[KeithO]

The supposed standards about to be enacted might make performance cars more difficult to get for a while. I am wondering if we aren't looking at new-car performance similar to what we saw from 1973 through around 1987...

This is just more motivation for me to maintain my f-body.

Do you guys think that we will be able to achieve this? Regardless, how slow do you think new cars will get before performance returns?

[CMC#5]

I only used the Prius and Fiesta as examples of US spec vehicles capable of getting 39mpg. Getting mpg in the 40s, 50s, or 60s is not a problem. You can buy a 65mpg Ford Fiesta right now just about anywhere other than the US. The problem is the fact that the vast majority of people in the US wouldnt buy a car with 0-60 time in the mid teens. Consequently, when the Fiesta goes on sale in the US it wont get anywhere near 65mph, rather more like high 30s.

The bottom line is people buy what they want that they can afford. When fuel prices spiked up last year there was a fundamental shift in this country's desires. Suddenly people wanted fuel efficient cars. SUV sales tanked. The effect was immediate, and only collapsed because fuel dropped to under $2 fairly quickly.

The greenies and the government clearly want to reduce energy consumption and improve emissions. Forcing manufacturers to build products people don't want is a backwards way of achieving that. Bump the cost of not being efficient and you'll get the results without the drama.

Taxing fuel doesnt help the oil companies since it will drive demand (and therefore total sales) down.