patrick.net

Peter P,

You mean we're not? Like I say, I'm cool with it. Now that total destruction of the residential housing market is all but assured, yeah we might as well talk about something!

okay then!

check out the damascus steel on these suckers

http://www.japanesechefsknife.com/KDSeries.html

Then we can talk about the sort of small arms we need to defend ourselves against the roaming and pillaging FBs...maybe trade some tips on Shaolin kung fu and jujitsu. How does that sound.

And finally, we can case all that shiny metal down with hi-fi system snobbery. I get first dibs on Bose put downs!

- case
+ chase

And finally, we can case all that shiny metal down with hi-fi system snobbery.

Huh?

astrid,

Well alright but I can't see getting my wife's permission to use them. How about running them through the dishwasher?

Peter P,

Sorry, just going a bit overboard. There's a definite correlation between knife snobbery/nerdism and other sorts of gizmoey snobbery/nerdism, especially for hi-fi systems. Bose is the hi-fi whipping boy for their high prices and mediocre products.

astrid Says:

> Actually, the availability of cheap second hand
> SUVs are a serious auto safety issue going
> forward. The young/inexperienced drivers had
> been largely locked out due to the high price
> of new SUVs, but now that the stock is getting
> old and cheap, we may soon see a lot of
> Suburbans in the hands 17 year old boys.

Young boys are less likely to race around in a big heavy slow truck than a fun to drive little fuel efficient car. Young drivers of big SUVs are also less likely to drive drunk since they can stretch out and sleep it off in the SUV after doing shots at a party...

There’s a definite correlation between knife snobbery/nerdism and other sorts of gizmoey snobbery/nerdism, especially for hi-fi systems.

I see. I do not know much about hi-fi systems.

Young boys are less likely to race around in a big heavy slow truck than a fun to drive little fuel efficient car. Young drivers of big SUVs are also less likely to drive drunk since they can stretch out and sleep it off in the SUV after doing shots at a party…

Young boys should not be allowed to drive unsupervised, period.

I still think that the excess energy of young people could be put into better uses. We also need to impose more discipline and structure on them.

FAB,

Yes, but SUVs have below average handling and braking. They're also top heavy. In the hands of an inexperienced driver who don't know how to properly handle an SUV, they'll be more accident prone.

Young and inexperienced drivers are more accident prone compared to more experienced drivers. Compared to other vehicle types, SUVs will inflict more damage on any vehicle/pedestrian who collide with them.

So while there may be less temptation to speed or DUI, the sheer mechanics and size of SUVs will make them dangerous for teenage drivers and anyone unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision with them.

I am all for restricting teenage drivers to one type of driving: backseat.

Peter P,

I think teenagers should get mopeds. Those are much cheaper and appropriate for the teenagers' usually short distance travel needs. Schools can also save a lot on parking space.

I think teenagers should get mopeds. Those are much cheaper and appropriate for the teenagers’ usually short distance travel needs. Schools can also save a lot on parking space.

True, but they are not safe either.

I just think that teenagers should learn the concept of responsibilities and consequences before driving.

Scott, that particular line looks just like traditional chef's knives. Their Japanese influenced lines are pretty ugly though, but much cheaper.

"ok… Mac blades are ugly. You should get one of the other blades you linked to (KD or HD)."

I know! I'll HELOC...oh, oops.

Peter P,

But if you cuddle the teenagers too much and don't let them make their own mistakes, they'll never grow up.

Driver death rates for things like Camrys and Jettas are similar to Suburbans, and about half that of things like the Ford Explorer. I'm pulling this from an old New Yorker article:

"Big and Bad: How the S.U.V. ran over automotive safety."
http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_01_12_a_suv.html

Looking over a chart the article provides, safety seems to correlate more to model than to form factor. (Or possibly it is related to buyer psychology; certain makes attract certain drivers.)

Looking over a chart the article provides, safety seems to correlate more to model than to form factor.

Mostly because of the correlation between model and driver behavior.

But if you cuddle the teenagers too much and don’t let them make their own mistakes, they’ll never grow up.

I guess you are right.

BTW, Toyota Avalon is a pretty good car. I test drove one just for the fun of it. This thing has some power (270hp)!

It's a FWD. :) Get yourself into a WR-X, pronto!

Isn’t that about the practical limit for a front wheel drive car?

About right... what is the point of front-wheel-drive anyway?

It’s a FWD. Get yourself into a WR-X, pronto!

Huh? Suburu?

Peter P,

Yup, teeny little car, great big engine and brakes. AWD is the way to go!

FWD is more energy efficient and safer for inclement weather.

FWD is more energy efficient and safer for inclement weather.

I think AWD is safer. I agree that AWD is the way to go but large AWD sedans are quite expensive.

FAB,

We've enacted a few laws here in OR that are making a difference. Mandatory driver's ed. and their lic. is basically a "provisional" lic. If they get into any trouble between 16 and 18 they're walking until they're 21. It seems to be helping along with the sober grad. parties.

The Suburu wagons are not expensive, and they all have full time AWD.

Audis quattro also have a good reputation, probably slight edge over BMW's AWD solution.

Scott,

That's why I call the 3 series Civics with RWD. (mostly joking though, the ones with the bigger engines are nice)

I heard the X3 is a sucky vehicle though. But hopefully BMW will extend that system to its sedans.

We’ve enacted a few laws here in OR that are making a difference. Mandatory driver’s ed. and their lic. is basically a “provisional” lic. If they get into any trouble between 16 and 18 they’re walking until they’re 21. It seems to be helping along with the sober grad. parties.

That is better. :)

Scott,

Something like 1/3 of the threads on this blog eventually turns to car talk. It's a good thing. Who knows, we might be forced to live in them one day. :)

Are used Audi A8s any good? I am very worried about buying used European cars.

Peter P,

We could just turn America into a Muslim theocracy. Then we'd get rid of women drivers, severely limit underage driving, and no more alcohol!

We could just turn America into a Muslim theocracy. Then we’d get rid of women drivers, severely limit underage driving, and no more alcohol!

Alcohol is necessary in cooking. Think Steak Diane.

A8s are kind of an awkward car. A6s are really adequate for luxury car type needs.

Pork is important too!

Lexuses are the gold standard, if you want reliability and safety.

All I know is that my next car will be a BMW 335. I am just trying to resist the temptation to buy it for as long as possible.