You Voted In Change, And You Got It! New Mileage Standards May Boost Car Prices By $9000!

Add that to the $3,500 for black boxes plus new roof crash standards and we will soon add $15,000 to every car. The price of being a Democrat may soon be hitting the masses.

That's about how much the prices are over here (Dubai, UAE) when compared to the US.

There is a price you pay for safety. This is why we are spending billions of dollars in the middle east wars. So what's another 15k. We are supposed to be rich!!!

monster- Rich? Tell that to the lunch lady at the elementary school.

The price of being Democrat? How about the price of being a republican? Look at what the republican's lack of regulation has caused in the Gulf Coast! The Republicans are about corporations first, people second. If anyone cannot see that then they are blind. And Oh yeah... The record setting wars that we are currently into were instituted by the republicans and the Torturing prisoners is also a republican initiative. I'm sorry but I want this country to move forward, not backwards.

And besides there isn't a single republican that can appeal to the entire nation. The GOP is a lost cause. I mean the GOP actually thought that Rand Paul could be a presidential candidate. LOL!! In the 1800's he would have had a chance but not now.

Can you name a good republican presidential candidate? Hypocrite Jindall and Rick “secession” Perry do not stand a chance. Any party that takes its marching orders from Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin is doomed. You guys are going to be in for a big surprise this November. Just like you were in November of 2008.

"...we will soon add $15,000 to every car"

Save the drama for your mama. We have all heard the same bullsh!t when the third brake lights, airbags, and emission reductions were all going to doom the auto industry, too. An industry that is inherently not forward thinking like the auto industry needs some direction and mandate or they will not likely move forward except in tiny incremental steps. It strengthens our country's position to reduce our need to suckle on the tit of Arabian oil (or as they call it; the black blood of allah).

As a Petroleum Engineer, I can honestly say that anyone who even insinuates that the oil and gas industry is not regulated knows NOTHING about the subject. The oil and gas industry is in fact one of the most regulated industries in the country.

I spend about 60-70% of my time on regulatory matters. For example, I recently finished a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plan per 40 CFR §112 (extension of the Clean Water Act) for a company with 15 tank batteries that are low volume (< 300bbls each), in the middle of nowhere, and not even capable of discharging material into the “waters of the Unites States”, and it is 350 pages long. That is just a scratch, there are things such as 40 CFR §109, Contingency Plans, FRC’s (for larger facilities), SARA, EPCRA Tier II, PHMSA, APENS (Colorado: through CDPHE APCD) et al. Those are just special reports that have to be prepared (and often signed by a PE), that is to say nothing of the myriad of operational, logistical and reporting rules.

"See how dumb you sound? "

- No. I see how dumb you sound.

No. I just realize that we'll never agree. I'm wasting my time defending my points or attempting to make you see my points. Arguing Politics on the Internet is a waste of time. And you seem to want to make it personal. So I'll leave your ass the hell alone. Who knows what the hell you are capable of?

Yes, Democreats typically know NOTHING about the subject at hand.

I'm an independant I actually voted for Bush over Kerry.

Motorcycles will look so much more appealing with a price hike like that.

Let me guess, from the caption I can see it has the hallmark of Agentanti-Obama oops, I mean Agent-Overdramatic, sorry I mean Agent009.
Agent009,
I can see that Neanderthals like you(you honestly do sound like one) are stuck in a bubble. What you need to understand is that we can't continue with business-as-usual. Although I work for the oil and gas industry fossil fuel will not last forever and the risk of extracted these fuel will continue to increase.
What could be possibly wrong with setting higher fuel efficiency standards- to every rational person that is a good thing but to the likes of you, it is some political issue.
Get real- you are becoming really pathetic.

AdmiralT20- In case you might not remember we are currently in a recession. All of these changes cumulatively are starting to add up and taxing the consumer who is already stretched.

So are you ready to pay $25,000 to $30,000 for a Nissan Versa?

Fast moving Government may not be a bad thing, but in the last few months look at what has transpired.

New roof crash regulations add weight and about $1,500 per car. New data recorders adding $3,500 per car, and $9,000 per car to make them more fuel efficient. That right there is $14,000 ADDITIONAL to the cost of every car.

So just what is the average American consumer going to do? Simple, now they are going to stretch that car note out to 10 years to make it affordable and put themselves even FURTHER into debt at a time when they need to be saving more.

Looks like the Obama administration needs a crash course on consumer economics.

009,

Stop playing with the words of the Article. The $9000.00 Number was for hybrids. Which already cost about that much more than a normal non-hybrid. The actual increase for gasoline engine cars was $2,200. But hey... Anything to make Obama look bad, right? Even if it involves lying.

Here's the exact quote:
"while a hybrid could offer up to a 50% improvement for $9,000."

another quote:
"The panel found that based on a 2007 vehicle, available technology could boost a typical gasoline engine's efficiency by 29% at a cost of $2,200."

Why are you using that $9000.00 number and spreading it across the board? When the actual number is $2,200? Did anyone actually read the article? or am I misreading the article?

Lexsuxs- The $9,000 figure would apply for almost every make. If you don't go diesel in a car the size of a Camry or larger you HAVE to go hybrid.

Since most automakers already have a hybrid in the pipeline from following Toyota then they will go with what they have.

Those companies that have an alternative will use whatever they have that best suits their mix.

resale values are going to stay high!

Used cars will become a bargain!

yes, yes they will :)

AWESOME. This will force Californians to choose develop their mass transit system and improve traffic conditions. If the following occur, CA will be a better place to live:
1. Raise the price of new cars to fund mass transit
2. Raise taxes against gas to fund mass transit
3. Raise the price of vehicle registration to fund mass transit
4. Raise parking taxes to fund mass transit

The above 4 revenue measures would solve all of LA's congestion problems by taking cars off the street and putting people into more resource efficient transit system.

Rich people will still be able to afford their BMWs and poor people should not have to worry about getting a car when they can practically ride mass transit for free due to the subsidies from all the above taxes that the rich pay.

Moreover, by removing older cars from the road because poor people can't afford to put gas in them or register them, the environment benefits.

I'M ALL FOR IT.

Interesting scenario for the city worker. I guess they either fly on vacation or ride a bus, or train?

Quizz, the very fact that your idea for LA's public transit system would need such heavy subsidization (through drastically higher taxes) illustrates that public transportation systems at their core are economically unfeasible. If it was economically feasible, it would pay for itself without further burdening tax payers.

I still think the government should let consumers determine what kind of car they want to drive. If a consumer wants to pay a premium for a hybrid, let them. If a consumer wants to buy a gas guzzling V8 SUV, let them be at risk in case gas prices surge again. The nanny state is out of control.

Hopefully "change" will be coming this November in Congress.

Agent009, many lower/middle class people commuting to work in Manhattan area do not own cars. They take the subway/train from Brooklyn/Bronx/Queens. I don't see them complaining. Parking in Manhattan is insanely expensive.

All the more incentive to work harder so you can afford a car.

quizz- Great to know that Manhattan commuters will be unaffected. But 90% of the rest of the US are not as fortunate to those resources and require a vehicle.

It's like anything the government touches, the logic behind just about always fails. Instead of allowing economic forces to go their way, they raised the mileage standards in the 80's. What happened? Almost immediately, station wagons disappeared leaving everyone to migrate to SUVs which were exempt from those standards. Where the intended effect was to reduce consumption, it had the opposite effect. If you want people to change their habits, the only way will be if it affects them economically. People only considered downsizing when forced to do so (think the last couple of years). Once the price of fuel starts to raise again, the most economical engineering solutions will start to get attention again. Forcing it is not the answer (necessity is the mother of invention).

Well right now the theme seems to be "Legislation is the Mother of Invention"

lol, Why the hate ? .
Cars (and other finished/branded goods ) are not priced based on intrinsic value but on what the market will bear ! Bmw will continue charging a premium for its brand and Kia will be cut price irrespective of the technology you think will raise prices. No manufacturer will loose market share by raising prices ...

As for possible costs ... cars have staid pretty true to what they cost from the time Ford rolled out its Model T ( of course that cost $500 but a dollar then was worth the $21 bucks now.) A modern day car with all its safety available for around 11000 dollars (equivalent of 1915 $500 ) is a far better bet than the tin lizzie.

So in a nutshell as long as there is competition, cars will get cheaper and with more content and safety .

Like a good student of economics, Obama understands that and wants to ensure that you and your loved ones get the best products in the world at the best price. Or in other words Leadership.

Has anyone here lives been made any worse since Obama was elected? Mine hasn't and I'm sure everyone here is living the same way they did when bush was president. So what's the real issue here? Hmmmmm. And we all know the real reason why Agent009 is so anti Obama.

Anyone who consistantly knocks someone (Obama) as often as he (agent 009) does, leads me to believe that his beef with Obama doesn't have anything to do with politics. Its 100% personal. Get used to it Agent009, The Tea-Party isn't America.

Lexsucks, Obama stated that he was going to pull out of the war..and when he got in he increased the numbers, sad, it doesn't matter whether the Democrats get in or Republicans, sad, Ron Paul would have been good! He is his own man, he takes orders from no one, unlike Obama, then again he is probably doing all he can without being killed by the people that run the Gov. in America, the president has little control, he is just a mascot, it's about time for a change, as for the more efficient car look at the new BMW 3 series with the diesel engine, I like that and it gets better mileage that what they are pushing for.

Obama hasn't screwed anything up more than it was already, yet. It is too soon.

But the decisions that are being made now, will affect us in 3 or more years. This is true of any Presidency, it takes time for anyone to see the effect.

However it is becoming abundantly clear this administration is making some very expensive moves without much concern on how to exactly pay for them. This is cause for concern. You just can't charge up your credit cards to the max and hope it will all work out.

You already have a weak automotive sector and now you have placed regulations into effect that can make ownership of these very products in the near future out of reach for a majority of Americans.

Hopefully I am wrong on this, but on the surface I remain unconvinced for now.

Just out of curiosity, why do you dislike Lexus so much?

The same reason why people like Lexus so much.

Yes, that healthcare bill was a real home run. Can't wait till that baby comes home to roost.

You mean the "Death Panels". LOL!!!!

Why on earth would you be wanting to spend an extra $9000 for a 50% gain in fuel economy? You'll have to spend $18000 worth of gas before it makes up... with a car that gets 30mpg, and gas at $3 per gallon... that roughly equates to having to drive that vehicle 180,000 miles before you start netting an overall benefit on your "sweet ass fuel economy".

I think AccentPlanet can stay and the rest can leave. God we have some ignorant hicks here. Sad, really sad.

45mpg at $3 a gallon will run you at 15 miles/$ to spend $18000 worth of fuel, you're gonna have to travel 270,000 miles to reimburse your $9000 "sweet ass fuel economy investment"

wow my math is horrible... sorry 67500 miles...

... really horrible... lets see... at $3 a gallon we need to save 3000gallons of fuel... By driving 438,750 miles on 45mpg we use 9750gallons of fuel... and driving that same distance on 67.5mpg we use 6750gallons... saving us 3000 gallons of fuel... which is equivalent to $9000.

anyway, that extra emphasizes, my point. 438,750 miles to make up for $9000 is horrible... if it was only $1000 then sure you'd make it back in about 49,000 miles.

back the 30mpg it would take 9000gallons to go 270,000 miles, and 6000 gallons to go the same distance in a 45mpg car. So it's apparent that investing in fuel economy in poorer fuel economy cars will net you a payback far sooner then an already efficient economy car.

Good thing I bought that 12 cylinder.

I doubt this will be the case. I dont feed into exaggerated speculation.

AP/HS..Left wing liberalism is so popular .. It has to be forced upon the people. "And screw your Controlled by Force". I've said it before " Get the Hell out of here". The door to the USA works both ways. There are existing Countries that practice what you believe. Just find one and Go! Its your choice.

Wow... I'm glad I live in Canada, I'd hate to have my votes being outnumbered by people like yourself who are trying to force your own ideologies onto other people.

I agree with NannerPus' point, the same scare tactic of "the price is going up if we were to implement these requirements" has been used before and yet we all are benefiting from those introductions now (ABS, rear brake lights, 3-points seat belts, airbags, etc.). As to 009's concern about the average citizens of this country being able to afford the price increase, I appreciate your sentiment. But it's strange how you are most concerned about our economic well being when you defend industries' reluctance to change and improve their product. I don't recall this kind-and-care-fervor when gov't loans/support were being made to companies to i) avoid collapse of the financial and capital sector (which would affect a good part of the population) and/or ii) avoid hundred of thousands of job losses that would destroy particular communities?

@AccentPlanet

Your hypocrisy is tragic, claiming "conservative sympathies on the gay issue," in the same instance that you state "Conservative=FAIL."
You lack compassion, exposing yourself ignorant, stupid or both. Preaching segregation while refusing fundamental human rights, let alone basic freedoms.

The contrast of your cherished ideals, versus basic philanthropy, marks you a fanatic.

Your talk of "force," would be welcome in any terrorist camp.

I hope when 001 bans you, at least you will have the common decency to never return.

For your sake, I hope they teach you better grammar and writing skills in your "new world order."

This is a great read!