[Frank15]

Guys and gals-

I normally hate to get political, but I feel this issue could get critical very fast.

Senators John Kerry (D., Mass. ) and Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D., S.C. ) are proposing a bill to increase all automakers average fuel economy to 35 mpg from the current standard of 27.5 for cars and 20.7 for trucks.

Is it possible that the automakers can meet this target? Yes.

BUT, think about the consequences to the enthusiast customers like us.

This law would basically make V8's illegal. So, no more V8 Mustangs. I don't know of any V8 ever made that got 35 mpg. Let alone any V6 that gets that kind of mileage. Maybe it can be done, but I seriously doubt it.

I personally don't mind getting 24 mpg or so with my Bullitt. I would rather drive it than a 35 mpg Toyota Echo or some POS like that.

So, write your congressman. Tell him/her that you don't agree with this legislation.

For more info, see this article:
http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/020220/200202202020000733_2.html

To contact your senator, click here:
http://www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm

 

[BULLITTBRO1]

Thanks
Frank,
Just sent my sen a nice letter.

 

[Maddawg]

The target MPG for CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standards is based on the average MPG of the cars sold by the manufacturer and not a standard for each individual car. So Ford could still produce V8 Mustangs that got 20 MPG (just like now with the CAFE standard at 27.5) but they would have to balance that with sells of cars averaging over the CAFE standard. I agree though that this is crap legislation and an area government has no business in. Let the consumer decide what they want and the market will take care of itself.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: dsheltonpine on 2002-02-21 23:32 ]</font>

 

[BUL2294]

Hmmmm.... Sounds similar to the Frontline show I just saw concerning CAFE, SUVs, safety, etc. and their political connections to the NHTSA...

While I'm no environmentalist by any means (owning two V8-powered cars), I don't see a problem raising CAFE. Today's cars are able to produce power and speed reminiscient of '60s cars while using much less fuel and sending out much less emissions. Sure, the immediate effect of a higher CAFE taking over will be to decrease engine sizes (which would make our V8-powered cars that much more unique and desirable), but over time automakers will eventually find ways to squeeze more power out of more efficient engines. The public will demand that, so the automakers will comply...

 

[RobertC]

I agree with BUL2294. It seems to me that the only way that cars will continue to become more effecient is if the Government forces the automakers to make changes. Does anybody miss the pollution of the '70's? The smog in LA used to be so bad that runners would feel their lungs burning after a short distance.

The automakers WILL figure out a way to comply, and there will always be room for powerful cars.

 

[retromuscle]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2002-02-21 21:08, Frank15 wrote:
This law would basically make V8's illegal. So, no more V8 Mustangs. I don't know of any V8 ever made that got 35 mpg. Let alone any V6 that gets that kind of mileage. Maybe it can be done, but I seriously doubt it.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

You don't know anybody with an LS1 F-body, do you? Those get roughly 32 mpg on the highway if you have the 6 speed and keep it under 75 mph. :grin: And they are 80 cu. in. bigger than our V8's and make 70+ more hp.

I'm sure that in the 60's and 70's that if you had asked anybody, that 99% would say that 15-20 mpg would be impossible with a V8, but we're there today.

And anyway, I wouldn't let it worry you too much. Do you really think that big oil is going to support any legislation that would take anything out of their pocket? I think we're pretty safe for now. Once they develop fuel cells, then you can start to worry about V8's. :wink:

_________________
John
DHG #4851
Steeda Tri-Ax, Hurst chrome stick with black ball

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: retromuscle on 2002-02-22 08:36 ]</font>

 

[TXBullitt]

Y'all did notice that the 2 sponsors were both Democrats. What does that hint at you to do this November (mid-term elections)?

Wonder what kind of mileage their chaufered limos get?

 

[BUL2294]

To add, automakers will need to do more than the "let's put 5W-20 oil in all our cars because it will raise our CAFE by 0.1 MPG." CAFE standards haven't changed in about 20 years, yet with their 2002 models, automakers are closer to failing their required CAFE than ever before...

Think of it this way... Ford's car lineup in 1984 (Escort, EXP, LTD, Crown Vic, Mustang, Tempo, Thunderbird) was more fuel efficient than Ford's car lineup in 2002 (Escort ZX2, Focus, Mustang, Crown Vic, Taurus, Thunderbird). What's wrong with that picture? (Why do you think Ford's keeping the ZX2 around?--Focus would be their only 4-cyl car...)

 

[Lt. Bullitt]

The CAFE legislation is not the exclusive domain of one political party. I don't have a problem with the legislation as long as they give the manufacturers ample time to implement it. I always got in excess of 30 mpg on the highway with my 99 Camaro SS. I'm sure the 6 speed had a lot to do with it. I love my Bullitt, but it won't do better than 24 mpg on the highway. Now that Ford's finally got a 6 speed (03 Cobra), I would suspect it will find it's way into ALL GT's sooner or later and their fuel economy will improve in the bargain. I'm old enough to to remember the auto manufacturer's howling that they couldn't afford to put air bags on cars; just too expensive and people wouldn't accept the added cost. The technology defintely exsists to give us cars that provide better mileage AND the performance we demand, but there has to be an incentive to do it; government intervention is so repugnant that it's the only way the car makers will react. It's also interesting that Daimler-Chrysler is switching it's full size cars back to rear wheel drive and will be offering Hemi V8 engines by 2004. My guess is they'll be able to bump their mileage as those cars come to development. The final CAFE numbers will be negotiated, probably downward, but in the final analysis, the consumers will be the winners. If my old LS1 could do 30 plus on the highway, there's no reason my Mustang couldn't too if Ford were motivated to do it. JMHO.

DHG Bullitt #226
1994 GT Convertible
1988 5.0 GT
198

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Lt. Bullitt on 2002-02-22 16:10 ]</font>