As a guy who once got seven tickets in under three years, three tickets in a week, one on a Sunday morning on a deserted Southern California free going in excess of 125mph, I think I can explain this in terms that are reasoned.
I don’t speed. I follow the posted driving speeds at all times. I came to realize I wasn’t just putting myself in danger at times, but others too. I make a concerted effort to drive safely.
What is the point of having a 289+ under the hood, if you can’t use it. And if you do use it to get up to speed all you’re doing is burning off money at an excessive rate.
I picked up a small SUV (Mercury Mariner) in 2006. It was a hybrid. Heck, if I have 150 horsepower under the hood, it’s by accident.
I can get up to speed on freeways quickly with gas and electric motors engaged, but if I can I’ll do it slowly as long as I’m not impeding traffic.
I have the ability to haul tools and other things around if I need to. I get 25 to 32 miles per gallon. I get a kick out of the electric motor, and getting around for blocks at a time with my gas engine off. At the same time I had a Ford Mountaineer that was getting about 15 mpg, sometimes as low as 12.
Are there more virile cars out there? Heck yes. Do I care? Not really. I’m happy with myself and I don’t need to drive a more virile vehicle.
I don’t see this as a ‘pussy’ move, but if you think that, it’s okay with me.
At the time I bought the SUV gas was expensive and heading higher. I’ve been stalled in traffic a number of times watching others sit there burning gas by the thousands of gallons collectively, while I move alone under electric power not burning a drop.
Am I saving the planet? No. Am I saving tons of money? In the over scheme of things, probably not. I will tell you though, I’ve been very happy with the Mariner. It’s the best I’ve ever owned, and I get exponentially more enjoyment out of it than any other vehicle I’ve owned.
I’ve own a Mustang, a Firebird, a Trans-Am... none of them were nearly as fun as this vehicle is.
My neighbor had two accidents in 15 minutes.
First, he hit a car backing out of his driveway. Then, he rear-ended a car at the intersection a mile down the raod.
The police officer at the intersection asked him, "When was the last time you had an accident?"
"Oh, about 15 minutes ago."
To each his own.
I meant it kind of tongue-in-cheek. But I have read where millennials just aren’t into cars like previous generations. They’re more than happy with just riding mass transit.
I’m leasing a 2016 Ford Focus hatchback, the second in a row. I love everything about it, the comfort of the drivers compartment, the techy console and the rear trunk space for all my softball equipment........26 mpg in the city but poor on acceleration (not that I really care)