speed, high-torque maneuvers a car can handle in an emergency situation. One may FEEL safer in the big vehicle, but statistically one is not safer, mainly due to rollover, increased braking distance, and weight. SUV rollovers can and have happened at speeds as low as 30 mph. Google SUV Safety and check out some of the results.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I think that the reason that people think it is their business what kind of car you drive is because it isn't just affecting you and your family but the entire planet. I'm not going to get into an environmental debate here but I think some people are missing that connection. You don't have to agree with it and you can still tell those of us who are more environmentally conscious to go pound sand, but that is why we are concerned.

 

[nataliela]

I did not mean to imply that they are always an irresponsible choice. I was just pointing out that the poster assumes that the driver of the escort was poor and beneath her. At least that is how it came off.

Sometimes people chose the other avenue to, not because they have to but because they want to.

I didn't read where she assumed he was beneath her

Probably because pick ups are used for hauling and working. We have one, we use it to pull a 40 foot trailer when we need to(not to mention hauling building materials in the back). However we do not ride around town in it, we have a small car for that. Some people do buy a pick up truck and treat it as a car, I also do not understand that. As far as SUV’s I think we see huge SUVs mostly driving around empty the majority of times. That might be why?

I agree.

Well hauling materials uses up a lot of gas. Maybe you should change your line of work or just continue being selfish by using all that gas for your personal needs.



I personally do the occasional $10 fill for two reasons. I am on E and there are only really expensive gas stations around, or I am in a hurry. I will usually fill up all the way the next day.

 

[PghLybrt]

I think that the reason that people think it is their business what kind of car you drive is because it isn't just affecting you and your family but the entire planet. I'm not going to get into an environmental debate here but I think some people are missing that connection. You don't have to agree with it and you can still tell those of us who are more environmentally conscious to go pound sand, but that is why we are concerned.

Thanks.

I didn't read where she assumed he was beneath her




Well hauling materials uses up a lot of gas. Maybe you should change your line of work or just continue being selfish by using all that gas for your personal needs.



.

The first part, It was the tone used. Again I will repeat that is how I read it, others may have taken it differently.

I am not understanding how work is being selfish. I service over 20,000 people so i dont see how personal it is? (Not to mention we have always tried to be as green as we can be).

Are you going to stop consuming? I would bet the answer is no ,so people have to supply the materials. I was pointing out that's when we use the truck, not like some who just cruise in it. I was agreeing with a poster who does not understand the same thing.

 

[Thats_for_Shore]

I think that the reason that people think it is their business what kind of car you drive is because it isn't just affecting you and your family but the entire planet. I'm not going to get into an environmental debate here but I think some people are missing that connection. You don't have to agree with it and you can still tell those of us who are more environmentally conscious to go pound sand, but that is why we are concerned.

If that were exclusively true for only cars, then I'd tend to agree.

But since many other things use petroleum based products, I'd have to say that no, it really isn't anyone elses business.

Is it anyone's business as to how big your home is, or how much lumber it took to build it? Depleting forested area's is a big no-no. You're taking away a natural resource, as well as that little birdy's home.

Again, the size of your home...how much energy do you have to use to heat/cool it?

Do you use tupperware, or any other plastic containers? Plastic is a petroleum based product. You really should limit the amount of ziplock bowls you buy -- even if they are dishwasher safe.

Do you wash your car in your driveway? Well, in case you didn't know, that's a big no-no also. You use much more water by doing that than if you use the car wash down the street. They recycle their water and use it over again.

What kind of light bulbs do you use? If you're using anything other than the greenest bulb, that's a no-no.

My point is, unless you are perfect in all of these categories, as well as many others, it's hypocritical to judge someone for the type of car they drive. No one is perfect.

And please, feel free to judge me for my lightbulbs as well as my vehicles. I'll also give the square footage of my home as well as the number of tupperware containers I own upon request.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I thought it was funny that you were heckled, and I just would have laughed at that old man, but then you had to go and hurt my feelings by admitting that you disrespected his Escort. An Escort was my first car and I really liked it. So now I just think you sank to his level. And your story is no longer funny.

 

[lg3]

Egads and ods botkins!! /QUOTE]

OT: That reminds me of my favorite Abbott & Costello movie - The Time of Their Lives

 

[katerkat]

Here ya go: http://www.chevrolet.com/hybrid/ind...EPAGE_MASTHEAD_CHEVY_MASTHEAD_2008.SWF_HYBRID

Dude, that sucker gets the same MPG as my non-hybrid Pilot and costs nearly twice as much.

 

[Thats_for_Shore]

Dude, that sucker gets the same MPG as my non-hybrid Pilot and costs nearly twice as much.

Yup, all it took was for me to read "Limited Availability" to know it was way expensive.

 

[katerkat]

Yup, all it took was for me to read "Limited Availability" to know it was way expensive.

I actually priced it out to have a nice heart attack. $54,590 for the same features as our Pilot. We paid about $30K, and we're planning on spending about $20K on our next car. That Tahoe is two cars!!

 

[nataliela]

Thanks.

The first part, It was the tone used. Again I will repeat that is how I read it, others may have taken it differently.

I am not understanding how work is being selfish. I service over 20,000 people so i dont see how personal it is? (Not to mention we have always tried to be as green as we can be).

Are you going to stop consuming? I would bet the answer is no ,so people have to supply the materials. I was pointing out that's when we use the truck, not like some who just cruise in it. I was agreeing with a poster who does not understand the same thing.

How can you read a tone?

Your "Service" is very personal, do you do it out the goodness of your heart or for profit?

I am not attacking you for your business, I’m sure you do supply a lot of people but ,
I just feel some people are hypocritical on these boards about some things as in
“SUVS and Trucks are gas eaters, But I have a truck-but I only use it for business!!!!!”

Its not our place to say who can use what vehicle for what purpose, so why should it matter on a discussion board related to a mouse?

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

...

 

[RVGal]

If that were exclusively true for only cars, then I'd tend to agree.

But since many other things use petroleum based products, I'd have to say that no, it really isn't anyone elses business.


And please, feel free to judge me for my lightbulbs as well as my vehicles. I'll also give the square footage of my home as well as the number of tupperware containers I own upon request.

You forgot this one. Do you get on an airplane and FLY? If you want to talk gas guzzling and exhaust, let's talk about the big metal birds in the air.

I used to live in Atlanta. If everyone in the metro Atlanta area parked their cars and walked to work, the city would still be shrouded in smog. Why? The airport. The emissions for vehicles is a joke. What about the planes?

But, does that mean we should just park them? Nobody fly anywhere because of the exhaust?

You can look down your nose at the vehicle someone drives... and break your arm patting yourself on the back for the one you've chosen... but I can guarantee you that something you do, some choice you make, somewhere along the lines effects the rest of us sharing the planet with you negatively. That's life. It's not fair. It's not right. It just is. We all make the best choice for ourselves. The best we can do is try to live with each other and not bash each other over personal choices.

 

[sk8ingmom]

Here ya go: http://www.chevrolet.com/hybrid/ind...EPAGE_MASTHEAD_CHEVY_MASTHEAD_2008.SWF_HYBRID

Gosh, all that for only $30,000 more than I paid for my Explorer!

To quote myself (bold added)

I've been heckled, but for a different reason.

I had some gearhead tell me that my husband would be mad at me for putting cheap gas in his Mustang. Ummm, my Mustang you Neanderthal!

I've had the car debate at work several times. I work for a 'green' non-profit. I totally believe in the work we do AND I own an Explorer - many people I work with bike to work and don't own a car at all. Whenever they question me, I tell them as soon as they make an affordable hybrid that will hold hockey gear for 4, all our camping equipment, our large dog kennel, tow our boat, and hold everything we need to live for 2 months (military moves = 2 months of homeless cross country excursions), then I'll consider a 'responsible' car.

ETA: Both of our new-ish, nice-ish cars PUT TOGETHER cost about the same as that puppy!

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

..

 

[KristiKelly]

First of all, I was running late for an appt, I didn't want to sit at the pump for 20 minutes. Second, I used a debit card from our old checking account that we are going to close soon. I think all that is in the account was $13!

My response: I'd rather be driving my Escalade with $10 worth of gas than YOUR Escort with a full tank.

I just couldn't believe the rudeness!

First off, it's nobody's business why you only put $10 in. HOWEVER, if you really wanted to get his panties in a wad you could've said, "I've only got $15 until my well fare check comes in and I need the other $5 for cigarettes". now I'm going to quietly away and put on my flame retardant suit.

Probably because pick ups are used for hauling and working. We have one, we use it to pull a 40 foot trailer when we need to(not to mention hauling building materials in the back). However we do not ride around town in it, we have a small car for that. Some people do buy a pick up truck and treat it as a car, I also do not understand that. As far as SUV’s I think we see huge SUVs mostly driving around empty the majority of times. That might be why?




I agree.

Most people that have SUVs use them for hauling as well, it's just usually hauling a herd of kids around, I know I do.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

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