That's a very good point, but it really only applies if your older car is
your ONLY car (for example, I have two cars, both 1967 or older). If, like
most people, your old LBC is a second (or third) car, then you really can't
claim any savings, because your old car isn't "replacing" a newly
manufactured car, it is "in addition" to a new car (it would be absurd to
claim that your alternative to an MGA as a weekend car would be a new
full-size SUV, for instance, though I suppose you could claim it would be a
new Miata).
But I like your "life cycle" analysis -- if we made a habit of looking at
all our purchases like that, well, it might open our eyes a little.
Cheers,
Max
on 6/11/04 1:59 PM, Editorgary@aol.com at Editorgary@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 6/10/04 9:29:05 PM, owner-mgs-digest@autox.team.net
> writes:
>
>
>> I am just trying to make you (us) face up to the fact that by
>> choosing to drive an "obsolete" vehicle, we are part of the problem, not
>> part of the solution, albeit a very small part.
>>
> Actually, if you expand the equation, you may get a different answer. How
> much pollution is created, energy and resources used in the manufacture of the
> new car that is going to replace the obsolete vehicle you've chosen not to use
> in favor of a new car. And how much pollution will be created in recycling and
> disposing of the materials in the obsolete car you've chosen to junk. Though I
> can't footnote my source, my recollection is that a well-maintained older car
> can be used for many years before it produces the amount of pollution created
> in the manufacture of its replacement. If these calculations are correct,
> every mile we drive in our well-maintained (seals and rings replaced as
> needed,
> tune-ups carried out, timing correct, exhaust system in good shape, etc.)
> hobby
> cars contributes to the solution of the problem, if the alternative is
> junking the car and buying a new one.
> The only ways to really help solve the problem are to park your old car, take
> up cycling as your hobby and use the time you save in not having to maintain
> your car to lobby for inclusion of SUVs and light trucks in the emission
> regulations.
> JMHO
> Gary Anderson
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires
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