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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 WHAT'S IN YOUR GARAGE? 
26

Why This Hot Rod Is Greener Than a Prius

You'll drive less frequently but enjoy it more

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(Newser) – So, conventional wisdom tells us, if you want to help the environment, ditch those dreams of a hot-rod, get a hybrid, and commute knowing you’ve done your part to save the environment. Nonsense, writes Joe Eaton, who did precisely the opposite. “Giving up your Prius and putting a hot rod in the garage may be the best thing you can do for the planet,” he writes at Slate.

He explains: Making a real dent in emissions requires cutting the number of miles you drive, not merely improving gas mileage. If you've got a car more suited to the occasional joyride than the daily commute, you're going to drive less—with the help of public transportation—and enjoy it more. Joyrides are "good for the soul," he writes. “Cruising in a hot rod on occasional spirited jaunts is like savoring a real chocolate-chip cookie instead of gorging on a box of low-fats. A little bit won't hurt you.”

Custom hot rods and classic cars take over Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, Mich., during the 13th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007.
Custom hot rods and classic cars take over Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, Mich., during the 13th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007.   (AP Photo/Gary Malerba)
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26 comments
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Rocket448
Oct 29, 09 6:48 PM CDT
So....the car itself isn't greener, its just that your fantasy of joy-riding in a hotrod needs some sort of justification. You're high. Share. Reply
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+12
IN RESPONSE:
A1A
Oct 29, 09 7:35 PM CDT
environmental snobs! what's the carbon footprint living in your mom's basement and staying hunched over your laptop all nite?
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-5
IN RESPONSE:
DJM420
Oct 29, 09 9:44 PM CDT
do you know? or are you hoping someone will answer. i'm a bit curious too. (of course, i'm too lazy to look it up...see post #1)
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
my-name-here
Oct 29, 09 10:53 PM CDT
@A1A, I could be wrong but, I'm guessing less than yours, since I charge two 4 hour batteries during the day with solar and a windmill and use a communal internet access point. Not everyone who sees the need to cut back on energy consumption is some kind of enviro-snob, ya jackass.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
pete_ess
Oct 30, 09 1:24 AM CDT
There's some truth behind this. CUTTING DOWN on driving is the BEST thing we all should do. Also, buying a new car (no matter WHAT new car - even a Prius) is just about the WORST thing you can do. Keeping your car for many many years (even tho it gets less fuel-efficient as it gets ancient) does less harm than buying a new car (especially if you do cut down on your mileage).
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+1
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