Driving a gas guzzler? Should we or not?

**midinite** · July 27th, 2006 01:13 PM

I'm sure some feathers will be ruffled but the point of discourse is that different opinions (even those we may not like) need to be aired...often we see huge gas guzzlers driving around with just one individual in it.

First of all, if they have the means to pay for the gas its their business, right?

But here is the question - if doing so contributes to the dwindling of resources and essentially harmful to the environment is it right?
Or is it a matter of freedom of choice?

What do you think?

**theveed** · July 27th, 2006 01:28 PM

Yes and no... Yes it's their right, but no coz they don't own the environment.... Selfishness and greed kills the earth, not cars...

**artpogi** · July 27th, 2006 01:30 PM

I will not delve into the environmental aspect but it's a matter of freedom of choice.

**empy** · July 27th, 2006 02:34 PM

mmm...interesting thread. i'll wait to see what ppl say on this matter.

i own two gas guzzlers. but one of them is made by Audi/VW so it must be ok because that company can do no wrong :D

**niky** · July 27th, 2006 02:54 PM

They do have the means, and freedom of choice means you can't really stop them from doing it.

It's not very friendly to the environment, yes, but consider that a huge amount of toxic emissions occur because of other things we do... everytime we turn on the aircon or the washing machine, aside from the impact of soapy waste water and drained coolant, you have to consider that we're using electricity produced, in part, by burning coal.

Or the tailpipe emissions of buses, which are huge diesel guzzlers... especially the dual motor aircon equipped ones, which often go around on off-peak hours carrying less than a dozen passengers, and burning diesel while waiting at stops.

Personally, I think SUVs are useless. But I feel that it's up to SUV users to decide whether or not they really need an SUV, and to act accordingly.

It's kind of difficult to know where to draw the line. I used to live okay by walking to the MRT (takes about 15 minutes), taking the train to the bus station and getting on a (non-waiting-non-malingering) bus, then walking 15 minutes to work. I used to bike, too. But as I get older, I find that I need to go further and further.

By all rights, the most I'd need for work is a bicycle or motorbike... or even a secondhand Kia Pride or Daihatsu Charade. But I got a "compact" car that uses 50% more gas. Knowing this, how can I condemn someone for using a vehicle that uses 100% more gas, when I know I'm still using more gas than I need?

The way people in small cars spit on SUV owners for being selfish, motorbike owners should spit on car owners for being selfish. And bicycle owners should spit on motorbike owners for being selfish, and walkers should spit on bicycle owners for wasting our resources of rubber, metal and oil (lubricants).

And we should all spit on walkers for living so far away from work, and wasting our rubber resources on their shoes.

Yes, SUVs are wasteful... but so are motor vehicles in general.

**swordsman** · July 27th, 2006 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by midinite

But here is the question - if doing so contributes to the dwindling of resources and essentially harmful to the environment is it right?
Or is it a matter of freedom of choice?

What do you think?

Freedom of choice! Hehe...

But when the time comes na i see no more buses smoke belching sa EDSA. And Lafayette Mining stopping their mining operations in Rapu-Rapu Islands...i will reconsider

**4wrider** · July 27th, 2006 03:06 PM

Ours is a known guzzler but still not too bad compared to much smaller rides. Emission is negligible and so much less than those from poorly maintained smaller cars and public utility vehicles. I drive it mostly when I'm with at least 4 passengers and plan my trips very carefully. I consciously drive with a light foot and very defensively. Net effect, I think I'm a more responsible driver-owner now than when I was driving a diesel with no regard for fuel efficiency.

**Bogeyman** · July 27th, 2006 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by niky

By all rights, the most I'd need for work is a bicycle or motorbike... or even a secondhand Kia Pride or Daihatsu Charade. But I got a "compact" car that uses 50% more gas. Knowing this, how can I condemn someone for using a vehicle that uses 100% more gas, when I know I'm still using more gas than I need?

Ah, same here.

I own the same vehicle model as my parents-in-law, when we don't exactly have that big a household; meaning that, on average, there are only two people using it every day (driver + 1 passenger). Now, I could easily justify the size of my ride, given that we need the extra capacity for our business venture. And since that is coming to an end real soon, I can reason out that it will still come in handy with a family on the way -- or at the very least, it presents a good case for carpooling.

**tsupermario** · July 27th, 2006 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by midinite

I'm sure some feathers will be ruffled but the point of discourse is that different opinions (even those we may not like) need to be aired...often we see huge gas guzzlers driving around with just one individual in it.

First of all, if they have the means to pay for the gas its their business, right?

But here is the question - if doing so contributes to the dwindling of resources and essentially harmful to the environment is it right?
Or is it a matter of freedom of choice?

What do you think?

i think its a question of whether you care or not.

there's nothing illegal in it but being legal does not mean its morally right.