How attractive are SUV going to be when gas is $3/gal?

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Why these gas guzzlers are so popular is beyond me. They certainly have little practical value for most people.

I guess they are good for running other drivers off the road, Which happened to me last weekend. I couldn't see through its frosted windows, but I'm guessing that the driver was clutching a cell phoen.

yes, let's base all life's choices on other people's perception of practicality.

It's amazing that we were able to function as a civilized society before the advent of SUVs!

Yes, its my perception, but I believe that it's an accurate one. Do the vast majority of suburbanites who own a SUV REALLY need it?

No.
But this is America. You don't have to "need" something to be allowed to have it.
Do you need the house you have or would you survive just fine in a studio apartment?
I'm fairly certain you are taking up more land than you actually "need".
That land could be used to grow more food for the starving people of this world.

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
Welcome to America.

I'll drive whatever the fsck I want. Until YOU start paying for my gas or car payment, STFU about what I, or any other SUV owner, drive. It makes no difference whether it's practical or not. (it just so happens that I live in an area where we are getting 6-10 inches of snow in the middle of march, so I'd say my AWD is relatively practical)

Hey, if you want to piss your money away and plunder a nonrenewable resource, go for it, that's your right!

Having freedom also give you the right to act like an idiot.

I see you are making the most of your freedoms!

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
http://www.newsreview.com/issues/chico/2003-01-09/cover.asp

Certainly THATS an unbaised and fair study. And I suppose all Honda drivers are young, wear their hats backwards, have baggy pants and say Yo alot then too eh?

Well judging by all the threads I've seen on ATOT over the years, most people here seem to think that's the case...

I'd like to think that a lot of people that have SUVs either a) use 'em for their capabilities or b) have another car to use or extra money to spend should gas prices skyrocket.

'course, there also is another gas demographic - those that always put premium gas in their car, when the car doesn't need it, thereby wasting money there.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Ime
I purchased my 4Runner about 9 months ago. About 2 weeks ago the wife and I became first time homeowners. She drives an Acura Integra.

Which vehicle do you think did the majority of the moving?

Which vehicle do you think we take on Lowe's/Home Depot runs for various things?

We save gas where we can. We take the Acura out when we are just going someplace. My wife uses the Acura for work (she drives farther than I do).

I may even buy a daily driver for myself if I feel it would save me money in the long run.

The 4Runner stays, though! It's just too damned useful!

Most people where I live have 2 or 3 SUVs. Not an SUV and an Integra.

 

[selene]

Agreed !!! I have a 4door accord sedan and I can't move a small book case in to it.. trunk off by 5" back seats off by 3". I really need an xterra type.. so I'm shopping for one in a few month

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: Ime
I purchased my 4Runner about 9 months ago. About 2 weeks ago the wife and I became first time homeowners. She drives an Acura Integra.

Which vehicle do you think did the majority of the moving?

Which vehicle do you think we take on Lowe's/Home Depot runs for various things?

We save gas where we can. We take the Acura out when we are just going someplace. My wife uses the Acura for work (she drives farther than I do).

I may even buy a daily driver for myself if I feel it would save me money in the long run.

The 4Runner stays, though! It's just too damned useful!

Most people where I live have 2 or 3 SUVs. Not an SUV and an Integra.

 

[atom]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: murphy55d
Welcome to America.

I'll drive whatever the fsck I want. Until YOU start paying for my gas or car payment, STFU about what I, or any other SUV owner, drive. It makes no difference whether it's practical or not. (it just so happens that I live in an area where we are getting 6-10 inches of snow in the middle of march, so I'd say my AWD is relatively practical)

Hey, if you want to piss your money away and plunder a nonrenewable resource, go for it, that's your right!

Having freedom also give you the right to act like an idiot.

I see you are making the most of your freedoms!

So why exactly are you focusing on just SUV's?

 

[ReiAyanami]

before the albertsons strike, i saw two cars backing out at the same time, one was an SUV, the other a mid-size car, the mid-size car stopped a few feet when they realized the other person was backing out at the same time, and the SUV continued to back right into the other car, implying the SUV driver couldn't see behind her.

now if she can't even see a frickin' car behind her SUV, i wonder if she could see a kid from her High and Might Invincemobile

i disagree with the logic that ppl have the right to waste natural resources and endanger lives 500% around them so they can look stylish. i don't see much of a difference between mini-vans that have removable seats and SUVs besides the mini-van being vastly safer and better designed according to insurance industry reports

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I also forgot to add, its great on those "alone" nights when me n the wife are out. Yes, we still park once in a while. Yes, theres all KINDS of room in an Expedition to just get straight freak NASTAY!

Did you plan ahead and forego the leather option ? Or do you just bring extra towels ?

You tell me

AND THATS MILK!!! NOT FREAK NASTAY STAINS!!

Yea, sure its milk. Man milk more like it.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: ReiAyanami
before the albertsons strike, i saw two cars backing out at the same time, one was an SUV, the other a mid-size car, the mid-size car stopped a few feet when they realized the other person was backing out at the same time, and the SUV continued to back right into the other car, implying the SUV driver couldn't see behind her.

now if she can't even see a frickin' car behind her SUV, i wonder if she could see a kid from her High and Might Invincemobile

i disagree with the logic that ppl have the right to waste natural resources and endanger lives 500% around them so they can look stylish. i don't see much of a difference between mini-vans that have removable seats and SUVs besides the mini-van being vastly safer and better designed according to insurance industry reports

Parents run over their own kids a lot in this country while backing out of the driveway. When you back out, most people only look over 1 shoulder and not the other. They're looking for cars driving by, not people/kids in their path while doing this. It doesn't take a tall vehicle to miss a "blind spot".

About the parking lot incident. Have you any idea how many of those happen between regular passenger cars ? To say that one was caused purely because she was unable to see the lower car is proposterous. Have you ever sat in an SUV ? How tall is a regular car and what's the ground clearance difference ? You're missing maybe half a foot, if that. To completely miss visibility of another car because you're that much higher is not a good assumption.

 

[Doggiedog]

4WD minivans? Which ones? Tell me you could recommend me a Chrysler T&C with a straight face. The only other minivan I can think of is the Toyota Sienna but that doesn't count because it just came out recently.

Seriously, you guys think its the worst thing in the world just because there is one person in an SUV. Well, hate to break it to you but an SUV is a form of transportation and just because there only one person in it doesn't make it less practical than someone driving a Porsche 911 to work or their pickup truck.

For me, I tend to drive my sedan (when its not in the shop) over my SUV since I want to keep the miles down. But there are times when I have to drive the SUV because that's all I've got available. Then there are times like today when its snowing 6" and you want to be in an SUV for AWD. Just because someone is a single occupant in an SUV it shouldn't make them a jerk. Most people drive what they need. They can't afford to have specialty cars for each situation, which you guys seem to be suggesting.

 

[rh71]

Shhh... they're going to say you shouldn't be driving an SUV in the snow because it makes you look like you are better than them. You might get a false sense of security and think that it can actually drive better in the snow than a RWD car... and thus, you shouldn't be driving an SUV at all...

Shame on you for getting to use it even when you're better off!!!

 

[Ornery]

"They certainly have little practical value...

Oh, but a Corvette, Cobra or WRX does?

I'll take a full framed, V8, RWD anything over these econobox deathtraps anyday. Soon as gas gets high enough, I'll snatch up a nice SUV for a song. Can't wait...

 

[Riprorin]

I live in Rochester, NY and I think we've had about 130 inches of snow this winter. I haven't had any problems getting around in my 2-wheel drive 1993 Ford Escort that gets 30+ mpg, and cost me $2,700 over 4 years ago.

Personally, I can think of better ways to spend my money than on a $30K+ gas guzzler that's going to rust out within 10 years or so.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I live in Rochester, NY and I think we've had about 130 inches of snow this winter. I haven't had any problems getting around in my 2-wheel drive 1993 Ford Escort that gets 30+ mpg, and cost me $2,700 over 4 years ago.

Personally, I can think of better ways to spend my money than on a $30K+ gas guzzler that's going to rust out within 10 years or so.

Wow I'm doing fine too with my sh!tty PC. Does that mean I wouldn't like to have a nicer one ? Open your eyes.

The issue here is convenience. If you don't think it's worth the money to get 4WD, then so be it. Personally (from experience in upstate NY), you're best served to have 4WD - can't deny that. Are you saying that just because you believe that there's better things to spend money on, then others should have the same belief ?

I'm beginning to think you're saying all this simply out of boredom and to illicit reactions. Cause I can't see the reasoning behind your selective responses.

BTW, my 9 year old SUV is still in near-perfect condition. Rust out ? Not even from all that Buffalo salt.

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I live in Rochester, NY and I think we've had about 130 inches of snow this winter. I haven't had any problems getting around in my 2-wheel drive 1993 Ford Escort that gets 30+ mpg, and cost me $2,700 over 4 years ago.

Personally, I can think of better ways to spend my money than on a $30K+ gas guzzler that's going to rust out within 10 years or so.

Wow I'm doing fine too with my sh!tty PC. Does that mean I wouldn't like to have a nicer one ? Open your eyes.

The issue here is convenience. If you don't think it's worth the money to get 4WD, then so be it. Personally (from experience in upstate NY), you're best served to have 4WD - can't deny that. Are you saying that just because you believe that there's better things to spend money on, then others should have the same belief ?

I'm beginning to think you're saying all this simply out of boredom and to illicit reactions. Cause I can't see the reasoning behind your selective responses.

I'm just rebutting the argument that you need a SUV to navigate in the snow. As I said, we don't have SUVs (our other car is a 1995 Ford Escort station wagon) and we are getting along fine in a very snowy climate.

The wagon is actually pretty practical for moving things, either by putting down the seats and putting items in the back, or tying them to the roof rack.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: rh71
Ok so now the generalization is that most/all SUVs drive slow while most/all sports cars drive faster...

No, it's not a generalizations, it is simple physics. If the SUV is getting the same gas mileage as a sports car, and the SUV is twice as heavy, it's going to be a lot slower.

My point was that in a sports car you gain performance by sacrificing fuel economy, in an SUV you sacrifice fuel economy just to compensate for the size of your vehicle.

And that's why SUVs have an added benefit of practicality when it comes to being more than a people mover. But this still has nothing to do with why you're saying the big rigs drive only 3mph above in that left lane you believe you own.

because I always go 15 over

 

[xEDIT409]

We own a Wrangler, Envoy, and a AWD Vibe.

We live in Michigan... nuff' said.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Going to be just as popular with my father. You try hauling 500-700 pounds of semi parts demos and literature around Northern Michigan in the winter with literally feet of snow on the ground in a Civic. Oh, and you'll also need to tow a boat with that Civic. And take clients to dinner and on golf outings so you'll have to fit 2 to 4 golf bags in the back along with all those semi parts demos.

ZV

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Going to be just as popular with my father. You try hauling 500-700 pounds of semi parts demos and literature around Northern Michigan in the winter with literally feet of snow on the ground in a Civic. Oh, and you'll also need to tow a boat with that Civic. And take clients to dinner and on golf outings so you'll have to fit 2 to 4 golf bags in the back along with all those semi parts demos.

ZV

I've seen stranger things.

Yesterday, I saw a Geo Metro with a hitch. :Q

Seriously. What would it pull? A tricycle?

 

[zCypher]

let me just say that awd and 4wd is not --only-- available on excursions, expeditions, navigators whatever. You can get a JEEP you know, which would be just as practical and probably perform far better in terms of those 'practical' reasons you got your SUV.

I survived this winter with my fwd lancer which had horrible tires. It was scary. I saw people with WRXs zipping around in the nice, snow, slush etc where I could barely move. You don't need an SUV to drive in winter, although it is much easier to drive in sh!tty conditions in a cherokee or whatever.

solution? move to place with no winter, buy sports car.. enjoy life

why stay in the PASSING LANE when people are trying to pass, obviuosly at a faster speed than you? That's simply inconsiderate whichever way you look at it. It is a passing lane. I move out of way when someone is trying to go faster than me, and I dont flash my highbeams at them as they pass by. friggin lame

anyway everything in this thread has already been beaten to death just wanted to put in some thoughts

 

[ReiAyanami]

well obviously every SUV driver tows 500-700lbs worth of parts thru snow, and then goes driving up mountains every weekend

rodney king for example tried a few months ago to move a house with his SUV, except from the wrong end and he was traveling at 100MPH

MO! MO! MO-MENTUM!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ReiAyanami
well obviously every SUV driver tows 500-700lbs worth of parts thru snow, and then goes driving up mountains every weekend

No, they don't. But just because there are some people who don't need them does not mean that there are not people out there with legitimite uses for them.

What's annoying to me is the implicit assumption that everyone who has an SUV has no need of it.

ZV

 

[faZZter]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: Ameesh
you do realize that most sports cars guzzle just as much gas as a SUV.

My V8 4x4 Explorer gets the same gas milage as my roomies G35 Coupe (manual) and my friends IS300, by your logic we should all be driving little cramped 4 bangers. Well i have news for you this is America not fvcking pinko france.

At least sports cars move fast while they guzzle gas, unlike the stupidly slow SUVs and minivans I always get stuck behind on the interstates, driving in the left hand lane at 3 mph over the limit.

Yeah you're right. SUV's can only go 68 mph.

Oh BTW, I just bought a Nissan Titan.

Go ahead and start a gas guzzling pickup bashin' thread please!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: zCypher
let me just say that awd and 4wd is not --only-- available on excursions, expeditions, navigators whatever. You can get a JEEP you know, which would be just as practical and probably perform far better in terms of those 'practical' reasons you got your SUV.

You are joking, right? A Wrangler is about completely impractical for most people. It's a SWB 2 door with no back seat for all useful purposes that has a low tow capability. Not to mention it's gas mileage is lower than most SUVs.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
0roo0roo, your links there all became worthless with this...
"found that a behemoth like the four-ton Chevy Tahoe kills 122 people for "
Good chance most of that study is compl;ete bullshyte, because that statement is. The Tahoe is in line with an Expedition. 5000 pounds. Thats 2.5 tons. Hell, I dont think a Hummer is 4 tons.

the Hummer weigh more than 3.5 metric tons - I know because I know one would need a truck driver licence to drive one in Romania. (anything over 3500 kg is not a car, and can not be driven with the usual driving licence)

Calin