NMace wrote:
majorgator wrote:
Just another prime example of an over-reaching government that causes hardships on the people with their regulations.
Good point, while we enjoy the higher mpg we often fail to recognize how much the regs cost us. And then add safety and anti-polution features, such as:
Back up sensors/cameras, TPMS, multiple air bags, high impact bumpers, side impact resistance, even seat belts, are all nice to have. But should they be mandated?
I would expect that in the future the lane change monitors, auto braking, etc will also be required.
I wish someone smarter than I am would give us an estimate of what all this adds to the cost of a new vehicle. I would guess 30 - 40%.
Much of it saves lifes and some of it we recover in lower fuel costs, still I would prefer they be options not regulated.
The automakers have no reason to make things any less expensive. The consumers just keep buying them up. Why? Too lazy to maintain so buy new? Gotta keep up with the Jones'? Payments are too easy? I'm sure there are many reasons why we are where we are, but probably not many good reasons. Its not like salary averages are keeping up with the cost of vehicles. My '96 F350 was probably about $23K brand new. Same truck now is pushing $55K to $60K. Ridiculous.
I agree with you about the regs and mandates. I'm not a smoker, but I don't believe the govn't should tell businesses to ban it in their restaurants (like here in FL). Rather, restaurant owners were already seeing a decline in customer satisfaction due to smoking, and were banning it anyway. Don't need no stupid govn't to tell us how to live.
