Will Americans adapt to rising oil prices and drive smaller cars?

Question

So many Americans on here moan about the price of gas, but how many of them are doing something to adapt and buying smaller cars?

I read a question on here about buying an ideal first car for a teenager and I was completely shocked to read the cars people were suggesting; Dodge Neon, Honda Prelude. These are considered family cars in Europe!

Are Americans starting to realise they will need to give up their SUVs yet?

Please don't answer with something like "does a bear shite in the woods?". My question is not rhetorical, I am from outside the USA and trying to understand whether the change is happening yet or not.

Answer 1

most americans just haven't taken a hard look at what the other countries are paying for gas and seen that america still pays less than most people. And americans being americans they are only gonna cry about it until federal minimum wage is raised so they aren't really paying such a "high percentage" of their wages for gas. So the answer is that no americans are still going to be driving suv's for a long time , they are just going to cry until something changes so they don't feel so guilty about paying as much as everyone else.

Answer 2

no. To many americans think "Bigger" means "Better". This is not true. A Hummer is useful in combat. Its extra room may be handy for the grouceries and dropping of the kids, but ultimately, there are cheaper and just as, if not more so, convenient options. Mercedes is bringing the Europian Smartcars to America, which hold either 2 people or 4 (depending on the model) and have almost no space other than the seats. They are popular for singles and people who live alone. But they get a rediculously high mpg (Don't quote me, but I think its about 100 miles to the gallon). That is a step forward, but to be honest, they aren't very usefulfor road trips, shopping, etc. We as Americas, in our daily lives, can go through life with a Sedan about 50% of the time. In a family, it makes sense to own a mini-van. For those who like camping, or dowing generally off-roadsy type stuff, then a SUV is necessary. The problem is we think they are always the best option, and until we stop our "Everythings Bigger and Better in America" attittude towards life, we wil always drive big cars and the rest of the world will still despise us.

Answer 3

The car manufacturers know where American tastes are. I like small cars myself, and I like the idea of alternative technologies like hybrid, solar, and electric power. Unfortunately, the car manufacturers aren't putting the alternative technologies in smaller cars: they're putting them into mid-size and larger cars. So, in order to save gas, I may have to buy a mid-size car when my current car dies. It's really weird, and I do think it's quite a bit annoying.

At least, I don't drive much. I telecommute to work most of the time (I love the Internet), and I keep hoping public transportation will take me where I need to go. Unfortunately, the public transportation system here is really bad. A 40-minute trip by car takes me 3 hours using public transportation. I'm not kidding. I've tried it repeatedly with about the same results.

So, I don't think people need to give up their SUVs. Furthermore, the car manufacturers seem to be catering to them, so they will probably never have to give up their SUVs. The SUVs will evolve to accomodate them.

I wish people will simply give up the car culture altogether, but that's about as useful as wishing for a billion dollars and world peace while I'm at it.

Answer 4

A small change may be starting but there are plenty of people still buying the big ones.

I hope that eventually people will stop moving outside of town and then commuting. For some reason, I never hear anybody complaining about that. More and more people drive more and more miles to and from work everyday. How much gas is wasted while we sit in traffic. How much pollution is created,

Answer 5

As long as there is some kind of fuel (gasoline, E85, B5, B20, etc) people will drive whatever they can afford to. As far as switching to a different vehicle, concider this: a new car that costs $15,000 will have you in payments from 4 -6 years, high initial registration, insurance etc. If you buy a dinosaur for 1000 - 2000, registration and isurance is way cheaper and $13,000 buys a lot of gas, even at $4.00 / gal.

Answer 6

Will they adapt? Unlikely.

I've been trying to convince people to buy smaller vehicles and change their driving habits for the past decade. It never seems to change their mind.

I drive a '93 Toyota Corolla and consistently get about 38 miles per gallon. The car is not officially rated to get mileage that high, yet most people claim that the mileage estimates for cars are unattainable.

It doesn't always require a reduction in car size to get better mileage. Sometimes it just requires that you change your attitude on the road.

Answer 7

My car is smallish... 2 door, 4 seater but I also moved closer to work so I didnt have to drive so much.

Ever wonder if that chain letter we all get in email about no one buying gas for a whole day would force them to lower the prices would really work? I know its a hoax, but sometimes I just wonder.

Answer 8

I traded in my SUV for a Focus last year. And this year I've started using a motorcycle for a lot of trips that I would have used a car for before.

Answer 9

I drive an Audi TT, I get 25 miles to the gallon. What more can I do, not everyone can just run out and buy a new car every year when a more fuel efficient one comes along.

Answer 10

Their has been alot of people driving vegetable oil driven cars and hybrids latley, but i doubt the rich will get rid of their SUV's any time soon.... ( i believe they are making hybrid SUV's now) but i may be wrong...