The thrill is gone

You may be all flowers and mother earth with the planned fuel efficiency standards (35.5 mpg), but I am freaking out. I love cars and hate to see them die off. This whole plan stinks, and here's why...

1) Every fun and spacious vehicle will disappear from the road, and will be replaced in the interim with cars made from subpar materials and 0-60 times in the double digits. Remember the 70's? I wasn't even alive but still cringe when I see cars from that decade. Check out Jeremy Clarkson's review of the new Honda Insight, you'll see what I mean.

2) If people wanted more fuel efficient vehicles, and to be more prepared for oil price spiking, they would buy those cars. Fact is, we hate those cars (check sales in relation to gas prices). Stop telling us what we should want. Same goes for how we should be charitable - I should decide where my financial support goes, not the Gov, but that's another topic for another time.

3) "After 3 yrs the initial investment pays off". Big caveat here - what about depreciation? Do the math, new cars are always a big loss. Also consider that many people dump their cars after 3 yrs (typical warranty period). I did the math on my truck. Gas would have to be $6.55 before it makes sense to take on a new car payment.

4) I'll leave you with this prediction - as all these mandated vehicles come out, those who choose to remain in their old vehicles instead of buying new ones will be targeted with taxes to push us to new cars. Call it an emissions fee, a gas guzzler tax, a vehicle weight limit fine, a killing polar bears levy, whatever. The Gov owns a stake in global car companies, and now has the power to force us into their cars.