Re: National Geographic, June 2004

On Thu, 4 Nov 2004 21:02:12 -0500 "jack syme" <drsyme@cablespeed.com>
writes:
> "Michael -
> There's a good deal of truth in this, but bear in mind that
> driving
> distances in the US tend to be greater than in the UK.
>
> Shalom
> George "
>
>
> All the more reason we should be driving smaller cars. ;)
>
Jack,
This does not follow. Were you even halfway serious, you'd be on a Vespa
for cross-country rides. I have owned a Ford Pinto and one of the
earliest imported Datsuns on the small side, and a Mercury Marquis,
Chrysler Royal and Lincolns on the large. I easily drove over 700 miles
one day in a Lincoln, at lower than current speed limits. I couldn't have
done it in a small car. To be sure, ride and handling have been improved
over the years. I drive the speed limit on the interstates in my current
compact. But it does not handle like a heavy car. It's more strain, more
tiring to drive. Also a lot less safe, even with seat belts and air bags,
than my old monsters.

I may add that I have driven in the UK, in the smallest car I could rent
with an automatic shift. I didn't want to think of shifting while
concentrating on which side of the road to drive. I encountered lanes
that were so narrow I didn't try to drive down them. Since the whole UK
is smaller than Oregon or Wyoming, and the population is much larger,
they can't spare much space for roads.
Dave
Received on Thu Nov 4 22:23:29 2004