We are in a gas crisis in all but the name, gas in my area is over $6 a gallon and even in states where it’s normally “cheap” (taxpayer subsidized) it’s still well over $4. Its been six years since COVID and since then we saw it peak, drop to slightly lower but still higher than ever before covid, and now this. It also appears that gas, even if it does go down, will never be “cheap” again.

and yet, even with all of that I still see new giant cars rolling off the logs. Giant Santa Fes, brand new F150s, brand new plates. People are still buying these. Not luxury “I can spend whatever I want” rich folks, everyday people buying these things.

What is going on in peoples heads? I know most never take gas into account when buying a car and then are all shocked pikachu at the pump, but seriously even now it’s not an issue?

I have seen maybe, maybe one new car that was a hybrid out of my anecdotal experience. No one considering those, or an EV, or god forbid biking or taking transit. (In my area both are very viable alternatives).

I’m just so exasperated at how stupid people are being. They think 50k for a car is expensive and then never take into account what powers the damn thing.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

  • Yaky@slrpnk.net
    10·
    14 hours ago

    There aren’t that many small cars being made (in the US at least). Ford stopped making anything smaller than an SUV, and Chevy just discontinued the Bolt (again! Which was a crossover this time anyway).

    Then maybe throw in some fearmongering about “safety” (just escalation of who has the largest vehicle) and “I need an SUV for my children” (how much shit do your kids need to haul around on a daily basis?) or “I need to haul stuff for my house so I need a truck” (my hatchback fits A LOT of stuff. Sure it cannot fit a 4x8 sheet but neither can a modern truck with a short bed)

    • Scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.techOPEnglish
      2·
      13 hours ago

      I had to buy a new TV a few years back and I remember I took it out to the car with the sales guy and he said “Oh I don’t think it’ll fit”. Told him to hold on, folded the seats down and that baby fit perfectly in there. Idk if it was the size of a sheet of plywood, but it was big, the box and all. Guy was legitimately impressed. Meanwhile yep agree, people get these super duper manly family trucks and can’t fit a few suitcases in there anymore. People mortified of admitting they need a van and have to feel good by driving a truck.