No more 'Gas Guzzlers' to be sold in RI

[Adam]

My "problem" is that I like certain things.

I don't just like going fast. I don't just like torque. I like the internal combustion process. I like turning gas into heat, tire smoke and noise. I like cars for both academic reasons (that EVs can match) and emotional/legacy reasons (that EVs can't match, at least not in 2015).

And I actually enjoy the American car culture. I enjoy needing a car to accomplish my life.

Remember this when you are 70 (69?) in 2050 and are ranting to your grandchildren about the "good old days (tm)" between fits of telling them to get off your lawn.

Also, if B-bodies are the pinnacle of daily driver candidates, remember than in 2050, the newest B-body will be 54 years old. The modern equivalent is today demanding to daily drive a new-for-1961 Chevy Impala.

[kevm14]

B-bodies are NOT the pinnacle daily driver candidates. I don't know why you'd think I think that. I think I was pretty clear that a bigger budget for a daily driver would probably have me looking at other things. But that doesn't mean I don't also want to own a B-body of some kind (like your 61 Impala example).

The problem isn't something that hits exactly in 2050. It is a blend going toward 2050, and also begins to really happen after 2050 as used cars with characteristics I like just get more and more rare.

I've been interested in cars my entire life, and in particular, I am a powertrain guy. I don't see that changing with age.

I know it is possible to be an EV powertrain enthusiast but I think that isn't even the conversation we need to be having. What I am actually worried about is the whole self-driving thing, particularly a future mandate. EV vs ICE will be the least of my worries in that context.

[Adam]

B-bodies are NOT the pinnacle daily driver candidates. I don't know why you'd think I think that.

My Fleetwood would like a word with you.

[Adam]

I know it is possible to be an EV powertrain enthusiast but I think that isn't even the conversation we need to be having. What I am actually worried about is the whole self-driving thing, particularly a future mandate. EV vs ICE will be the least of my worries in that context.

I was mostly trolling, but remember, I have only had 6 cars with fuel injection so you really are preaching to the choir.

For the rest of you, 6 may sound like a lot, but considering I am at 20+ total, it is only a relatively new thing to me.

[Bob]

I agree that self driving is a much bigger threat to driving enjoyment than EVs. On the flipside, self driving could make my commute pretty painless, and also probably ease congestion just by eliminating the morons who over brake and leave 10 car lengths in rush hour traffic when they don't need to.

[Adam]

On the flipside, self driving could make my commute pretty painless, and also probably ease congestion just by eliminating the morons who over brake and leave 10 car lengths in rush hour traffic when they don't need to.

Don't forget about those who are swerving from lane to lane or other erratic driving maneuvers. Or maybe that's just a RI thing...

Also slowing down to look at roadwork or accidents on the other side of the highway!

[Fast_Ed]

The problem isn't something that hits exactly in 2050. It is a blend going toward 2050, and also begins to really happen after 2050 as used cars with characteristics I like just get more and more rare.

I've been interested in cars my entire life, and in particular, I am a powertrain guy. I don't see that changing with age.

Do you really plan to be doing a lot of used car shopping in that timeframe? I mean, commuting shouldn't be an issue at age 70... so really I would think you pick a car now that you want to be driving then, and keep it in good shape. When you're retired, you don't really need to "Daily Drive" anything. You don't have to have a large stable of vehicles to make sure something can get you to work. You just take out "the old model T" or whatever and drive it to the store or 4th of july parade..

Now, the cruel thing would be to instill the same powertrain stodginess into the next generation, thereby making them incapable of enjoying the new car configurations that come along during their lifetimes..