SUVs, for real?

brianwelsch

Paul Watson wrote: I say far too many commonplace things Not a problem so long as its really what you want to say. ;) BW The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to talk, mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding. - Jack Kerouac

Stuart van Weele

Around here most of the SUV drivers are women. They drive either too fast or much too slow, are driving while on the phone, and think nothing of shoehorning a full sized SUV into a parking space designed for a compact car. What I don't understand is why people just don't buy full sized vans. A conversion van is about 1/2 the cost of a SUV, roomier, has more hauling capacity, and costs less to insure. Most SUVs, vans and trucks are built on the same frame and with the same components. About the only thing most vans lack are 4 wheel drive, and to be honest how often do you really need that? One other thing for SUV owners. How do you (or your wife) plan on changing a tire in event of a flat, especially off road. A full sized SUV tire weighs about 80 pounds, and the lug nuts are tourqued up to a good 200+ ft-lb.

Brit

I read a study a while ago that showed that SUV drivers and minivan drivers were basically the same demographic. But, SUV drivers were less comfortable with the image of being settled down, in a family, and tended to regard minivans almost as a sellout of their masculinity. ------------------------------------------ "Isn't it funny how people say they'll never grow up to be their parents, then one day they look in the mirror and they're moving aircraft carriers into the Gulf region?" - The Onion

Ray Cassick

Paul Watson wrote: just for image sake Nuff said :-D If you are going to get a SUV, GET AN SUV! Go HUMMER!

Paul Watson

Stuart van Weele wrote: One other thing for SUV owners. How do you (or your wife) plan on changing a tire in event of a flat, especially off road. A full sized SUV tire weighs about 80 pounds, and the lug nuts are tourqued up to a good 200+ ft-lb. Good bloody point. Though I must warn anyone with mags (magnesium alloy wheels) to ensure they place a pad of some sort inbetween the wheel and the wheel hub. My damned mags corroded (as all mags are wont to do) and bonded with the wheel hub. Come my first puncture and for the life of me (and three guys from the side of the road tugging, kicking and cursing) we could not get the wheel off to replace it. Had to drive it to the garage where they used a pneumatic hammer to get it off! Apparently a good garage will put these pads in place when they fit your mags.

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Shog9 0

Of the people i know who own SUVs, they can be grouped roughly like this: +I frequently haul around a large family, with lots of gear stuffed into the back and tied to the roof, maybe towing a boat. :| +I wish i had a reason to haul around a lot of gear, and didn't get seasick. :( +It's big. That means it's invincible, right? 'Cause i don't want to have to fix it... :~

Shog9 ------

No one's immune now, from a world of problems No one's exempt now, from a world of pain That's the way that it goes when you're down here with the rest of us...

natalie morales

I'm getting tired of hearing this argument. I drive a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. It's Huge and I love it. It's a 5.3L V8 engine with 285 horsepower. Why do I drive it? Incredibly comfortable, drives smoothly, size, storage, and looks. I live in Jacksonville,FL where at least half the vehicles on the road are trucks and SUV. My husband drives a BMW Z3 roadster (a new 2002, beautiful car). His car looks so tiny parked next to my truck. I would never buy a luxury model SUV (BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.). I can't see spending $60-70 grand or more on any type of vehicle. I'd be afraid to take it out of my garage. Oddly enough, every SUV driver I know (with only a couple exceptions) is a woman. My husband says its a chick thing : "Little chicks, big cars". I just know that I don't ever want to drive a car again.

Christopher Duncan

Chris Richardson wrote: :drool: M3. The new M3's are so cool. Heeey, maybe I could tow an M3! :HomerDrool: Mmmmmm... Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)

Christopher Duncan

Chris Losinger wrote: why? because they can. No, because they look so cool in rush hour traffic with a 50 caliber mounted on the hood! :-) Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)

Chris Richardson

Or better yet, hand over your Toyota and trailer to me, buy an M3, and I'll tow it. Straight to my house. ;) Chris Richardson

natalie morales

I think I read the same study. From what I remember, SUV drivers were also more likely to describe themselves as introverted (while minivan drivers were the opposite). Couldn't find a link to the actual study but this article talks about it: http://www.bebeyond.com/LearnEnglish/BeAD/Readings/AutoFreud.htm[^]

Richard Stringer

Christopher Duncan wrote: Unfortunately, a Corvette ain't gonna tow the trailer I need. Bummer... As a past owner of a Corvette I can assure you that they can pull a trailer. I was in a jazz band and we had a total of three vehicles carring 6 people - two guitars - one bass - one synth system - three saxes, one clarinet, one complete drum set with pedal bass - 5 instrument amps and a PA amp with acoutrements - clothes - etc.. We rigged a boat trailer with a floor and some sides and a plastic cover and I pulled that sucker for many many miles in my 65 Vette. BTW the other two cars a VW bug and a Chevy Impala. Now I own a SUV ( Hyundai Santa Fe ) and while I have decent reasons for buying it I must admit that I would not be caught dead driving a minivan. I do however need something that can haul around the occasional piece of furniture or garden equipment without any contortions or nylon rope being involved. It gets over 20 MPG in the city and goes fast enough to get on and off the freeway without killing myself. It is built on a car chassis and has a nice quite comfortable ride and cost about 21000.00 . Not a hell of a lot these days. Has a 100000 mile/10 year power train warranty and 0% interest. I rest my case :) Richard When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone to better world, I am moved to lead a different life. Mark Twain- Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

Christopher Duncan

Chris Richardson wrote: Or better yet, hand over your Toyota and trailer to me, buy an M3, and I'll tow it. Straight to my house. How very kind of you... :-) Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)

Richard Stringer

Stuart van Weele wrote: One other thing for SUV owners. How do you (or your wife) plan on changing a tire in event of a flat, especially off road. A full sized SUV tire weighs about 80 pounds, and the lug nuts are tourqued up to a good 200+ ft-lb. Well its complicated. First I find my cell phone. Then I call the Auto Club and give them directions and my membership ID. Then I wait till they get someone there - usually in thirty min or so. Then I watch them change the tire. Its hell but someones gotta do it. I can do it myself if I wanted to but since I got this card I don't have to so I don't. Richard When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone to better world, I am moved to lead a different life. Mark Twain- Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

Richard Stringer

natalie morales wrote: I drive a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. It's Huge and I love it. It's a 5.3L V8 engine with 285 horsepower. natalie morales wrote: would never buy a luxury model SUV (BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.). I can't see spending $60-70 grand or more on any type of vehicle. I'd be afraid to take it out of my garage. I looked at the Tahoe when I was shopping around. With auto-air-V8- and the towing and accent package it priced in at about 33000.00. Almost the same price as the Surburban. They are really nice though but for considerably less ( 12000 less to be exact ) I got my little Santa Fe that actually had more goodies than the Tahoe. No truck frame and not nearly the towing or hauling capacity but I very seldom if ever need that and when i do I just rent a pickup for the weekend. Richard When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone to better world, I am moved to lead a different life. Mark Twain- Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

Christopher Duncan

Richard Stringer wrote: As a past owner of a Corvette I can assure you that they can pull a trailer. Hmmmmmm, this changes everything! :-D Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)

Chris Losinger

don't do it!!! it looks dumb, and it's cruel to the car! -c

Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life. -- George Bernard Shaw

Smaller Animals Software

Stuart van Weele

Does your auto club handle "off road" calls?

Richard Stringer

As far off as I'm gonna get yep. They came out to a friend of mines ranch and bought him some gas when he ran out. Its about 15 miles to the nearest town. Richard When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone to better world, I am moved to lead a different life. Mark Twain- Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

Paul Watson

Richard Stringer wrote: but I very seldom if ever need that and when i do I just rent a pickup for the weekend. Good point. Except for people who regularly tow, it is much better to save the money and get a good normal everyday car and then rent when you need it.

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa