@Docnick
Originally, automotive companies decided that mandates by the govt. where they had a hand in the implementation date and type was best for all. So, it isn’t like the auto companies have no say. For example, Ford jumped on the safety device as an option early. GM partitioned to the govt…ALONG with consumer advocates to have them regulated and mandated. GM is no dummy. Maybe not for absolute eco cars, but for cars in general, safer cars are more sale-able cars.
People not able to afford cars? All one need do is look at the actual sales rate. We are now back over the rate of 16 million new vehicles per year, which was last seen prior to the recession.
Most people are car crazy,if you ever happen to watch one of those game shows you will see what I mean.Dont mean to doom and gloom,but one of these days this happy illusion will be over and common sense will hopefully prevail as we move to 9-10 Billion in our population,one global catatrophe and we will be hurting(not many people can" live off the land"-Kevin
olhippie
Another camera plus sensors keep you from following too closely behind some one.
Three cheers for that one. I’m sick to death of tailgaters.
You don’t even have to know how to parallel park any more!
Ha! Like anyone actually does know!
Really? You don’t think anyone knows how to parallel park anymore? If you’re serious, I’ll explain it in easy-to-understand steps.
Really? You don't think anyone knows how to parallel park anymore?
I probably still know how to parallel park…but I haven’t done it in probably 15 years.
I currently parallel park about once a week. Most of the time there are empty spaces around me, so I don’t have to use the proper technique; I can just pull into the spot. However, I recently had to back into a spot, and to make matters worse, it was at spot where there is a bend in the road.
I get scared at the thought of people not understanding how to manoeuvre a vehicle weighing 4000 lbs. Then again, I think everyone should know how to drive manual too…
Hard to parallel park when traffic is heavy-Kevin
(However driving techniques and driver education are often a reflection of the Zeitgeist,recently something happened to my advantage on my CDL,not going to say what it was)
Learn your history. Most people back then were living in cities. You didn't have the sprawl like you do now. Without a vehicle it will take MILLIONS of people ONE FULL DAY just to go buy food. You are still being very unrealistic.
Indeed, that would just make a severe collapse now, if it happens, all the more bad, yet dire consequences aren’t an intrinsic protection from a severe collapse. I don’t know why you got so upset, I haven’t ribbed on you intentionally. If we can, let’s forget about it, and I offer my apologies for broaching the matter.
@ndemb Correct. People not able to afford cars is complete nonsense. The average US car sells for over $30,000 and we buy 16 million of them per year!!. In India the average new car sells for around $8000 since the purchasing power is a lot less.
Most Americans could do with a basic compact car which can be bought for $15,000 or so, one half of the average new car selling price today.
Years ago, Consumer Reports tested the VW Beetle. They concuded that “this is the car most Americans should buy, but probably won’t”.
I give credit to the advertising industry to make Americans unhappy with any vehicle they can actually afford!
@Docnick Indeed, my neighbor is on the poor side, so even a new Focus was expensive for him, as it would be for me!
Years ago, Consumer Reports tested the VW Beetle. They concuded that "this is the car most Americans should buy, but probably won't".
And the VW Bug became one of the biggest selling vehicles of all time (world wide). Not so much in the US. First vehicle to sell over 20,000,000 vehicles.
@ndemb That’s why there is a USED CAR MARKET. For years I coud not afford to buy a new car either, so I bought used; clunkers as a student, and better ones later. In all my life I have only bought 3 new cars; one in 1965, one in 2007 and one in 2012.
The marketing of high tech “safety” features has always seemed to be somewhat on a par with sky hooks being sold to cats.
@Docnick All I ever had is used ones. I noticed the prices went up after the Cash for Clunkers program. Generally, used cars cost a certain percentage of new cars; so the more new cars cost, the more they cost, until the point is reached when the car has gotten close to old junker status. Then the prices bottom out.
Safe features are always good to save lifes, but it can cost money big time too. A friend told me about the 6 point or 8 points air bag system (newer car) sometimes deploy under very minimam impact (not always). The insurance company tends to pay you the used value for a new car. So they might consider it as a write off if the air bags are hard to fix. But then again, all those safety features are good to save lifes, which is more than money can buy. For the most part, I think many people just lack common sense on the road, so take your driving style into it (be a safe driver, and watch out for distracted ones too).
Used cars aren’t just for people who can’t afford new cars. I know a guy who makes six figures and only buys used cars paying cash. He saves a bundle by not buying new or financing.
Cars are way too safe, if you have to interact with cars and aren’t in one (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc). The best thing for those parties would be no airbags, no seat belts, and a lance sticking out of the steering wheel. Not too much texting then!
@dagosa…even if “new car prices have remained the same” [spoiler alert: no they haven’t], in a post “world is flat” scenario, new cars should have dropped in price, just like household appliances, riding mowers, etc. It can even be quantified: a “new” 1994 Nissan Sentra (AKA 2014 Tsuru) is on sale in Mexico, today, for roughly $9500.
The “delta” between that and a 2014 Sentra MSRP of $15,900…$6400 or so…is the realized cost of safety regulations, 'teens style.
In my opinion all this dancing baloney added to cars is simply for marketing and does not increase safety at all. The fact that there are more cars on the road every year makes driving inherently unsafe. If I told you how many cars I have sold over the years that did not even make it over the weekend because of young drivers you would be stunned.