[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?

[c4racer]

I think the most chilling view into the future of the automobile industry post the 39mpg CAFE standard is in the latest C&D. There is an article comparing a 1998 metro to two new hybrids.
HP ranged from 55-98
0-60 range from 10sec to 15 sec
1/4mi took 18-20sec with trap speeds in the 60's to 80's
and the MPG?
with normal driving they got 38-42
Which is right around the AVERAGE of this new CAFE standard.

So what does that tell you?

What it tells me is we can kiss goodbye any and all performance cars in this country that get below 25mpg.

Nothing like a 550i, GTG8, E550, no AMG or M cars whatsoever, no 911's, no Evos or WRXs, no Mustangs or Camaros with V8s, no RX8, no GTR, no corvette.
Pretty much any and all of the cars that we care about will be gone.

this has to be the biggest F-U to the american people ever in terms of a pure assault on our freedoms and liberty.
And for us car guys, it hits home pretty hard.

I cannot even put into words how this makes me feel - it is simply devastating to me, because cars have been one of the biggest joys and passions in my life for 20+ years. And now the government is taking that away from me. I am not a happy camper. We need to do something about this - make our voices heard. I don't think too many people on here are very supportive of this policy and what it will do to one of our favorite industries. I do not intend to take this quietly.

[Eskimo]

What it tells me is we can kiss goodbye any and all performance cars in this country that get below 25mpg.

I'm not as much in the "Doom & Gloom" camp as c4racer..

Prior to the cam, but with 4.10 gears and a full compliment of bolt-ons, my T/A could pull down 25mpg on a road trip. My friend (who drives like a EPA tester) averaged close to 30 driving it from NC to PA.
Or, look a the C6 'vette - rated at 26mpg.

This reminds me of the dawn of Electronic Fuel Injection - "Say good bye to hot-rodding forever!" - and now look at us... it's second nature now...and offers us unprecedented control over the engine... 505hp that will last 100,000 miles, while knocking down 24mpg on the highway.. unheard of!

What it'll take is an advancement in engine design...