SUVs, for real?

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

Paul Watson

natalie morales wrote: I would never buy a luxury model SUV (BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.). I can't see spending $60-70 grand Actually that is my biggest beef with the top range SUVs. I guess I am ok with mid and lower level SUVs because for the price you get a lot of car (like yours.) natalie morales wrote: I'm getting tired of hearing this argument I am tired of being driven off the road, seeing two parking spaces taken up and hearing SUV owners bitch about the petrol price and then getting into their petrol guzzling SUVs. I also dislike the whole "I own a 4x4 so I rock" attitude when in fact the only bit of 4x4 action their car has ever seen was when they pulled over to the side of the road to buy a plastic chicken. natalie morales wrote: His car looks so tiny parked next to my truck. So what? What is wrong with small? Americans moan at us when we stereotype them, but then you go right along and say something like that, which is just why we have these stereotypes about you. No matter what it is, Americans like it bigger. Not for any good reason, just because bigger must be better, right? And as for the safety aspect. A Volvo VT-70 is as safe as any SUV on the market. It is not size that makes the difference, it is the safety technology used (for instance that tiny Smart car has better crash protection than many cars twice it's size.) And I would say that the potential to roll in a SUV outweighs any safety you think you have. But then you can drive the car you want, your money, your life, just don't push other people off the road or act superior (not saying you do, but SUV owners to tend to be pushy on the road.)

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Paul Watson

Richard Stringer wrote: usually in thirty min or so 30 minutes you say. On a normal car one can change a tyre in 5-10 minutes. Also being stranded alongside a road is not safe, no matter what country you live in. And I doubt that 30 minutes measure, what if you are in the middle of Texas 200miles from the nearest town and off the beaten track (and not at a friends comfy ranch)? Exactly the kind of place you would expect to be in an SUV. And don't forget, no girlfriend would be impressed if their boyfriend just stood around until some other guy came to help them change a tyre :-D

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Richard Stringer

Paul Watson wrote: And I doubt that 30 minutes measure, what if you are in the middle of Texas 200miles from the nearest town and off the beaten track (and not at a friends comfy ranch)? Exactly the kind of place you would expect to be in an SUV. Well if you are two hours away from the nearest town it'll probably take two hours and then it would be worth changing yourself. I haven't had to change a tire in years but I guess its like riding a bike - you never forget :) Paul Watson wrote: And don't forget, no girlfriend would be impressed if their boyfriend just stood around until some other guy came to help them change a tyre Don't know about girls where you are from but here in Texas they are much more impressed when you say something like " Have a beer honey and lets sit here in the shade till my man gets here to fix the tire ". It does suggest a certain level of attainment does it not. However having been married for 34 years it has been some time since I had to worry about that. When I did have to worry about impressing the girls I had to change my own tires ( and repair them also as I could not afford new ones :) ) Ah the sweet bird of youth was sitting on my shoulder yesterday - but I woke up this morning to find that he'd flown away. 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