On Jun 16, 8:18*am, Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
> On Mon 16 Jun 2008 07:11:29a, Michael "Dog3" told us...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Wayne Boatwright > *
> 86.120:in
> > rec.food.cooking
>
> >> IMNO, SUVs and vans are an abomination and should be abolished. *We did
> >> just fine without them before some asshole designed them.
>
> > Well, I've always loved the Jeeps I've had and I really like the XTerra.
> > I don't consider it a BIG SUV like some of the monsters on the road. The
> > Escalade, Tahoe and Armada make mine look like a match box toy. *I'm
> > always hauling mulch, gardening stuff, saddles etc. so I need an SUV. It
> > gets pretty decent mileage too. I also feel safe in it. *I can't imagine
> > driving one of those tiny smart cars. One little fender bender and
> > you'll wind up in the hospital or worse. * I'll always have an SUV of
> > one model or another. I'm at the point I don't even look at gas prices,
> > knowing it will freak me out. I just poke the card in the pump and hope
> > for the best. I only go through a tank of it every other week so it's
> > not such a big deal for me. *People who commute to and from work
> > though... OUCH. At this point I'm just resigned to it.
>
> > Michael
>
> No, your's is probably one of the last objectionable. *The thing is, most
> are larger and owned by people who don't actually need them. *It's a status
> thing. *As it also is with the vast majority of trucks (at least in AZ). *
> Most people could get by with vehicles that are not gas guzzlers that would
> still meet their needs. *9 out of 10 trucks on the streets in Phoenix are
> always empty. *David and I both commute (in different directions), 36 miles
> each way, and these gas prices are killing us.
>
> --
> * * * * * * *Wayne Boatwright * * * * * *
> -------------------------------------------
> * * *Monday, 06(VI)/16(XVI)/08(MMVIII)
> -------------------------------------------
> -------------------------------------------
> * * Why does ravel and unravel mean the * *
> * * * * * * * * same thing? * * * * * * * *
> -------------------------------------------- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

We have the same amount of a commute, but my husband & I work
together, so we can carpool. That helps a bit, but with the new
Narrows bridge up and collecting tolls, we are spending about 100
bucks a week in our 2002 Camry between gas & tolls- Ouch!!

On Mon 16 Jun 2008 04:37:34p, merryb told us...

> On Jun 16, 8:18*am, Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>> On Mon 16 Jun 2008 07:11:29a, Michael "Dog3" told us...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > Wayne Boatwright > *
>> > 6.120:in
>> > rec.food.cooking
>>
>> >> IMNO, SUVs and vans are an abomination and should be abolished. *We
>> >> d id just fine without them before some asshole designed them.
>>
>> > Well, I've always loved the Jeeps I've had and I really like the
>> > XTerra.
>
>> > I don't consider it a BIG SUV like some of the monsters on the road.
>> > The
>
>> > Escalade, Tahoe and Armada make mine look like a match box toy. *I'm
>> > always hauling mulch, gardening stuff, saddles etc. so I need an SUV.
>> > It
>
>> > gets pretty decent mileage too. I also feel safe in it. *I can't
>> > imagi ne driving one of those tiny smart cars. One little fender
>> > bender and you'll wind up in the hospital or worse. * I'll always
>> > have an SUV of one model or another. I'm at the point I don't even
>> > look at gas prices, knowing it will freak me out. I just poke the
>> > card in the pump and hope for the best. I only go through a tank of
>> > it every other week so it's not such a big deal for me. *People who
>> > commute to and from work though... OUCH. At this point I'm just
>> > resigned to it.
>>
>> > Michael
>>
>> No, your's is probably one of the last objectionable. *The thing is,
>> mos t are larger and owned by people who don't actually need them.
>> *It's a sta tus thing. *As it also is with the vast majority of trucks
>> (at least in AZ). * Most people could get by with vehicles that are not
>> gas guzzlers that woul d still meet their needs. *9 out of 10 trucks on
>> the streets in Phoenix ar e always empty. *David and I both commute (in
>> different directions), 36 mi les each way, and these gas prices are
>> killing us.
>>
>> --
>> * * * * * * *Wayne Boatwright * * * * * *
>> -------------------------------------------
>> * * *Monday, 06(VI)/16(XVI)/08(MMVIII)
>> -------------------------------------------
>> -------------------------------------------
>> * * Why does ravel and unravel mean the * * * * * * * * * * same thing?
>> * * * * * * * * -------------------------------------------- Hide
>> quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> We have the same amount of a commute, but my husband & I work
> together, so we can carpool. That helps a bit, but with the new
> Narrows bridge up and collecting tolls, we are spending about 100
> bucks a week in our 2002 Camry between gas & tolls- Ouch!!
>

Luckily, we don't have tolls, but we're spending a little over that for two
cars that get very good gas mileage. It hurts!

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Monday, 06(VI)/16(XVI)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
If it walks out of your refrigerator,
LET IT GO !!
-------------------------------------------

In article >,
ild says...
> jmcquown wrote:
> > aem wrote:
> >> On Jun 15, 5:57 pm, Sheldon > wrote:
> >>> 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser:
> >>>
> >>> http://i29.tinypic.com/msmbkj.jpg
> >>>
> >>> Love it.
> >>
> >> I have learned a surprisingly large number of Yiddish words over the
> >> years but I had to look up "chazzer." The definition "one who eats
> >> like a pig" seems to fit here, especially given what I paid for the
> >> last fill-up. -aem
> >
> >
> > Making the drive from Tennessee through Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia
> > and on to South Carolina netted a few surprises in terms of gas prices.
> > In TN the price was around $3.85/gallon. But I was able to gas up at a
> > mom & pop type convenience store with really old gas pumps for
> > $3.27/gallon in Alabama! Once over the GA state line the prices shot up
> > over $4/gallon ($4.15 just outside of Macon). But as I got closer to
> > the SC border the prices dropped again. Gassed up yesterday in
> > Beaufort, SC for $3.81 which is as good as it's gonna get, I'm afraid.
> >
> > The woman behind the counter looked out the window at my little Huyndai
> > Accent and sighed, "I'll bet that car gets good gas mileage." Yep,
> > right at 38 on the Highway, 30 in the city. I cringe when I see the ads
> > on TV for the SUV that seats 8 and has 12 cup holders. Are people
> > really still buying those things? My car comfortably seats 4 and has 5
> > cup holders LOL
>
> Up until 2 weeks ago gm still had the "you need an escalade because it
> is *BIG* ads running.
>
> My relative works at our local "mega dealer". She says they absolutely
> can't even give the gas guzzler fluffed up trucks away. My one friend
> tinkers around with cars as a side line. He has a couple teenage kids
> and he will buy a car that is flawed in some way and they will fix it up
> and sell it as the kids college fund. He said last week he went to an
> auction vehicles repoed by wachovia. He said there was nothing being
> auctioned except fluffed up trucks. Vehicles that were only a year old
> and >$50k didn't sell because the reserve was around $9,000 and no one
> bid over $7,000. These were fluffed up trucks such as ford exhibitions etc.

Interesting. I saw what appeared to be a 2006 Ford Expedition on a lot
that had a price of $1,100. I almost bought it. My commutes are so short
that even at 13MPG it wouldn't be bad.

In article >,
ild says...
> Michael "Dog3" wrote:
> > Wayne Boatwright >
> > 6.120: in
> > rec.food.cooking
> >
> >> IMNO, SUVs and vans are an abomination and should be abolished. We did
> >> just fine without them before some asshole designed them.
> >
> > Well, I've always loved the Jeeps I've had and I really like the XTerra. I
> > don't consider it a BIG SUV like some of the monsters on the road. The
> > Escalade, Tahoe and Armada make mine look like a match box toy. I'm always
> > hauling mulch, gardening stuff, saddles etc. so I need an SUV. It gets
> > pretty decent mileage too. I also feel safe in it. I can't imagine driving
> > one of those tiny smart cars. One little fender bender and you'll wind up
> > in the hospital or worse. I'll always have an SUV of one model or
> > another. I'm at the point I don't even look at gas prices, knowing it will
> > freak me out. I just poke the card in the pump and hope for the best. I
> > only go through a tank of it every other week so it's not such a big deal
> > for me. People who commute to and from work though... OUCH. At this point
> > I'm just resigned to it.
> >
> > Michael
> >
> Actually the Smartcar is very crash survivable. They have been available
> in Europe for at least 5 years. They pass all of the US safety tests.
> My main objection to older small car designs is that many were really
> underpowered. My buddy got his about a month ago. I was driving it last
> week because he was going away and I was going to watch over something
> for him and he asked if I wanted to use the car. It has a large 1 liter
> engine and is quite responsive on the highway for merging or passing.
> You absolutely don't feel like you aren't safe and it has plenty of head
> and knee room and is easy to get in and out of.
>

Here's one where they test the Smart car at 70MPH into a 20 ton cement
barrier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcuimw8ql_A

Passenger compartment is still intact.

On Jun 17, 5:01*am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> Paul M. Cook wrote:
> > "Nancy Young" > wrote
> >> Stylin'! *Very nice. *And you let that 'other one' park so
> >> close??
>
> > Heh heh, yeah I know - slummin'. *As it turned out the other car was
> > abandoned and several days later the cops came around and towed it
> > away. *My little cul de sac gets a lot of that for some reason.
>
> Someone abandoned a car in front of my house once. *Long
> story short, after a week I called the cops to report it. *He
> said, with all the disbelief he could muster, Abandoned? *
>
> I explained the story, boy after he heard it had New York
> plates that were now gone he couldn't arrange to come get
> it fast enough. *Once I'd finished explaining the circumstances,
> it was all I could do not to say, ie, abandoned. *(laugh)
>
> nancy

My husband left his car unlocked in the driveway one night. When we
came out in the morning someone had abandoned a big old dog in the
car!!

JB

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
. ..
> Paul M. Cook wrote:
>> "Nancy Young" > wrote
>
>>> Stylin'! Very nice. And you let that 'other one' park so
>>> close??
>>
>> Heh heh, yeah I know - slummin'. As it turned out the other car was
>> abandoned and several days later the cops came around and towed it
>> away. My little cul de sac gets a lot of that for some reason.
>
> Someone abandoned a car in front of my house once. Long
> story short, after a week I called the cops to report it. He
> said, with all the disbelief he could muster, Abandoned?
> I explained the story, boy after he heard it had New York plates that were
> now gone he couldn't arrange to come get it fast enough. Once I'd
> finished explaining the circumstances,
> it was all I could do not to say, ie, abandoned. (laugh)


The cop got a free car. I know here if you file an abandoned vehicle claim
and it goes 10 days without the owner coming forward the car is yours.

Paul

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:53:57 -0700 (PDT), Golden One
> wrote:

>My husband left his car unlocked in the driveway one night. When we
>came out in the morning someone had abandoned a big old dog in the
>car!!

I've left my car unlocked over night more than once. One time with an
expensive camera in it. Thankfully, nothing has been stolen. Knock
on wood. Praying: save me from myself!


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

Paul M. Cook wrote:
> "Nancy Young" > wrote

>> Someone abandoned a car in front of my house once. Long
>> story short, after a week I called the cops to report it. He
>> said, with all the disbelief he could muster, Abandoned?
>> I explained the story, boy after he heard it had New York plates
>> that were now gone he couldn't arrange to come get it fast enough.
>> Once I'd finished explaining the circumstances,
>> it was all I could do not to say, ie, abandoned. (laugh)
>
>
> The cop got a free car. I know here if you file an abandoned vehicle
> claim and it goes 10 days without the owner coming forward the car is
> yours.

Hah, you mean free clunker. There's a reason it didn't make it down
the shore from Brooklyn. Old junk car/bald tires. I called because I
didn't want it in front of my house.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
. ..
> Paul M. Cook wrote:
>> "Nancy Young" > wrote
>
>>> Someone abandoned a car in front of my house once. Long
>>> story short, after a week I called the cops to report it. He
>>> said, with all the disbelief he could muster, Abandoned?
>>> I explained the story, boy after he heard it had New York plates
>>> that were now gone he couldn't arrange to come get it fast enough. Once
>>> I'd finished explaining the circumstances,
>>> it was all I could do not to say, ie, abandoned. (laugh)
>>
>>
>> The cop got a free car. I know here if you file an abandoned vehicle
>> claim and it goes 10 days without the owner coming forward the car is
>> yours.
>
> Hah, you mean free clunker. There's a reason it didn't make it down
> the shore from Brooklyn. Old junk car/bald tires. I called because I
> didn't want it in front of my house.

See this is where girls don't get guys. The cop saw a deal, just needed a
"little work, a tune up, touch of bondo here and there." I know lots of
guys who loves clunkers, so long as they are like 500 bucks or less. But
I'll confess I don't get it either.

Paul
> nancy

Paul M. Cook wrote:
> "Nancy Young" > wrote

>> Paul M. Cook wrote:

>>> The cop got a free car. I know here if you file an abandoned
>>> vehicle claim and it goes 10 days without the owner coming forward
>>> the car is yours.
>>
>> Hah, you mean free clunker. There's a reason it didn't make it down
>> the shore from Brooklyn. Old junk car/bald tires. I called because
>> I didn't want it in front of my house.
>
> See this is where girls don't get guys. The cop saw a deal, just
> needed a "little work, a tune up, touch of bondo here and there." I
> know lots of guys who loves clunkers, so long as they are like 500
> bucks or less. But I'll confess I don't get it either.

Yes, I haven't met a guy like that since I was a teenager. You
don't even see old cars around here, when you do you point.
The teens? They drive Daddylacs. At any rate, the township
towed it, I don't know that they just tow it to some cop's house
for him, I assume they impound it then sell.

nancy

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:18:23 +0000, Wayne Boatwright wrote:


> No, your's is probably one of the last objectionable. The thing is,
> most are larger and owned by people who don't actually need them. It's
> a status thing.

Same here, Wayne. I often see those those huge 4x4's (that probably
haven't seen a 'dirt road' since they were bought), often with just the
driver, driving around the dense city/suburban streets (while usually
yakking on a cell phone too). If you live in the 'boonies' - fine, or you
use them for what they were intended, but for city driving from meeting to
meeting? Pure 'show off', IMHO.

Our gas prices have also gone thru the roof, so I'm guessing some folk are
pretty sorry they bought them now... <snicker>

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Egg tastes better when it's not on your face...

T wrote:
>
> I saw what appeared to be a 2006 Ford Expedition on a lot
> that had a price of $1,100. I almost bought it.

You should have bought it... sounds like a great buy, for a lot large
enough for a Ford Expedition.

On Tue 17 Jun 2008 05:12:41a, ChattyCathy told us...

> On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:18:23 +0000, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
>
>> No, your's is probably one of the last objectionable. The thing is,
>> most are larger and owned by people who don't actually need them.
>> It's a status thing.
>
> Same here, Wayne. I often see those those huge 4x4's (that probably
> haven't seen a 'dirt road' since they were bought), often with just the
> driver, driving around the dense city/suburban streets (while usually
> yakking on a cell phone too). If you live in the 'boonies' - fine, or you
> use them for what they were intended, but for city driving from meeting
to
> meeting? Pure 'show off', IMHO.
>
> Our gas prices have also gone thru the roof, so I'm guessing some folk
are
> pretty sorry they bought them now... <snicker>
>

Exactly. I hope they're now regretting their purchases.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 06(VI)/17(XVII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Help! I'm modeming... and I can't hang up!
-------------------------------------------

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:43:06 -0700, Sheldon wrote:

> "Bigbazza" wrote:
>> "Sheldon" wrote:
>>
>> > 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser:
>>
>> >http://i29.tinypic.com/msmbkj.jpg
>>
>> > Love it.
>>
>> But why just a 2 door model, Sheldon?....Looks nice though...
>
> It's not a 2 door, the rear doors open opposite (french suicide style?)
> but the handles are inside. You can see where the back doors open, just
> no exterior door handle... when fully opened and the rear seats down it
> makes it very easy to load bulky items
>
<some snipping>

>I don't recommend this type of vehical for
> someone living in a city and doing mostly city driving but up here in
> the boonies and with all the deep snows I need the high ground clearence
> and 4 X 4. At first I was considering the Tundra pick up but then
> thought I'd never make much use of that open box... and no pick up is
> good in snow.

Not too shabby, Sheldon. At least you'll use it the way it was intended,
not for rushing from meeting to meeting in the middle of the city <grin>

BTW, did it come with a GPS?

<Cathy ducks and runs>
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Egg tastes better when it's not on your face...

T wrote:
> In article >,
> ild says...
>> jmcquown wrote:
>>> aem wrote:
>>>> On Jun 15, 5:57 pm, Sheldon > wrote:
>>>>> 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://i29.tinypic.com/msmbkj.jpg
>>>>>
>>>>> Love it.
>>>> I have learned a surprisingly large number of Yiddish words over the
>>>> years but I had to look up "chazzer." The definition "one who eats
>>>> like a pig" seems to fit here, especially given what I paid for the
>>>> last fill-up. -aem
>>>
>>> Making the drive from Tennessee through Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia
>>> and on to South Carolina netted a few surprises in terms of gas prices.
>>> In TN the price was around $3.85/gallon. But I was able to gas up at a
>>> mom & pop type convenience store with really old gas pumps for
>>> $3.27/gallon in Alabama! Once over the GA state line the prices shot up
>>> over $4/gallon ($4.15 just outside of Macon). But as I got closer to
>>> the SC border the prices dropped again. Gassed up yesterday in
>>> Beaufort, SC for $3.81 which is as good as it's gonna get, I'm afraid.
>>>
>>> The woman behind the counter looked out the window at my little Huyndai
>>> Accent and sighed, "I'll bet that car gets good gas mileage." Yep,
>>> right at 38 on the Highway, 30 in the city. I cringe when I see the ads
>>> on TV for the SUV that seats 8 and has 12 cup holders. Are people
>>> really still buying those things? My car comfortably seats 4 and has 5
>>> cup holders LOL
>> Up until 2 weeks ago gm still had the "you need an escalade because it
>> is *BIG* ads running.
>>
>> My relative works at our local "mega dealer". She says they absolutely
>> can't even give the gas guzzler fluffed up trucks away. My one friend
>> tinkers around with cars as a side line. He has a couple teenage kids
>> and he will buy a car that is flawed in some way and they will fix it up
>> and sell it as the kids college fund. He said last week he went to an
>> auction vehicles repoed by wachovia. He said there was nothing being
>> auctioned except fluffed up trucks. Vehicles that were only a year old
>> and >$50k didn't sell because the reserve was around $9,000 and no one
>> bid over $7,000. These were fluffed up trucks such as ford exhibitions etc.
>
> Interesting. I saw what appeared to be a 2006 Ford Expedition on a lot
> that had a price of $1,100. I almost bought it. My commutes are so short
> that even at 13MPG it wouldn't be bad.
>

But waste doesn't sit right with me. I wouldn't want one if it were free
and included $200 for the first fillup.

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:38:36 -0400, jmcquown wrote:

<some snipping>
>
>
> The woman behind the counter looked out the window at my little Huyndai
> Accent and sighed, "I'll bet that car gets good gas mileage." Yep,
> right at 38 on the Highway, 30 in the city. I cringe when I see the ads
> on TV for the SUV that seats 8 and has 12 cup holders. Are people
> really still buying those things? My car comfortably seats 4 and has 5
> cup holders LOL

My little hatch-back gets about the same milage to the gallon as yours...
(I worked it out - lol). When I bought it (new) everybody wanted to know
why I didn't get something "bigger". I said back then (about 6 or 7 years
ago) that I didn't feel the need to race in the Grand Prix (or whatever)
and it was economical on gas. So glad I bought it now...

> OB Food: Shrimp & grits! More on that later.

Pass the shrimp - you can have my share of the grits <grin>

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Egg tastes better when it's not on your face...

Michael "Dog3" wrote:
> George >
> : in rec.food.cooking
>
>> Actually the Smartcar is very crash survivable. They have been
>> available
>> in Europe for at least 5 years. They pass all of the US safety
>> tests.
>> My main objection to older small car designs is that many were really
>> underpowered. My buddy got his about a month ago. I was driving it
>> last week because he was going away and I was going to watch over
>> something for him and he asked if I wanted to use the car. It has a
>> large 1 liter engine and is quite responsive on the highway for
>> merging or passing. You absolutely don't feel like you aren't safe and
>> it has plenty of head and knee room and is easy to get in and out of.
>
> That's a testimony. I wouldn't mind test driving one just to see what
> they're like. Might be fun.
>
> Michael
>
>
>
Well worth doing. GM and Ford has drummed the very questionable idea
into everyones head for so long that we need big "cars" that it stuck.

Another idea is that we need fluffed up trucks because they are easy to
get in and out of. My buddy with the Smartcar has a neighbor with a
prosthetic leg. He has a fluffed up truck for "ease of entry". When he
saw the Smartcar he came over and my buddy suggested he take it for a
ride. His neighbor couldn't believe how much easier it was for him to
get in and out of it compared to his fluffed up truck.

"Michael "Dog3"" > ha scritto nel messaggio
. ..
> George >

>> Actually the Smartcar is very crash survivable. They have been
>> available in Europe for at least 5 years. They pass all of the US
>> safety
>> tests.

Try almost 10 years.

>> My main objection to older small car designs is that many were really
>> underpowered. My buddy got his about a month ago. I was driving it
>> last week because he was going away and I was going to watch over
>> something for him and he asked if I wanted to use the car. It has a
>> large 1 liter engine and is quite responsive on the highway for
>> merging or passing.

I think they're cool except when you need to carry something big. The 4
door Smart Car we call the Stupid Car because it loses everything in the
move.

> That's a testimony. I wouldn't mind test driving one just to see what
> they're like. Might be fun.
>
> Michael

They are fun, and on the superhighway when I am traveling at 120-135 kph,
they pass me.

"Michael "Dog3"" > ha scritto nel messaggio

Isn't 70mph really stretching it for speed?
>
> Michael
>
Not from what I see daily.

ChattyCathy wrote:
>
> I often see those those huge 4x4's (that probably
> haven't seen a 'dirt road' since they were bought), often with just the
> driver, driving around the dense city/suburban streets (while usually
> yakking on a cell phone too). If you live in the 'boonies' - fine, or you
> use them for what they were intended, but for city driving from
> meeting to meeting? Pure 'show off', IMHO.

Folks who assume other folks are showing off are usually envious.

You're entitled to your opinion but your assumption is not necessarily
true. And what does the cell phone have to do with it.. are you also
assuming that folks driving small vehicles don't use cell phones, and
how does the use of a phone affect gas mileage... sounds more like you
have a problem with cell phone use than gas mileage. I've driven a 4
X 4 for the past 20 years and I don't own a cell phone. I don't see
the connection between cell phones and vehicle size... care to clue me
in.

Like with everything else of course there are exceptions, but the
truth is that most folks who drive larger vehicles have legitimate
reasons... by your assumptions folks who don't cook have no business
having fancy schmancy designer kitchens, they're just showing off...
and maybe they are but why should it bother you. Many folks who drive
large vehicles do so because they are supplied by their employer
because they need to carry/tow stuff for their jobs. Most SUVs and
large pick ups aren't used to drive long distances, so they probably
don't consume any more fuel than those mini death trap **** pots used
for commuting over a hundred miles each day. Many larger vehicles are
used primarilly as recreational vehicles; towing travel trailers/boats/
ski mobiles/motor cycles, a plethera of fun things, but not every day
(perhaps you don't believe in people having fun). And according to my
lifetime friend since kindergarten who has owned a large Jeep
dealership all his life folks who drive any brand of larger vehicle
do so for exactly the same reasons clothing comes in different
sizes... a lot of folks don't fit into a tiny vehicle... just like
women with C & D cups can't wear your bras... it's as simple as that,
do you expect people with size ten feet to wear size six shoes...
naturally some guys who wear size ten are buying size twelve, they're
just showing off. hehe Vehicles can only be made so small before
only the ematiated twiggies can drive them. I'm not exceptionally
large but I don't fit into a mid sized car, not comfortably, and
certainly not a compact... and they are so low that I have trouble
entering and especialy exiting... wait about twenty years and you'll
know what I'm talking about. And many folks have physical handicaps
that absolutely prevent them from driving small vehicles, and folks
are living longer nowadays so many more are driving with disabilities
that prevent driving a small vehicle... and todays full sized sedans
are much smaller than those from past eras but don't get any better
gas milage than the typical SUV, in fact most get lower gas mileage.
Money played absolutely no part in my choosing a new vehicle so I was
seriously looking at full size luxury cars before choosing the Toyota
FJ; I looked at the Cadilac, Lincoln, and especially the Crysler 300,
those were gorgeous but still not me (I'd look silly in them with my
farmer outfits), and they are all too low slung for my needs... those
didn't get as good mileage as the FJ and they weren't nearly as
comfortable and the FJ isn't really as large as it seems, I barely fit
in it. I have no idea how they come up with those specs, how do they
measure hip room... how can they say 52 inches hip room when I've
actually used a tape meaure and the seat on the FJ is only 18 inches
across... my Land Cruiser seat measures 22 inches across, a huge
difference in comfort... I barely fit in the FJ but none of the full
size sedans have seats any larger. I still have my old Land Cruiser,
may come in handy for hauling messy gardening stuff, and I no longer
worry about where I park it, plus it's made stronger than the new
ones. Even full size pick up trucks have no more than a 20 inch wide
seat, but they all have a 20 inch wide center console, what a waste of
space, wtf needs a steamer trunk between the front seats... I guess
one stupid plastic center console costs less than two larger seats.

Most drivers these days are at the older end of the spectrum so they
have special needs, and they have the most disposable income... so
don't assume.... hopefully one day you'll get there, then perhaps
you'll comprehend.

And another thing, those who choose to drive mini vehicles and claim
the behemoths intimidate them simply don't have good driving skills...
whatever vehicle one chooses they must learn to drive it
accordingly... the smaller the vehicle the more defensivly and *alert*
one must drive... I've driven some very small vehicles when the common
car on the road was tantamount to a tank, I drove two seater ragtop
sports cars, VW beetles, and I even owned a Ford Pinto... and I spent
many years riding motorcycles, only the most ignorant motorcyle rider
bitches about the vehicles with whom they share the road, those with
an IQ ride intelligently, which means defensively. Btw, the vast
number of motorcycle fatalities don't involve another vehicle.

And anyone who takes even very occasional plane flights has no right
to complain about any SUV fuel use.

On Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:12:41 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:

>On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:18:23 +0000, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
>
>> No, your's is probably one of the last objectionable. The thing is,
>> most are larger and owned by people who don't actually need them. It's
>> a status thing.
>
>Same here, Wayne. I often see those those huge 4x4's (that probably
>haven't seen a 'dirt road' since they were bought), often with just the
>driver, driving around the dense city/suburban streets (while usually
>yakking on a cell phone too). If you live in the 'boonies' - fine, or you
>use them for what they were intended, but for city driving from meeting to
>meeting? Pure 'show off', IMHO.
>
>Our gas prices have also gone thru the roof, so I'm guessing some folk are
>pretty sorry they bought them now... <snicker>


Especially after they have maxed out their credit cards.

Michael "Dog3" wrote:
> George > news:g38bs2$njv$1
> @registered.motzarella.org: in rec.food.cooking
>
>> Well worth doing. GM and Ford has drummed the very questionable idea
>> into everyones head for so long that we need big "cars" that it stuck.
>>
>> Another idea is that we need fluffed up trucks because they are easy to
>> get in and out of. My buddy with the Smartcar has a neighbor with a
>> prosthetic leg. He has a fluffed up truck for "ease of entry". When he
>> saw the Smartcar he came over and my buddy suggested he take it for a
>> ride. His neighbor couldn't believe how much easier it was for him to
>> get in and out of it compared to his fluffed up truck.
>
> I would certainly never consider buying one. It is not a car that I would
> buy because it is not practical for my needs. OTOH, if I had to commute to
> and from work for a long distance I'd consider it. The YouTube video was
> interesting. Isn't 70mph really stretching it for speed?
>
> Michael
>
>
>
Not at all. Smartcars certainly have an adequate engine and are quite
capable of safely operating at highway speed.

Sheldon wrote:
> ChattyCathy wrote:
>> I often see those those huge 4x4's (that probably
>> haven't seen a 'dirt road' since they were bought), often with just the
>> driver, driving around the dense city/suburban streets (while usually
>> yakking on a cell phone too). If you live in the 'boonies' - fine, or you
>> use them for what they were intended, but for city driving from
>> meeting to meeting? Pure 'show off', IMHO.
>
> Folks who assume other folks are showing off are usually envious.
>
> You're entitled to your opinion but your assumption is not necessarily
> true. And what does the cell phone have to do with it.. are you also
> assuming that folks driving small vehicles don't use cell phones, and
> how does the use of a phone affect gas mileage... sounds more like you
> have a problem with cell phone use than gas mileage. I've driven a 4
> X 4 for the past 20 years and I don't own a cell phone. I don't see
> the connection between cell phones and vehicle size... care to clue me
> in.
>
> Like with everything else of course there are exceptions, but the
> truth is that most folks who drive larger vehicles have legitimate
> reasons...


Naw, 90% of them just got caught up in the idea of having a fashion
statement truck. Just monkey see monkey do kind of stuff. I wouldn't be
afraid to make a serious wager that 90% of the fluffed up trucks that
were on the road until last month were not used for anything more than
transporting 1 person and a large beverage. All of that stuff about
carrying 10 surfboards and having so much fun with your fluffed up truck
is just marketing hype to pump up people to buy the high profit trucks
for "safety".

And obviously very non-scientific but observation shows huge numbers of
these "very necessary" vehicles have disappeared from use. Dealers can't
sell new ones and you can't sell your existing one for more than 20% of
its former value. I see stuff like my brothers neighbor who actually
built a huge pad in their yard to park their five fashion statement
trucks changing to normal cars when I stopped over there the other day.
My next door neighbor dumped their exhibition and replaced it with a
normal car and there are millions of repeats of this across the country.




by your assumptions folks who don't cook have no business
> having fancy schmancy designer kitchens, they're just showing off...
> and maybe they are but why should it bother you. Many folks who drive
> large vehicles do so because they are supplied by their employer
> because they need to carry/tow stuff for their jobs. Most SUVs and
> large pick ups aren't used to drive long distances, so they probably
> don't consume any more fuel than those mini death trap **** pots used
> for commuting over a hundred miles each day. Many larger vehicles are
> used primarilly as recreational vehicles; towing travel trailers/boats/
> ski mobiles/motor cycles, a plethera of fun things, but not every day
> (perhaps you don't believe in people having fun). And according to my
> lifetime friend since kindergarten who has owned a large Jeep
> dealership all his life folks who drive any brand of larger vehicle
> do so for exactly the same reasons clothing comes in different
> sizes... a lot of folks don't fit into a tiny vehicle... just like
> women with C & D cups can't wear your bras... it's as simple as that,
> do you expect people with size ten feet to wear size six shoes...
> naturally some guys who wear size ten are buying size twelve, they're
> just showing off. hehe Vehicles can only be made so small before
> only the ematiated twiggies can drive them. I'm not exceptionally
> large but I don't fit into a mid sized car, not comfortably, and
> certainly not a compact... and they are so low that I have trouble
> entering and especialy exiting... wait about twenty years and you'll
> know what I'm talking about. And many folks have physical handicaps
> that absolutely prevent them from driving small vehicles, and folks
> are living longer nowadays so many more are driving with disabilities
> that prevent driving a small vehicle... and todays full sized sedans
> are much smaller than those from past eras but don't get any better
> gas milage than the typical SUV, in fact most get lower gas mileage.
> Money played absolutely no part in my choosing a new vehicle so I was
> seriously looking at full size luxury cars before choosing the Toyota
> FJ; I looked at the Cadilac, Lincoln, and especially the Crysler 300,
> those were gorgeous but still not me (I'd look silly in them with my
> farmer outfits), and they are all too low slung for my needs... those
> didn't get as good mileage as the FJ and they weren't nearly as
> comfortable and the FJ isn't really as large as it seems, I barely fit
> in it. I have no idea how they come up with those specs, how do they
> measure hip room... how can they say 52 inches hip room when I've
> actually used a tape meaure and the seat on the FJ is only 18 inches
> across... my Land Cruiser seat measures 22 inches across, a huge
> difference in comfort... I barely fit in the FJ but none of the full
> size sedans have seats any larger. I still have my old Land Cruiser,
> may come in handy for hauling messy gardening stuff, and I no longer
> worry about where I park it, plus it's made stronger than the new
> ones. Even full size pick up trucks have no more than a 20 inch wide
> seat, but they all have a 20 inch wide center console, what a waste of
> space, wtf needs a steamer trunk between the front seats... I guess
> one stupid plastic center console costs less than two larger seats.
>
> Most drivers these days are at the older end of the spectrum so they
> have special needs, and they have the most disposable income... so
> don't assume.... hopefully one day you'll get there, then perhaps
> you'll comprehend.
>
> And another thing, those who choose to drive mini vehicles and claim
> the behemoths intimidate them simply don't have good driving skills...
> whatever vehicle one chooses they must learn to drive it
> accordingly... the smaller the vehicle the more defensivly and *alert*
> one must drive... I've driven some very small vehicles when the common
> car on the road was tantamount to a tank, I drove two seater ragtop
> sports cars, VW beetles, and I even owned a Ford Pinto... and I spent
> many years riding motorcycles, only the most ignorant motorcyle rider
> bitches about the vehicles with whom they share the road, those with
> an IQ ride intelligently, which means defensively. Btw, the vast
> number of motorcycle fatalities don't involve another vehicle.
>
> And anyone who takes even very occasional plane flights has no right
> to complain about any SUV fuel use.

On Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:03:47 -0700, Sheldon wrote:

> ChattyCathy wrote:
>>
>> I often see those those huge 4x4's (that probably
>> haven't seen a 'dirt road' since they were bought), often with just the
>> driver, driving around the dense city/suburban streets (while usually
>> yakking on a cell phone too). If you live in the 'boonies' - fine, or you
>> use them for what they were intended, but for city driving from
>> meeting to meeting? Pure 'show off', IMHO.
>
> Folks who assume other folks are showing off are usually envious.

Envious of paying over $4.00 per gallon? Yeah right...
>
> You're entitled to your opinion but your assumption is not necessarily
> true. And what does the cell phone have to do with it.. are you also
> assuming that folks driving small vehicles don't use cell phones, and
> how does the use of a phone affect gas mileage... sounds more like you
> have a problem with cell phone use than gas mileage. I've driven a 4
> X 4 for the past 20 years and I don't own a cell phone. I don't see
> the connection between cell phones and vehicle size... care to clue me
> in.

As usual, you missed the point completely.

For somebody who said about your own vehicle, "I don't recommend this
type of vehical for someone living in a city and doing mostly city driving
but up here in the boonies and with all the deep snows I need the high
ground clearence and 4 X 4." Read what I said again s-l-o-w-ly, and maybe
you'll get it next time round.

<snipped the rest of your lengthy reply without reading it...>


--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Egg tastes better when it's not on your face...

In article >,
says...
> George > news:g38bs2$njv$1
> @registered.motzarella.org: in rec.food.cooking
>
> > Well worth doing. GM and Ford has drummed the very questionable idea
> > into everyones head for so long that we need big "cars" that it stuck.
> >
> > Another idea is that we need fluffed up trucks because they are easy to
> > get in and out of. My buddy with the Smartcar has a neighbor with a
> > prosthetic leg. He has a fluffed up truck for "ease of entry". When he
> > saw the Smartcar he came over and my buddy suggested he take it for a
> > ride. His neighbor couldn't believe how much easier it was for him to
> > get in and out of it compared to his fluffed up truck.
>
> I would certainly never consider buying one. It is not a car that I would
> buy because it is not practical for my needs. OTOH, if I had to commute to
> and from work for a long distance I'd consider it. The YouTube video was
> interesting. Isn't 70mph really stretching it for speed?
>
> Michael

When you test you want to test for the worst possible conditions. And
considering that in many places highways have 70MPH speed limits I can
see why they'd test at that speed.

Michael "Dog3" wrote:

> I'll never understand why people would use a credit card for gasoline
> or food purchases.

I do, all the time. I get a percent back, for one thing, and I
don't carry much cash anymore, either, just a few bucks. I just pay
it when the bill shows up. If you can't pay your bill in full, you're
right, you don't want to pay interest on groceries you ate months
ago. I hate to see people in that situation.

> the month. Almost everything else I use my debit card which comes
> directly out of my checking account.

Debit card, taking money directly out of my checking account? That
would make me crazier than I already am.

nancy

"Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:

> I would certainly never consider buying one. It is not a car that I would
> buy because it is not practical for my needs. OTOH, if I had to commute to
> and from work for a long distance I'd consider it. The YouTube video was
> interesting. Isn't 70mph really stretching it for speed?

On vacation in Italy about 18 months ago, I saw the Smart cars slicing
and dicing on the Autostrada easily doing around 80MPH. I doubt they
could do much more, but they can certainly keep up within reason.
In France I really only saw the Smart around Paris, but the Italians
seemed willing to use them on the fast roads.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

On Tue 17 Jun 2008 11:54:38a, Nancy Young told us...

> Michael "Dog3" wrote:
>
>> I'll never understand why people would use a credit card for gasoline
>> or food purchases.
>
> I do, all the time. I get a percent back, for one thing, and I
> don't carry much cash anymore, either, just a few bucks. I just pay
> it when the bill shows up. If you can't pay your bill in full, you're
> right, you don't want to pay interest on groceries you ate months
> ago. I hate to see people in that situation.
>
>> the month. Almost everything else I use my debit card which comes
>> directly out of my checking account.
>
> Debit card, taking money directly out of my checking account? That
> would make me crazier than I already am.
>
> nancy
>

I only have 1 credit card, which I almost never use. I use a debit card
for virtually everything I buy. By the time I get home and check my
account online, the debit has already been applied to my checking account.
I find it much easier than keeping track of credit purchases.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 06(VI)/17(XVII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
I eat Swiss cheese from the inside out.
-------------------------------------------

Michael "Dog3" wrote:

> Not me I'm crazy to begin with. I rarely have more than $5 in my pocket
> but I always have my debit card. I can use in almost anywhere as either
> debit or credit card. I do almost all of my banking online and any debit
> transaction shows up on my account immediately. I can check my balance
> from anywhere with a computer line or via my cell phone. I love it. I
> haven't written a paper check in over 2 years IIRC.
>
> Michael

I think there is more risk if you lose your debit card than if you lose
a credit card? Some thief can wipe out your checking account post haste,
but if they go shopping with your credit card you might only be out
$50 or whatever the limit is?

I use my AMEX more than anything else and pay it off. I get to accrue
interest on the money all month long, and when I pay the bill off I also
get bonus "points" which add up to provide me with free travel. It is a
win-win situation for me!

On Tue 17 Jun 2008 01:02:09p, Michael "Dog3" told us...

> "Nancy Young" >
> : in rec.food.cooking
>
>> Debit card, taking money directly out of my checking account? That
>> would make me crazier than I already am.
>>
>> nancy
>
> Not me I'm crazy to begin with. I rarely have more than $5 in my
> pocket but I always have my debit card. I can use in almost anywhere as
> either debit or credit card. I do almost all of my banking online and
> any debit transaction shows up on my account immediately. I can check
> my balance from anywhere with a computer line or via my cell phone. I
> love it. I haven't written a paper check in over 2 years IIRC.
>
> Michael
>
>
>

Same here!

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 06(VI)/17(XVII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
I'm not real smart, but I can lift
heavy things.
-------------------------------------------

Goomba wrote:

> I think there is more risk if you lose your debit card than if you
> lose a credit card? Some thief can wipe out your checking account
> post haste, but if they go shopping with your credit card you might
> only be out $50 or whatever the limit is?

Precisely why I stick with paying the credit card at the end of the
month.

nancy

On Tue 17 Jun 2008 01:18:08p, Goomba told us...

> Michael "Dog3" wrote:
>
>> Not me I'm crazy to begin with. I rarely have more than $5 in my
>> pocket but I always have my debit card. I can use in almost anywhere as
>> either debit or credit card. I do almost all of my banking online and
>> any debit transaction shows up on my account immediately. I can check
>> my balance from anywhere with a computer line or via my cell phone. I
>> love it. I haven't written a paper check in over 2 years IIRC.
>>
>> Michael
>
> I think there is more risk if you lose your debit card than if you lose
> a credit card? Some thief can wipe out your checking account post haste,
> but if they go shopping with your credit card you might only be out
> $50 or whatever the limit is?
>
> I use my AMEX more than anything else and pay it off. I get to accrue
> interest on the money all month long, and when I pay the bill off I also
> get bonus "points" which add up to provide me with free travel. It is a
> win-win situation for me!
>

I've had a debit card for years and never had a problem, and have lost
several of them during that time. Anyone who tries to use it must have the
PIN to use it at an ATM or POS. If they try to use it as a credit card,
they also must identification. If they try to use it for an online
purchase, they also need a security code as well as the *exact* billing
address, right down to punctuation. Maybe other debit cards are nos as
secure.

I don't like AMEX, mainly because I worked in one of the major IT
departments for a while, and I just don't like them as a company,
regardless of which card is issued or how it's paid for.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 06(VI)/17(XVII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
I'm not real smart, but I can lift
heavy things.
-------------------------------------------

On Tue 17 Jun 2008 01:03:34p, Michael "Dog3" told us...

> : in rec.food.cooking
>
>>
>> On vacation in Italy about 18 months ago, I saw the Smart cars slicing
>> and dicing on the Autostrada easily doing around 80MPH. I doubt they
>> could do much more, but they can certainly keep up within reason.
>> In France I really only saw the Smart around Paris, but the Italians
>> seemed willing to use them on the fast roads.
>
> I've seen a few of them around here. They're so ugly they're almost
cute.
> I like the mini Cooper a lot.
>
> Michael
>

Though I don't know what the gas mileage is like, I would really love to
have a Mini Cooper. David won't "let " me buy one. He things they're
hideous.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 06(VI)/17(XVII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
We all have faults, and mine is being
wicked.
-------------------------------------------

"Wayne Boatwright" > ha scritto nel messaggio
6.120...
> On Tue 17 Jun 2008 01:03:34p, Michael "Dog3" told us...
>
>> : in rec.food.cooking
>>
>>>
>>> On vacation in Italy about 18 months ago, I saw the Smart cars slicing
>>> and dicing on the Autostrada easily doing around 80MPH.

>> I've seen a few of them around here. They're so ugly they're almost
> cute.
>> I like the mini Cooper a lot.
>>
>> Michael

The Mini is all cute no guts, according to the British expats around here.

In article >,
says...
> Michael "Dog3" wrote:
>
> > Not me I'm crazy to begin with. I rarely have more than $5 in my pocket
> > but I always have my debit card. I can use in almost anywhere as either
> > debit or credit card. I do almost all of my banking online and any debit
> > transaction shows up on my account immediately. I can check my balance
> > from anywhere with a computer line or via my cell phone. I love it. I
> > haven't written a paper check in over 2 years IIRC.
> >
> > Michael
>
> I think there is more risk if you lose your debit card than if you lose
> a credit card? Some thief can wipe out your checking account post haste,
> but if they go shopping with your credit card you might only be out
> $50 or whatever the limit is?
>
> I use my AMEX more than anything else and pay it off. I get to accrue
> interest on the money all month long, and when I pay the bill off I also
> get bonus "points" which add up to provide me with free travel. It is a
> win-win situation for me!
>

Depends on how soon you notice it's missing. Most banks limit your debit
liability to $50 too, so long as you report within 48 hours or so.

And I've noticed they put in place fraud protection on debit cards. I've
had my card replaced twice because somehow a legitimate merchant got
hacked.

On Tue 17 Jun 2008 02:08:42p, Michael "Dog3" told us...

> Wayne Boatwright >
> 6.120: in
> rec.food.cooking
>
>> Though I don't know what the gas mileage is like, I would really love
>> to have a Mini Cooper. David won't "let " me buy one. He things
>> they're hideous.
>
> If I had money to burn (which I don't, and from the looks of it, never
> will) I'd get one just for fun. Tooling around it would be fun. I'll bet
> it rides like a go-cart.
>
> Michael <- holding his right hip in pain
>

I did take one for a test drive a couple of year ago. I thought is was
quite comfortable.


--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 06(VI)/17(XVII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
I may rise, but I refuse to shine.
-------------------------------------------

Giusi wrote:
> "Wayne Boatwright" > ha scritto nel messaggio
> 6.120...
>> On Tue 17 Jun 2008 01:03:34p, Michael "Dog3" told us...
>>
>>> : in rec.food.cooking
>>>
>>>> On vacation in Italy about 18 months ago, I saw the Smart cars slicing
>>>> and dicing on the Autostrada easily doing around 80MPH.
>
>>> I've seen a few of them around here. They're so ugly they're almost
>> cute.
>>> I like the mini Cooper a lot.
>>>
>>> Michael
>
> The Mini is all cute no guts, according to the British expats around here.
>
>
I think that would depend on which Mini is under discussion. The current
BMW manufactured Minis don't lack guts even in the normally aspirated
version.

Michael "Dog3" wrote:
> : in rec.food.cooking
>
>> On vacation in Italy about 18 months ago, I saw the Smart cars slicing
>> and dicing on the Autostrada easily doing around 80MPH. I doubt they
>> could do much more, but they can certainly keep up within reason.
>> In France I really only saw the Smart around Paris, but the Italians
>> seemed willing to use them on the fast roads.
>
> I've seen a few of them around here. They're so ugly they're almost cute.
> I like the mini Cooper a lot.
>
> Michael
>
They are a great conversation starter. Every time I parked at least a
couple people would walk over and want to know all about the car and
remark how neat looking it was and where they could by one. When you
drive it you get numerous horn toots followed with a smile and a big
thumbs up from people driving normal cars and you get to toot at and
give a big thumbs down to people driving fluffed up trucks.

wrote on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:13:42 +0000 (UTC):

>> I would certainly never consider buying one. It is not a car
>> that I would buy because it is not practical for my needs.
>> OTOH, if I had to commute to and from work for a long
>> distance I'd consider it. The YouTube video was interesting.
>> Isn't 70mph really stretching it for speed?

> On vacation in Italy about 18 months ago, I saw the Smart cars
> slicing and dicing on the Autostrada easily doing around
> 80MPH. I doubt they could do much more, but they can
> certainly keep up within reason. In France I really only saw
> the Smart around Paris, but the Italians seemed willing to use
> them on the fast roads.


Italy never had (or, possibly, enforced) minimum speeds on the
Autostrada, AFAIK. I can remember the little Fiat 500s with 5 people and
two layers of suitcases on top doing about 40mph!
--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

"James Silverton" > ha scritto nel messaggio
> Italy never had (or, possibly, enforced) minimum speeds on the
> Autostrada, AFAIK. I can remember the little Fiat 500s with 5 people and
> two layers of suitcases on top doing about 40mph!
> --
>
> James Silverton

Not any more. If you can't do 60 get off the road. Course that's only 36
mph. I get run over going 120.