There is a — drumroll, please — demographic element to the automobile question. Europeans often ask, "Why do Americans need those big cars?" The short answer is: Because Americans have kids and Europeans don't. So Italians and Spaniards and Germans (and Japanese) can drive around in things the size of a Chevy Suburban's cupholder because they've got nothing to put in them.There is some truth in that comment.
The other thing, of course, is that for most of the United States there is space to build roads. Not true in Europe and not true in our Commonwealth, where the lack of decent roads leads to frustrated drivers, who become frayed drivers, who become dangerous drivers.
Regards — Cliff
Is the premise proven that Dual Income equals more kids? And is the premise proven that dual income = big cars? My wife drives a Suzuki SX4 (very small!) and I drive a Hyundia Sonata and we have two kids.....
ReplyDeleteCliff (and Ron),
ReplyDeleteI'm throwing a yellow flag on the field in regards to this idea..I think it has way more to do with the American culture...it's like, why do we crank the thermostat in the winter and walk around the house in shorts and a t-shirt, then blast the A/C all summer in long sleeves?
We like convenience, comfort, and space. Big cars mean more space. Plus there's the macho piece to it..how many guys do you know who insist on driving SUVs so they can go off-roading or insist on owning pick-ups "for all those big hauls?" I ask you: how many times do those truck owners use them for those purposes?
Unless you have a SERIOUSLY big family -- like, more than four kids all close together in age -- you probably don't need a Suburban, Excursion, Expedition, or other such road behemoth.
Far be it from me to tell anyone else what they should or shouldn't drive...it's absolutely none of my business. but sometimes you gotta love the absurdity of the *practicality* argument behind the new F-350 for your daily commute to work..
best,
gp
I think the point of the original article from Mr Steyn, resident of Vermont, is that when you have three kids and the law requires a car seat for the youngest and forbids using the "shotgun" position for either of the others and you are looking to take the neighbor's kid with you to the Little League game, it is beginning to be a zoo if you are driving a Cinquecento Fiat 500. My wife and I got along with only our Morgan +4 for two months (we did borrow a VW Beetle for a couple of weeks) when we lived on the economy in Naples, Italy. At the time we had three kids, the oldest a HS Sophomore and the youngest nine (but 99th percentile on size at age 2). Doable, but very painful. We sold the Morgan and bought a Peugeot 504 to go with our Volvo station wagon. The Peugeot was slow to accelerate under a load, but got great mileage.
ReplyDeleteIt is all about the demographics.
Regards — Cliff