It is indeed a slippery slope.

You are correct--once car ownership becomes expensive, people find other means. Take me, for example. I own two 9000's. One is on the road, the other is not. So, my wife and I have made adjustments/choices to our lives to deal with only having one car. The second one needs a new clutch, and has been parked since December. Yes, I could pay someone to do it, but that is too expensive for me. So I wait until the weather gets warm (no garage) so that I can do the clutch change myself.

However, I think there are some people "out there" (Rob in Atlanta, I don't count you among them) who would argue that there are LOTS of things that we don't need. TV, computers, electricity, prepackaged foods, houses, where would it end?

So, on one hand, I agree with you. However, on the other, I disagree.

In order for me to be part of society in this portion of the country where I am located (south central PA), I DO NEED a car. My job actually stipulates that I have a vehicle available, as I only spend about 50% of my time in the office. And the same would be true of practically any other job in my field. Sure, I could move, or get a job in a different field.

The bus, you say? Sure, I could use it. IF I live on the bus route, IF it went all the places I needed to go, and IF it ran at the times I needed. The bus system here is Harrisburg, is well, very limited.

What am I getting at? Quality of life--society has reached a point where often (not always) a car has become a necessary element to participate in that society fully and in a significant way. Some people choose to take a stand and sell their cars. I applaud them--America should be a place where we can choose to live our lives in parallel with our beliefs. Cars are something that enable us to live lives that have a higher quality than previously, when no one had them.

However, for me to live life at a certain level of quality (not the best word choice, but hopefully makes sense), a car is necessary. And as SAAB owners, we choose to take what is necessary and turn it into something we really enjoy. So, we don't NEED a SAAB--we could all drive Colt Vistas, or Dodge Horizons, or Yugos. But where would the fun be in that?

Urby

posted by 65.105.13...

• Gas prices eat into sales of large SUVs, Brian_in_MA, Tue, 15 Mar 2005 03:27:05
  • 97- buck short, day late a Saab tradition...., Mark, Thu, 17 Mar 2005 00:15:06
  • I like a recent columnist's SUV remark............., andy , Tue, 15 Mar 2005 18:07:34
  • It makes you wonder what people think of as, Noel, Tue, 15 Mar 2005 08:21:16
    • Careful: bad facts.... Subaru Turbo is 19city/25hwy, mdj, Tue, 15 Mar 2005 15:02:33
      • According to a Car&Driver test, city driving, Noel, Tue, 15 Mar 2005 15:07:01
        • my point is that there isn't THAT much difference., mdj, Wed, 16 Mar 2005 16:27:29
    • Re: this is a proof that no one NEEDS SUVs., t_mokes, Tue, 15 Mar 2005 09:34:37
      • Careful: No one NEEDS cars either, Rob in Atlanta, Wed, 16 Mar 2005 06:09:16
        • Unless you live in Atlanta, RS , Wed, 16 Mar 2005 10:23:42
        • What do we really NEED? (got really long, somehow ...), Urby, Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:59:15 <-- Viewing This Message
        • Re: I don't know about you, but I need my Saab n/m, t_mokes, Wed, 16 Mar 2005 08:44:09
        • well said n/m, jeff, Wed, 16 Mar 2005 06:43:10
      • Great logic, Caarma , Tue, 15 Mar 2005 10:43:56
        • Some people just need an SUV's capacity, Noel, Tue, 15 Mar 2005 12:29:27
          • Weirdest thing - BMW X5 vs 5 series wagon >, ChipJ, Tue, 15 Mar 2005 19:21:15
            • Yeah, I read a review of the X5,, Bob M, Wed, 16 Mar 2005 10:27:54

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