I have only scanned this thread so pardon me if this has already been mentioned.

I think that a way to slow down the propagation of SUVs would be to take a fairly simple, painless step (although it doesn't sound that way) - on interstate highways, SUVs and pickups should have to drive 10 MPH slower than regular cars.

This would have the following pros/cons:
1) People who don't NEED SUVs/pickups would question whether they are worth the reduced speed (reduce # of SUVs)
2) People who do need SUVs/pickups will use less gas (reduce overall fuel consumption)
3) People who use SUVs for work (such as carpenters, plumbers, etc.) usually drive slower than most traffic anyhow (from what I've seen) and won't really be harmed

Hopefully this would cut back on the number of soccer moms who drive SUVs so they don't have to unload their kids sport equipment, or some other non-reason.

Thoughts?

-Bob C.

The domestic small cars of the 70's, 80's and 90's were all cr@p. The imports of those years, especially the Honda's were profoundly better built, having profoundly higher quality, and to say otherwise is to be dishonest, or lack experience driving a Honda. The Chevettes, Escorts, and other domestic models were very, very low in quality in comparison to most Japanese models of the same year. This is a night and day issue, to be sure. Just read old ConsumerReports of those years and you will see what I write is true. I also write from actual ownership of many of these cars. The 70's and 80's Civics and Accords were NEVER matched in quality, and reliability by anything domestic. It is true, that the domestics have created very, very low quality small cars, and to this day, this has not changed. Ever drive a Chevy Aveo?

The Chevy Aveo is a Hyundai or Kia car, because Chevy cannot do it themselves. They are an American shame, sad to say. EVERYTIME Chevy has made a small car, it was utter craape.

Name one domestic small car that matched or exceeded a Civic or Accord between the years 1980 and 1999? Lets see who is being "disingenuous" now!

Sure Honda & Toyota might have done some stupid moves, but ALL the respected car magazines, and consumer organizations WITHOUT any exceptions say that you are wrong, and I am right. Are they all full of Craape? Hey, maybe it's a conspiracy, right? :confused:

So, please do respond with a list of domestic small car models that are built same or better then '80s through '90s Civic or Accord....

Well, if the rationale is to make gas guzzlers slow down, don't forget the Ferraris and other exotics. They tend to be driven by very wealthy people who tend to make big contributions... hrmmm...

Another big issue could be defining an SUV.

Daewoo most likely if it's Korean...

I love this idea, but likely the only way to get the most people on board with it would be to increase the speed limit for passenger cars. There are just too many voters out there driving trucks and SUVs to attempt approaching it from the other direction.

beatr911, heck of thread starter! who woulda thunk?

clencher, thank you once again for defending domestics.

morninggaser, i tend to agree w/ clencher via personal experience. ALL of my domestics have been good to me. NONE ever "died," just got traded. the only 4 banger i had was a saturn tho.

don't forget, you have to understand we domestic owners. MAYBE, imports break down less often, but i CAN fix my domestic and fix it cheaply! cost per mile is HUGE. less purchase price, less to maintain,etc.

does CR get all of their research from "consumers?" if so, perception and maintenence(or lack there of) must be considered.

saw a thread here once dogging oldsmobiles. i know of 5(i make 6) other olds owners that ABSOLUTELY love their cars. the biggest complaint is FE. that leads me to the original question...

attractive small car...
well, for me it must seat 5 adults(growing kids) comfortably. be very safe(not selfish reasoning, safe for the kids). that's about it, i don't need fancy or fast. prolly asking too much. how about a mid-full size w/ 4 cyl that gets 30mpg city and 40 hwy. come on, it can be done right?:eek:

theclencher, if it weren't for the timing belts those Honda mechanics wouldn't have much to do! Let's sell what we can service more...

My shift to Imports was personal preference. I admit to getting into the DOHC craze, but my first experience was with the Quad-4 in a '90 Beretta GTZ. At 80,000 miles, the head gasket blew (major issue with these engines).

I began to prefer small cars for agility and convenience. In 1997, I test drove a variety of new vehicles:

Dodge Neon
Dodge Avenger
Chevy Cavalier / Pontiac Sunfire
Chevy S-10 4-cylinder
Buick Skylark
Honda Accord (a '95 -- started to feel like I was getting closer)
Honda Civic HX (Wow, I think I've found it!)

I couldn't afford anything but the DX, without PS or A/C. Loved it! Traded it for a '99 Civic Si -- IMHO, best car I've owned. Not a single problem up to 40K miles each. Got caught-up in import performance...

Then the Mitsubishi Evo was lemon from the factory (bad transaxle, etc.)
'99 Acura TL -- auto trans recall problems -- bought at 80K sold at ~140K IIRC.

So cars are cars, even imports. The Integra seems to have held together well over 10 years and 130K. But you're right, the timing belt / water-pump maintenance is expensive. Statistically however, some domestic models have given the big 3 a bad rap. They know who they are -- CR knows who they are. I think we know...

I rent at least 50 cars a year -- mostly domestic. I've seen a huge improvement in especially GM in the last 3 years. It is true that OHV engines turn slower, and more efficiently. Ford has some innovation, and Chrysler -- so help me, if I have to drive another PT Cruiser! :mad:

Some "imports" have been awful -- some pretty cool. But when I get home, I still enjoy driving the Integra. I just like the driving position, handling, and feel of small Honda models.

That's the rationale.

RH77

yea i dont liek CR. everythign ebsides cars is good, but thier way to flippin biased on cars! sheesh every year, ACCORD IS THE BEST CAR EVER! THERES NOTHITG WRONG, everythign is perfect! yet every domestic its ohh these pannels dont look like they fit good, these seats dont recline in a billion positions, they nit pick the **** outa domestic cars.:mad:

that and those people who do respond, i bet MOST of em dont do thier own service so when they get one bill for a repair they think the car sucks. or when they dont change the oil in 10000 miles and wonder why thier engine blew up! or ran outa coolant etc...

its true domestic cars are cheaper to buy and maintain.