Car Talk

scotchandcigar

All I wanted was some steak
Feb 13, 2009
29,505
23,865
168
Vacationland
I'd get a moped or something else that has great MPG if I could use it more than 5 months out of the year, and only on the dry days.
You'd think. But many people in Florida drive SUVs (like Koop, although his is pretty tame). Now, you have to consider that some people tow boats or jet skis or RV trailers. But those people are most likely using pickup trucks. So why are so many Floridians driving gas-guzzling SUVs? Well obviously, it's because of all the mountains! For example, here's the highest peak in the state, at 345 ft.
1654862776098.png
Pretty crazy, right! You need some serious traction to handle that, especially in the winter, when the road can be mildly cold.

That’s why I don’t get a convertible. There’s even less time to use it when you cut out the blistering hot days in July and August.
Unless the Mrs. and I are going to some event where we have to look fresh, I don't put the top up and use the A/C much in the summer. As long as I'm moving, I can deal with mid-90s. Of course, I work from home mostly. And before I worked from home, I'd wear shorts and a casual shirt to/from work on hot days (sometimes I'd change into jeans). If you're dressing-up, that could be a problem.

One of many arguments I had with Memebag involved top-down driving on hot days. He would use the A/C with the top down, which I thought was ridiculous. But he questioned why I felt the need to give an opinion on his comfort.

Living in New England, one is either diehard with keeping the top down, or you're one of those dicks who has the top up all the time - even on really nice days. In the morning, if there's bright sun, I can handle mid-50's, using the seat heaters and heat vents with the windows up. On an overcast afternoon, it has to be mid-60's to be comfortable.
 

HecticArt

Administrator
Oct 19, 2008
54,113
20,024
168
Toledo, Ohio
I had rented a convertible when I was in California. When it was nice but cool, the wind would make it feel cold. When it was warm but sunny, the sun made it feel really hot if you weren't moving.

I like a sunroof because you still get the air, sun, and view, but you also get a bit more cover from the full on wind, noise, and heat you can get with a convertible.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Sherbert is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
Oct 11, 2008
31,843
17,123
168
Toronto, ON
The only real reason people drive convertibles is so they can pretend other people are saying "what a cool looking dude in that convertible". In reality people are saying "what a dork thinking he's so cool in that convertible". *2 if the convertible is a BMW.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: scotchandcigar

scotchandcigar

All I wanted was some steak
Feb 13, 2009
29,505
23,865
168
Vacationland
When it's nice out, people want to be outside, not enclosed in a car. A convertible completely removes the stress and anguish of commuting, and makes going places enjoyable instead of a chore. And it's as controllable as setting the temperature in an enclosed car.

It's like going to the beach; when it's marginally warm and breezy, it's not pleasant at the beach. But when it's hot and sunny, it's always nicer at the beach.
 

Channel98

Don't yell or hit.
Feb 2, 2019
14,496
8,967
168
Glendale CA
There is an old joke about two men who bought a truckload of watermelons for $1 each and sold them for $1 each. When they realized they didn't make any profit, one of the men said, "I told you we should have bought a bigger truckload!" I thought of that joke after I read this story. Quote: "Singh loses about $500 per day. As a result, he and his wife are working longer hours." Huh?

 
  • Like
Reactions: sadchild

scotchandcigar

All I wanted was some steak
Feb 13, 2009
29,505
23,865
168
Vacationland
This weekend, I played my first summer concert, which was a "Field of Honor" ceremony. People buy flags as a dedication to the memory of a relative who has died, mostly those who have served in the armed forces. It looks like this
1655125943999.png

Anyway, when I used Google for directions to the park, I noticed something new

1655126123015.png

It's showing the route with a toll of $1.40. That's the Fast Pass discounted price I pay for the $2.00 Hampton NH toll. I'm not sure which piece of my personal info it's using to come up with that, but it's a bit unsettling.

And it's not simply deducing that I go through the Fast Pass lanes, and therefore I must pay a discounted rate. Here in New England, one only gets discounts on the tolls for the state through which you bought the transponder. I bought my Fast Pass from the NH DOT, because I mostly go through tolls entering NH. But I don't get a discount on the Maine or Mass tolls. So Google either knows what I pay for that particular toll, or it knows that I have a NH Fast Pass.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: sadchild

Wolf

AI is here, time to obey our robot overlords!
Oct 11, 2008
35,676
12,218
168
Phoenix
www.lodowolf.com
There is an old joke about two men who bought a truckload of watermelons for $1 each and sold them for $1 each. When they realized they didn't make any profit, one of the men said, "I told you we should have bought a bigger truckload!" I thought of that joke after I read this story. Quote: "Singh loses about $500 per day. As a result, he and his wife are working longer hours." Huh?

That's great he is doing that. Gas here in Phoenix is outrages about $5.59.

It cost me almost $70 bucks to fill up my car and I don't own a big vehicle.
 

Channel98

Don't yell or hit.
Feb 2, 2019
14,496
8,967
168
Glendale CA
Look how cheap our gas is now! I may swoon.

 

JHDK

Release Robin's Bra
Oct 11, 2008
31,411
14,912
168
42
Hyrule
Gas is down about 5 cents here. At this rate, by 2024 we should be back to 2022 prices.
Cheap station by me race trac went frim 4.85 to days ago to 4.79 today. Hopefully this trend will continue. The average at the end of Feb...around d the time all this shit started fl was around 3.30.
 

HecticArt

Administrator
Oct 19, 2008
54,113
20,024
168
Toledo, Ohio
If they would drop prices to about 25 or 30 cents above what they were last year, people would stop complaining and they would still be raking in a lot of cash.
 

Channel98

Don't yell or hit.
Feb 2, 2019
14,496
8,967
168
Glendale CA
According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, about 80% of the gas purchased in the US is sold by convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Sheetz, QuikTrip, Fastrip, Circle K and Cumberland Farms – but, on average, they make only five cents on a gallon of gas. Most of their profit comes from selling food, beverages, lottery tickets and other merchandise.