[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?

[KeithO]

Eskimo - That was part of the reason that I started this post. I was wondering if it weren't 1973 again and it is going to take decades to get back to significant performance vehicles - that's the optimistic view. Or, we've finally challenged engineers with an impractical problem to solve and real performance will be relegated to what is already in existence.

It is possible to come up with a requirement that will permenantly kill (from the perspective of my lifetime) performance cars. If we make CAFE 100mpg, I think that is out of reach. The current values proposed are lower but are they going too far? Time will tell. One thing I am certain of is that we are going to see some wonderful modern versions of things like the K-car, Fairmont, Chevette, and (1975) Civic. I am just wondering for how long or have we really killed it this time.

I see alot of turds in my future.

This post has been edited by KeithO: Jun 4 2009, 07:16 PM

[cccbock]

Eskimo - That was part of the reason that I started this post. I was wondering if it weren't 1973 again and it is going to take decades to get back to significant performance vehicles - that's the optimistic view. Or, we've finally challenged engineers with an impractical problem to solve and real performance will be relegated to what is already in existence.

It is possible to come up with a requirement that will permenantly kill (from the perspective of my lifetime) performance cars. If we make CAFE 100mpg, I think that is out of reach. The current values proposed are lower but are they going too far? Time will tell. One thing I am certain of is that we are going to see some wonderful modern versions of things like the K-car, Fairmont, Chevette, and (1975) Civic. I am just wondering for how long or have we really killed it this time.

I see alot of turds in my future.

I used to feel like you guys....ie they will kill our hobby. I grew up in the 8 mpg era for performance cars...and that was highway mileage!

I think technology will overcome a lot of our concerns...but it might not look like something we are familiar with today. EFI scared the hell out of me when i first looked at it. Now...well its old hat.

My 383 powered Z28 puts 450hp to the wheels at WOT, but got 26mpg driving home from the races. This was unheard of prior to 1990. Impossible they said at the time.

I think we have a lot to look forward to.

bock