[MBZ] Continued off topic

[Jim Cathey]

> The energy cost to make a new truck
> divided into the difference in mileage came to some significant number 
> of
> years. Not sure how that formula would work on pollution but probably 
> not
> too different.

A decent first approximation is to assume energy costs are fungible
and just 'buy' fuel with the net expense of the new vehicle.  I believe
the lasting effects of any pollution emitted by the older vehicle will
be much less than that emitted by the new vehicle production process.

Which is not to say that vehicles should never be replaced, but IMHO
only when they no longer suit your needs.  And so long as I only surf
the trailing edge I'm not particularly contributing to the industrial
waste problem.  (If anything, I'm delaying some of it!)

> Gotta watch those hidden costs.

Absolutely!

> 1981 300SD  EM   276k miles, and getting a welding job today to firm 
> up the
> driver's door check.

Gave the Frankenheap one of those, and it really helped a lot!

-- Jim