Fast/powerful cars are bad... or so I'm told.

[Captain Awesome]

I bet your boss doesn't think people should own guns either.

No family should have more than 2 children too, right?

Tell him we don't want to live in Ameritopia!

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by ALLTRBO

I got into a debate today with my supervisor (whose opinion and experience I greatly respect on most things) about fast/powerful street cars. He's on the strictly practical side and says that no one should have a (street) car that accelerates or tops out any faster than it HAS to for any condition it'll reasonably come across (ie. My wife's 4-door automatic Civic is still too fast, though he's mainly referring to sports/muscle cars). He's all for limiting every car to 85-90 mph, and doesn't think any car should have a better power/weight ratio than the average econobox. He feels that people should only be able to have what they want (in this regard) so long as there is a HUGE tax on it so that, basically, no one can afford it. According to him, people who drive fast cars, by human nature, will automatically drive them more dangerously to some degree and cause more accidents, and the cars are a pointless drain on natural resources (oil), etc. etc. He says that on some basic level, it's all about fulfilling one's "macho-ness".

Now he isn't some pointless ranter, he is a very intelligent and very accomplished person who has done his share of stupid things when he was young, and in my job he is definitely a valuable mentor. He is spot on in most everything he speaks of, and when he isn't, he's willing to listen to the other side of the argument. He definitely isn't a greenie tree-hugger, either.
That being said, it bothers me more than it typically would that he essentially thinks I'm an idiot on the subject and that he disagrees with just about all of my points.

Yes, powerful cars are definitely more than one needs, but it isn't about practical needs. While their are many, many idiots who have these cars to fulfill some form of "macho-ness", it's far from all of us. For me personally, it's about the physics as a whole... the feel, sound, how the mechanics of the entire system work together to create something perfectly harmonious, even the aesthetics of the thing, those sculpted lines that flow together to create a look of purpose. All of it meshes together to create a whole that is more than the sum of the parts, something more than an A to B, something more than a bland tool to get you from here to there. It's what some would call a passion, something beyond the "practical". I would love driving my cars just the same, staring at them with a smile just the same, if there were no one else on Earth (though that would be awfully lonely without any gearheads with which to share conversation about them).
It just so happens that it also gets you from here to there.

I bought my 2010 V6 Camaro because I liked the way it drove better than the SS, it felt like less of a fast 'truck' (keyword: truck). I also love all the technology in that sweet V6, and it's still no slouch. I've always been a V8 guy, but I'm a car guy first and foremost. The V8 is better in the ways V8's are, but I liked the V6 car this time. While that is already enough to make any "practical" person scoff in disapproval, I'm now thinking of trading it in on a '12 SS because I got T-boned a couple weeks ago from a red-light runner and although they're fixing it, it'll never be the same to me. So, the new SS's FE4 suspension along with the new steering wheel feel must have done something because now it feels more sporty to me, more balanced, more enjoyable to drive. Now I want the V8 car!

No doubt about it, the Camaro is a LOT of car in either form, and can get anyone into a LOT of trouble. However, opening it up for a couple seconds on an EMPTY stretch of highway, taking that "15 mph" corner at 35 mph when there is no traffic around and when you can SEE all the way around it, playing with the edge of traction from a stop sign to 60 mph when no traffic is in sight, or easily (and legally) passing the jerk in the fast lane who's going 10 under the speed limit? That isn't the epitome of stupidity in my eyes. Practical? Hell no. Reasonable? With half a brain and some manner of self control... I think it is. None of that is to mention the local drag strip, autocross, or road course for those of us who are self inclined and able. There isn't much that's better than driving your A to B to a legally sanctioned event, blasting it around for a couple of hours, then driving from the B back to the A!

Now lets forget all of that... When it's time to cruise back home from work late at night, I listen to the constant thrum of carefully timed explosions while sitting in my comfortable cocoon of relative safety (6 airbags and 5-stars aren't bad!), and I just enjoy my drive. It makes that point B to point A much less stressful.
If I want to drive half-way across the country, I get in and do it just the same. Smooth, quiet, and comfortable are three words that come to mind.

The amazing part? That's all in one car. I can't do that in the Civic, which is very ho-hum, basic and utilitarian... not something that can help me put away my worldly cares for a short time, not 'me'. If it is 'you', then congratulations! I get it!
Many different cars are 'them'... slow ones, ugly ones, and even powerful ones.

Is all that really so selfish, macho, and just plain stupid? Really?

your boss is "absolutely" correct! this is NOT a "practical" car,however,people who buy camaros know this,and could care less,because they are NOT buying the car to be practical,they are buying it because the car is enjoyable to drive,but to be perfectly honest,a LOT of cars meet that criteria.not JUST the camaro!.with that said,my wife loves the fact that this "camaro" rides smoothly,and is ,i believe one of,if not THE safest cars on the road.built like a tank,sporty,fast,and STILL returns over 20 miles to the gallon,but ,alas,i guess this is still NOT practical enough!..oh well i still like it though!..just sayin'

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by coolman

Sorry couldn't get through your entire post ,but your boss is an idiot.

I don't mean to offend your boss...you clearly have a high level of regard for him...but I agree with coolman, here. I have to question this man's ability to make sound decisions on anything if he wasn't joking about this...

[8cd03gro]

I stopped reading after the basic explanation of his thought process. You can apply it to anything. We live in excess. Big TV's are a waste of resources, lights brighter than you need to read at night are a waste of resources. . . owning your own car rather than using public transportation, walking or riding a bike, is a waste of resources. We waste resources to have fun. You're going to keep doing it, I'm going to keep doing it, everyone that is able to is going to keep doing it until they run out, that's just how we are. Your boss is just such an uptight, pompus ninny he thinks he's above all that. You want to talk about dangerous and a waste of resources we should talk about the mom of one with a 7,000lb SUV that gets 5mpg with 9 seats.

[Brutal SS]

Clothes should be only to cover the body and should not to be designed for anything other than its core purpose. Food is for nourishment only, therefore no one should be adding anything to it or consuming more than what is needed for sustenance...

This mentality is what lies at the heart of tyranny, and people should not expect others to live out their one and only existence to hold all things strictly in a practical sense. The free expression of all views should be maintained, but this opinion should be met with contempt at every turn. Your boss would be happier in North Korea. This is the land of the free, so live free or die trying, and never apologize for your right to pursue happiness! :flag2:

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

I stopped reading after the basic explanation of his thought process. You can apply it to anything. We live in excess. Big TV's are a waste of resources, lights brighter than you need to read at night are a waste of resources. . . owning your own car rather than using public transportation, walking or riding a bike, is a waste of resources. We waste resources to have fun. You're going to keep doing it, I'm going to keep doing it, everyone that is able to is going to keep doing it until they run out, that's just how we are. Your boss is just such an uptight, pompus ninny he thinks he's above all that. You want to talk about dangerous and a waste of resources we should talk about the mom of one with a 7,000lb SUV that gets 5mpg with 9 seats.

It's like this guy just read Robert Frank's new book, The Darwin Economy.

Anyways, the only thing that needs to be said is Property Rights > Boss.

[fielderLS3]

No one asked the important question: What does the boss drive?

Too bad he is your boss. There are sooooooo many things you could say back if he wasn't. If you've really got guts, you could say something along the lines of "no company needs more profit than is absolutely necessary. Once the bills are paid, everything beyond that should go for employee raises." Same logic, really.

You know the boss doesn't need the money, since he doesn't ever buy anything but the bare necessities anyway. Unless he is a hypocrite...but I'm sure that couldn't be the case, could it? He's not one of those "do as I say, not as I do" because he's smarter than you and can run everyone's life better than themselves types, is he? Certainly not.

[Brutal SS]

Originally Posted by fielderLS3

No one asked the important question: What does the boss drive?

Too bad he is your boss. There are sooooooo many things you could say back if he wasn't. If you've really got guts, you could say something along the lines of "no company needs more profit than is absolutely necessary. Once the bills are paid, everything beyond that should go for employee raises." Same logic, really.

You know the boss doesn't need the money, since he doesn't ever buy anything but the bare necessities anyway. Unless he is a hypocrite...but I'm sure that couldn't be the case, could it? He's not one of those "do as I say, not as I do" because he's smarter than you and can run everyone's life better than themselves types, is he? Certainly not.

You sir, are spot on!

[bmwdon]

does he live in a shack or a nice place? nobody "needs" a nice place either, but when you hit a certain age or accomplish certain things, you usually end up buying a nice "big" place. usually ends up using more electricity and gas to heat and keep lit/maintained vs. a small economical 750-1000 sq. ft. rambler. Some folks like things of excess.

[CamaroSkooter]

In America, we have the freedom of choice, just like Robert said.

Your boss can choose to be a utilitarian and lament about how everyone wastes unnecessary resources.

We can all choose to lament that he is wasting air, water, and other precious natural resources just by being alive.

[JoshBobGuptaMarley]

I have seen many very intelligent people make stupid unrealistic comments about how they would better the world....this is a free country and your guy wants to live like a Cambodian. What a silly person.

[LOWDOWN]

Fast, powerful vehicles are like high-powered guns.

If you follow the NRA stance, "guns don't kill people; PEOPLE kill people".

So I guess fast cars won't kill you; YOU will kill you if you crash one...

However, if guns are unavailable, then no one gets killed by them. Same with any other potentially lethal "thing". You KNOW you could kill yourself if you slip and fall "wrong" in a shower, yet showers aren't banned and you take that risk, "willingly".

As long as there are personal modes of transportation, and until we have wireless gridded roads, there'll be some vehicles that have capabilities beyond others...

[ron10]

it all boils down to choice.different people like different things.if everyone thought the same way,it would be a very dull world.your boss doesn't like fast cars,i don't like golf or slow cars,but i don't think we should change because i don't agree.tell your boss that most of the fatalities that occur on the highways are not caused by high performance cars.

[CamaroSkooter]

Originally Posted by LOWDOWN

...However, if guns are unavailable, then no one gets killed by them. Same with any other potentially lethal "thing"...

Unrealistic goals don't solve real problems

So, outlaw kitchen knives?

What are the players in the MLB going to swing? Wiffle bats?

Better outlaw magazines too, cause Jason Bourne demonstrated how lethal they can be