E-mails from Smart
People
Note that I’m being
rather fair here; even though some people may not agree with my opinions, their
e-mail will make it to this page if it is demonstrated that they can formulate
a respectable argument and/or sentence.
Here is a
rather pleasant e-mail message I got from Paul in Arizona:
Hey man,
what's up. I found your site via the J-body enthusiast list (website at
www.z24.com). Speak your mind man, fight the road power! (boy that sounded
cheesy) I liked your site because newsflash--it makes sense. It is also very
correct and I support you in your valiant efforts. And about the styling cues
that you point out: you have the same tastes as I do...isn't it good to know we
have good taste and a grasp on reality? Good site man. Catchya around.
Here's another
e-mail from somebody who obviously has an unclouded thought process:
howdy, my
name is Billy D., I'm 17 and I drive a pontiac Grand AM. Nothing special, I do
not consider myself a "logical" driver, rather a precise driver. I do
speed, but I am safe, but this is beside the point of my letter.
In a large
chunk of your homepage you rail on SUVs such as the Explorer. You cite examples
of how they kill people and are so deadly, but what I cannot understand is why
your mast has a picture of what I think is a toyota supra. I could be wrong,
but if it is a Supra I feel that you are being very hypocritical. I have
nothing against SUVs and I have nothing against sports cars, nor am I biased to
either, I would enjoy having either, it's just when I am on the Highway and I
look in my rear-view I would rather see a big suburban or an Explorer than the
supra because the Supra will probably be at a higher rate of speed than any
other car on the road. Basically my point, if I have one(I might not), is that
it is the driver that makes a car dangerous.
Sorry to
bother you, a reply is welcomed and expected. I do really like your site,
especially where you talk about idiotic custom cars. I hate that...especially
when a person will put a higher trim level sticker on their car. Like an SiR
tag on a civic ex...
In Christ
Billy D.
I appreciate
your e-mail. It's nice to get an e-mail from somebody who's only 17 and is
rather mature when it comes to cars and driving. Yeah, I hate it when people
put a higher trim level sticker on their car; the only people who would care
whether you have an upscale Si or GT model can tell if you're faking it
anyways. Losers.
Each page on my
web site has the same row of cars on it. [Note: I've changed on my web site
since I typed this e-mail reply] I just happened to stick the Supra there
because I was able to find a good picture of one which needed minimal
"cleanup". Maybe I'll look into changing it to avoid being called a
hypocrite. :-)
I've made the
observation that aggressive drivers come in all types of packaging, be it in a
sedan, SUV, or sports car. I've seen them in mid-80s model repainted bright
yellow VW Rabbits with giant Neuspeed stickers who love to tailgate. I've seen
a delivery van for a local business cut a car off on the freeway to take an
exit at the last second—making the car's driver swerve off the road and onto
the painted diagonal lines between the freeway and off-ramp. I've even
experienced a Jeep which followed behind me at night while one of its
passengers pointed a laser pointer into my rearview mirror, possibly hitting me
in the eye. I slowed down and pulled over to let the Jeep pass, and then
floored it to [easily] catch up and get close enough to make note of the
license plate and see that it was packed with teenagers having "fun".
I don't have any problems with people entertaining themselves, as long as it
isn't at the expense of others. My idea of "fun" was reporting the
incident to the local police.
So, as for
having either unnecessary Supras or Suburbans/Explorers on the road: I'd rather
have extra sports cars because, let's face it: people don't drive like speed
demons all the time. Assuming city traffic where speeds are pretty well the
same for everybody: if another driver makes an error and causes a crash, I'd
rather have the other driver be in a sports car rather than an SUV which weighs
two times as much and causes two times the damage to me and my car. A
fiberglass-bodied Corvette would be ideal in this case; too bad it would be a
waste of such a beautiful car...
Wow, someone
else with a brain:
Hello there,
My Name is
Scott & I am pleased to find someone out there who thinks other drivers are
such unobservant morons. As a driver of a small car "Honda del Sol" -
no offense taken. My car is completely original except for the fog lights which
I have changed...no tint, fancy wheels, spoilers, or booming stereos here. I
just want to be able to see better, as I frequently have the need to be driving
across mountain passes at night. I have found that fog lights allow me to see
better without bothering the drivers in front of me (as high beams surely
would). Because the beams are short and low and wide, I can see more of the
road. ;-) But enough about that...
I spend all
of my time on the road trying to keep as much space around me as possible. This
alone proves a challenge because others drivers see my space and decide they
want some (usually in front of me). Trying to keep out of the other drivers'
blind spots and staying out of theirs is my main activity. Of course this means
that I have to be observant no talking on the phone, eating, looking for that
tape I just dropped etc...Driving with my lights on (even during the day) has
helped.
I have to say
that my single greatest pet peeve is drivers who don't use their turning
signals. I guess they think that all the drivers on the road are psychic...?
Turning lights are for letting other drivers know what you would like to do not
look out here I come. Enough said.
Bye – Scott
Some of
your points are somewhat valid, but
over-all you should really get a life and stop worrying about everyone else's.
My sport-ute uses less gas than many domestic vehicles (Camaro, Firebird,
Taurus, etc.) and I've never been in an accident. The latter issue boils down
to one thing and it is the individual(s) driving. If people would look out for
others as well as themselves you would have to agree there would be far fewer
accidents. Maybe you should move to Communist China?!?!?!?
This site is
extremely well organized and well informed.
I constantly
have drivers trying to get me but I just give them the finger. I especially
hate people who tailgate me in the left hand lane. If I want to do a 100k in
the left lane, then I should be able to, no? After all, the speed limit is a
100k. Those people who insist in going 110k in the left lane just suck. They
are speeders and should have their license lifted. After all, why should I
speed up so others can get to where they are going faster? I mean, is that
fair? I love to have control over other drivers on the road. I love to frustrate them, especially since I
am in the right. I never drive over the speed limit. So the other drivers
should simply follow my lead.
Also,
everyone should drive a Volkswagen Beetle. That way they can drive over 90k. I
should get to drive a corvette and blast my way around the roads, giving the
finger to whom ever I want. They would never be able to get me.
Hi,
I came across
your site while doing a search for "The Ugliest Car In The World".
While this was not the site I was looking for I found it interesting,
nonetheless. The page I was looking for was created by a guy in Europe and
featured a rebuilt beater Saab. Have you ever seen it? More than likely the
page is down for good.
Nevertheless,
I've just spent an inordinate amount of time perusing your pages. Quite fun,
actually. Some random thoughts:
<<<...standing
on the road in front of me. Gee, I try to look out for you people, but your
luck may someday just run out.>>>
Be very
careful with this statement! Some government mind control nut might want to
profile you and classify you as a wacko! You're not, of course!
(My statement above
about luck running out can be interpreted two ways. The way I meant it is that
even though I make my best effort to look for pedestrians, there is always the
possibility that I will not see one of them.)
<<<Drivers
who take their dog to town-just to let it sit in the car and bake.>>>
Now there is
no better fate for a dog! Especially if it's the small yappy kind. I'm not a
dog lover, obviously.
<<<("Ohhh,
the airbag killed my child! I have to blame the auto manufacturers and
government!")>>>
So true. But
... on the other hand I don't like the idea that the airbag in my car may kill
my wife even though she may be positioned corrected and wearing her seat belt
correctly. Classic example of "the government knows all" yet is
wrong.
<<<at
the 11 and 1 o'clock position or higher>>>
Didn't have a
clue about this one. Thanks!
I live
outside Chicago and driving down I-294 is a harrowing experience even at the
most ideal of times. I frequently drive at 55-65 mph and I'm ALWAYS getting
passed by others going A LOT faster. Pretty scary, actually.
Anyway, it
was fun browsing your site,
Jim
I'm probably
one of the 10 percent of the US population that like DRL's. The other 10
percent hate them and the rest don't care one way or the other. It's was hard
finding a pro-DRL site that wasn't sponsored by an insurance company and all
the so-called driver advocate sites (NMA, Resonable Drivers Unanimous) are
against DRL's, airbags and seatbelts! I have equipped my 93 chevy pickup and my
dad's 92 chevy S-10 with the DRL kit Chevy sells. My mom's 99 Lumina has them
as OEM and my brother is one of the 10% who hates them and won't let me install
them in his car. I have been driving with my lights for over 5 years, since
there are a lot of dangerous 2 lane roads here in NM. Until recently (I guess
the majority of drivers have finally gotten the gist of DRL's), I have had one
every five cars flash his lights at me, letting me know my headlights are on
(Is accidental headlight activation a real problem in the US?). Although I
disagree with your position on pickups (since I own one), I do think you have
valid points on 4wd's. (My 2wd pickup has higher ground clearance than a 4wd
Ford Explorer). My web page includes a section on DRL's;
http://www.geocities.com/patmvaldez Incidentally, I drove a truck for 2 years
and traveled inside Canada a few times (Mostly between Windsor, Sarnia and the
Toronto area and once to Trois Pistoles, PQ and into New Brunswick, crossing
back into Maine).
I found your
website to be most informative and right on target, but I must disagree with
one of your opinions. Backing into a
parking space is generally a good move.
There are a couple of exceptions.
First, you should only back if their is no traffic behind you (most
people don't expect this move and have little patience). You need to be able to back effectively
which will come with practice for most people.
As a fleet
safety specialist, I have found most accidents are backing related. I can't ever remember seeing a claim from
someone backing into a parking space and hitting another vehicle. They are all backing out into another car or
into a pole, etc. Who would prevail in
a claim when one driver is pulling out and one is backing out and they both
said they were stopped at the time of the collision?
When
approaching a parking space, you have the opportunity to observe the area for
any potential hazards. You will be
backing into a controlled space. Very
little chance for a vehicle or child to wonder behind your vehicle while backing
into a parking space. That's not the
case with backing out because we must first unlock our door, take our emergency
brake off, buckle our seatbelt, start the engine, etc. which takes time and
allows the conditions to change behind your vehicle.
The best
option is to avoid backing altogether, but that is not an option in most
situations. If you want to learn how to
minimize your backing, I suggest watching a UPS driver. They will back on occasions, but generally
do a good job of avoiding it. No, I don't
recommend that anyone double-parks!
Hi
I just read your
DRL page. I'm probably the only person in Pembrokeshire (Wales) who drives with
headlights on during the day. I've done it for years and got into the habit
after visiting Washington and BC in the early eighties. The rest of the
population seems to feel the need to inform me of what I already know by
flashing their lights, pointing, shouting etc. At least I know they've seen me
-though it's hard to resist the temptationn to stick two fingers up at them. I
wish they'd be so kind on the occasions when I forget to turn the lights off
with the engine (being a Renault, the lights-on buzzer has long since gone
AWOL).
Anyway, a
good series of arguments and counters in favour of DRLs. Although I prefer
dipped beams to the type of DRLs fitted to say, Saturns and I also would prefer
to see all the lights, including tail lights lit, your info has basically
confirmed what even the dullest (in more ways than one) of drivers should be
able to work out. A recent trip to California confirmed to me that DRLs are
just as practical in the bright sunshine as in the wet, windy West Wales
weather -how's that for alliteration?
Don't take
any carp from the US campaigners -they'd campaign against breathing if it was
compulsory. Now there's a thought! Keep it up.
Cheers
vehicles. I wouldn't buy a car without one.
You know, I'm
a Canadian who's usually pro-American, but I think you made a pretty good
website. I'm only 18, but my parents have 2 cars equiped with DRLs which I
drive, most of the time I'm driving the '91 Olds, while they drive the '00
Toyota. Anyway, I would just like to say that I'm not a really big fan of DRLs,
but your website and it's arguments are MUCH better than that stupid
lightsout.org! That Anti-DRL webpage was very poorly but together, and you
proved it! Keep up the good work.
P.S. Our '91
Olds Cutlass Supreme SL has those automatic night lights that come on
automatically when it becomes dark, and I find it(even though sometimes it's
annoying) quite useful because it tends to turn on at the right time.
And I got this
e-mail about five minutes later from the same guy:
Hey, it's me
again, the 18-year old guy. I'm from TOronto and there are SO MANY stupid
CHinese people(I'm Southeast Asian by the way, you know the Indian
sub-contintent, but I'm born in Canada)put Civic SiR badges and Civic Type R
badges on their cheap-ass Honda Civic DX cars! My parent's Toyota COrolla LE is
more powerful that those Civic sedans! It's pretty annoying because they think
they're so fast, when they're not!!! Then they have their loud-ass exhaust
sounding off! It's so annoying! I will admit I play loud music with the bass
and volume pumped up high, but seriously do you really want to hear the exhaust
sound?!!!!
First off I
would like to agree with you on some of your points, especially the one about
driving 90 miles an hour down a freeway when it is covered in ice and snow.
These people are idiots, and don't deserve to drive a truck or a car at that
matter.
I would like
to however say that you are very quick to point a finger at trucks and suvs for
being problematic. I myself am a
college student and drive an 1989 flare side GMC. I love driving my truck, I pay for the gas, yes it takes more but
not any more than the 1986 chevy caprice that i had. Guess what, they share the same engine, looks like guys who drive
cars are idiots also...hmmm. What's
more is that I do use my truck for what it is intended for, hauling items. with my flare side, i have a cubical truck
bed, making it much easier to pack, no circular wheel wells in the way. My
truck does ride higher than cars, and i like that fact. I like having height while on the road,
personal preference.
Now before
you go ahead and list this under E-mails form morons, i just ask you to
reevaluate your finger pointing. You
bring up many good points, but i must say that you accuse everyone owning a
truck or suv for non business purposes as a moron, this my friend is not true.
lil red truck
Don't worry.
You aren't going to make it to the moron page as you can actually formulate a
decent argument unlike some of the others who have e-mailed me.
Personally, I
think that flareside trucks do look better, but I still don't think they are as
practical. The space between the wheel wells is the same on a flareside and
regular bed to haul the big stuff, but with a regular bed you can get another
10 or more cubic feet of small cargo items in the bed, whereas on a flareside,
that extra space is on the outside and can't be used. It was sure handy when
helping my brother move.
Wow, yes, I
*do* own a truck, but I use it only when hauling stuff.
Gary.
To Whom it
may concern,
I stumbled
accross your site and I have to say that you really know the score. I know I'm reading quality when it makes me
feel guilty about my actions. I am a
recovering American consumer who is desperatly trying to pick up the pieces of
my non-ecofriendly/glutonous life and turn them around 180 degrees.
The subject
line to this message is in refernce to the fact that I have been impressed with
just about every Canadian person, place, and thing I have ever seen and you are
no exception.
Keep up the
good work.
Are you being
sarcastic or serious? As I mentioned in my web site, I don't really see what
makes Canadians so highly regarded by some people.
Although I have
to say that the gluttonous lifestyle helps keep your economy (and garbage
dumps) growing.
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