I have to say, I'm a little on the fence on this one. On one hand, I get very annoyed when I'm in a parking lot where all the spots are marked as compact so I can understand a large SUV owner giving up and jamming their car in a compact spot. On the other hand, I'll agree that it's a major pain to try to squeeze into the car when a non-compact vehicle is parked next to me into a compact spot. My solution -- I'm a nut about keeping my cars in excellent condition and I park at the far end of the lot. And no, I don't advocate taking up two spaces. Ever. And, I've seen compact cars deliver door dings just as nasty as SUVs.
Be careful with your generalizations.[/quote}
First, it should not be about "giving up". It is about respect. And dare I say say there is less respect among those that have , than those that have not in some cases. Even when I was given a "full-size" car, never did I think twice about parking in a compact space.
I will be honest my opinions are driven by living in the DC area (a great anomaly, as far as the rest of the nation goes). The King of the "I've got mine, so WTF about you". I had a woman with an Expedition park in a compact space next to mine, and when she opened her door - it was with a good thud. Her comment? "well, I am in a hurry, but it is not like that that ding really matters to you".
Yes. compact cars can deliver good dings. But in the end it is about respect for your fellow human being. More and more in areas like mine, we are seeing those with the money, look down upon those with out the money (FYI, I live in Fairfax County Virginia, one of the highest cost, highest disposable income areas in the US).
As an example, look at those that have died. I was taught i my early years that one would either stand at the curb, or get out of their car and stand tat the curb, as the procession went by. Now we have to have police at each light, in order to have safe passage.
So the questions begs, why should I as a compact vehicle owner go out of my way to accommodate those that have little regard for the laws and rules of this land?
I'm more concerned about 18-wheelers running me over than I am a Chevy Tahoe.
So am I. But that is a post for the PF here.
Huh? While I'm not a fan of the giant homes (I've owned homes in both those categories and am now in a smaller one) who ever said that there's a guaranteed equal outcome in life? Is that what this is *really* about? Class envy? So someone has had enough financial success in life that they can purchase a $60K SUV that gets poor mileage. So what? They pay through the nose at the pump so it's not like they're not continuing to spend money for their purchase. Plus, if we take a two-year view of it, what do you think the resale market for these vehicles will be? My suspiscion (sp?) is that the person buying that vehicle today will get absolutely bloodied in depreciation. There are also people who will never afford anything newer or nicer than a four-year-old used car.
Respectfully, I support a person's right to choose their own vehicle, house, partner, etc. -- that's part of what makes our country great! The absolute LAST thing I want is the same result for everyone. Chip - You're a self-professed Subaru fan and that's great for you as I'm sure their vehicles fit your criteria. I have nothing against Subarus but they're not on my shopping list as I think they're some of the oddest, strangest cars on the market and they don't fit my needs. But, just cause they're not for me doesn't mean I'm against them.....
It has some to do with class envy. Again looking at the DC area. But when you have those building McMansions (2,500+ sf) in neighborhoods of homes that are under 2,000 sf. You have to look at the historical perspective also. Many, even the "rich" folk, were happy with their under 2.5000 sf homes. But as we have changed as a nation, the quality of life and expectations has changed
I even fell prey to that thinking when moving from my 1.200 sf TH to my 800 sf apartment *(one bedroom). In a few years if I move, I am now better able to maybe consider a 600 sf apartment.
Not to take this to the PF here, but I know that I have been left behind under Reagan and Bush I, and I was lifted up during Clinton, and now have fallen behind under Bush II.
It is not class envy on my part. I have accepted my lot in life (it may not be a lot, but is a life - thanks to the "Bug's Life" for that quote). I am not looking to get a 2,000+ sf house or a car that I can afford at half of the median income here. What I am looking for is acceptance like in my parents home town in my youth, that each person and contribution had value.
It meant a lot to me when an owner and customer mine that just purchased a Hummer congratulated me on my purchase of my Baja. Or when a customer of mine that knew I owned a TH, and then found out that I had to sell, and heard about my new apartment gave me words of encouragement and and support.
In the DC area, these positives are far and few between. Hell, some of these folks don't want the teachers, policemen, and firefighters to live amongst them in "affordable" housing set asides. Never mind those that "serve" them in retail. I guess we can afford to live in WV and pay $3 to get to work.
Before you get the idea that I want a "handout". No I don't. I just remember a time that has long past that rich and poor had a respect of each other. I remember when my Dad bought his Oldsmobile at about the same time as a neighbor bought their Cadillac. It was a great time for both .
But never did we see people buying "regular" homes, only to building something that might be twice the size and out out of character for the community.
