[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]

No worries Mitch, I know you're easily confused (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I'm all for a completely free market too, but with two conditions:
1) Everyone in the game plays by the same rules. Why is it cheaper to manufacture something overseas? They don't play with the same environmental, health, and safety rules we do.
2) Boundaries are in place that temper the free market's drive for lower price with the more important interests of mankind's quality of life such as breathable air and safe work conditions

I think without boundaries we will always move towards bigger and more powerful cars. The easiest boundary is fuel cost.

I do agree that artificially raising fuel prices would negatively impact shipping companies, but they would just raise rates. In the end the consumer bears the brunt. I think this would also positively shift us towards local manufacturing, more efficient over the road trucks and trains, more efficient distribution networks, etc. In sum, a good thing.

Meanwhile you'd still be able to go buy that 600hp supercar. You might not be able to drive it much...but with the CAFE you wont even be able to buy it because the OEMs wont be able to make them.