NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sscM3yBV2pU&mode=related&search=

Is this really North America's best selling car? If so I think its rather well explained why the US and Canada are the two worst offenders for CO2 emitions per person in the world...

That and I do agree with Mr Clarkson, it really is rubbish

*is not surprised*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sscM3yBV2pU&mode=related&search=

Is this really North America's best selling car? If so I think its rather well explained why the US and Canada are the two worst offenders for CO2 emitions per person in the world...

That and I do agree with Mr Clarkson, it really is rubbish

People like big cars. It's a gigantic ego stroke. Especially those Hummer 2s and 3s. Frankly, I admit to a bit of ego stroking myself whenever I have a chance to climb into the driverseat of a large vehicle--which is not often, unless you count the family minivan, which we actually need since unlike most of these people purchasing unnecessarily large vehicles we actually have six people living in our house and thus we need the space.

People like big cars.
Some people do. Other people buy Lotus Elises.

Though perhaps not as many in the States, I don't know. It seems that the taste in cars is generally towards size and softness (which people seem to confuse with comfort) there moreso than in Europe.

I also saw a PT Cruise Convertible the other day, which convinced me that car-wise the US is criminally insane.

Ah...Top Gear. Brilliant.

I can't get it to open whats the car?

I can't get it to open whats the car?

F-150.

If I'm gonna have a gas guzzler, I'd rather have one of these.

http://encyclopedia.quickseek.com/images/F4u.corsair.750pix.jpg

*sigh* One of these days I'm going to find myself stopping at the traffic lights next to a TANK (whose design has nothing to do with the armed forces), driven by a soccer mom.

I'm gonna off to build me a MECH.

Okay, to be fair (and I hate having to be the advocate for these things) he said that the F series is the most sold vehicle. There are several variations of the F-series pick-up and it is a fleet vehicle, meaning that it will often be bought in lots as well as by individual farmers, construction workers, and people who want to impress Toby Kieth.

I'll agree with the Top Gear folk that the rather expensive Lightening premium 'sport' truck should have better road feel and fit and finish on a lot of American cars is appalling-and has been so for so long it's damn frustrating. I mean, after a few years of being a joke, Jaguar eventually changed their electrical systems, you'd think American companies could put together an interior that doesn't suck or fall apart.

But the F-series is a work vehicle, and while there are plenty of posers in F-series, there are also plenty of people who use them for what pick ups are meant for, which combined makes it a truck that sells that well.

If I'm gonna have a gas guzzler, I'd rather have one of these.

http://encyclopedia.quickseek.com/images/F4u.corsair.750pix.jpg

And call yourself "Pappy"...?

I drive a little blue jeep(with big tires!). I fuel up once ever two weeks in winter, and every three to four weeks in summer.

When I pop the roof off in spring, and the doors(i leave it like that all summer and fall), it gives me lots of ego boost. I stand out better than the big jackass Hummers.

Women Looove topless jeeps.

I would leave it outside the front door of the bar I worked at, and there would be people sitting in it all night. No one ever hurt anything on it(this is Canada anyway), and I got to meet some incredible women.

My boss loved it, and said it was a great way to advertise.

I drive a little blue jeep(with big tires!). I fuel up once ever two weeks in winter, and every three to four weeks in summer.

When I pop the roof off in spring, and the doors(i leave it like that all summer and fall), it gives me lots of ego boost. I stand out better than the big jackass Hummers.

Women Looove topless jeeps.

I would leave it outside the front door of the bar I worked at, and there would be people sitting in it all night. No one ever hurt anything on it(this is Canada anyway), and I got to meet some incredible women.

My boss loved it, and said it was a great way to advertise.

Congrats! By ripping off the doors, you've made your vehicle much more resistant to air, thus seriously lowering your gas mileage. I'd suggest putting that stuff back on, my friend.

I don't care what it says, that is not the top selling car in the world. It's either camry or accord.

Congrats! By ripping off the doors, you've made your vehicle much more resistant to air, thus seriously lowering your gas mileage. I'd suggest putting that stuff back on, my friend.

With the Jeep that would probably be only marginally true if at all. It's an open-air vehicle, so there isn't any place for the wind to trap. If there is increased drag it's probably not enough to be signifigant.

I'd go with a dune buggy myself, but that's because dune buggies are extra cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sscM3yBV2pU&mode=related&search=

Is this really North America's best selling car? If so I think its rather well explained why the US and Canada are the two worst offenders for CO2 emitions per person in the world...

That and I do agree with Mr Clarkson, it really is rubbish

Wow, Mr Clarkson couldn't be more wrong about Americans and american vehicles. I have no gun rack in my pickup (2003 Chevy Silverado), no fear of being eaten by a bear while walking through the countryside, I have no desire to be a frontiersman in a covered wagon, and I never felt attracted to any member of my family or commited incest. My vehicle's frame is not made from shovels, it has decent sized brake rotors, and my steering wheel does not have play in it (it's possible their truck's steering got screwed up when they had the right hand conversion put in).

Europeans (correctly) malign American cars for their handling, but don't seem to understand that we don't need vehicles to handle here as they do there.

For example, check out the differences in street layout between two similarly populated cities. You'll see that it's almost entirely 90 degree turns at controlled intersections in the US. We don't have priority roads and "right before left" here because every intersection is controlled.

Grand Rapids, Michigan (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=grand+rapids,+michigan&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=42.968781,-85.650487&spn=0.007066,0.021629&t=k&om=1)

Geneva Switzerland (you can see the jet d'eau from orbit!) (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=geneva,+switzerland&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=46.207309,6.144147&spn=0.013365,0.043259&t=k&om=1)

Of course, poor handling doesn't help sales overseas, as the financial figures of the Big Three can attest.

My favorite thing is when I, being a 6' 3", or 191 cm, tall male pull up to some girl who is maybe 5 feet tall at a stop light. She's in a F-150 or some monster soccer-mom-mobile and I'm in my 1990 Volkswagon Cabriolet, a very tiny convertable, that I can fit in (I can't fit in a Miada).

I can't say anything bad about truck handiling or anything else, because I've never driven a truck. Personally though, I'd never give up the feeling of driving my Cabriolet in Summer with the top down, or the times I drove it with the top down in 40 degree (farenheit) weather, for a truck.

My favorite thing is when I, being a 6' 3", or 191 cm, tall male pull up to some girl who is maybe 5 feet tall at a stop light. She's in a F-150 or some monster soccer-mom-mobile and I'm in my 1990 Volkswagon Cabriolet, a very tiny convertable, that I can fit in (I can't fit in a Miada).

I'm 6'3" and I drive a Miata :p

I'm 6'3" and I drive a Miata :p

Well, it might be my build, or your build and I never really tried with the top up, just saw with the top down that the end of the windshield, where the top would be, was about eye-level when I slotched to the max.

Wow, Mr Clarkson couldn't be more wrong about Americans and american vehicles. I have no gun rack in my pickup (2003 Chevy Silverado), no fear of being eaten by a bear while walking through the countryside, I have no desire to be a frontiersman in a covered wagon, and I never felt attracted to any member of my family or commited incest. My vehicle's frame is not made from shovels, it has decent sized brake rotors, and my steering wheel does not have play in it (it's possible their truck's steering got screwed up when they had the right hand conversion put in).

It's called sarcasm. And you're driving a Chevy, not a Ford.

I think it would have been funnier if he used a F350. They make the F150 look like a Smart car! (Which is the ugliest car ever made.)

Actually Russia is 2nd for CO2 emission,Canada is 3rd.

33,000 Pounds for a truck? Is he joking? No mainstream vehicle should cost that much.

Actually Russia is 2nd for CO2 emission,Canada is 3rd.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions_per_capita

The worst offenders are actually the Virgin Islands, Qatar and the UAE. The US is at 11, Canada at 13, Russia at 31 and China at 99.

But yeah, the US is the first of the real countries, followed by Australia and Canada.

It's called sarcasm. And you're driving a Chevy, not a Ford.

The only time I got into the Chevy and Ford debate was when I was working a show that had so many 15 pass vans that we had a mix of Chevys and Fords. I think I sided with the Ford because I was just tired of the Chevys. The fit was probably better in the Chevy, but I really took ownership of one of the Fords. I 'won' the race back to the airport, but I think that's because I was the only one playing.

The Ford I think had the greatest likely hood of the interior coming off in my hands.

You know, Ford didn't always build crap. I drive a '98 Ford Taurus, 150,000+ miles on the thing, and I have never had any problems with it. None, at all.

33,000 Pounds for a truck? Is he joking? No mainstream vehicle should cost that much.

The Lightening technically isn't a 'mainstream' vehicle, it's more of a marque truck. It's only sold in limited numbers and it's more about existing than selling high numbers, much like the Ford GT or the GT500, but obviously less so.

Which makes the flimsy interior less forgivable.

I don't get the point of making a "sports" version of a vehicle that handles like shit anyway. Why not buy a decent handling one to start with & improve upon that?

I like having a car that I don't have slow down to 60km/h to go around corners.

I don't get the point of making a "sports" version of a vehicle that handles like shit anyway. Why not buy a decent handling one to start with & improve upon that?

I like having a car that I don't have slow down to 60km/h to go around corners.

In this case 'sports' is really appealing to the drag strip crowd. All this nonsense started back with the GMC Cyclone and Typhoon, which where fine diversions but to keep doing 'rapid' trucks does seem a bit silly.

*sigh* One of these days I'm going to find myself stopping at the traffic lights next to a TANK (whose design has nothing to do with the armed forces), driven by a soccer mom.


Eh.

The Lincoln Cruiser is BIGGER then some armored cars used by the IDF already.

Anyway, there's nothing really WRONG with big cars. They win. At life.

With the Jeep that would probably be only marginally true if at all. It's an open-air vehicle, so there isn't any place for the wind to trap. If there is increased drag it's probably not enough to be signifigant.


If you consider that in say a normal volvo estate or a ford escort, lowering the window can, over a sustained period, almost half the efficency, then it will have a signifent effect

The fact remains, Americans are terrible offenders when it comes to poluting because of shear decadance. In the UK and in Europe as a whole we drive sensable cars. The Ford Mondeo, the Renuet Laguana, the Volvo C80, the Mercedies S-Class etc. Cars that are safe, and efficent. You do not need to be driving an AWD off road vechile to be safe. The Megane and the Focus are currently the worlds safist cars. In Britian the best selling work car is the Ford Transit, which has far more boot space than the F-150 and is much more fuel efficent.

The entire of Europe uses far less CO2 per person than the US, and we have 470 milion and the US just about has 300 million.

For example, check out the differences in street layout between two similarly populated cities. You'll see that it's almost entirely 90 degree turns at controlled intersections in the US. We don't have priority roads and "right before left" here because every intersection is controlled.


Dont you mean uncontrolled? At smaller intersections (where in the UK we might put a mini roundabout) you have no trafic lights.

Actually Russia is 2nd for CO2 emission,Canada is 3rd.

Not per person. In terms of percentage of the worlds output then yes.

But the F-series is a work vehicle, and while there are plenty of posers in F-series, there are also plenty of people who use them for what pick ups are meant for, which combined makes it a truck that sells that well.

In the UK we use the Ford Transit for our standard work vechile, which also has pick up truck models, and its got more room and is far more fuel efficent.

In the UK we use the Ford Transit for our standard work vechile, which also has pick up truck models, and its got more room and is far more fuel efficent.

I have never ever seen one of those in the US.

ever.

My great uncle has a farm (e-i-e-i-o?) and on his farm he has 3 F-series trucks, he replaces them about every 15 years, seems to work out fine for him.

I hardly ever see someone around with one who isn't using it for major work that they could not get done with another vehicle (and yeah I live in Oklahoma, just about everyone has a truck)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sscM3yBV2pU&mode=related&search=

Is this really North America's best selling car? If so I think its rather well explained why the US and Canada are the two worst offenders for CO2 emitions per person in the world...

That and I do agree with Mr Clarkson, it really is rubbish

Ooohh, I love Top Gear!

And I know nothing about this car or cars in general, but the only thing you could actually see, the dashboard, holy crap how fucked up was that?!

I drive a 98 Chevy Silverado. At 6"4' if I sit up straight my head is close enough to the roof to touch it at times. As in, I duck when I hit a bump.

I ain't driving some tiny little car. I get 18mpg in my truck, it handles well enough to suit me, and the best part is when we end up with two feet of snow I don't worry about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sscM3yBV2pU&mode=related&search=

Is this really North America's best selling car? If so I think its rather well explained why the US and Canada are the two worst offenders for CO2 emitions per person in the world...

That and I do agree with Mr Clarkson, it really is rubbishOne would assume that's why, but the coal powered utilities play a slightly bigger part than that.

Not per person. In terms of percentage of the worlds output then yes.Well, in a per person comparison, the US is "only" about the 7th sovereign nation on the list...

Right. That truck looks like a load of rubbish. You can only fit 2 people in it (with a roof over their heads) which is a rip off for something at that price. I never thought I'd say this, but my Mum's Fiat Seicento looks sturdier and better made than that. :rolleyes:

Wow, Mr Clarkson couldn't be more wrong about Americans and american vehicles. I have no gun rack in my pickup (2003 Chevy Silverado), no fear of being eaten by a bear while walking through the countryside, I have no desire to be a frontiersman in a covered wagon, and I never felt attracted to any member of my family or commited incest. My vehicle's frame is not made from shovels, it has decent sized brake rotors, and my steering wheel does not have play in it (it's possible their truck's steering got screwed up when they had the right hand conversion put in).
Well in addition to you not having all those things, there's one more that you're missing:
A sense of humour.

That Ford looks like a piece of crap. Not even 4WD, so what's the point?
Toyota Hilux is far superior. Anyone see the TopGear programme where they tried to kill one?
Part I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQltQ6Qzdb4
Part II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5ZtntPoaVQ
An absolute classic.

Something I personally found very interesting was that Chinese cars have much better fuel efficiency than American cars.

Toyota Hilux is far superior. Anyone see the TopGear programme where they tried to kill one?
Part I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQltQ6Qzdb4
Part II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQltQ6Qzdb4
An absolute classic.
You put two identical links, the second one should be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5ZtntPoaVQ

But thanks for pointing me to those, I'd never seen them before. Pure awesomeness! My new dream car - if severely lacking in the looks department (and I'm talking before the experiments :p).

My favorite thing is when I, being a 6' 3", or 191 cm, tall male pull up to some girl who is maybe 5 feet tall at a stop light. She's in a F-150 or some monster soccer-mom-mobile and I'm in my 1990 Volkswagon Cabriolet, a very tiny convertable, that I can fit in (I can't fit in a Miada).

I'm 5'1" and drive an Accord, and I feel like I'm driving a boat. If/when it dies, I'll probably get a Civic or maybe a Prius. For the once or twice a year I need to haul large objects around, I just rent a truck.

My accord was hit by an F-150 once, though. The driver claimed he couldn't see me because my car was too small. The cop said something to him about his brain being too small...

Dont you mean uncontrolled? At smaller intersections (where in the UK we might put a mini roundabout) you have no trafic lights.

No, there's always stop signs or yield signs. I've seen a number of intersections in France where the only control to the intersection is who has the priority road.

I ain't driving some tiny little car. I get 18mpg in my truck

The avarage fuel efficency of a European car is 40mpg. That really is hideous. As for snow, you Americans ever heard of salt?

The avarage fuel efficency of a European car is 40mpg. That really is hideous. As for snow, you Americans ever heard of salt?Ah, now don't go spoil your good European eco rep with telling them to use stuff that's been outlawed for all but the most severe ice conditions even here, tsk tsk tsk. ("here" being Germany)

Well in addition to you not having all those things, there's one more that you're missing:
A sense of humour.

That Ford looks like a piece of crap. Not even 4WD, so what's the point?
Toyota Hilux is far superior. Anyone see the TopGear programme where they tried to kill one?
Part I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQltQ6Qzdb4
Part II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQltQ6Qzdb4
An absolute classic.Well I never. I had no idea they were filming for top gear when they blew up those towers. Right next to my dad's house. We all wen to the park to watch.

Well I never. I had no idea they were filming for top gear when they blew up those towers. Right next to my dad's house. We all wen to the park to watch.Aw man, you could have won a tenner!

Ah, now don't go spoil your good European eco rep with telling them to use stuff that's been outlawed for all but the most severe ice conditions even here, tsk tsk tsk. ("here" being Germany)

What do you call severe ice conditions? This pic is what the norm is in rural areas for about 4 months out of the year here. If we salted every time it snowed 75% of our state budget would be eaten up buying salt.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/CIMG0621.jpg

That Ford looks like a piece of crap. Not even 4WD, so what's the point?
Toyota Hilux is far superior. Anyone see the TopGear programme where they tried to kill one?

That was beautiful. I want one.

If you consider that in say a normal volvo estate or a ford escort, lowering the window can, over a sustained period, almost half the efficency, then it will have a signifent effect
You're not taking into account what I said-the Jeep is an open air vehicle-it doesn't have the inside of the car to trap and drag air in it like the Volvo estate or Ford Escort. It has a roll bar. It's not going to have the same drag.

The fact remains, Americans are terrible offenders when it comes to poluting because of shear decadance. In the UK and in Europe as a whole we drive sensable cars. The Ford Mondeo, the Renuet Laguana, the Volvo C80, the Mercedies S-Class etc. Cars that are safe, and efficent. You do not need to be driving an AWD off road vechile to be safe. The Megane and the Focus are currently the worlds safist cars. In Britian the best selling work car is the Ford Transit, which has far more boot space than the F-150 and is much more fuel efficent.

The entire of Europe uses far less CO2 per person than the US, and we have 470 milion and the US just about has 300 million.

In the UK we use the Ford Transit for our standard work vechile, which also has pick up truck models, and its got more room and is far more fuel efficent.
Well, if your through wagging your finger at me...you'll likely not find many stronger advocates of a change in US consumption than me. I don't even think we should be running on fossil fuels.

But realistically, we have different enviroments and different use issues and other things that effect what we drive. What works where you are won't work everywhere here. Does that mean that I think that gives us an excuse to disregard the effects? No, I never said that, preacher man. I even, if you paid attention, made fun of posers who buy trucks to "impress Toby Kieth" (country singer, shit kicker, Ford spokesman, kinda of a dick-wrote that fucking stupid 'Foot in your Ass' 'we're gonna kill brown people' song after 9/11). But I did offer why that truck had inflated numbers. And yes, they should be more efficient in the real sense-NOT, as is currently being done, using 'flex-fuel' as a way to do an end run around mandated average MPG requirements. (The most ass thing possible-offering a flex fuel vehicle, the Ethonal burned isn't counted agains miliage so it effects the overall average so that even though the VAST majority will run on gasoline they can have a bunch of cars that don't meet efficiency standards because someone might use E85...which we make from corn that has created a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico instead of from sugar or something like it that is already successful in Brazil.)

And buying an H2 or H3 is the adult equivilant of putting a playing card in the spokes of your bicycle wheel to make motor sounds. Just damn ridiculous.

But please. Pat yourself on the back and wag your finger at me if it makes you feel smug and superior. I'll continue to look at things as they are.

What do you call severe ice conditions? This pic is what the norm is in rural areas for about 4 months out of the year here. If we salted every time it snowed 75% of our state budget would be eaten up buying salt.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/CIMG0621.jpg

Yeah, if that's ice and not just snow and slush, I say that would qualify. :p

And of course you're totally right that it wouldn't make much sense for you guys to use salt. But I assume they do salt Interstates/freeways/whatever you call the "really big roads" there?
And of course you'd think Michiganders are prepared for hardcore winter driving to begin with.

Here, in the last decade or so, towns have really cracked down on salt use, and many districts forbid the use of salt because of the polluting run-off. Before, people would always buy salt and use it on the walkways around their houses and their driveways and stuff. Nowadays, they have to use sand or gravel. The municipal services use sand and gravel on the roads, too.

But of course if conditions get really icky, like the temperature dropping after several days of snow thawing into slush, or rain flash-freezing when it hits the ground, they will still salt at least the bigger roads (don't know about small residential streets).

Yeah, if that's ice and not just snow and slush, I say that would qualify. :p

And of course you're totally right that it wouldn't make much sense for you guys to use salt. But I assume they do salt Interstates/freeways/whatever you call the "really big roads" there?

Here, in the last decade or so, towns have really cracked down on salt use, and many districts forbid the use of salt because if the polluting run-off. Before, people would always buy salt and use it on the walkways around their houses and their driveways and stuff. Nowadays, they have to use sand or gravel. The municipal services use sand and gravel on the roads, too.

But of course if conditions get really icky, like the temperature falling after several days of snow thawing into slush, or rain flash-freezing when it hits the ground, they will still salt at least the bigger roads (don't know about small residential streets).

As far as I know we use salt out here in the states. I say "as far as I know" because I'm smart enough to live in a temperate climate so I don't experience those kinds of winters unless I want to visit them.

I don't think they use them in Tahoe because my cars don't start rusting when I go there. (old cars, too...)

Yeah, if that's ice and not just snow and slush, I say that would qualify. :p

It's ice, but it's not considered enough to worry about :p

And of course you're totally right that it wouldn't make much sense for you guys to use salt. But I assume they do salt Interstates/freeways/whatever you call the "really big roads" there?

Yes, those get salted, but the roads in town don't usually get salted unless it's really bad.

And of course you'd think Michiganders are prepared for hardcore winter driving to begin with.

Well, when I took that picture I was driving a rear wheel drive Miata on that :D

Here, in the last decade or so, towns have really cracked down on salt use, and many districts forbid the use of salt because of the polluting run-off. Before, people would always buy salt and use it on the walkways around their houses and their driveways and stuff. Nowadays, they have to use sand or gravel. The municipal services use sand and gravel on the roads, too.

People here use salt, but only if it gets really icy. If it's just snowed or something we just shovel it off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sscM3yBV2pU&mode=related&search=

Is this really North America's best selling car? If so I think its rather well explained why the US and Canada are the two worst offenders for CO2 emitions per person in the world...

That and I do agree with Mr Clarkson, it really is rubbish
The F-150 is not North America's best selling car.

The best selling car in the United States is the Toyota Camry

The best selling car in Canada is the Honda Accord.

The F-150 is not North America's best selling car.

The best selling car in the United States is the Toyota Camry

The best selling car in Canada is the Honda Accord.

No, in fact it is the F-series, and has been for quite some time. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5582238)

Though techically correct, because the Camry is the best selling passenger car, and the F-series is a truck. But top seller is the F-series.

EDIT: In case you're worried about the date on that one, here's figures from last month. (http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20061004/auto-sales-best-sellers.htm)

No, in fact it is the F-series, and has been for quite some time. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5582238)

Though techically correct, because the Camry is the best selling passenger car, and the F-series is a truck. But top seller is the F-series.

EDIT: In case you're worried about the date on that one, here's figures from last month. (http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20061004/auto-sales-best-sellers.htm)
Huh. I guess I've been looking at the wrong stats.

Now, that said, there are some confounding factors here. First, those newer stats are counting the entire F-series as one model. Second, since passenger cars and trucks serve significantly different purposes, many people own both, but that inflates the sale numbers for individual truck models more because there are many fewer individual trunk models. I'm certain Americans buy more passenger cars than they do pickups.

Plus, trucks in the US are far more likely than passenger cars to run on diesel, and diesel engines are significantly cleaner.

But please. Pat yourself on the back and wag your finger at me if it makes you feel smug and superior. I'll continue to look at things as they are.

I said Americans, IE generic not individual. If I had ment you I would have said so.

What do you call severe ice conditions? This pic is what the norm is in rural areas for about 4 months out of the year here. If we salted every time it snowed 75% of our state budget would be eaten up buying salt.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/tuebor/CIMG0621.jpg

Or you could just have a more efficent public transport and administration system, and have a group of specialised road clearence vechiles, as opposed to having everyone in rural areas having to drive tanks.

I think someone may have already mentioned this but as for the F-Series pick up trucks from Ford, the F-series makes up for 50% of Ford vehicles. With the F-Series being the best seller in North America, this does not include combined sales of the GM pick up Trucks. If that were the case the F-series would not be the best seller in North America, it would be GM Trucks over Ford trucks.

As for the world, I believe Toyota Corolla holds the title.

I drive a 1995 Eddie Buaer edition Ford Bronco 4x4. I love my truck. Drives, handles awesome. Overall, just an awesome truck.

lol, it is rather funny to see people who dont understand the use of a truck trying to justify the need for a truck.

that being said, it is also very funny to watch someone try to fit a 4 x 8 sheet of dry wall or a 16' board or even just several retaining stones in the back of a compact car.

of course it doesnt make much sense for most people to have a truck in england. but that doesnt mean "all americnas that have trucks are stupid". because here in America more people use trucks for work.

lol, it is rather funny to see people who dont understand the use of a truck trying to justify the need for a truck.

that being said, it is also very funny to watch someone try to fit a 4 x 8 sheet of dry wall or a 16' board or even just several retaining stones in the back of a compact car.

of course it doesnt make much sense for most people to have a truck in england. but that doesnt mean "all americnas that have trucks are stupid". because here in America more people use trucks for work.

that's funny. Howabout pulling a boat out of the water with a Toyota Corolla or the likes. Not only to work but to play, too. Could you imagine a Ford Taurus mudding.

because here in America more people use trucks for work.
They have "utes" here in Oz. And yeah, everyone who drives a ute is stupid, even if they do use them for work. :p

How is this for a pick-up truck though?
http://img.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2004/11/23/23snap_leadimage__400x220.jpg

lol, it is rather funny to see people who dont understand the use of a truck trying to justify the need for a truck.

that being said, it is also very funny to watch someone try to fit a 4 x 8 sheet of dry wall or a 16' board or even just several retaining stones in the back of a compact car.

of course it doesnt make much sense for most people to have a truck in england. but that doesnt mean "all americnas that have trucks are stupid". because here in America more people use trucks for work.

In the UK, we use trucks for work. We use cars for transport. We generally don't combine the two, we've seen how badly that works in the US...

They have "utes" here in Oz. And yeah, everyone who drives a ute is stupid, even if they do use them for work. :p

How is this for a pick-up truck though?
http://img.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2004/11/23/23snap_leadimage__400x220.jpg

i dont consider those trucks. i consider those very hideous looking cars. same for someone who has a truck but then lowers it, puts thin tires on it, etc...

i dont consider those trucks. i consider those very hideous looking cars. same for someone who has a truck but then lowers it, puts thin tires on it, etc...
Still carrying stuff though. That's why many tradespeople here actually use utes with car-like suspension and tires.

And I'd be willing to bet that most tradespeople in the US don't go offroad enough either to justify having a truck with half a metre ground clearance.

Or you could just have a more efficent public transport and administration system, and have a group of specialised road clearence vechiles, as opposed to having everyone in rural areas having to drive tanks.

We do, but the snowplows are used to capacity within cities and on the interstates.

As far as public transpot goes, it would be nigh impossible, considering how spread out the rural and semirural areas are.

Still carrying stuff though. That's why many tradespeople here actually use utes with car-like suspension and tires.

And I'd be willing to bet that most tradespeople in the US don't go offroad enough either to justify having a truck with half a metre ground clearance.

Well, maybe so with regards to them actually going off road. Consider the weather as being a factor player. Florida can have tremendous rainstorms, Florida also is practically all sand with quite a few private roads being made of sand (ever drive a compact car on a sandy road, not good. especially driving over sugar sand) the Mountainous North and West can have pretty bad snow and ice storms. I think the USA has some of the nastiest weather so to me it's a good idea having a truck because they can handle on most bad weather cases compared to the car.

I think the USA has some of the nastiest weather so to me it's a good idea having a truck because they can handle on most bad weather cases compared to the car.
Oh, apart maybe from the snow, I think Australia can keep up with the best of 'em in that regard. :D

Still carrying stuff though. That's why many tradespeople here actually use utes with car-like suspension and tires.

And I'd be willing to bet that most tradespeople in the US don't go offroad enough either to justify having a truck with half a metre ground clearance.

Mostly construction and the like, which actually does favor the ground clearance. Some work sites are slightly less than accessible.

Really, the big problem is the urban and weekend warriors that are driving these large ass beasts in fully paved land without any real pressing need. I mean, you can rent a pick up from U-Haul for $20. For all the use some, I say some of these weekender pickups get the owners would actually save money renting one when they need it over doing your daily driving in them as well...

It's really a little more complex, you can't make any sweeping proclamations about one way or the other.

We do need to do something, though. Damn ridiculous.

Or you could just have a more efficent public transport and administration system, and have a group of specialised road clearence vechiles, as opposed to having everyone in rural areas having to drive tanks.Pity that the oil, tire, and automobile industries bought up public transport and dismantled it, huh?

Well, maybe so with regards to them actually going off road. Consider the weather as being a factor player. Florida can have tremendous rainstorms, Florida also is practically all sand with quite a few private roads being made of sand (ever drive a compact car on a sandy road, not good. especially driving over sugar sand) the Mountainous North and West can have pretty bad snow and ice storms. I think the USA has some of the nastiest weather so to me it's a good idea having a truck because they can handle on most bad weather cases compared to the car.

Seriously, though, a Subaru can make short work of most conditions as well with 4 cylinder boxer engines. When I go into 'nastier' areas I see less trucks and more Subarus than I do in the temperate paved world, proving that they are more pragmatic about whats needed then some of the posers in paved land.

Seriously, though, a Subaru can make short work of most conditions as well with 4 cylinder boxer engines. When I go into 'nastier' areas I see less trucks and more Subarus than I do in the temperate paved world, proving that they are more pragmatic about whats needed then some of the posers in paved land.

In bad weather, its not what you drive, but how you drive. The vehicle you own matters very little compared to your experiences and ability to drive in adverse conditions. For example, in Michigan, it's impossible to drive for more than half the year without being an expert in driving with an inch of ice beneath you. When I go out in January, I see cars, both large and small, sliding all over the road. Most of them are out of staters.

Skill, IMHO, is far more important than equipment when driving in bad weather.

Or you could just have a more efficent public transport and administration system, and have a group of specialised road clearence vechiles, as opposed to having everyone in rural areas having to drive tanks.

Do you realize how large of a land mass the USA is? A lot of our cities do have a bus transit and some have the Subways and so forth. It would be virtually impossible to have an efficient public system set up for our entire country. Look at Alaska for example. It's the largest of the US states and the least populated could you imagine the costs to incur if a public transit was set up year round. Maybe Alaskans ought to drive these small compact cars or hybrid vehicles versa the truck or SUV. Shit, I forgot they got their dog sleds too. Now that beats your compact cars on being environmental friendly.

Western Pennsylvania, I can talk out of experience of rather having a 4x4 truck or SUV vs a Ford Mustang 4 banger. They get a tremendous amount of snow in the winter time.

What can I say, Americans love their trucks whether it's for work, play, or just to have.....considering how comfortable most are.

I love my Ford Bronco 4x4. It has a 32 gallon gas tank but no worries. I enjoy driving comfortable and in style and I don't care that it ony gets barely 12 miles/gal with the AC and w/o AC gets close to 15 mi/gal.

I did put a new oil in it that is supposed to burn a lot less and cleaner than the oil you get from the parts house. They also recommend only changing the oil every 10,000 miles. Which I'll actually be changing mine at every 9,000 miles. As for the oil filter they sell lifetime ones that you need to clean when you change the oil but they want way to much, so I just get a really good one at a Parts house.

So far this oil that I'm using has convinced me already to be a customer for life. It has increased my hp by a few and also better torque. I can not only hear the difference in my engine but can feel the difference as well. I highly recommend anybody getting the Royal Purple Oil. It's more expensive but if you add everything up for 3 oil changes it about equals the price or RPM.

Heres a site that you can check out, it tells you a little about the oil and if you decide to order make sure you get the proper oil because they sell all different types. It's definately better for the environment compared with the regular oil you buy on the street.

http://www.rpmoil.com/

here's the link to the corporate site that is very informational. I highly recommend this oil. It'll extend the life of your vehicle. It burns a whole lot less and cleaner than the standard oils you use, etc....

http://www.synerlec.com/

Mostly construction and the like, which actually does favor the ground clearance. Some work sites are slightly less than accessible.

Really, the big problem is the urban and weekend warriors that are driving these large ass beasts in fully paved land without any real pressing need. I mean, you can rent a pick up from U-Haul for $20. For all the use some, I say some of these weekender pickups get the owners would actually save money renting one when they need it over doing your daily driving in them as well...

It's really a little more complex, you can't make any sweeping proclamations about one way or the other.

We do need to do something, though. Damn ridiculous.

Now you're getting into inconviences. I must say it's much nicer to know that you have a truck ready to go when you need it not depend on U-haul and take the chance on them not having one readily available. Americans also like have convenience.

Another option I suppose would be to have 2 vehicles but a lot of people can't afford to have 2 vehicles. I'm single and think it would be a waste having 2 vehicles. One would be the insurance costs to allow the truck to sit and do nothing which would also lead to mechanical issues that a sitting, do nothing vehicle incurs. I'll stick with my truck and I'll continue to drive happy. :D

I guess I shot down my other option, oh well....

Now you're getting into inconviences. I must say it's much nicer to know that you have a truck ready to go when you need it not depend on U-haul and take the chance on them not having one readily available. Americans also like have convenience.

Another option I suppose would be to have 2 vehicles but a lot of people can't afford to have 2 vehicles. I'm single and think it would be a waste having 2 vehicles. One would be the insurance costs to allow the truck to sit and do nothing which would also lead to mechanical issues that a sitting, do nothing vehicle incurs. I'll stick with my truck and I'll continue to drive happy. :D

I guess I shot down my other option, oh well....

I'm an American. Don't try and sell me that "Americans love their..." nonsense.

I also, through my work, rent a lot of trucks. Never that much of a problem or much of an inconvenience.

I know a poser rationale when I see it. You know if you truly use your trucks capacity enough to justify the expense and impact.

I'm an American. Don't try and sell me that "Americans love their..." nonsense.

I also, through my work, rent a lot of trucks. Never that much of a problem or much of an inconvenience.

I know a poser rationale when I see it. You know if you truly use your trucks capacity enough to justify the expense and impact.

No worries, not trying to sell anything just stating the facts, Americans love their trucks and SUVs, if that weren't the case, then why has once again the F-series becoming the best seller in America? Then if you were to add up the GM sales of all of their trucks is yet even more than the F-series. Here's some links:

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/pop/articles/0929trucks.html
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTQ/is_2003_Feb_14/ai_97713399
http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~kagan/phy367/P367_articles/Trans_ElectricCars/suvs_5888.html
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2004/02/18/StateLocal/Americans.Look.At.Power.Not.Environment.When.Buying.Autos-610107.shtml?norewrite200612062041&sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com

The key phrase on your part is "through my work" I'd hope it isn't an inconvenience on you considering either way you're still being paid for your time.

Some people do. Other people buy Lotus Elises.

Though perhaps not as many in the States, I don't know. It seems that the taste in cars is generally towards size and softness (which people seem to confuse with comfort) there moreso than in Europe.

I also saw a PT Cruise Convertible the other day, which convinced me that car-wise the US is criminally insane.

Sorry, there is absolutley no other country in the world that can make a finer car than this. http://www.tqhq.ee/corvette/pics/05-coup.jpg

No worries, not trying to sell anything just stating the facts, Americans love their trucks and SUVs, if that weren't the case, then why has once again the F-series becoming the best seller in America? Then if you were to add up the GM sales of all of their trucks is yet even more than the F-series. Here's some links:

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/pop/articles/0929trucks.html
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTQ/is_2003_Feb_14/ai_97713399
http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~kagan/phy367/P367_articles/Trans_ElectricCars/suvs_5888.html
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2004/02/18/StateLocal/Americans.Look.At.Power.Not.Environment.When.Buying.Autos-610107.shtml?norewrite200612062041&sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com

The key phrase on your part is "through my work" I'd hope it isn't an inconvenience on you considering either way you're still being paid for your time.

Whether I'm being paid for my time or not doesn't factor into it. If you'd been reading the thread you'd have noticed that I had already linked to citing to note that the F-Series and two other pick-ups where top sellers. You'd have also noticed that I had a more sophisticated explanation for that than "Americans love their pick-ups." Fact is, when you take out fleet and pure work sales you might find that the more practical Camry is a lot closer to those pick-ups. In fact it's that dogged insistence that "Americans love their SUVs and Pickups" is part of why American manufacturers are slipping behind other manufacturers that offer real alternatives.

Sorry, there is absolutley no other country in the world that can make a finer car than this. http://www.tqhq.ee/corvette/pics/05-coup.jpg

Erm...you do know Italy makes cars, yeah? Or Germany?

Erm...you do know Italy makes cars, yeah? Or Germany?

Beat me to it...

Whether I'm being paid for my time or not doesn't factor into it. If you'd been reading the thread you'd have noticed that I had already linked to citing to note that the F-Series and two other pick-ups where top sellers. You'd have also noticed that I had a more sophisticated explanation for that than "Americans love their pick-ups." Fact is, when you take out fleet and pure work sales you might find that the more practical Camry is a lot closer to those pick-ups. In fact it's that dogged insistence that "Americans love their SUVs and Pickups" is part of why American manufacturers are slipping behind other manufacturers that offer real alternatives.

Sorry, I didn't realize that you were that much more sophisticated than the physics people of Ohio State. I could buy the possibilities of you being more sophisticated than the azcentral.com people.

Since when does being classified as an American not include America's working people?

Hmmmm.....slipping behind like this.......

http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/technology/index.asp

and........

http://www.chevrolet.com/fuelcell/

Sounds like their trying to me.

Sorry, I didn't realize that you were that much more sophisticated than the physics people of Ohio State. I could buy the possibilities of you being more sophisticated than the azcentral.com people.

Since when does being classified as an American not include America's working people?

Hmmmm.....slipping behind like this.......

http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/technology/index.asp

and........

http://www.chevrolet.com/fuelcell/

Sounds like their trying to me.
Yeah...'cause it was the physics people saying "Americans loves their pick-ups..."

The working people comment is just damned silly.

And slipping behind in overall sales. The Escape is a good step, but it's a scramble to catch up.

I love my Ford Bronco 4x4. It has a 32 gallon gas tank but no worries. I enjoy driving comfortable and in style and I don't care that it ony gets barely 12 miles/gal with the AC and w/o AC gets close to 15 mi/gal.

Heres a site that you can check out, it tells you a little about the oil and if you decide to order make sure you get the proper oil because they sell all different types. It's definately better for the environment compared with the regular oil you buy on the street.
Anyone else find the irony in someone whose vehicle gets 12 mpg telling us we need to change oils because the one he uses is "better for the environment"?

If I'm gonna have a gas guzzler, I'd rather have one of these.

http://encyclopedia.quickseek.com/images/F4u.corsair.750pix.jpg
Agreed. In postwar England a spitfire cost far less than an F-150.

Anyone else find the irony in someone whose vehicle gets 12 mpg telling us we need to change oils because the one he uses is "better for the environment"?

The standard oil that people use is recommended to be changed is every 3000 miles. This Royal Oil Purple is recommended to be changed every 10,000 miles. So you tell me. Which is better, the oil that gets dirty and burns or the oil that burns a lot less than the standard and also burns cleaner than the standard.

Yes my truck is still a gas guzzler but I'm talking about the actual oil in the engine not gas.

Also, I was only comparing the Oil that I now (Royal Purple Oil) use to the standard oil, Mobile 1, Valvoleen, Castrol, Pennsoil, etc....

Anyone making statements to the effect that the US should have a good public transportation system available to everyone is woefully ignorant. While it makes sense in dense urban environments, even what most Europeans consider to be ‘rural’ is fairly urban compared to much of America. Drive around Montana for a while and tell me again how there should be convenient public transport.

I have an old Dodge Ram 2500 because it is very necessary. Primarily I use it for hauling farm equipment or construction materials, taking trash to the dump, or pulling a trailer. It doesn’t even cost that much to run as it gets around 28 miles to the gallon (gotta love diesel). It is a solid workhorse that only takes minor damage from hitting a deer at 50 mph (most cars would be totaled).

I wholeheartedly agree with the criticism that many people diving SUVs do not need them – just look at most SUV models out there and ask yourself how many of them look like they are meant to be put to work or even just taken on dirt roads. This in no way equates to ‘everyone who buys a pickup is an idiot living in a city’.

I love my Ford Bronco 4x4. It has a 32 gallon gas tank but no worries. I enjoy driving comfortable and in style and I don't care that it ony gets barely 12 miles/gal with the AC and w/o AC gets close to 15 mi/gal.


Of course you need it for the terrain in Tampa Bay, and with all the blizzards that part of the country, you never know when you'll need that 4x4.

Beat me to it...

Great minds think alike :)

Of course you need it for the terrain in Tampa Bay, and with all the blizzards that part of the country, you never know when you'll need that 4x4.

Have you ever lived in Florida? We do have rough weather, considering the rain storms we get whether it's from the regular summer season to the Hurricanes, we do have massive flooding here, Also, we have what is best know locally as Sugar sand, have you ever driven in sugar sand before. I don't guess so by your blatantly sarcasm of blizzards. Also, My company deals with boats, if my boss or my dad who are both captains needed me for whatever reason to pull a boat out of the water, I'm ready. I really don't think a sedan would be upto that task. Also, I do side jobs for this guy to clean the bottoms of several boats and if for whatever reason I needed to pull a boat out of the water or trailer it to a different location I can. So you Decide. Do I need a 4x4 or maybe a Geo Metro would handle the job just fine.

Do I need a 4x4 or maybe a Geo Metro would handle the job just fine.

Yea, clearly the only two choices in the car world are between a ridiculous 4x4 and a ridiculous hatchback.

Yea, clearly the only two choices in the car world are between a ridiculous 4x4 and a ridiculous hatchback.

So, yes I used a ridiculous car as an example. How about the Toyota Corolla or Ford Taurus. Do you think they could pull a 26' Worldcat out of the water or even an 18' Pontoon, how about a 16' skiff. I'd like to see them try to pull a boat out of the water.

Have you ever lived in Florida? We do have rough weather, considering the rain storms we get whether it's from the regular summer season to the Hurricanes, we do have massive flooding here, Also, we have what is best know locally as Sugar sand, have you ever driven in sugar sand before. I don't guess so by your blatantly sarcasm of blizzards. Also, My company deals with boats, if my boss or my dad who are both captains needed me for whatever reason to pull a boat out of the water, I'm ready. I really don't think a sedan would be upto that task. Also, I do side jobs for this guy to clean the bottoms of several boats and if for whatever reason I needed to pull a boat out of the water or trailer it to a different location I can. So you Decide. Do I need a 4x4 or maybe a Geo Metro would handle the job just fine.

A 4x4 would be good for work, and nobody can argue that Florida doesn't have bad weather, but for getting around locally you could take advantage of the sun and Bike or Walk.

So, yes I used a ridiculous car as an example. How about the Toyota Corolla or Ford Taurus. Do you think they could pull a 26' Worldcat out of the water or even an 18' Pontoon, how about a 16' skiff. I'd like to see them try to pull a boat out of the water.

A friend of mine's father pulled his rather huge boat (don't ask the size, I have no idea....30ft maybe? something like that) in a diesel 2.0L Ford Mondeo. Diesel = more torque = more pulling power.

Although, I'm using a European car as an example. It wouldn't come of that much of a surprise to hear if there were no similar cars capable of it in the US. You guys really get screwed over by the manufacturers.

A friend of mine's father pulled his rather huge boat (don't ask the size, I have no idea....30ft maybe? something like that) in a diesel 2.0L Ford Mondeo. Diesel = more torque = more pulling power.

Although, I'm using a European car as an example. It wouldn't come of that much of a surprise to hear if there were no similar cars capable of it in the US. You guys really get screwed over by the manufacturers.

Actually, I personally haven't been screwed over by the manufacturers I bought my truck by a private party almost $2000 below the blue book value. It was a heck of a deal and I would have been an idiot to pass it up.

I still advocate Loving my Truck.

Actually, I personally haven't been screwed over by the manufacturers I bought my truck by a private party almost $2000 below the blue book value. It was a heck of a deal and I would have been an idiot to pass it up.

I still advocate Loving my Truck.

No, I mean you get screwed over by them offering you substandard vehicles. The cars that, say, Ford make in Europe are fantastic cars. Really good, class leaders more or less every single one of them. And a million times ahead of most of the ones they make in the US. American car lovers should start demanding that the big US manufacturers start offering their best products to their home consumers.

Perhaps if they did they wouldn't be in a situation where they're, as far as I know, being slowly destroyed by Japanese manufacturers, and being forced into difficult financial situations as a result.

Or you could just have a more efficent public transport and administration system, and have a group of specialised road clearence vechiles, as opposed to having everyone in rural areas having to drive tanks.

We're urbanizing, but it's taking a while. Until the 1920s or so Michigan's economy was a primary one, centered on mining, agriculture and lumbering. From the 30s to the 70s we became one of the pre-eminent manufacturing states in the world and we urbanized a great deal, but much of the people who came to work in the factories came from out of state. The decline of manufacturing, and with it the decline of Michigan's cities has slowed the rate of urbanization as there's no incentive to move to the large urban areas. Unemployment in Detroit is horrendous, and the suburbs (which are some of the richest cities in North America) are too pricy for people from "le Michigan profonde" (to paraphrase a French phrase that I think applies).

Some cities are growing, but kids from Michigan who are seeking oppurtunity in a city often end up moving to Chicago, rather than to one of Michigan's decaying cities. Some cities, such as Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor are growing, but many kids leave the state, which does not bode well for the state's future.

I'm sure you weren't looking for a lecture on Michigan's socio-political problems, but that's what you got.

If nothing else, remember that Michigan has only 10 million people in an area slightly larger than England and Wales.

Also, I don't drive a tank, I drive a Miata, but I live in town so I can get away with it.

The standard oil that people use is recommended to be changed is every 3000 miles. This Royal Oil Purple is recommended to be changed every 10,000 miles. So you tell me. Which is better, the oil that gets dirty and burns or the oil that burns a lot less than the standard and also burns cleaner than the standard.

Yes my truck is still a gas guzzler but I'm talking about the actual oil in the engine not gas.

You tell me. Which is better:
Driving a truck that does 28 mpg;
or
Driving a truck that does 12 mpg and telling everyone it's 'better for the environment' because of the oil you use?