Keith99RS wrote:

Funny how the minority people here who do use SUV's for their intended purposes feel insulted when someone calls out the majority of owners who use them as high rise non station wagon/minvan commuter people hauler vehicles. Then in turn they slam the soccer moms after defending the large SUV as a daily driver.

Caddywhompus wrote:

Yes, you are right freedom to choose is certainly what America is all about.

But, as I'm sure you will agree, freedom to do anything doesn't automatically mean no consequences from that choice. I can burn a flag if I want, but I better be ready for a black eye and fat lip when a veteran sees me doing it.

Likewise, you are free to drive a locomotive if you want. Plenty of pulling power, lots of cargo capacity, handling and braking not so great but since when does that matter right?

Americans use more oil than nearly every other civilized country. Source The only countries using more oil than us per capita are the middle eastern countries that produce most of it. Our dependence on foreign oil is largely based on the fact we use about twice as much as we need on average. If we rethought our choice of vehicle to use as a daily driver, we could significantly reduce our need to do business with outside sources (who hate us by the way) and that's just the beginning. We already talked about the danger to others on the roadways, it's a fact that getting hit by a 7000 SUV is GOING to hurt someone a lot more than a 3500 pound Camry.

Trucks have their place, no doubt. If someone needs a vehicle like this for work, towing, hauling...etc. then by all means get one. It's less dangerous in most cases then trying to haul a yard of gravel home in that Camry. But lets be honest, fewer than 5% of SUV owners actually use these vehicle for these duties. Most use them the same as a minivan.

So choosing to drive a vehicle that can't get 20mpg with the wind at it's back, and is likely to kill SOMEONE in an accident, is still within your rights. But you have to then accept that you are part of the problem, not part of the solution. Don't get grumpy at others when the sneer at your SUV.

BenK wrote:

It really depends on the individual and too many think 'their' opinion
the only one, so make broad sweeping judgmental comments that should
only apply to 'them', but they apply it to all.

I have a 1996 Suburban that has been paid for a long time. The other
vehicles are all paid for too (1980 Silverado C10, 1991 Caddy STS,
1970 240Z). The only one that can replace them all is the SUV, but
why should I get rid of any of them if those others only cost me
registration, insurance, fuel and maintenance per year?

Sold the boat so don't 'own' anything towable, but do borrow many TTs
and boats for camping trips. The Silverado isn't rated for most of those
but it is the beater that I haul loads of dirt/rocks/gravel/manure/etc
that I'd not 'want' to in the Suburban, even though it 'can'.

The Sub is nice enough to go out to town in, so it can replace the Caddy
but again, why should I if they are paid for?

The Sub does have a problem doing what my 2 seat sports car can, but it
'can' kinda sorta do it.

Only drive the Suburban when towing/hauling folks/etc, or just to keep
the fluids distributed now that it no longer my daily (used to ferry
folks between campuses so got to go in the commute lane and get paid
mileage in my expense reports).

I've had 4x4's ever since the 60's, before SUV was coined and will
till the day I die.

This disdain for SUVs has been or being driven by the fashion statement
crowd, who now are going away from SUV/Pickups to Civics and that says
they really didn't need nor use their SUVs as they were originally
intended.

I'd love to trade in the Caddy for a mini van, as carrying both parents
is okay for now, but when mom starts to need a wheel chair like dad,
the Caddy won't have enough room. There the Sub won't work, as they
can't step up easily and the danger is when they get out and might
fall trying to navigate the sideboard.

A friends, friend at a party was bragging to everyone how green he was by
trading in his SUV (Tahoe) for a Prius and how wrong it is to own any
SUV. Had a heated argument with him on that and had most of the
others finally see that he was one of the fashion statement crowd that
'they' didn't like the way he drives the old SUV. Some said he's still
a jerk out on the road, just not as dangerous with a vehicle half the
size and weight.

That is the real danger out there...these folks who don't understand
the laws of physics driving small cars buzzing between trucks, even
semi's towing 80,000lb trailers. I've seen some pop into a semi's
braking safety zone and then nail their brakes trying to get to an off
ramp they almost 'missed'.

I am aware of hitting a smaller vehicle with my trucks, but I don't
drive like a mad man either. I've almost been hit the other day by a
small car who chose to jump out into my lane to pass. In that head on,
I'd have survived and think they would have gone underneath my
Suburban, as the bumper differential great (to my advantage).

Plus I take recycling seriously and do my own. Even empty the bottle
and jugs. Get anywhere from 1 gallon to 2 gallons/yr of engine oil
that would have gone into the drain when they recycle those empty
plastic bottles/jugs.

thebudman wrote:

It is... well, at least until November. Then, it very well could be the end of things as we know them.

BenK wrote:

A friends, friend at a party was bragging to everyone how green he was by trading in his SUV (Tahoe) for a Prius and how wrong it is to own any SUV.