Re: smog cops and SUVs (alfa content somewhere) - LONG

["Joseph Kanellopoulos" <kanellj@domain.elided>]

Dion,

my heart goes out to you.... but unfortunately... its ANTI
darwinism....usually the people who drive SUVs are people that know the
least about driving, people that think that they are most likely to get in
an accident (because of other drivers) and want to surround themselves in as
much steel as possible while being in their lazy boy recliner.

These people want all their amenities and usually are willing to spend as
much money as possible and define a fine vehicle as something that does not
break down, has every amenity possible and has a big engine because
obviously performance is only measured in power...

Look at the Explorer I think its a prime example of what kind of vehicle
sells well. I think we can all try.

Between bulging Minivans,SUVs, and semis (did I not  read somewhere that
more SUVs trucks and minivans are being now sold in the US than cars?) I
feel like driving the Alfa is an exercise in survival....

(Alfa content)

Thankfully, the Alfa I feel is a very suitable vehicle for survival....
excellent braking. steering and handling and from a site I had found on the
web, not bad crash resuts (sorry dont have that site anymore) and very good
rolling accelarating (at least the Verde though I feel all the other Alfas
do as well), which helps outrun mostly everything else bigger...but
definately outsteer it....

So I am not sure if it is not going to be a situation where a lot of bad
drivers survive and some realy good ones, with the really good cars, (mind
you owning a good car does not mean you are a good driver, but at least
should mean you place value on active and not passive safety, which should
at least givesome people points for intelligence).

Before I start a holly war here, I would like to say that >>I<< also drive a
small Nissan Frontier the XE with the 4 cylinde.r.. its my daily commuter,
by necessity, first because it is cheap to run and maintain (oil changes
mostly) and because Chicago roads, are terrible, since Summer season which
SHOULD be the ideal time for driving an alfa of any sort is usually
construction season, and I have been on 50 mph roads that have construction
ramps and a 45mph posted construction limit, made the pickups suspension
bottom out...

Thank you all, for allowing me my time in the preaching box,

Joseph
88 Milano Verde (undergoing minor surgeries)


----- Original Message -----
From: "dion fields" <noid@domain.elided>
To: "alfa digest" <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2002 8:36 PM
Subject: RE : smog cops and SUVs (alfa content somewhere) - LONG


> unfortunately the smog tests measure parts per
> million, not total amount of pollution. so while a
> little 3 cylinder Sprint is putting out the same percentage
> of pollution in its exhaust as a big honking, fire breathing,
> ugly ass Escalade, the Escalade is blowing a lot
> more of the stuff into the air i breathe.  if the smog
> laws were based on total pollution expelled, wouldn't
> things be different? how about measuring the amount
> of natural resources used in manufacturing, maintaining,
> and operating vehicles?  i get great gratification in using
> small efficient vehicles, and feel extremely guilty driving
> anything big without using it for what it was really intended
> for.
>
> here in LA the SUVs go really slow around corners
> too, but drive bonzai down the freeways ( go figure ).
> i was fortunate to witness one of these freeway blitzing
> bozos roll his SUV right in front of me while commuting
> on my motorcycle.  one of those vivid and colorful stories
> you tell to your grandkids.  it may seem cruel, sadistic,
> and insensitive, but all i could do was smile and say to
> myself  -"darwinism."   the roads here are overwhelmed
> with them.  i try to keep my pretty little alfa as far from
> the commuting masses as possible.
>
> a while back, someone was venting about having some
> big bad vehicle always park next to their spider no matter
> how hard they tried to avoid it.  i just witnessed it first hand :
> four of us carpooled to lunch in my manager's wife's new
> bimmer cabriolet.  we parked at the outskirts of the lot
> where NOBODY was parked REMOTELY near.  when we
> were all standing around in the adjoining spaces while
> he put the soft top up, a lady in a big obnoxious beast
> pulled up and waited for us to move so she could park
> right next to us ! with many dozens of other empty spaces
> open !  so we all just stood around - looking up, looking
> down, and looking around - until at least a minute later
> she finally gave up and parked a few spaces down.
> sheesh !  i am beginning to have more respect for those
> previously annoying people who take up two spaces for
> vehicle preservation ( not big vehicle bad parking ). you
> should see the liberties people take parking next to
> a motorcycle !
>
> -dion ( SUV hating ) fields
> -EDGE disegno industriale
> -73 gtv
> -88 honda hawk ( shhhh . . . it thinks its a ducati )
>
>
> Is your boss reading your email? ....Probably
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