should I buy in temecula

[smshorttimer]

I doubt this would have happened, but …

I just want to pre-empt anybody by conceding that San Marcos has some of the most butt-ugly 70s-80s era tracts ever constructed. We looked at one place, which was the best of the lot aesthetically speaking, but the neighborhood was so architecturally foul that I had a hard time imagining just driving home to work each day. Was near a highly rated elementary school, though.

Also, my wife and I have opposite shifts, so promixity to our jobs was a big deal. (Her “commute” is less than half of mine.)

[Ren]

[quote=CONCHO]Not everything has a dollar value — at 90 miles per day versus 10 miles per day, you are 9 times more likely to be in an automobile accident. And since much of that is on high-speed roads, if it occurs it is likely to be a doozy. Of course it will never happen to me because I am an excellent driver. And even if it does my Mercedes is of excellent quality and I will not be harmed.[/quote]

Sarcasm aside, you’re actually right. In 26 years of commuting (anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes one way), I’ve never been in an accident, and I don’t need to knock on wood when I say that, because when you follow certain rules, you reduce the chances of getting into an accident to almost nil. They are:

1) Don’t drive an SUV. In crash tests, they test the tendency to roll on flat pavement at low speeds. SUVs pass those tests, but barely. In reality, drivers are doing 70+, swerve onto the median, over-correct, then the back end swings out and catches dirt. A sedan can make it through this without tipping, but a top-heavy vehicle usually won’t. You’re also much more likely to die in an SUV rollover than in a car rollover.

2) Don’t drive a compact car. More mass is better, to a point (see rule #1). Drive a smart car if you’re suicidal. In those, you ARE the crumple zone.

3) Assume everyone else on the road is a moron.

4) Be predictable, especially around aggressive drivers.

5) Always have an escape route.

6) Increase following distance with speed (a rule most don’t follow). This alone has kept me from getting in numerous accidents, one where I watched a Suburban do exactly what I described in rule #1.

7) Know the capabilities of the vehicles around you (e.g., it can take a large pickup twice as much road to stop from high speed).

8) Don’t be distracted. When you’re driving, that is your one and only job.

9) Stay away from cars in obviously poor condition. Drivers who don’t care about their cars don’t care about yours, either.

Even head-on collisions are usually avoidable, if 100% of your attention is on the road. The only danger to you then becomes the drivers you can’t avoid, which is those who run red lights, pull in front of you, or rear-end you. The vast majority of multi-car “accidents” on the freeway are the result of two or more drivers being stupid, not one idiot and his innocent victim.

[Ren]

[quote=CONCHO]Not everything has a dollar value — at 90 miles per day versus 10 miles per day, you are 9 times more likely to be in an automobile accident. And since much of that is on high-speed roads, if it occurs it is likely to be a doozy. Of course it will never happen to me because I am an excellent driver. And even if it does my Mercedes is of excellent quality and I will not be harmed.[/quote]

Sarcasm aside, you’re actually right. In 26 years of commuting (anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes one way), I’ve never been in an accident, and I don’t need to knock on wood when I say that, because when you follow certain rules, you reduce the chances of getting into an accident to almost nil. They are:

1) Don’t drive an SUV. In crash tests, they test the tendency to roll on flat pavement at low speeds. SUVs pass those tests, but barely. In reality, drivers are doing 70+, swerve onto the median, over-correct, then the back end swings out and catches dirt. A sedan can make it through this without tipping, but a top-heavy vehicle usually won’t. You’re also much more likely to die in an SUV rollover than in a car rollover.

2) Don’t drive a compact car. More mass is better, to a point (see rule #1). Drive a smart car if you’re suicidal. In those, you ARE the crumple zone.

3) Assume everyone else on the road is a moron.

4) Be predictable, especially around aggressive drivers.

5) Always have an escape route.

6) Increase following distance with speed (a rule most don’t follow). This alone has kept me from getting in numerous accidents, one where I watched a Suburban do exactly what I described in rule #1.

7) Know the capabilities of the vehicles around you (e.g., it can take a large pickup twice as much road to stop from high speed).

8) Don’t be distracted. When you’re driving, that is your one and only job.

9) Stay away from cars in obviously poor condition. Drivers who don’t care about their cars don’t care about yours, either.

Even head-on collisions are usually avoidable, if 100% of your attention is on the road. The only danger to you then becomes the drivers you can’t avoid, which is those who run red lights, pull in front of you, or rear-end you. The vast majority of multi-car “accidents” on the freeway are the result of two or more drivers being stupid, not one idiot and his innocent victim.

[Ren]

[quote=CONCHO]Not everything has a dollar value — at 90 miles per day versus 10 miles per day, you are 9 times more likely to be in an automobile accident. And since much of that is on high-speed roads, if it occurs it is likely to be a doozy. Of course it will never happen to me because I am an excellent driver. And even if it does my Mercedes is of excellent quality and I will not be harmed.[/quote]

Sarcasm aside, you’re actually right. In 26 years of commuting (anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes one way), I’ve never been in an accident, and I don’t need to knock on wood when I say that, because when you follow certain rules, you reduce the chances of getting into an accident to almost nil. They are:

1) Don’t drive an SUV. In crash tests, they test the tendency to roll on flat pavement at low speeds. SUVs pass those tests, but barely. In reality, drivers are doing 70+, swerve onto the median, over-correct, then the back end swings out and catches dirt. A sedan can make it through this without tipping, but a top-heavy vehicle usually won’t. You’re also much more likely to die in an SUV rollover than in a car rollover.

2) Don’t drive a compact car. More mass is better, to a point (see rule #1). Drive a smart car if you’re suicidal. In those, you ARE the crumple zone.

3) Assume everyone else on the road is a moron.

4) Be predictable, especially around aggressive drivers.

5) Always have an escape route.

6) Increase following distance with speed (a rule most don’t follow). This alone has kept me from getting in numerous accidents, one where I watched a Suburban do exactly what I described in rule #1.

7) Know the capabilities of the vehicles around you (e.g., it can take a large pickup twice as much road to stop from high speed).

8) Don’t be distracted. When you’re driving, that is your one and only job.

9) Stay away from cars in obviously poor condition. Drivers who don’t care about their cars don’t care about yours, either.

Even head-on collisions are usually avoidable, if 100% of your attention is on the road. The only danger to you then becomes the drivers you can’t avoid, which is those who run red lights, pull in front of you, or rear-end you. The vast majority of multi-car “accidents” on the freeway are the result of two or more drivers being stupid, not one idiot and his innocent victim.

[Ren]

[quote=CONCHO]Not everything has a dollar value — at 90 miles per day versus 10 miles per day, you are 9 times more likely to be in an automobile accident. And since much of that is on high-speed roads, if it occurs it is likely to be a doozy. Of course it will never happen to me because I am an excellent driver. And even if it does my Mercedes is of excellent quality and I will not be harmed.[/quote]

Sarcasm aside, you’re actually right. In 26 years of commuting (anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes one way), I’ve never been in an accident, and I don’t need to knock on wood when I say that, because when you follow certain rules, you reduce the chances of getting into an accident to almost nil. They are:

1) Don’t drive an SUV. In crash tests, they test the tendency to roll on flat pavement at low speeds. SUVs pass those tests, but barely. In reality, drivers are doing 70+, swerve onto the median, over-correct, then the back end swings out and catches dirt. A sedan can make it through this without tipping, but a top-heavy vehicle usually won’t. You’re also much more likely to die in an SUV rollover than in a car rollover.

2) Don’t drive a compact car. More mass is better, to a point (see rule #1). Drive a smart car if you’re suicidal. In those, you ARE the crumple zone.

3) Assume everyone else on the road is a moron.

4) Be predictable, especially around aggressive drivers.

5) Always have an escape route.

6) Increase following distance with speed (a rule most don’t follow). This alone has kept me from getting in numerous accidents, one where I watched a Suburban do exactly what I described in rule #1.

7) Know the capabilities of the vehicles around you (e.g., it can take a large pickup twice as much road to stop from high speed).

8) Don’t be distracted. When you’re driving, that is your one and only job.

9) Stay away from cars in obviously poor condition. Drivers who don’t care about their cars don’t care about yours, either.

Even head-on collisions are usually avoidable, if 100% of your attention is on the road. The only danger to you then becomes the drivers you can’t avoid, which is those who run red lights, pull in front of you, or rear-end you. The vast majority of multi-car “accidents” on the freeway are the result of two or more drivers being stupid, not one idiot and his innocent victim.

[Ren]

[quote=CONCHO]Not everything has a dollar value — at 90 miles per day versus 10 miles per day, you are 9 times more likely to be in an automobile accident. And since much of that is on high-speed roads, if it occurs it is likely to be a doozy. Of course it will never happen to me because I am an excellent driver. And even if it does my Mercedes is of excellent quality and I will not be harmed.[/quote]

Sarcasm aside, you’re actually right. In 26 years of commuting (anywhere from 5 minutes to 90 minutes one way), I’ve never been in an accident, and I don’t need to knock on wood when I say that, because when you follow certain rules, you reduce the chances of getting into an accident to almost nil. They are:

1) Don’t drive an SUV. In crash tests, they test the tendency to roll on flat pavement at low speeds. SUVs pass those tests, but barely. In reality, drivers are doing 70+, swerve onto the median, over-correct, then the back end swings out and catches dirt. A sedan can make it through this without tipping, but a top-heavy vehicle usually won’t. You’re also much more likely to die in an SUV rollover than in a car rollover.

2) Don’t drive a compact car. More mass is better, to a point (see rule #1). Drive a smart car if you’re suicidal. In those, you ARE the crumple zone.

3) Assume everyone else on the road is a moron.

4) Be predictable, especially around aggressive drivers.

5) Always have an escape route.

6) Increase following distance with speed (a rule most don’t follow). This alone has kept me from getting in numerous accidents, one where I watched a Suburban do exactly what I described in rule #1.

7) Know the capabilities of the vehicles around you (e.g., it can take a large pickup twice as much road to stop from high speed).

8) Don’t be distracted. When you’re driving, that is your one and only job.

9) Stay away from cars in obviously poor condition. Drivers who don’t care about their cars don’t care about yours, either.

Even head-on collisions are usually avoidable, if 100% of your attention is on the road. The only danger to you then becomes the drivers you can’t avoid, which is those who run red lights, pull in front of you, or rear-end you. The vast majority of multi-car “accidents” on the freeway are the result of two or more drivers being stupid, not one idiot and his innocent victim.

[blahblahblah]

Totally agree Ren, you will be in better shape than most drivers if you follow those excellent points. Active safety is more important than passive safety, which goes with #1. But passive safety is important, as you point out in #2. If I were a long-haul commuter I would drive a big Lexus/Acura/Benz sedan or something along those lines. Unfortunately I’m not sure so many of our commuters are as conscientious. I see a whole lot of latte-drinking, lipstick-applying, cellphone-talking, lane-weaving, 85mph-speeding SUV drivers on the highways. Be careful out there!

[blahblahblah]

Totally agree Ren, you will be in better shape than most drivers if you follow those excellent points. Active safety is more important than passive safety, which goes with #1. But passive safety is important, as you point out in #2. If I were a long-haul commuter I would drive a big Lexus/Acura/Benz sedan or something along those lines. Unfortunately I’m not sure so many of our commuters are as conscientious. I see a whole lot of latte-drinking, lipstick-applying, cellphone-talking, lane-weaving, 85mph-speeding SUV drivers on the highways. Be careful out there!

[blahblahblah]

Totally agree Ren, you will be in better shape than most drivers if you follow those excellent points. Active safety is more important than passive safety, which goes with #1. But passive safety is important, as you point out in #2. If I were a long-haul commuter I would drive a big Lexus/Acura/Benz sedan or something along those lines. Unfortunately I’m not sure so many of our commuters are as conscientious. I see a whole lot of latte-drinking, lipstick-applying, cellphone-talking, lane-weaving, 85mph-speeding SUV drivers on the highways. Be careful out there!

[blahblahblah]

Totally agree Ren, you will be in better shape than most drivers if you follow those excellent points. Active safety is more important than passive safety, which goes with #1. But passive safety is important, as you point out in #2. If I were a long-haul commuter I would drive a big Lexus/Acura/Benz sedan or something along those lines. Unfortunately I’m not sure so many of our commuters are as conscientious. I see a whole lot of latte-drinking, lipstick-applying, cellphone-talking, lane-weaving, 85mph-speeding SUV drivers on the highways. Be careful out there!

[blahblahblah]

Totally agree Ren, you will be in better shape than most drivers if you follow those excellent points. Active safety is more important than passive safety, which goes with #1. But passive safety is important, as you point out in #2. If I were a long-haul commuter I would drive a big Lexus/Acura/Benz sedan or something along those lines. Unfortunately I’m not sure so many of our commuters are as conscientious. I see a whole lot of latte-drinking, lipstick-applying, cellphone-talking, lane-weaving, 85mph-speeding SUV drivers on the highways. Be careful out there!

[joec]

Interesting comments. I asked originally because I have road rage problems in stop and go traffic and can’t stand commuting at all. Historically, I’ve pretty much always lived within non-freeway driving distance to work when I rent. I saw no point in a rental to drive far to work.

The metering lights are the worst. Maybe the drive from TV to Carlsbad is moving and that’s not so bad, but it’s bad when you’ve got your window down and you’re yelling and making hang gestures at other drivers to let you in (not last minute neither)…

Long commutes are just not for me.

[joec]

Interesting comments. I asked originally because I have road rage problems in stop and go traffic and can’t stand commuting at all. Historically, I’ve pretty much always lived within non-freeway driving distance to work when I rent. I saw no point in a rental to drive far to work.

The metering lights are the worst. Maybe the drive from TV to Carlsbad is moving and that’s not so bad, but it’s bad when you’ve got your window down and you’re yelling and making hang gestures at other drivers to let you in (not last minute neither)…

Long commutes are just not for me.

[joec]

Interesting comments. I asked originally because I have road rage problems in stop and go traffic and can’t stand commuting at all. Historically, I’ve pretty much always lived within non-freeway driving distance to work when I rent. I saw no point in a rental to drive far to work.

The metering lights are the worst. Maybe the drive from TV to Carlsbad is moving and that’s not so bad, but it’s bad when you’ve got your window down and you’re yelling and making hang gestures at other drivers to let you in (not last minute neither)…

Long commutes are just not for me.

[joec]

Interesting comments. I asked originally because I have road rage problems in stop and go traffic and can’t stand commuting at all. Historically, I’ve pretty much always lived within non-freeway driving distance to work when I rent. I saw no point in a rental to drive far to work.

The metering lights are the worst. Maybe the drive from TV to Carlsbad is moving and that’s not so bad, but it’s bad when you’ve got your window down and you’re yelling and making hang gestures at other drivers to let you in (not last minute neither)…

Long commutes are just not for me.

[Author]

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