Fuel Economy Thoughts

A recent blog on Consumer reports discussed the ideology behind why more people have suddenly began to ask the question why cars from the past seemed to offer better gas economy opposed to the recent wave of cars that just do not--period--offer much of anything comparatively, including those in the subcompact range.

I think this is one of those things that smacks in you in the face with the obvious. We live in an age where options are standard, where safety is first and foremost, and the byproduct of this is lower fuel economy, simply based on the weight issue of most cars. The writer makes a good point to show the difference in yesterday's little gas sippers (a la GEO metro) and what things we have today but with that tradeoff.

I agree with the sentiment--I'd much rather pay a bit more at the pump and have a safety piece of mind than to drop a bunch of weight off the car to get an extra 15-20 MPG. I also agree with the notion that even with the heavier cars, ours are still much cleaner emission-wise and therefore a better product. I can't tell you how many times I've seen early 90s or late 80s cars chugging along with their carbon monoxide billowing into the air, and I just don't think 10 or 15 years from now today's cars will even resemble those (especially in terms of looks!). I know I can get cranky every time I have to shell out more moolah for gas, but with these factors in mind, I'll gladly pay for some of the comforts of mind and of comfort in general...

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Fuel Economy Thoughts

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