SEMA alert for CA smog..., fyi Options

[horizontally-opposed]

http://echo.bluehornet.com/hostedemail/ema...2305024AA0EEA25

Anybody go to the hearing or hear about the results?

pete

[horizontally-opposed]

Though this thread started on emissions, I must say where it's going is indeed interesting...because gas prices just keep getting more "interesting." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

I'm currently looking at two window stickers for 2008 911s as I'm working on a story and, in the box about fuel economy the estimated annual fuel cost is "based on 15,000 miles at $2.80 a gallon." Here in SF, it is hard to find 91-octane for less than $4 a gallon, and 87-octane for less than $3.80. And they say it'll get worse this summer! Gas is still cheap in comparison to what it costs in other lands, but it's getting high enough to make me think about how and when and what I drive, as well as whether that trip up the coast is worth it (it still always is, but I never even used to consider the gas $$$!).

Jake's philosophy ties in well with BMW's eta motors of the 1980s. They abandoned that route, something I never fully understood why because the cars were nice to drive so long as you didn't mind a 4500-rpm redline!

pete

[KaptKaos]

Jake's philosophy ties in well with BMW's eta motors of the 1980s. They abandoned that route, something I never fully understood why because the cars were nice to drive so long as you didn't mind a 4500-rpm redline!

First thing I thought of too. A friend had a 325es back in the early 90s. Good car, not particularly exciting to drive. He sold it and bought a 325is. Same body (E30) and man what a huge difference in the personality of the car.

[horizontally-opposed]

Jake's philosophy ties in well with BMW's eta motors of the 1980s. They abandoned that route, something I never fully understood why because the cars were nice to drive so long as you didn't mind a 4500-rpm redline!

First thing I thought of too. A friend had a 325es back in the early 90s. Good car, not particularly exciting to drive. He sold it and bought a 325is. Same body (E30) and man what a huge difference in the personality of the car.

Yep, I like high-revvers for fun, but I have to say that a 528e (or, more accurately, my college girlfriend's 325e) is pretty damn nice around town. Roll the windows down, put the (manual!) sunroof back, and enjoy easy light to light driving. I thought that grunty straight six was pretty satisfying in its own way, but I wouldn't pick it to dance with...

But I'm starting to foresee a day when the character of what we drive on a daily basis will be very different. And a day when "hot" cars used as daily drivers (like the current GTI/335i/997/MazdaSpeed3/Mustang/350Z/etc.) won't be worth their operational cost in an everyday environment.

I hope I'm wrong.

pete

[LarryR]

Jake's philosophy ties in well with BMW's eta motors of the 1980s. They abandoned that route, something I never fully understood why because the cars were nice to drive so long as you didn't mind a 4500-rpm redline!

First thing I thought of too. A friend had a 325es back in the early 90s. Good car, not particularly exciting to drive. He sold it and bought a 325is. Same body (E30) and man what a huge difference in the personality of the car.

Yep, I like high-revvers for fun, but I have to say that a 528e (or, more accurately, my college girlfriend's 325e) is pretty damn nice around town. Roll the windows down, put the (manual!) sunroof back, and enjoy easy light to light driving. I thought that grunty straight six was pretty satisfying in its own way, but I wouldn't pick it to dance with...

But I'm starting to foresee a day when the character of what we drive on a daily basis will be very different. And a day when "hot" cars used as daily drivers (like the current GTI/335i/997/MazdaSpeed3/Mustang/350Z/etc.) won't be worth their operational cost in an everyday environment.

I hope I'm wrong.

pete

I dont know... My 74 with a 3.6 can pull off 30 mpg if I keep my foot out of it.

I do agree that gas mileage is putting a dampner on things. I just opted to start car pooling 3 days a week to lower my costs. My daily driver is a 96 jeep that gets a lousy 18 mpg. I started the carpool 3 weeks ago and have already saved 100's of dollars since my round trip commute is 100 miles and I carpool with 2 other people.

As for making older cars pass emissions it is just nuts!

My 74 will pass with flying colors. However, If I had to pass all the conversion criteria it would tank. It runs easily 20X cleaner than a stock 74 with cis but I dont run cats... I will just have to find a corrupt smog station if this sh*t passes.

I really think the one thing that they should relax on if they decide to smog older cars is to allow any modifications as long as it passes the sniffer. By making smog E.O. necessary they just squash the innovaition of mom and pop shops.