February 3rd, 2012The need for A Small Car On Modern Day Roads
Anybody that drives from Pta to Jhb or from the Northern suburbs of Jhb to town or from the northern suburbs of The Mother City to the city bowl can tell you, it is sheer nightmare venturing by car or truck each morning as without a doubt it is in the opposite direction in the evening. Travelling in a small car in these situations is, granted, no safer or less disheartening than travelling in a large vehicle, but at least it will save on fuel usage and plays a role in savings on detrimental gas expulsion.
The case for large comfy motor vehicles as pertained a decade or two ago, no longer exists. The small car, today, is as comfortable around town and as a commuter vehicle as any. They could well lack some of the splendid luxuries that their large siblings have, but who is able to enjoy luxuries while having to be so cautious on the over populated commuter roads anyhow? Also the massive cars and trucks are gas guzzlers and spew out masses of carbon dioxide. The constant maintenance charges of these luxury sedans cost a fortune, as do tyres and also other consumables for these gas guzzlers. As for the controversy of luxury and comfort over saturdays and sundays and holidays offered by large cars, I say rubbish. If you want to do an hour or two on the weekend do you really need to do so in an over abundance of luxury? Many a small car has air con, fancy amusement systems and those modest motors these days produce amazing performance. So, is there really any powerful argument for larger sized cars? No, the principle argument for large cars, these days, is about prestige and flaunting. It is a well-known fact that South African motorists enjoy buying these large and expensive cars notwithstanding that we as a nation spend some 75% of our monthly earnings repaying debt, compared to the Europeans at 8%. So financially and economically there is also a case to be made out for smaller cars rather than large passenger cars, leaving behind our South African snobbery and unneeded competition with the Jones’.
One of the major issues on road use we as individuals really need to consider, is whether or not it is worth jeopardizing our lives to load our large car and head off for the coast or wherever, on our annual leave. A popular argument for the validation of large vehicles is the fact that we need them to travel to our holiday destinations. The mortality statistics over holiday periods because of road accidents, however, are not only shocking, but they are nasty. These terrible accidents don’t take into account the dimensions of the car or its luxury features nor its cost. It is all the same to all vehicles. So, I say keep off the primary routes over holiday periods and even over weekends (if it is avoidable) and fly the family to the holiday destination and rent a small car for local commuting. Using this method at least you’re much less likely to become a holiday death stat.
A small car could help you save a lot of money in maintenance and running charges, they are enjoyable to drive and many of them come with such splendid luxuries that would enable you to travel in comfort. Use these motor vehicles in the city and as weekend runabouts and use air transport over holiday periods. Try to stay off the major roads at holiday periods and trade in the large car on two pretty little things