the issue isnt that off the books work isn't out there, i think they're just as likely to spend it on social goods and tech now in larger proportion than on a vehicle.
if its more than 10 minutes to the nearest park/fastfood/mall by car, you probably still have car minded kids in the area. anything closer, and it just might not be the reality of the youth there...
I had an intern at work today ask me about cars. I of course told him that miata was the answer, but then he said he needs something so he can drive his 3 friends to video game and Pokemon tournaments on the weekends. None of them drive. Apparently they consider it a luxury and would rather have the luxuries of pokemon and video games/computers.
asoduk wrote: I had an intern at work today ask me about cars. I of course told him that miata was the answer, but then he said he needs something so he can drive his 3 friends to video game and Pokemon tournaments on the weekends. None of them drive. Apparently they consider it a luxury and would rather have the luxuries of pokemon and video games/computers.
Gotta be a pretty hardcore geek to still be playing Pokemon these days 
Last one I tried to play was Diamond, too much grinding, you can't play that and have a job or you'll soon suffer a mass extinction of plant life.
asoduk wrote: Apparently they consider it a luxury and would rather have the luxuries of pokemon and video games/computers.
Well, if you can get around without a car, it is a luxury. Most people in major cities would consider them a luxury, even a hassle.
I'm in some pretty intense urban sprawl. Within walking distance, there is a strip club, a McDonalds, and the giant Harley Davidson Destination Daytona thing. Shockingly enough, that's not really my scene. Add to that the fact that school was a 20 minute drive down I-95 (they stopped running a bus to my city, let alone my house) and Tommy is a year older and was heading off to college... I needed a car. That being said, I was the only person who felt that way. A lot of parents these days are perfectly content to chauffeur their kids anywhere. I know a Harvard graduate whose mom is so clingy, that despite the girl having a license her mom drives her to work and just sits in a panera on the computer all day until she takes her daughter home.
KatieSuddard wrote: I'm in some pretty intense urban sprawl. Within walking distance, there is a strip club, a McDonalds, and the giant Harley Davidson Destination Daytona thing. Shockingly enough, that's not really my scene. Add to that the fact that school was a 20 minute drive down I-95 (they stopped running a bus to my city, let alone my house) and Tommy is a year older and was heading off to college... I needed a car. That being said, I was the only person who felt that way. A lot of parents these days are perfectly content to chauffeur their kids anywhere. I know a Harvard graduate whose mom is so clingy, that despite the girl having a license her mom drives her to work and just sits in a panera on the computer all day until she takes her daughter home.
Nope...certainly not my situation. Kid just seems to believe that cars are not required anymore than a horse and buggy. And while I don't object to giving her the odd ride to where she is going, it certainly is not needed.
I am more concerned about this trend continuing and what the cumulative effect will be on the industry/economy as kids abandon what is one of our driving industries as no longer affordable or relevant to their needs?
The automakers, insurance companies and fuel suppliers are all firmly hooked on an existing cash flow.
If less people drive, then prices will need to be raised to support that cashflow need from a lower pool of drivers.
As cost to drive goes up, the number of people who can afford to drive goes down. So less people drive fewer miles.
And the cycle repeats.
I myself believe that we have made driving too "SAFE" to be sustainable, any technology that can be included as a safety item is being mandated into the manufacturing cycle. Same for environmental. Combine that with risk adverse insurance companies that are on the cusp of demanding legislation that you have a tracking device monitoring your behavior at all times (its "voluntary" now) Fines for traffic violations that are no more than undeclared taxation, and you see where it could implode.
In reply to NOHOME:
Or... demand goes down and prices drop to compete for fewer customers. Some businesses go away to reduce supply. Cars become like horses - toys for the rich or eclectic. The economy changes. Like it has for centuries. We may not always like it, but change in inevitable.
I read an article today about how part of the stagnant housing market is due to people deciding they don't want to buy houses anymore.
I'll say this much: I'll continue to buy cars because I enjoy them, but I am not confident at all the classic cars I own now will be worth much of anything in 20 or 30 years.
It would suck to see cars go the way of open smartphones (as in, running an OS that the user controls and doesn't need to be rooted/jailbroken to let you install whatever you want). A few years ago I said you'd only be able to buy one at great cost from some tiny European company. Today that is true.
After decades of white flight getting rid of the urban old people, young people are filling cities with housing and activities that they enjoy. Cars are not super necessary in large cities.
I enjoy driving as much as anyone, but my last place was within 10 blocks from some great bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. Splitting a bottle of wine over dinner without worrying about driving was so nice.
There could be good things from this trend though, especially for us car guys.
Fewer people wanting to drive should mean less traffic. It could also mean less appliances on the road. And it seems more likely the people that are on the road will be paying much more attention to the act of driving instead of texting or yapping on the phone, since they obviously want to be there.
And maybe it'll increase public usage of mass transportation systems in the US, which would be cool.
I had the step-daughter get her permit at 16, and drive for a full year before pursuing her license. It was never a question of if...
Her father actually (finally) ponied up for a car last month for her 21st birthday. She took her longest solo trip (2 hours) just this past Sunday...after we told/showed/wrote down all of the directions for her.
I blame her mother.
Very cool that this came up here. When I learned that my 16 or 17 year old-ish nephew wasn't driving, my first question was "Did he get caught stealing the car in the middle of the night or some E36 M3?"
"Nope. Just has no interest."
NO INTEREST IN GETTING berkeleyING LAID? Has he been to the doctor for this!?!? Is there a hormone deficiency or something???
A lot of interesting...and scary ideas here. Has the whole texting/social media thing gotten THAT BAD!?
GPS's theory is interesting too. And admittedly, I'm dreaming about moving farther out into the country so the kids can ride bikes and explore without getting on those "dangerous 35 mph roads," even though my friends and I would ride for HOURS in any direction, all day, every day, every summer. Starting when I was 7 or 8.
Sidebar: That was also the norm then. NOW, it's so rare to see a kid on a bike that I'm guessing people don't even LOOK for them...that is, if they can be bothered to look up from their phone for a half a second.
I get the social media thing, but is this the end of the species? That adolescent boys can't be bothered to get berkeleying LAID anymore???
"Bewbs? Got those on my phone, brah." Jesus.
GET OFF MY LAWN!!!
I'm sure this topic is less relevant in sparsely populated areas. Not being able to drive in Montana means you're stuck in a E36 M3ty little town. No hunting, no 4 wheeling, no getting laid.
poopshovel wrote: Very cool that this came up here. When I learned that my 16 or 17 year old-ish nephew wasn't driving, my first question was "Did he get caught stealing the car in the middle of the night or some E36 M3?" "Nope. Just has no interest." NO INTEREST IN GETTING berkeleyING LAID? Has he been to the doctor for this!?!? Is there a hormone deficiency or something??? A lot of interesting...and scary ideas here. Has the whole texting/social media thing gotten THAT BAD!? GPS's theory is interesting too. And admittedly, I'm dreaming about moving farther out into the country so the kids can ride bikes and explore without getting on those "dangerous 35 mph roads," even though my friends and I would ride for HOURS in any direction, all day, every day, every summer. Starting when I was 7 or 8. Sidebar: That was also the norm then. NOW, it's so rare to see a kid on a bike that I'm guessing people don't even LOOK for them...that is, if they can be bothered to look up from their phone for a half a second. I get the social media thing, but is this the end of the species? That adolescent boys can't be bothered to get berkeleying LAID anymore??? "Bewbs? Got those on my phone, brah." Jesus. GET OFF MY LAWN!!!
OMFG! Snot on keyboard.
It's funny cause its true!
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