Comments on: Morning Metro: Watershed Plans Buckhead Reopening, No CSD Millage Increase Planned, and One Time Hybrid Buyers

By: David Harris

David Harris — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:20:52 +0000

I put Koni FSD dampeners and higher rate (lower ground clearance, stiffer) springs on my Jetta TDI and it’s one of the best-handling cars I’ve driven or ridden in – very smooth and comfortable with very little roll, pitch, or under-dampening. In other words, very comfortable for passengers who prefer smooth rides over performance, yet tight enough to handle corners and expansion joints without upsetting the suspension – a near-perfect blend of comfort and performance.

I can’t imagine having that kind of suspension potential in a hybrid. I can only speak with experience on the Jetta TDIs, but I’m sure the Golf and Audi A3 TDIs are even more fun to drive given their better (less) angular momentum.

By: David Harris

David Harris — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:52:53 +0000

Even though the Prius gets far better mileage in the city than a diesel, we like our Jetta TDIs. I thoroughly enjoy the driving experience from rowing my own gears, the engaging clackety-clack diesel engine and turbo spooling noise, and the handling from the 4-wheel independent suspension. The small VW TDIs are pretty fun to drive.

The thing that bugged me about the Prius’ is the CVT. Yes, it’s efficient, but oh-so-boring. The engine immediately revs to the optimal speed and stays there. Not exactly an engaging driving experience. IMHO, if I’m going to be spending significant time driving a car, I want it be half-way enjoyable.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:47:02 +0000

Such things already exist are are sometimes used for accident investigations. They are also used by insurance companies to monitor teenage drivers and others who want to get a break on insurance rates.

By: Individual Rights Zealot

Individual Rights Zealot — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:35:04 +0000

It’s already in the works. Senate Bill 1813, Section 3406, sponsored by Barbara Boxer, has already passed the Senate. It requires “black box recorders” in automobiles for 2015 onward but I don’t believe for a minute it will be for Big Brother corporate use only. Although the text of legislation states that such data would remain the property of the owner of the vehicle, the government would have the power to access it in a number of circumstances, including by court order, if the owner consents to make it available, and pursuant to an investigation or inspection conducted by the Secretary of Transportation.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:43:56 +0000

Not to mention that it’s not safe to leave the car running if they are leaving it to bring in their child. Isn’t that a traffic violation? I especially don’t like the vibe of unmanned cars idling and generating exhaust in front of a building where young children are running in and out. I would ask the preK administration to prohibit it and to put out signs and announcements plus enforce the prohibition. I know Clairemont used to have a no-idling sign talking about protecting little lungs.

By: New Scott

New Scott — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:24:43 +0000

It’s at least once per week that I glare at someone for going into my son’s PreK while leaving their car idling in the parking lot. Can anyone explain why people do that? Can the inside of your car really get THAT hot or cold in the 5 minutes it takes you to go inside and back? I realize glaring does absolutely nothing to solve the problem so maybe I should just pull myself together and ask the people why they do it.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:50:03 +0000

It has occurred to me that the future result of the trend towards privatizing everything and charging for each element of services may eventually result in us all having some kind of nanobot monitor assigned that measures our every activity, our every breath, pollution contribution, food ingested, road driven, water consumed, heat and electricity used–not just in the home, but everywhere we go, park used, bike path travelled, teacher minute used by our children, etc. In the end, it will be Big Brother but not Big Brother as government but Big Brother as corporate monitor and creditor. Or will the full circle of Republicans-conservtaives-libertarians-anarchists-radicals-liberals-Democrats-independents-Republicans, etc. unite and object?

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:26:34 +0000

Have you looked at TDIs?