CasterOil commented on GM Says Challenge X Is The Future, We Say We Want It Now

". Daga, all good points, except for the inevitable Black Swan event. Future product planning (along the lines you have suggested) is always based upon a continuation of the status quo, and the larger the decision-making hierarchy, the slower to turn the Titanic away from disaster. Just imagine the product planners at GM only three short years ago: * Their most profitable product were trucks;* The most in-demand trucks were the biggest;* Fuel cost one-half of what it does today;* No-one but geeks and envirotards bought a Prius; and* Not even geeks or envirotards bought a Honda Insight (remember those?) It would have taken a very brave or stupidly inexperienced junior product-planner to have fronted up to the GM suits, and say: * In 3 years' time, you won't be able to sell even 10% of your gigantic trucks, because no-one will want them; * Fuel will cost double what it does today; and * Seriously, we need to get a Prius competitor off the ground and in the showrooms in 3 years, otherwise this entire company is going to be toast! Yes, the planners are going out 5, 10 and 20 years, but in the turn-around time-frame where the rubber meets the road to cope with a quantum shift in consumer sentiment, that's where the problems occur. As an aside, just consider how little crash research there is with respect to two hybrids or full electrics colliding - huge considerations with respect to the safety of both occupants and rescue personnel. As I'm sure you have seen, a mere 12V lead-acid battery can cause significant arcing and damage in an accident."

CasterOil commented on PCH, European Pain Edition: Borgward Hansa Wagon or Peugeot 304?

"The only Borgward that I can remember in Australia was the Borgward Isabella coupe of about 1960/1961, a fairly nice looking 2-door with nascent fins and lots of chrome. No idea of the price, market, or anything."

CasterOil commented on BlueTouch Adds A Bluetooth Dialpad To Your Vehicle

"@ Bo. Damn cheap mobile phone!"

CasterOil commented on BlueTouch Adds A Bluetooth Dialpad To Your Vehicle

"@racerx - Bluetooth only does what your phone does."

CasterOil commented on Aussies Rack Up $5 Million In Cellphone Driving Fines

"@wild zero: You are dead right!"

CasterOil commented on Aussies Rack Up $5 Million In Cellphone Driving Fines

"(1) Victoria is a State with a total population of 5.2 million, if you assume the driving population to be 60%, then this means that approximately 2% of the driving population in the State of Victoria gets pinged every year. (2) No-one, and I mean NO-ONE drinks that crap Fosters brew."

CasterOil commented on 2008 Pontiac G8 GT Reviewed! Popular Mechanics Drives Excitement In The New G8 GT

"Plus, I've got a huge gripe about the prices - Popular Mechanics claims a base price of USD$29,999. In Australia, the base Commodore Omega with clunky 4 speed auto and low range V6 engine (175 Kw) sells for AUD$34,490, without aircon, which addition brings the base price up to AUD$36,000. Putting this into perspective, the Aussie dollar is 92 cents US, so your USD$29,999 base model is AUD$32,607, with the high level V6 and 5 speed auto, and no doubt standard aircon. This is far cheaper than a similar standard Zeta in its country of origin! Something is not quite right here......"

CasterOil commented on 2008 Pontiac G8 GT Reviewed! Popular Mechanics Drives Excitement In The New G8 GT

"You guys are just going to go apeshit over this car - even with the auto. Five speed in the V6 means the high output engine, which is good for 195 Kw and 340 Nm - sufficient power for serious fun, but reasonable fuel consumption. I've had a Holden Calais to this specification for 4 months now, and its a terrific drive - compared with the previous model you saw as the GTO in the States, the steering is vastly improved, body rigidity, finally a proper multi-link independent rear, the list goes on. I'm impressed with the 6 cylinder auto, and I think you wll be too."

CasterOil commented on Captain Obvious Of The Day: ABC News Says Speed Cameras Work

".Jake, red light cameras save lives."

CasterOil commented on Audi Joins the LED Rear-End Revolution

"Why do people always maintain that LED's "light up quicker" than ordinary incandescent bulbs? Yes, I am aware that filiaments have to heat up and glow, but ferchrissakes!! Surely the difference can only be measured in nano-seconds?"

CasterOil commented on What Do You Think of Red Light Cameras?

"I fully support red-light cameras - we've had them in Australia for maybe 20 years or more. Activation is the key, and the offence notices come with Red+1/Red+2 photographs, and all camera positions have a 4 second yellow, with 5 seconds for 70 km/h (43 mph) roads, and 6 seconds for 80 km/h (50 mph) roads."

CasterOil commented on Rules of the Road: Safety Belt Laws

"I'm with FLB and Elwood."

CasterOil commented on Project Car Hell: Stag or 911?

"Here we see the plain and clear essence of PCH. It's not what you would like to build in your usually fictitious spare time, it's not about the value of your project once it's completed (maybe?), and it's not about the desirability or general sang froid of the protagonists. No, what PCH means is which project is most likely to cause you the MOST pain and anguish, to forever foresake your mangled collection of SAE, metric and Whitworth spanners, and seriously consider buying a Kia Rio. Which project car is going to hurt the most - that's the question! Speaking of tools, we could probably have a complete thread on "Where the fuck do those 1/2 and 9/16 sockets disappear to?" Answer that, and we may find out where those socks get to after being put into the washing machine. Getting back to the essence of PCH - Stag, Stag, Stag!!!!"

CasterOil commented on PCH, Aussie Edition: Humber Hawk or Morris Major?

"Guys, the Morris Major was my first car!"

CasterOil commented on SEMA 2007: Plymouth GTX Wagon for 1968

"That really, really puts me in mind of the famous 1968 VE Valiant Safari Wagon from Australia. I think I prefer the D pillar treatment, too - the GTX looks too much like a hearse."

CasterOil commented on What's The Best Ski Bum Car?

"Jaysus!"

CasterOil commented on Project Car Hell: TVR 280i or Maserati Merak?

""My Maserati does 185.Lost my licence, and now I don't drive. Life's been good to me .."

CasterOil commented on Say What?! Lutz Hints at Ute for US, Won't Be a Chevrolet

"Exactly, JoeRenault!"