New Orleans ranked as #1 Car Friendly City in U.S. | FerrariChat

New Orleans ranked as #1 Car Friendly City in U.S.

Discussion in 'Louisiana' started by JSinNOLA, Jul 18, 2005.

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  1. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2002
    20,246
    Denver, CO
    According to this:

    HOUSTON, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- How happy is your car? If your
    automobile could talk, it might tell you it wants frequent trips to the car
    wash, traffic-free commutes, and fill-ups with high-quality gasoline. And if
    your automobile lives in New Orleans, then it's probably very happy indeed.
    According to the "Shell America's Autopias" study released today by Shell Oil
    Products US, New Orleans is the city where cars would most want to live if
    they had their way.
    Shell believes using high-quality gasolines is an important aspect of
    overall car care, and the company commissioned the "Shell America's Autopias"
    study to better understand how vehicles are cared for and maintained in the
    United States. The Shell study evaluated the 50 largest metropolitan
    statistical areas (MSAs) in the contiguous United States(1) and found that New
    Orleans is "America's Autopia," followed by St. Louis(2); Kansas City, Mo.(3);
    Atlanta; and Phoenix. The study measured a variety of factors to identify
    which metro areas are best suited for automobiles, including traffic
    congestion, road conditions, motorists' use of quality gasolines and motor
    oils, and routine car maintenance practices.
    "The Shell study showed that some cities clearly have an edge in how
    vehicle-friendly they are, and New Orleans topped the list, thanks to the time
    and effort local drivers invest in caring for their vehicles," said Mary
    Jackson, an automotive expert and author of the best-selling book "Car
    Smarts." "A vehicle is typically the second largest purchase that most
    consumers make, so it's important to protect that investment. And while
    motorists may not be able to control traffic, road conditions and other things
    that affect the wear and tear of their automobiles, they can take an active
    role in protecting their cars by performing routine maintenance and using
    high-quality products, such as gasolines that meet TOP TIER Detergency
    Standards."


    The Criteria for an Autopia or Car Care Utopia
    To determine the rankings, researchers from Decision Analyst, Inc., a
    Texas-based independent research firm, scored and ranked each MSA in three
    primary areas that can impact the overall care and operation of a vehicle --
    quality of fuel and motor oil, routine car care and maintenance, and road
    conditions and congestion. Within each of these key areas, the research
    organization weighed the following variables equally to determine each
    metropolitan area's level of car care and identify America's Autopias:
    * Quality of Fuel and Motor Oil. Variables included the percentage of
    gasoline sold by retailer based on consumer survey data, specifically
    taking into account those retailers that sell TOP TIER Detergent
    Gasoline, as well as the amount of high-mileage, semi-synthetic and
    full-synthetic oil that is purchased. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
    a new standard for gasoline that surpasses minimum government
    standards for gasoline detergency additives. According to BMW,
    General Motors, Honda and Toyota, the automakers that developed the
    standard, TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline will help keep vehicle engines
    clean and reduce deposit-related problems, helping vehicles achieve
    optimal performance as well as reduced emissions.
    * Routine Car Care and Maintenance. Variables included the number of
    maintenance facilities (gasoline stations, car washes and oil change
    facilities) in the market per vehicle and the amount of money spent at
    these facilities. Purchases of routine car care products and
    services, such as oil changes and tire rotation and replacement, also
    were taken into consideration.
    * Road Conditions and Congestion. Variables included the physical
    conditions of roadways and the amount and duration of traffic
    congestion within the metro area, which can have an impact on the wear
    and tear of a vehicle. Also included in the analysis was the
    percentage of roads in disrepair in urban areas and the amount of
    money that is spent to improve them.


    The 'Big Easy' Eases to the Top
    New Orleans' top ranking in the Shell survey was based in part on its
    No. 1 ranking in the quality of fuel and motor oil category and the fact that
    local residents spend more on car care than residents in most other areas.
    According to The NPD Group/Motor Fuels Index, 54.3 percent of gasoline
    purchased in the city was sold by a brand that has been certified as TOP TIER
    Detergent Gasoline. Additionally, nearly 49 percent of all motor oil
    purchased is in a premium category, either high-mileage, semi-synthetic or
    full-synthetic motor oil, with the remainder of motor oil sales falling into
    the standard, conventional oils category. The city ranked third among all
    MSAs for its spending on car maintenance products and services, such as oil
    filters, tires, oil changes, tire rotations and other car care services. And
    while the Big Easy ranked No. 21 for road conditions and congestion out of the
    50 MSAs studied, it was not enough to unseat the city as America's Autopia.
    In general, the "Shell America's Autopias" study indicates that New
    Orleans-area residents take better care of their automobiles than drivers in
    other markets by doing simple things like changing the oil, rotating tires,
    and using gasolines with added detergency and high-quality lubricants.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I found this to be quite surprising, especially the part about New Orleans being ranked as high as 21 for road conditions and congestion. I would have expected something more like a ranking of 45th or so!

    Anyway, thought everyone would get a kick out of this...
     
  2. 38 Off

    38 Off Karting

    Nov 4, 2003
    247
    Pace, FL
    Full Name:
    Phil Crain
    Yea, right, New Oleans roads are great! These guys obviously drive Hummers. Bet they'd have a different attitude driving around New Oleans' torn up streets and highways in an F car.
     
  3. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,980
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    Yeah, I remember some rough roads in town.

    Probably biased because Shell has a big operation in town. Maybe that was really a survey of Shell employees.
     
  4. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    I don't know where they drove if they ranked the roads that high. I thought I was going to have to get towed out of a hole my car fell into uptown last week.

    At least the ski jumps on i-10 have been smoothed out a bit.
     
  5. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Richard Thompson III
    I believe the author of that fine article was experimenting with LSD...!
     
  6. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,804
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    I drove my car up Robert E Lee yesterday and felt like I was off roading. Every time I drive in New Orleans it reminds me why I moved out. (one of the reasons anyway)
     
  7. Cajun

    Cajun Formula 3

    Mar 20, 2004
    1,618
    Da BY-U
    Full Name:
    MJG
    The only "smooth" road in town is I-10, and even that is up for debate at times...

    New Orleans roads are definitely not sportscar friendly!
     
  8. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,804
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    By New Orleans standards cobblestone is smooth
     
  9. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,980
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    AHA. This survey was only based on the density of Shell gasoline stations. They probably weighted it so heavily with the assumption Shell is the best gasoline (worth double the points or something).
     
  10. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2002
    20,246
    Denver, CO
    No doubt, although I bet they didn't take into account the debalce shell had down here a several months ago when they delivered BAD PETROL to a lot of their stations here, causing mechanical problems in hundreds of cars. :)
     
  11. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

    Nov 4, 2003
    3,543
    While I was trying to get them to fix my fuel sensor I found out they had done the same exact thing in Canada and other places in the U.S. before it happened here.

    What is really funny is I still use their fuel. I don't know why; I guess it's just habbit to drive to the same place without thinking about it.
     
  12. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2002
    20,246
    Denver, CO
    V-power Ike, V-power!
     
  13. Roland E Linder

    Roland E Linder Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,814
    COLORADO
    Full Name:
    Roland E Linder
    I have been many times in N.O and we did some amazing road trip to the No Problem raceway and the roads were good enough to drive for MILES at 150+ and that with the LM..OK, in town it's bad but this is not the place to play with the cars. I 10 was friendly enough to me and the LM to hit ...5 over !!!
    Can't wait to go back in a few month.
    Roland
    F40LM
     
  14. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,980
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    Hey Roland, I think your 1 and 4 keys had some trouble there...
     
  15. johnhoughtaling

    johnhoughtaling Formula 3

    Nov 6, 2002
    2,113
    New Orleans
    Full Name:
    John William H.
    I agree with Roland. Those of you who live in LA, should not bash New Orleans.

    I know about 8 people in the city that use Ferraris as daily drivers. I think thats great. And the people that come to New Olreans in Oct-Nov. every year create the greatest car event in the world.

    You guys should be proud of your city. Dont bash it to be funny.
     
  16. Cajun

    Cajun Formula 3

    Mar 20, 2004
    1,618
    Da BY-U
    Full Name:
    MJG
    John,

    I am not bashing NO. I was born there & still have family there.

    There is little doubt that FQC is the greatest show on the road, and NO is a GREAT place to call home. I love it. We are simply pointing out how funny it is that NO was voted the city with the best roads, that's all.

    I too agree wholeheartedly with Roland, but there is a HUGE difference between I-10 from the Bonnet Carre Spillway to Baton Rouge and many of the roads through Uptown.

    I have ruined too many shocks, cracked too many chin spoilers, and rattled too many teeth for that article not to be funny!!!!

    Cheers.
     
  17. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,804
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    John, you live or lived in the lakeview area , I find the street conditions out there to be anything but funny. Deplorable , unpaved crater filled are descriptions I would use but not funny
     
  18. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,980
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    Yeah, but what happened that first night in town with your Bobileff-restored Countach? ;) :D
     
  19. Tifosi1

    Tifosi1 Formula 3

    Feb 17, 2002
    1,560
    Pearl River, LA
    Full Name:
    Kelly J. Vince
    All my life I've wanted a Ferrari, my freinds often told me why. These are the worst streets in America.

    So, in my opinion they are the worst streets in America. They suck, that's why I live on the Northshore. I also do my best never to drive the car to the city. I've been in two wrecks in two months with my other sports car. None of them my fault.

    That's why this is so unbelieveable.

    Kelly
     
  20. Tifosi1

    Tifosi1 Formula 3

    Feb 17, 2002
    1,560
    Pearl River, LA
    Full Name:
    Kelly J. Vince
    PS,
    I'd love to see Roland drive the LM down Elysian Fields by the lake. Talk about tearing it up. WOW

    Sorry, Roland

    Kelly
     
  21. kevfla

    kevfla Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2003
    2,086
    Full Name:
    gone 4 good
    Been a few years since last in N.O. (The King Tut exhibit back in the late '70s)

    Are there still "drive-thru" daquiri bars and how much are 3 beignets and a cup 'o chickory coffee at Cafe duMonde?

    KevFla
     
  22. Tifosi1

    Tifosi1 Formula 3

    Feb 17, 2002
    1,560
    Pearl River, LA
    Full Name:
    Kelly J. Vince
    Still got the drive threws Yepper.

    Streets still SUCK!
     
  23. Roland E Linder

    Roland E Linder Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,814
    COLORADO
    Full Name:
    Roland E Linder
    Dear Kelly, every night, I drove down that ave to go to Mark's house, got to watch but that's part of the game. Just think about his drive way !!!
    See ya soon Old Buddy
    Roland
    F40LM
     
  24. Tifosi1

    Tifosi1 Formula 3

    Feb 17, 2002
    1,560
    Pearl River, LA
    Full Name:
    Kelly J. Vince
    You could ware out a clutch on that darn diveway HUH. I had lunch with him last week. he looks so good Spiro was asking poeple if they wanted his autograph. Playing like Mark was a Movie Star.

    God it was funny,

    Keep in touch Roland, remember you stil owe me a ride.

    Kelly
     
  25. johnhoughtaling

    johnhoughtaling Formula 3

    Nov 6, 2002
    2,113
    New Orleans
    Full Name:
    John William H.
    True. A carpet bombed road in Bagdad has better roads that Lake Vista/Lake view.

    But New Orleans is home to some of the happiest Ferraris in the country. And we have some great roads. For a few days in late October/November, these are the best roads in the US.
    This year for the FQC we are also going to take a river road run, which will be great fun.
     

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