Originally Posted by Landric

I can't think of a good way for the government to regulate vehicle ownership based on need that doesn't have flaws. Charging higher taxes based on fuel consumption or engine size might work for some folks, but a lot of others are simply going to pay the tax and keep getting 14 MPG.

Originally Posted by Landric

Rationing could be an option, but I hate to advocate that level of restriction outside of a national crisis (such as WWII). At any rate, I'm of the opinion that filling government coffers with people's money just for the sake of doing so isn't right. After all, its the population that suffers from increased fuel consumption, not governmental bodies.

Originally Posted by Landric

I don't know what the answer is. Perhaps some sort of permitting system where purchasers have to show legitimate need to purchase a vehicle with more than 4 cylinders or under some MPG rating? But then, who decides the need? Permits are always subject to corruption if they leave the decision up to someone based on anything other than spelled out criteria.

What bothers me about people driving vehicles that use huge amounts of fuel they don't need is due to the increased consumption. That effects all of us. Increased consumption means greater demand, which in turn means higher prices. It also increases the speed in which limited resources are consumed. I don't care that my co-worker can afford to drive his 4WD V8 pickup 80 miles a day. We can't afford for him to.

I lived 30 miles from work the last time gas prices spiked. I took it upon myself to move. I now live five miles from work. I've gone from fueling up my 4 cylinder economy car once a week to once a month. Now, if I can figure out a way to get rid of my 6 cylinder mini-van for a Mazda5 4 cylinder 6-speed without taking a bath, I will. I'd like to get to the point where I have nothing but 4 cylinder cars averaging at least 25 MPG, I'd prefer 30 MPG. I'd buy diesel vehicles if they were more available in the US. Perhaps in time they will be.