Time: Why the SUV is All the Rage

[BDawg]

Time Link

Ask me how I'm changing the climate

Interesting articles. Personally, I'm not happy with SUVs fuel efficiency and typical uses, but my biggest beef is how the reck (they dub is "crash compatability" in the article). SUVs should be that more deadly to other cars and other drivers. I was involved in an accident with a 4 Runner a month ago. They got a little bumper damage, my SVT Contour was totalled.

I suppose driving through the blizzard in Virginia last week, and the deluge in Raleigh this weekend gave me a little bit of comfort though. In Richmond, I drove by SUV after SUV wreck in my wife's Taurus, and going to Raleigh, I drove by 3 flipped SUVs or 4x4s in my SAAB 9-5. SUV drivers need to learn that their cars aren't impervious all weather race cars.

 

[StageLeft]

My main problem with them besides any likely environmental impact and the fact that if you're in a small car and you hit one you die on impact (almost!) is the fact that they are having a significant impact on our use of oil, which increases our reliance on foreign nations. When it really comes down to it they are a _huge waste of gas_.

EDIT: Ignore the above actually. I seriously don't want to get into another SUV debate.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
My main problem with them besides any likely environmental impact and the fact that if you're in a small car and you hit one you die on impact (almost!) is the fact that they are having a significant impact on our use of oil, which increases our reliance on foreign nations. When it really comes down to it they are a _huge waste of gas_.

EDIT: Ignore the above actually. I seriously don't want to get into another SUV debate.

Why not? They're usually so darn productive and interesting.

 

[McPhreak]

I think they're the rage cuz they're damn sexy.

<---not an SUV owner so don't bash.

 

[Deeko]

I don't like them because they are too damn big. I live in a city, they take up too much room parking, block my vision of the road, and frankly, you DON'T need something like that in a city. It gets REALLY annoying when I go down to south st and see all the escalades

 

[dullard]

Just last night I drove home from visiting my parents and the in-laws (a short 80 mile trip). We got 3 inches of snow yesterday so the roads were a bit slick but not too bad. I drive a Honda Civic. I came up to an SUV that was blowing snow into my view, so I wanted to pass. The chances to pass are short on the road I was travelling on, so I pulled up right behind it. Suddenly we hit a snowy patch and the SUV started braking. I thought it was just going to slow down a bit, so I didn't break too hard. Then I saw it: a herd of 10 deer running accoss the road and I also slammed on the brakes. The SUV hit the brakes harder and much earlier than I did, but I stopped easilly 50 feet shorter. He nearly got into a collision, but the deer luckilly jumped at the last second.

Conclusion: The small cars can avoid accidents much easier. I'd rather avoid the accident, than have a slightly better chance of surviving the accident.

Edit: I didn't read the Time article. Did it include American's weight as one reason? I read an interesting poll that showed the major reason that people buy SUVs is since they are too cramped in smaller vehicles. American's are taller and much heavier than any other nation, thus it isn't surprizing that they like the extra headroom and bellyroom in an SUV.

 

[StageLeft]

Why not? They're usually so darn productive and interesting.

Because I've said it all before and people have refuted it all before and then I sit there 6 hours later wondering what any of us have accomplished.

Actually I just described ATOT :Q

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: dullard
Just last night I drove home from visiting my parents and the in-laws (a short 80 mile trip). We got 3 inches of snow yesterday so the roads were a bit slick but not too bad. I drive a Honda Civic. I came up to an SUV that was blowing snow into my view, so I wanted to pass. The chances to pass are short on the road I was travelling on, so I pulled up right behind it. Suddenly we hit a snowy patch and the SUV started braking. I thought it was just going to slow down a bit, so I didn't break too hard. Then I saw it: a herd of 10 deer running accoss the road and I also slammed on the brakes. The SUV hit the brakes harder and much earlier than I did, but I stopped easilly 50 feet shorter. He nearly got into a collision, but the deer luckilly jumped at the last second.

Conclusion: The small cars can avoid accidents much easier. I'd rather avoid the accident, than have a slightly better chance of surviving the accident.

Edit: I didn't read the Time article. Did it include American's weight as one reason? I read an interesting poll that showed the major reason that people buy SUVs is since they are too cramped in smaller vehicles. American's are taller and much heavier than any other nation, thus it isn't surprizing that they like the extra headroom and bellyroom in an SUV.

why were you tailgating?

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82


why were you tailgating?

It's called drafting.

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
My main problem with them besides any likely environmental impact and the fact that if you're in a small car and you hit one you die on impact (almost!) is the fact that they are having a significant impact on our use of oil, which increases our reliance on foreign nations. When it really comes down to it they are a _huge waste of gas_.

EDIT: Ignore the above actually. I seriously don't want to get into another SUV debate.

I only put 2K miles on my Expedition last year. I wonder how much gas people in smaller cars used.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

Originally posted by: Skoorb
My main problem with them besides any likely environmental impact and the fact that if you're in a small car and you hit one you die on impact (almost!) is the fact that they are having a significant impact on our use of oil, which increases our reliance on foreign nations. When it really comes down to it they are a _huge waste of gas_.

EDIT: Ignore the above actually. I seriously don't want to get into another SUV debate.

I only put 2K miles on my Expedition last year. I wonder how much gas people in smaller cars used.

Alot less than the 2K miles used in your Expedition!

 

[Queasy]

In New York and D.C., there were calls for SUV and truck owners to help out and drive nurses and other medical staff to hospitals because regular cars were getting stuck in the snow.

Guess SUVs are useful after all.

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

Originally posted by: Skoorb
My main problem with them besides any likely environmental impact and the fact that if you're in a small car and you hit one you die on impact (almost!) is the fact that they are having a significant impact on our use of oil, which increases our reliance on foreign nations. When it really comes down to it they are a _huge waste of gas_.

EDIT: Ignore the above actually. I seriously don't want to get into another SUV debate.

I only put 2K miles on my Expedition last year. I wonder how much gas people in smaller cars used.

2K miles per year? Yeah that's the norm.

 

[Freejack2]

Forget all of you. I'm tooling around in my Kenworth Pilgrimage.
My SUV is way bigger than all your little SUVs. I can drive over your puny Ford Explorer.
Did I mention my SUV is the only SUV rated in Gallons per Mile by the EPA?
Though I think I'm going to trade it in for The Grand Dominator.
The pilgrimage just isn't roomy enough or get poor enough gas mileage.

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: Queasy
In New York and D.C., there were calls for SUV and truck owners to help out and drive nurses and other medical staff to hospitals because regular cars were getting stuck in the snow.

Guess SUVs are useful after all.

Most SUV drivers will never be caught dead with their vehicle in the snow. There are some uses for SUVs. My dad has an Explorer. He's a doctor and must get to work when it snow. He also uses it to pick up nurses when it snows so they can get into work.

He also uses it to travel to off-road trout streams.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
why were you tailgating?

If you read my post you will see I was passing. By state law you must pull up close to the car you are passing before you change lanes (half second rule). It is just a coincidence that the deer appeared at the exact moment I was pulling up to pass. Otherwise I follow the 2 second rule on dry pavement and 3 second rule on snowy days.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: Queasy
In New York and D.C., there were calls for SUV and truck owners to help out and drive nurses and other medical staff to hospitals because regular cars were getting stuck in the snow.

Guess SUVs are useful after all.

Most SUV drivers will never be caught dead with their vehicle in the snow. There are some uses for SUVs. My dad has an Explorer. He's a doctor and must get to work when it snow. He also uses it to pick up nurses when it snows so they can get into work.

He also uses it to travel to off-road trout streams.

I agree. I just hate these carte blanche statements that SUVs are the work of the devil. Like any vehicle, its usefullness greatly depends on the skill of the driver. I think better driver education would solve many of the current non-gas related issues with SUVs.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
why were you tailgating?

If you read my post you will see I was passing. By state law you must pull up close to the car you are passing before you change lanes. It is just a coincidence that the deer appeared at the exact moment I was pulling up to pass.

its state law that you can approach a vehicle, however, were does it say you can approach a vehicle to the point where you have no line of sight anywhere in front of you? I'm sure if you were farther back you would have seen the deer. How do you know that the SUV driver was too busy watching you and wondering if you will be able to stop if he/she stops?

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: aves2k

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

Originally posted by: Skoorb
My main problem with them besides any likely environmental impact and the fact that if you're in a small car and you hit one you die on impact (almost!) is the fact that they are having a significant impact on our use of oil, which increases our reliance on foreign nations. When it really comes down to it they are a _huge waste of gas_.

EDIT: Ignore the above actually. I seriously don't want to get into another SUV debate.

I only put 2K miles on my Expedition last year. I wonder how much gas people in smaller cars used.

2K miles per year? Yeah that's the norm.

Average commute time here in Atlanta is 31 minutes.

US Metropolitan Areas with Largest Central Business Districts: Travel Time by Mode
Slightly outdated, but relevant nonetheless.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
why were you tailgating?

If you read my post you will see I was passing. By state law you must pull up close to the car you are passing before you change lanes. It is just a coincidence that the deer appeared at the exact moment I was pulling up to pass.

its state law that you can approach a vehicle, however, were does it say you can approach a vehicle to the point where you have no line of sight anywhere in front of you? I'm sure if you were farther back you would have seen the deer. How do you know that the SUV driver was too busy watching you and wondering if you will be able to stop if he/she stops?

me thinks passing in inclement or snowy weather is a very bad idea to start with.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
why were you tailgating?

If you read my post you will see I was passing. By state law you must pull up close to the car you are passing before you change lanes. It is just a coincidence that the deer appeared at the exact moment I was pulling up to pass.

its state law that you can approach a vehicle, however, were does it say you can approach a vehicle to the point where you have no line of sight anywhere in front of you? I'm sure if you were farther back you would have seen the deer. How do you know that the SUV driver was too busy watching you and wondering if you will be able to stop if he/she stops?

me thinks passing in inclement or snowy weather is a very bad idea to start with.

Methinks you people would argue with a f*cking fence post.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
its state law that you can approach a vehicle, however, were does it say you can approach a vehicle to the point where you have no line of sight anywhere in front of you? I'm sure if you were farther back you would have seen the deer. How do you know that the SUV driver was too busy watching you and wondering if you will be able to stop if he/she stops?

It was at night (I've never seen deer around here out during the day), so he saw them before I did. But I did see them and hit the breaks in time - thus I was never too close that we were in any sort of danger. I bet the closest I came was 4 car lengths. But after we both stopped he was about 9 car lengths ahead - I stopped roughly 50 feet shorter than he did. The SUV driver probably didn't know I was going to pass, since I had been the 3 seconds behind for quite a while waiting for a chance to pass. I only was closer for a few seconds. I guess I should have tapped the horn to make sure he knew I was passing, but I didn't do that. He probably never thought I was anywhere near him.

me thinks passing in inclement or snowy weather is a very bad idea to start with.

Could be. But I felt confident enough in the conditions to make a pass. I have made that trip going under 30 mph the whole way following slow vehicles when I wasn't confident enough to pass (55-65 mph speed limits). But this time the road was mostly free of snow and for 50 miles there wasn't a single patch of ice. The only snow on the road was where the wind had blown a bit. Thus it was almost like there was no snow at all. So I felt confident I could safely pass. And I did (just a bit later down the road after the deer).

But this really digresses from the thread topic. People drive SUV's since they feel safer. In a SUV/small car collision yes the SUV driver is safer. But I'd rather have a small car/small car collision than an SUV/SUV collision. As mass goes up there is more destructive energy. Imagine to Civics colliding at 60 MPH then imagine two semi's colliding at 60 MPH. I'd much rather be in the civic since there is so much less destructive energy. Plus the Civic will have an easier chance missing the accident to begin with (and my reasoning for that is that my car can stop much quicker than the heavier vehicles).

 

[Amused]

You know, it's funny, but I never hear the same people bitch about pickup trucks. Pickup trucks that are the same damn size, and even built on the same damn frames as the SUVs they whine about. The anti-SUV fanatics could be passed by ten huge pickups and not say a word, but the minute an SUV comes their way they break out into a diatribe about the environment, soccer moms, and crash statistics.

 

[KokomoGST]

SUV debate... WHEEEEEEEEEE!
As much as I hate SUVs, these debates are bad as the religious trollbait threads...

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
why were you tailgating?

If you read my post you will see I was passing. By state law you must pull up close to the car you are passing before you change lanes. It is just a coincidence that the deer appeared at the exact moment I was pulling up to pass.

its state law that you can approach a vehicle, however, were does it say you can approach a vehicle to the point where you have no line of sight anywhere in front of you? I'm sure if you were farther back you would have seen the deer. How do you know that the SUV driver was too busy watching you and wondering if you will be able to stop if he/she stops?

me thinks passing in inclement or snowy weather is a very bad idea to start with.

Methinks you people would argue with a f*cking fence post.

Is that fence post running its mouth again? I'll show it what for.