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Are you happy you didn't sell your SUV? - READ ONLY

122 messages,  Last post on Apr 15, 2009 at 6:57 AM

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What is this discussion about? Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 9 of 13

#73 of 122 Re: Shouldn't You Ask... [gagrice] by jimbres

Jan 15, 2009 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 15, 2009 6:18 pm)
It's sort of funny that I should stick up for SUVs. I don't particularly like them - not because they're "environmentally irresponsible" (whatever that means) - but because they're just not fun to drive. My preferred poison is a fast sports sedan - preferably German & with 3 pedals on the floor - that I can push through a sharp curve at 25 mph over the posted limit. If I can't have that, I'd rather ride the train.
 
But I can't sit still when someone claims that everyone who buys an SUV is an unhappily married bad driver. There's about as much real science behind that claim as there is behind the horoscope column in your local weekly classified ad throwaway. That's the kind of thinking that I'd expect from evolution-denying religious nuts.
 
If you ask 25 people why they bought a particular car or truck, you'll probably get at least 20 different answers. People are complicated.

#74 of 122 Re: Every SUV lover needs to read this story [grbeck] by dave8697

Jan 15, 2009 (8:41 pm)

Replying to: grbeck (Jan 15, 2009 8:07 am)
I took a friends advice and got my younger son a Sonoma. The reason was only one other teen could also be in the car, lowering peer pressure to show off by doing something foolish. The egging on is greatly reduced and they can haul their stuff off to college later on. With his misbehaving, though, he can't have it for almost another year. I use it to commute. It has the 4.3, ext cab, and auto but manages very close to 24 mpg. Kids don't take care of their cars anyway. My older son was given a Mustang at 16 and he washed it once a year and waxed it only once in almost 4 years. He comes back from college with 3 month old bird crap on the front hood.
 
The oldest was getting a break on insurance when he didn't have his car at college. This year he has it there and insurance almost tripled. I now pay $545 a year for liability only on a '99 for him. When he first got his liscence, I found out that a 16 yr old on any car with full coverage was $2400 a year, so the kids don't get newer cars that need full coverage. Especially if they don't take care of them.

#75 of 122 so by nippononly

Jan 15, 2009 (9:18 pm)

everybody is hapy they kept their SUV, eh?! Big shocker there.
 
Surely we are not going to reopen the vitriolic IDLSWDY thread here under a new name?
 
My fill-ups are back over $20 in my car, but not by much. Even the big-truck people are only spending $40-50 each time, they have to be pretty content.

#76 of 122 Re: so [nippononly] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jan 15, 2009 (10:09 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Jan 15, 2009 9:18 pm)
Surely we are not going to reopen the vitriolic IDLSWDY thread here under a new name?
 
Bite your tongue.

#77 of 122 Re: The thing I have noticed [larsb] by boaz47

Jan 15, 2009 (10:10 pm)

Replying to: larsb (Jan 15, 2009 3:57 pm)
"Is that rhetorical or do you really want an answer? "
 
Because I have both types of vehicles I would like to know. It has never concerned me one bit what others drive or what people in other countries drive. I am secure in my choices. Oh I have fallen into trends now and then and at one time even bought designer jeans. But if my neighbor bought a Ford and I had a Chrysler I never had a second thought as to what was better for me. I have never understood the red cape syndrome of small car owners and tree huggers when it comes to SUVs.
 
When I had my sail boat I understood the ribbing stink potters, power boaters, had for rag baggers. But that wasn't borderline pathological like the dislike some have for SUVs and Pick-ups.
 
So what is it that makes small car people dislike what someone else buys? I for one don't care what someone else drives, what size house they live in or how many ATVs they own. If they worked for the money and can afford a Peterbuilt to drive to work, more power to them.

#78 of 122 Re: Every SUV lover needs to read this story [dave8697] by gagrice

Jan 15, 2009 (10:43 pm)

Replying to: dave8697 (Jan 15, 2009 8:41 pm)
He comes back from college with 3 month old bird crap on the front hood.
 
I think you are seeing a common trait with those that get a vehicle for nothing. My son was the same with the two different vehicles I bought him. Until someone works to buy their own they will not appreciate it. Even then many don't care. If they got easy money working in the family business etc. I like the idea of a small PU. I bought my son a 1994 Toyota PU and he pretty well trashed it in 5 years.

#79 of 122 Re: Shouldn't You Ask... [gagrice] by larsb

Jan 16, 2009 (7:23 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 15, 2009 5:45 pm)
If you want a small car with a high clearance, buy a Subaru PZEV Outback.
 
If you want a hybrid with a high clearance, buy an FEH.
 
And any car can be slightly lifted for usually less than $1500.
 
There are cars which solve those problems.

#80 of 122 Re: Hybrid Taxis unsafe [gagrice] by larsb

Jan 16, 2009 (7:24 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 15, 2009 6:23 pm)
Ford could solve that problem by making a hybrid Crown Vic.
 
Now that they have the FEH and the FFH, the technology is "in house."

#81 of 122 Re: Shouldn't You Ask... (larsb) by hpmctorque

Jan 16, 2009 (8:12 am)

"Ford could solve that problem by making a hybrid Crown Vic."
 
Maybe hybrid or diesel Crown Vics, or, even better, diesel hybrib Crown Vics, would be the way to go for big city cabs. And a Lincoln Town car counterpart might make a good limo.

#82 of 122 Re: Shouldn't You Ask... [larsb] by gagrice

Jan 16, 2009 (9:40 am)

Replying to: larsb (Jan 16, 2009 7:23 am)
If you want a small car with a high clearance, buy a Subaru PZEV Outback.
 
I actually like the looks of that vehicle. However it only gets 17 MPG in the city. To give up the comfort and room of the Sequoia for 2 MPG makes very little sense. When they bring in the diesel Outback I will take another look if I have not bought my final vehicle by then. I just do not like the Escape and you already know they are horribly over priced. I don't like getting screwed buying a vehicle.

Messages Page 9 of 13

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