Interesting op-ed on the anti-SUV Fanatics

[Amused]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
No one wants to force you not to buy SUVs.

Just like no one wants to take away our freedom to keep and bear arms, right?

If you don't think there are people out there that would gladly ban, or tax SUVs out of existence, you are naive.

If you ban or tax SUV's out of existence, you'd have to do the same for the pickups (Silverado, F-150, Dakota, etc) or cars (Camry, Accord, Altima, Civic, etc.) that they are all based on.

If you don't like SUV's, fine. But don't think that banning the vehicles would actually work. It's downright stupid to even consider.

Yep, my feelings exactly. However, it wont stop them from trying. Hell, we already have a gas guzzler tax. All they would have to do is lower that.

There are many ways they could try and make owning an SUV more expensive... and believe me, they're trying.

 

[Crucial]

I don't understand why they have allowed them to have the low gas milage all this time. They could make them better but don't have to because the government doesn't make them. I love borrowing my mom's Tahoe. I would buy one if I had the money to do it. We only have 2 kids and it makes traveling tons easier. I just don't like the horrible gas milage.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: csaddict
I don't understand why they have allowed them to have the low gas milage all this time. They could make them better but don't have to because the government doesn't make them. I love borrowing my mom's Tahoe. I would buy one if I had the money to do it. We only have 2 kids and it makes traveling tons easier. I just don't like the horrible gas milage.

In many midsize SUV's, the milage isn't *that* terrible. In fact, only 2-3 MPG off what a Minivan gets. Not bad considering they are often 4WD and weigh several hundred pounds more than a Minivan.

Getting into a Suburban/Tahoe/fullsize though, and you start dipping down into the mid to high teens. Now we are starting to really see a decrease.

 

[DJFuji]

The thing that annoys me about SUVs, and in particular, their buyers and drivers, is that a LOT of them are using it as a minivan. If you need a minivan, buy a freakin minivan. Don't buy a SUV in sunny southern california and tell me it's for safety and off roading when you drive your kids to school and then go to work in the business district every day. Buying an SUV and using it as a minivan is like buying a honda civic and using it as a sports car. (which is a whole other story)

I think another thing that annoys a lot of people is the buyer's mentality. SUVs are incredibly trendy and especially here at anandtech, "trendy" doesn't carry much weight.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
down with all idiots who cant drive... be it cars or suvs.

Agreed.

While I loathe the lemming mentality exhibited by many SUV drivers, I do understand they serve a purpose for some who do buy them (other than the me-too factor).

I think it's time to hold drivers responsible for their idiotic actions on the road that lead to crashes, deaths, destruction of property, etc. Labeling many things as an accident and writing it off is inexcusable. If you're behind the wheel of a vehicle (be it a car, SUV, Freightliner or a moped), you MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE for causing death, injury, property destruction, etc. that was caused by your negligence.

Maybe that will start waking people up to learn to pay attention when driving. And maybe insurance rates will start creeping downward as fewer accidents will occur due to stupidity.

And, if people like this Bradsher fellow want laws, well, put them where they would have the most impact. Require more rigid driver training/testing and repeated testing every 5-10 years, esp. for drivers over 55.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: rh71
I love it. Most/all SUV-haters of Anandtech don't speak their mind anymore. Could they have learned ?

Nope, but I'll let the $2+ a gallon gasoline work on SUV drivers for a while.

I don't hate SUV's, I just think many (not all) SUV owners make poor choices in purchasing one.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Spoooon

Does it really matter what they buy or why they buy it? If they have the means and want to buy an SUV, who's to say they shouldn't?
I don't disagree with the idea of making SUVs safer for other motorists or more environmentally friendly, but I want the choice. I don't want it made for me.

social indoctrination through marketing is a bitch