Even though today is Earth Day I was planning to write something somewhat on-topic anyway. On Friday we received word (finally) that the insurance company had totalled my car. So on Sunday Mrs. Wormer and I headed over to the local Toyota dealership to look at Priuses (Priusii?)I wish I could say this was totally an environmentally conscious choice but the sad reality is I've been spending about $80.00/ week on gas with half my commute in stop n'go traffic. Public transit is an option with an excellent light rail system but it adds about 1/2 hour each way to my already long commute. So I'm planning on continuing driving but increasing my mpg. Purely selfish on my part.
Having said that - for the last year or so THIS has been my dream car...
A car that screams "this man is a cool stud." That, and "mid-life crisis." But I'll go with the first one if you don't mind.
So buying a car that looks like this instead...
...is somewhat of a sacrifice, no? It screams "patchouli eating hippy."
I looked into the tax incentives for buying hybrids and was stunned to find out their are currently no federal tax incentives for a car that is hand's down the best mass-produced environmentally friendly choice available at the moment.
Of course the free SUV loophole remains in effect. Congress could easily fix this "business" loophole by re-defining qualifying vehicles so it only covers the farm equipment it was originally intended to cover. At least we can take a sick sort of glee in the idea that rising gas prices will at least stick it to the assholes who've ripped off taxpayers by buying Hummers.But what I'd really like to see out of our political leadership was some serious tax credits towards the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles and mass-transit (a credit is better than a deduction, IMHO.) Yes, this is selfish. But it's a kind of selfish that will have the side effect of helping the environment. Everybody wins.
Except those that drive Hummers.
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16 comments:
Buy a ScionXA, they rock.
I bought a Nissan Versa last fall, but the promised MPG has failed to materialize.
A Prius is a much better choice because even the worst driving habits yield 40+ on the MPG.
My feeling on Portland MAX light rail is they need some "express" runs that skip some of the many downtown stops during some peak times of day.
Well, hopefully we a new pres and a new congress, we'll have more environmentally friendly tax subsidies, I mean breaks!
Ha! Your mechanic is Australian, don'tcha know! American car companies are unfortunately not worth our pity. They refuse to make cars that meet the automobile standards in other countries, and complain that their market has dried up. They have grown fat from feeding at the congressional trough.
Dude! At least your Prius is black (instead of that sickly greeny-gold color).
I'm a pretty darn green, bike ridin', walkin everywhere, treehugger, but I, too often get a yearning' for a vehicle that is decidedly not green. My yen is for a '77 Chevy Step-side with big 'ol tires. Can you tell I grew up in the 80's?
I had my first ride in a Prius on Monday. It was so cool. I want one, to see the mpg before your eyes was amazing.
Alas, it is the 30mpg 1998 Honda Civic for now. I have not a spare cent and am rather unemployed.
Deep sigh.
Have fun. I will send you a pair of furry dice for your new ride!
Furry dice? He obviously needs a Playboy bunny hanging from the rearview mirror.
Wait. That symbol has been co-opted by the young ladies of America, hasn't it. How about a miniature oil barrel?
Take the bus, though. You meet the most interesting freaks on the bus!
Stuck with a 1996 Civic with 150+K, but gets about 35mph so I'm not complaining.
Of course, YOU completely screwed up! You could have gone with this. Just think, you could sneak over to your neighbors at night, grab the garden hose and fill 'er up! Ha!
monkey-
They are prettier than the prius but they don't hit the magic 40 mpg. I'm effectively doubling my mpg with this purchase. Even if it is an aluminum death trap.
don-
I love your car.
Great idea on Max. It is sloooowwww through downtown. I like those patches of I-84 where it zips along.
ladybug-
Then we can brake dance.
zaius-
I agree re American car companies but the Mustang is so pretty!
arknobey-
Actually still see a lot of those out my way. When I'm at a red light I look out my windows sometimes and feel like I've accidentally wandered into the middle of a monster truck rally.
fran-
I love fuzzy dice! Or a hula girl. Or a statue of the virgin Mary. Or all three.
randal-
It is an interesting study in sociology on mass transit. Especially late at night.
Best thing is you get to read.
Spirula-
That's pretty good mpg and nothing to laugh at.
Run you car on water? The evil part of my brain wonders if one's personal water supply would work in a pinch.
Dean,
I just realized I wrote "mph". That would be something to laugh at.
By everyone.
Often.
And I had the same thought about my portable non-potable H2O supply. Creepy. Either that or we're just cutting edge in our thinking.
spirula-
I would literally never run out of fuel.
It would be like some sick version of Back to the Future where I'm stuffing more than banana peels in the engine to run.
A fuzzy, hip-shakin' BVM!
Ahah! With your help I have finally discovered how to make my first gazillion!!
fran-
You joke but I know a lot of cab drivers that would buy it...
Congrats on the new car!
LOL tax incentives?! ha ha he ho ho
It is stupid, I know.
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