The fantasy of driving vs. the reality

[JaySwelly]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Go back and read the quoted sentence you're responding to. Point out to me where I said one can live without a car in the suburbs. Get back to me when you find it.

FWIW, you can live without a car in the suburbs. It's difficult, but possible. Several people, usually lower class, do it. If the bus system is good enough or the person is willing to bike or walk to work, then they can survive without a car.

[Patricius Maximus]

Originally Posted by cisco kid

Notice how every car commercial looks something like this. You're driving down a scenic, winding country road. Or along a gorgeous sunset near the coast. They have to run these pretty commercials 24/7...to keep the fantasy alive in your head. [...]

Because the everyday reality of it isn't so pretty.

There are many scenic, country roads in the world, and most people have driven on one at one point or another. When you do get to a scenic country road and the "fantasy" becomes reality, do you want to drive it in a car you hate driving in or do you want to drive it in a car you love and is fun to drive? When I bought my car I chose the latter without hesitation.

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

ZOMG TV commercials don't reflect reality?

Also, way to equate peak rush hour traffic with ordinary driving conditions.

The reason that scenic country roads are shown in commercials is:

1. It's scenic
2. It shows off what the car can do when it has a chance to chew some pavement

If Cisco_kid has been in the concrete jungle for so long that he's forgotten about the existence of open road, I do feel sorry for him, and I pity all the drivers who fail to use the full potential of their cars on such roads. I've driven on such routes myself many times, and it's quite enjoyable with the right vehicle. Any car can sit in traffic with ease, but it takes a particular breed of car to really enjoy the open road. Having a nice car that can chew up some pavement may seem useless in your day to day life or during your commute, but when you stray from your daily commuting route and encounter a scenic route and are unable to enjoy it in your subpar vehicle, try to remember what you're missing out on. "Recreational driving", however rare, is one of those experiences that marks the difference between living and merely existing.

And by the way, what does all this have to do with urban planning?

[nei]

Originally Posted by Patricius Maximus

And by the way, what does all this have to do with urban planning?

Good point.