Discussion on the state of the automobile in the U.S.

The EV thread got me thinking. As our politicians keeps ignoring our infrastructure problems and roads and the like continue to deteriorate where does that leave our cars? I know the Mazda5 I had was destroyed by the Southern Louisiana roads. Between steep in/out roads that might as well be curbs, pot holes, pavement buckling, and standing water, the lower than average 5 didn't stand a chance. In Tennessee we had no issues. We also had a saying. "Tennessee. Our kids can't read but we got great roads." So as more and more states choose to pull money out of highway funds where does this leave our beloved cars?

I think the logical conclusion is the crossover. It definitely is easier than changing the priorities of the politicians or the public that continues to vote for the same idiots and wonders why nothing changes. The new Honda Redneck Fit, er, I meant to say HR-V and the Rav4, Escape, Buick Enclave, 90% of what Subaru sells etc, having better over center and approach and departure angles than the normal cars will these be the new norm? Obviously a high percentage of people like the fact they ride higher, aren't associated with the name wagon, hatchback, or van, and have a snobbery that the equivalent economy car they are based on doesn't.

What say you GRM, is the lack of priorities by our government on infrastructure and our desire to ride in Bigfoot everywhere going to push our beloved car out, or is this lift kit on a Toyota Matrix just a fad?

If these winters keep up, I'm either leaving MI or buying a swing axle Ranger.

Invest in skid plates and keep everything else the same.

FOR GRAET JOOSTICE!

I thought that the BMW X3 was a cynical, niche-marketing money grab by BMW. Then I saw them in their natural habitat - Manhattan. The perfect inner-city rich folks' car.

Top ten selling cars on kbb.com for 2014 from 10 to 1 are the crv, fusion, civic, corolla, Altima, accord, Ram trucks, Camry, silverado, and the perennial king ford f-series. I think the crossovers dominance is overrated, most people still buy boring sedans or pick ups. I'm actually fairly amazed that the crv is up that high at #10 honestly.

That being said, my wife's Crosstrek drives similar enough to a base impreza that if it were offerred with a turbo I'd strongly consider it over a WRX. I also live in Alaska so rough roads and deep snow are part of life. If you're going to have awd you might as well have a little more height too, just my opinion. In warmer climates with mostly pavement, the growing need for efficiency will trump the height issue. Unfortunately i don't think tall cars are going away any time soon, people like riding up high thanks to the better views of the road it allows.

I know my wifes Kia forte is has 17 inch tires, I think 45 series and that was a huge mistake for pa, she ruined three tires so far. Oh and a car without a spare tire is the dumbest thing ever. NEver again

Donuts can go to hell. Full size or nothing.

Kill two birds with one stone. You want my welfare tax money? I don't wanna drive stupid tall cars with stupid safety nannies because the roads are all busted. Ban anything that isnt a full frame SUV and make welfare people fill potholes. No more ignant soccer moms in acura alphabet soups, and I get good roads.

mndsm wrote: Ban anything that isnt a full frame SUV

I for one hated this idea, until I googled "off road econoline" and found this:

If I could do that to my van, I probably wouldn't mind bad roads.

Duke wrote: I thought that the BMW X3 was a cynical, niche-marketing money grab by BMW. Then I saw them in their natural habitat - Manhattan. The perfect inner-city rich folks' car.

The amount of Merc G-Wagens in LA is staggering. i see more per day here than I saw in my whole life elsewhere.

maybe it's time for 15X7 steelies with 235/75/15 tires to make their way back onto factory built cars. you can fit enough brakes behind them to stop anything reliably, and the bigger sidewall will give more when it encounters potholes..

Grizz wrote: Donuts can go to hell. Full size or nothing.

at least donuts get you back on the road … green slime/12v inflator = fail, when the side wall is involved

unless AAA or equivalent then road side service = $$$$

You know, this is one of the reasons I've never lowered my Mustang. I'm still at 4wd-like factory ride height on 255/50 17s. With upgraded shocks and sways it handles well enough to be competitive in autox but still handles some of the unimproved (or deteriorated) places I drive. And that's in GA, one of the best states for road repair.

I keep pricing out springs, but I just don't know if I want to go there.

Rufledt wrote:

mndsm wrote: Ban anything that isnt a full frame SUV

I for one hated this idea, until I googled "off road econoline" and found this: If I could do that to my van, I probably wouldn't mind bad roads.

Exactly. One tons make cool rigs. I'm partial to excursions myself but you get the idea.

I live in PA... we have possibly the worst roads in the United States.

I bought a street motorcycle with 8.5" of ground clearance, skid plates and suspension to use it because I have no faith that they will get any better in my remaining tenure.

My next car might be a Rally car.

I'm not sure I can correlate road conditions with the popularity of SUVs. I lived in PA my entire life until recently, and I remember my grandparents complaining about road conditions in the late '70s. I've been driving since the late 80's and they were bad then too.

I think the crossovers are popular today because they're trendy. Just like minivans were trendy with soccer moms in the 80's...until they got sick of them and traded them in for full frame SUVs in the '90's...until they got tired of smearing their makeup from the bumpy rides and started trading them in for CUVs a few years ago...which will give way to ???? in 10 years.

I could see road conditions being a far secondary consideration in purchasing a CUV, but think it has much more to do with fashion/trending.

nepa03focus wrote: I know my wifes Kia forte is has 17 inch tires, I think 45 series and that was a huge mistake for pa, she ruined three tires so far. Oh and a car without a spare tire is the dumbest thing ever. NEver again

Wife's previous Dart had 17" 45 series tires, also. Ruined six! Thankfully, we had road hazard warranty coverage, because two wheels were also damaged. In talking with the service manager at the dealership, he said that in the first year of the Dart being out, they've had numerous customers come in with tire problems.

I don't know GPS, Michigan roads will give you a run for your money. The road I used to work on had deteriorated and been patched soo many times that the rubble on the side of the road was up to the curb level. It looked and felt like a dirt road.

Mitchell wrote:

Duke wrote: I thought that the BMW X3 was a cynical, niche-marketing money grab by BMW. Then I saw them in their natural habitat - Manhattan. The perfect inner-city rich folks' car.

The amount of Merc G-Wagens in LA is staggering. i see more per day here than I saw in my whole life elsewhere.

Yeah, but the whole point of driving a G-wagen in the city is to shout "I'M RICH ENOUGH TO BE THIS STUPID." The X3 actually was perfect for Manhattan - compact but roomy, zippy enough for thrust-and-parry work in traffic, high enough to see over pedestrians and with enough suspension to ignore potholes, roadwork, and minor curbs.

I'd also say the rise in the number of bent rims has a lot more to do with the rise in popularity of wagon wheels on low profile tires, and also the materials used to make the rims. They can't take the punishment that the heavy old steel rims on tall & squishy tires could.

DrBoost wrote: I don't know GPS, Michigan roads will give you a run for your money. The road I used to work on had deteriorated and been patched soo many times that the rubble on the side of the road was up to the curb level. It looked and felt like a dirt road.

It's not just an opinion, it's a fact: http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/04/michigan_roads_now_among_natio.html

30 years of driving, one bent wheel, that the town paid for, because they didn't fix the pot hole in a timely manner.

All in, our roads are pretty good, just send all the sporty cars down here.

Duke wrote: I thought that the BMW X3 was a cynical, niche-marketing money grab by BMW. Then I saw them in their natural habitat - Manhattan. The perfect inner-city rich folks' car.

X1 is worse

I can't drive my stock height Miata on the west side of Indianapolis.

Where is this bizzaro land you guys drive (besides Skierd in Alaska)? I've driven several lowered cars on low-profile tires around many parts of PA, Flint Michigan, various midwestern E36 M3hole towns, etc. without issues.

I don't think the SUV/CUV crazy has anything to do with the condition of the roads.

I also don't think E36 M3ty roads are breaking cars. They are uncomfortable to drive on and may wear out suspension faster, but you don't need a giant truck to deal with them.