On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 21:26:39 -0000, Jim Millen <J.Millen-99 at student.lboro.ac.uk> wrote: > > However - what the hell is the deal with your car engine sizes? I'm > pretty sure your speed limits aren't much higher than over here (70mph > max), yet the smallest engine Ford seem to make is a 2 litre. This > would be considered a pretty big engine for a car over here, and people > seem quite happy with general performance. > > Making generalisations about a nation of - umm.. 290 million, is it? - > isn't going to be at all conclusive, I know, and I'm sure there are some > people over there who do drive smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. But > it's hard to escape the conclusion that the US could significantly cut > its fuel demands if there were fewer 3 or 4 litre cars on the roads. > > I mean, do people find the idea of having to spend less money to go the > same distance unattractive, or something? > > Americans are just obssessd with cars and above all, POWER. I would be happy with a moped (not really, but you get the idea). They like the sound of loud vehicles (though I don't). My sister is wicked obssessed with cars...fast and nice looking. And you are right, not many places are above 70mph, if any, but people drive a lot faster than that as I am sure they do in other countries. I know I am guilty of speeding. I have a friggin '92 Buick Skylark with a powerstearing leak and can take her to 110mph w/o even blinking or even noticing (which got me a $216 ticket...sad sad story). -C