We really have no business driving SUVs

[finite automaton]

Hey OP, look what I do for fun.

http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2618xh0.jpg

 

[vi edit]

And we don't need 3.5L V6 powered cars either when the rest of the world does it on dinky little 4 cylinders under 2L of displacement.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
These little "wanna-be SUV's" do everything that the Ford Explorer/Tahoe/etc can do.

Except tow a boat or horse trailer. Even a larger crossover like the Honda Pilot is crap as a tow vehicle.

ZV

That's b/c it uses a minivan platform.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
These little "wanna-be SUV's" do everything that the Ford Explorer/Tahoe/etc can do.

Except tow a boat or horse trailer. Even a larger crossover like the Honda Pilot is crap as a tow vehicle.

ZV

That's b/c it uses a minivan platform.

That's precisely why I called it a "larger crossover" instead of an "SUV". 😉

ZV

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Crossover: "It's not a minivan or station wagon. I can't hear you! LALALALALALALALALA" *sticks fingers in ears*

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
These little "wanna-be SUV's" do everything that the Ford Explorer/Tahoe/etc can do.

Except tow a boat or horse trailer. Even a larger crossover like the Honda Pilot is crap as a tow vehicle.

ZV

yea, I forgot about towing....you're right about that

with the exception of towing, it does the same thing 😀

 

[f1r3s1d3]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The rest of the world doesn't appear to need them nor do they want them. I've spent the last week or so in Spain and now Portugal and you see very very few SUVs and almost no pickup trucks.

Wake up America, time to be reasonable and stop wasting the world's resources.

I LOVE driving our SUV. I love polluting the world. It makes me smile, oh so wide, when I know that gassing my 4400lb vehicle just to get up to highway speeds quicker makes people like you cringe.

v8 for lyfe

 

[RKS]

I admit my 8 passenger 5.6 V8 SUV has never been off-road. It has made it easier to get around when we have our 1 or 2 major snowfalls each year. :laugh:

Unfortunately I have such low self-esteem that I will never be able to drive a mini-van but I do have a bullbar in case a bicyclist ventures out too far into the roadway. :laugh: That should ease up conjestion and ultimately lead to less pollution.

Maybe when I no longer need to wedge in children's car-seats, pack their 'stuff', and load in our Labrador just for a short trip, I'll move to a smaller car. Until then please get out of the way, my wife is probably driving around with a cellphone in one hand and a latte in the other.

 

[Ballatician]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: senseamp

As far as James Kim comment, it makes no sense at all. I don't think he would have faired much better in an SUV like CR-V or a Rav-4 or Escape than he did in his Saabaru. The problem was his decision making, not the car. For the twisty roads I drive on, lower weight, higher cornering ability and limits are more likely to help keep me alive than big tires. If I want to go off road, I have a mountain bike for that.

i like how you mention SUV and then name 3 station wagons.

:roll:

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: herm0016

Originally posted by: senseamp

As far as James Kim comment, it makes no sense at all. I don't think he would have faired much better in an SUV like CR-V or a Rav-4 or Escape than he did in his Saabaru. The problem was his decision making, not the car. For the twisty roads I drive on, lower weight, higher cornering ability and limits are more likely to help keep me alive than big tires. If I want to go off road, I have a mountain bike for that.

none of those count as a real off road machine.

your mazda would be useless 3 months out of the year here. steep hills+lots of snow(275 inches last season) + ice pack. its really nice to have an suv with real capabilities, also to drive to the great spots down logging roads to camp/fish.

Don't care, and most people now are getting car based SUVs which are just wasteful versions of hatchbacks with few tangible benefits and clear tangible drawbacks. I've taken my 3 skiing in Tahoe, and it was fine. That's the extent of my off road adventures. If I need to do something more serious, I saved more than enough money through initial purchase price and improved mileage to pay for a weekend truck rental. Plus you make it sound like there is no snow in Europe. Swedes do just fine with their Saab and Volvo wagons, and their winters are no picnic either. Sure, there are some people who need an off roader, but most SUVs sold are not off roaders, they are just jacked up heavy and expensive hatchbacks with worse fuel economy and poor handling.

This. Just rent an SUV for the few times you actually NEED one.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: senseamp
....For the twisty roads I drive on, lower weight, higher cornering ability and limits are more likely to help keep me alive than big tires. If I want to go off road, I have a mountain bike for that.

Where did big tires come in at? I know alot of stock cars that have larger tires than most stock 1/2 ton SUV's.



And what the OP doesn't get is that everyone drives what they want, we have that choice here. Driving trucks for no reason started in the lates 60's when Ford went to Independent Front Suspension, ever since then the industry has been trying to turn all the trucks into cars. the SUV's are already cars as most have gone away from a full frame, the main thing that made them safe to drive.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: senseamp
....For the twisty roads I drive on, lower weight, higher cornering ability and limits are more likely to help keep me alive than big tires. If I want to go off road, I have a mountain bike for that.

Where did big tires come in at? I know alot of stock cars that have larger tires than most stock 1/2 ton SUV's.



And what the OP doesn't get is that everyone drives what they want, we have that choice here. Driving trucks for no reason started in the lates 60's when Ford went to Independent Front Suspension, ever since then the industry has been trying to turn all the trucks into cars. the SUV's are already cars as most have gone away from a full frame, the main thing that made them safe to drive.

Full frame SUV vs. BMW 3 series.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

we really have no business being on this planet, or even alive in the first place.

the earth would be a more peaceful place without us.

 

[PricklyPete]

Now this thread has gotten me all depressed. That's it...I'm shedding all clothes and starting an organic garden.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: herm0016

Originally posted by: senseamp

As far as James Kim comment, it makes no sense at all. I don't think he would have faired much better in an SUV like CR-V or a Rav-4 or Escape than he did in his Saabaru. The problem was his decision making, not the car. For the twisty roads I drive on, lower weight, higher cornering ability and limits are more likely to help keep me alive than big tires. If I want to go off road, I have a mountain bike for that.

none of those count as a real off road machine.

your mazda would be useless 3 months out of the year here. steep hills+lots of snow(275 inches last season) + ice pack. its really nice to have an suv with real capabilities, also to drive to the great spots down logging roads to camp/fish.

Don't care, and most people now are getting car based SUVs which are just wasteful versions of hatchbacks with few tangible benefits and clear tangible drawbacks. I've taken my 3 skiing in Tahoe, and it was fine. That's the extent of my off road adventures. If I need to do something more serious, I saved more than enough money through initial purchase price and improved mileage to pay for a weekend truck rental. Plus you make it sound like there is no snow in Europe. Swedes do just fine with their Saab and Volvo wagons, and their winters are no picnic either. Sure, there are some people who need an off roader, but most SUVs sold are not off roaders, they are just jacked up heavy and expensive hatchbacks with worse fuel economy and poor handling.

This. Just rent an SUV for the few times you actually NEED one.

How much is the convenience worth? In the rural areas where trucks are used more often, it can be an hour or more to drive one-way to a place that rents trucks. Even then, you're not likely to be renting a V8 tow vehicle, but rather a stripped-down V6 base model, and you're certainly not likely to be renting a diesel pickup.

Then you need somewhere to keep your car while you're renting the truck, since most rental agencies don't have long-term parking available. So you end up having to coordinate time with a friend to drive you out to pick up that rented truck.

Renting a truck is incredibly inconvenient. It's much, much simpler to just have a truck that you own.

ZV

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The rest of the world doesn't appear to need them nor do they want them. I've spent the last week or so in Spain and now Portugal and you see very very few SUVs and almost no pickup trucks.

Wake up America, time to be reasonable and stop wasting the world's resources.

It is not your's or anyone's place to tell people what they can and can't spend their money on or to determine their needs and wants for them. If you don't like SUVs, don't buy one. Easy no? Let everyone else waste their money. Who cares.

Move to Cuba IMO.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Most people who have/had SUVs don't need them. Some people, however, do need/use them for their practical purposes.

Since when is what we can buy and own determined by need or determined by someone elses subjective opinion? This isn't the Soviet Union.

You don't "need" flat screen TVs, PCs, and PS3s and Xbox 360s and Wii's either.

We don't "need" a lot of things, certainly not much more than a shady spot under a tree and food and water.

You people that debate what other people "need" are totally off base and should seriously evaluate your choice of country if you don't like capitalism and expression of free will. You aren't the first to reject those principles and you won't be the last.

What there isn't a "need" for is any practical purpose or justification for one's wants. Wanting something and being able to afford are enough.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The rest of the world doesn't appear to need them nor do they want them. I've spent the last week or so in Spain and now Portugal and you see very very few SUVs and almost no pickup trucks.

Wake up America, time to be reasonable and stop wasting the world's resources.

It is not your's or anyone's place to tell people what they can and can't spend their money on or to determine their needs and wants for them. If you don't like SUVs, don't buy one. Easy no? Let everyone else waste their money. Who cares.

Move to Cuba IMO.

Nah, he should move to Mackinac Island, then he wouldn't have to worry about SUVs unless they're an emergency or service vehicle.

edit:
I'm sure he could get a job putting fudge in containers and giving it to tourists. 😀

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The rest of the world doesn't appear to need them nor do they want them. I've spent the last week or so in Spain and now Portugal and you see very very few SUVs and almost no pickup trucks.

Wake up America, time to be reasonable and stop wasting the world's resources.

Good thing no one cares what you think. 🙂

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: senseamp
....For the twisty roads I drive on, lower weight, higher cornering ability and limits are more likely to help keep me alive than big tires. If I want to go off road, I have a mountain bike for that.

Where did big tires come in at? I know alot of stock cars that have larger tires than most stock 1/2 ton SUV's.

Not when it comes to sidewall height which impacts handling.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: herm0016

Originally posted by: senseamp

As far as James Kim comment, it makes no sense at all. I don't think he would have faired much better in an SUV like CR-V or a Rav-4 or Escape than he did in his Saabaru. The problem was his decision making, not the car. For the twisty roads I drive on, lower weight, higher cornering ability and limits are more likely to help keep me alive than big tires. If I want to go off road, I have a mountain bike for that.

none of those count as a real off road machine.

your mazda would be useless 3 months out of the year here. steep hills+lots of snow(275 inches last season) + ice pack. its really nice to have an suv with real capabilities, also to drive to the great spots down logging roads to camp/fish.

Don't care, and most people now are getting car based SUVs which are just wasteful versions of hatchbacks with few tangible benefits and clear tangible drawbacks. I've taken my 3 skiing in Tahoe, and it was fine. That's the extent of my off road adventures. If I need to do something more serious, I saved more than enough money through initial purchase price and improved mileage to pay for a weekend truck rental. Plus you make it sound like there is no snow in Europe. Swedes do just fine with their Saab and Volvo wagons, and their winters are no picnic either. Sure, there are some people who need an off roader, but most SUVs sold are not off roaders, they are just jacked up heavy and expensive hatchbacks with worse fuel economy and poor handling.

This. Just rent an SUV for the few times you actually NEED one.

How much is the convenience worth? In the rural areas where trucks are used more often, it can be an hour or more to drive one-way to a place that rents trucks. Even then, you're not likely to be renting a V8 tow vehicle, but rather a stripped-down V6 base model, and you're certainly not likely to be renting a diesel pickup.

Then you need somewhere to keep your car while you're renting the truck, since most rental agencies don't have long-term parking available. So you end up having to coordinate time with a friend to drive you out to pick up that rented truck.

Renting a truck is incredibly inconvenient. It's much, much simpler to just have a truck that you own.

ZV

In rural areas, maybe. But most people don't live in rural areas. They live in suburbs, never take their vehicle off road, and can rent a truck locally. Also, it's more convenient to own a Uhaul than to rent one too. Let's all just drive Uhauls. Average Americans will need a Uhaul more often than they need an off roader.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: senseamp
In rural areas, maybe. But most people don't live in rural areas. They live in suburbs, never take their vehicle off road, and can rent a truck locally. Also, it's more convenient to own a Uhaul than to rent one too. Let's all just drive Uhauls. Average Americans will need a Uhaul more often than they need an off roader.

Who said anything about an off-roader? I'm talking about towing your boat or your horse trailer, or hauling a load of mulch, or taking an old couch to the dump.

Those things come up at least once a month for an active family, probably more if you're towing horses; that's probably a once a week thing in the summer.

ZV

 

[Budmantom]

Obama?

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: potato28
OK, but how am I going to tow my trailer? Or how am I going to transport me and 7 friends up a mountain with 200-300 kilos of skiing equipment? They do have their uses, but very few people use them for what they were designed for.

In Europe, people tow trailers with econoboxes. No, they don't go very fast, but the "need" for a giant truck to tow a trailer is a uniquely American trait.

It couldn't carry 7 people, but I used to regularly carry 1000 pounds of musical equipment in my 1991 Honda Accord station wagon, with no problems. Worse come to worse, you take two cars to go skiing, and you still burn LESS fuel than the SUV. And a FWD with chains is better in the snow than an AWD SUV with all-seasons. The above Accord has blown past many a struggling SUV on ski trips.

 

[Aikouka]

Obvious attempt at trolling with the lack of a response from the OP and over 50 replies.

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Yes. He probably could have put it in low gear and it would have crawled out.

"Probably" doesn't mean anything and is logically unsound to use. Counterfactuals FTL.

If you don't know what a counterfactual is ( kinda hard not to from the name... ): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfactual_conditional

Originally posted by: Apex
Wake up America, fishnet is the only way to go.

I just wear no pants. It's a real head-turner.

Originally posted by: vi edit
And we don't need 3.5L V6 powered cars either when the rest of the world does it on dinky little 4 cylinders under 2L of displacement.

I do 😱.