The cars and bikes thread!

[Raza]

[Raza]

Interesting, but the biggest issue with something like this is going to be scale-up. From the article:



What is likely a ton of money and years of research has resulted in...one tank of gas. Logistically, the manufacturing plants required for such a fuel would be mind-boggling. I read an article recently about an oilfield in Texas that was pumping several million barrels of crude a day. What size chemical plant would be required to match the output of that one oilfield?

Alternative energy (sun, wind, water) can be produced in so many places. We bought a plug-in hybrid a few months back and when running errands locally, we are able to run on battery power alone. The electricity at our house is sourced entirely from wind and solar.

There is no perfect solution. Batteries have a higher environmental impact at the beginning and end. Gasoline has a steady impact. Even a synthetic gasoline as described in that article would have significant environmental costs in the growth/harvesting/processing of the biomass and chemical conversion and distribution, and even with decreased emissions, it would still have an impact during use.

I never said it was market-ready. But remember, the first computers were the size of a gymnasium. Imagine if we looked at that back then and said "We'll never be able to a phone that's a billion times more powerful than this that fits in your pocket!"

[FuzzyB]

I never said it was market-ready. But remember, the first computers were the size of a gymnasium. Imagine if we looked at that back then and said "We'll never be able to a phone that's a billion times more powerful than this that fits in your pocket!"

I was questioning whether such a product could ever be market ready. I would wholeheartedly endorse such a product if it could be brought to market and achieve its purported benefits. It would be a much needed step in the right direction.

Similarly, I would also like to see additional advancements made in other areas as well, including wind, water, and solar. I did work in photovoltaics for many years and that the efficiency improvements were great, but there is still a long way to go before it truly becomes a viable alternative. I have also done work related to biomass produced products and many of those also need to improve significantly before they could be widely adopted. It is good to see the investments being made in these technologies and I would like to see continued use and development of the appropriate technology for the appropriate application.

[Seriously]

Anyone wanna buy a car - low miles

[Raza]

Thinking back to my times as a wee lad of 16, I’m reminded of the two cars I wanted most as a kid. I think if I actually got this one, I’d likely still own it. It’s probably have 200,000 miles by now, but I loved these cars so much back in the day.



2002 E39 530i, in gray or blue, with a 6 speed manual. I wanted it so badly. They are bargains now. Maybe when I have a little more excess cash and space, I’ll pick one up—or maybe even a 540i or M5.

[tribe125]

It does look ‘just right’, that Beemer. An athlete in a well-fitting suit, nothing purely for effect.

[geoffbot]

Ooh what did I want? An s2000 (still kinda do, could afford one), and rx8 (maybe want a little bit, scared of reliability issues), an m3 csl (want a lot, can't afford), a polo gti (too small for me now).

[tribe125]

What car did I want when I was sixteen?





Rover P5B Coupé.

[crownpuller]

What car did I want when I was sixteen?




Rover P5B Coupé.

Magnificent 'old bus'. My Dad had one.... briefly ... We only had it a few months before the oil crisis kicked in and he simply couldn't afford the fuel.
But while we had it, I felt like royalty in it; like sitting in a leather armchair and the smell was devine. It would 'shift' too when he booted it.

[tribe125]

I only got to ride in one as a hitch-hiker.


I did sometimes drive its little brother -