From: loszewski_im@sage.hnrc.tufts.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Who gets to buy a sports car? (Wong)
Date: 21 Jul 92 18:09:40 GMT
Organization: USDA HNRC at Tufts University

In article <1992Jul20.182909.5832@unixg.ubc.ca>, twong@civil.ubc.ca (Thomas Wong) writes:
> In article <1992Jul17.212049.5298@qiclab.scn.rain.com> al@qiclab.scn.rain.com (Alan Peterman) writes:
>>This is one of the best examples why I am glad that most high performance
>>cars are too expensive to buy, insure and maintain for younger drivers.
>>It takes maturity to be able to control high performance automobiles and
>>more importantly to control one's own cravings.  Unfortunately, maturity
>>is not often achieved before age 30 or so - sometimes never.  There are
>>exceptions, and they are very good responsible drivers, on the road
>>or on the race track.  
>>
> 
> I don't think you have covered the bulk of the problem. I think the
> problem nowadays is that there are too many _sporty affordable_ cars 
> out there . I don't see the owners of Porsches or Ferraris drive as
> crazy as those who owns a Suzuki Swift GT or a Geo Storm, thinking that
> they are driving an expensive _sports car_. And these little cars have a
> lot more kick to them than years ago. In fact, a lot of cars out there
> nowadays have a lot more kick to them than the econo cars of years past.
> Hence the young'ns out there all driving these _sporty_ little pocket
> rockets zips in and out and floors it whenever they can. And these are
> the people who are driving our insurance rates up because these cars
> can't handle like a sports car nor can they take the impact like a
> better build car. I've seem more more Mustangs wrapped around a tree
> than Porsches. From what I've seen, the owners of these high performance
> cars drive their cars in quite a cautious manner, especially since it's 
> so expensive. One scratch on their car and they'll go crazy. I even saw
> a Paseo trying to outrun a Vette once, but that was more funny than
> it was dangerous since the match was over quickly.
> 
> Thomas.

I agree!  I own an '85 Camaro Z28 and I worked hard to get it.  I have my fun
with it, but I know its potential as well as its limitations. If I caught any-
one messing with it, I wouldn't be a very happy camper.
As for the people in the "sporty little pocket rockets", I agree as well.  The 
problem is that the jerks behind the wheels of these cars think they are driving
an indy car, and their tires are the size of motorcycle wheels.
Regarding the insurance aspect, I also agree.  I don't like the idea I am paying
a little over 1g/year on my Camaro and I have never been in an accident.
I'm hoping to purchase a '92 Corvette in the spring of next year, and you had
better believe that I am going to drive that car like grandma moses!  For all
you little twirps out there driving "sporty little pocket rockets" you can 
tailgate me all you want.  Because when I gently exhale on the gas peddle, you
will be left inhaling my exhaus
Always remember one thing:  There is a time and a place to put your sports car
to the test.  On a highway in traffic, or a crowded rural part of town is not
the place.  And if you think your real cool leaving patches of rubber at every 
corner in your sporty little Mazda Miata or Paseo, lets see how cool you are 
when you accidentally hit someone!
From: bruno@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Bruno Melli)
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 21:47:34 GMT
Subject: Re: Seeking advice on claiming insurance money
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA