Survey: Do you drive an SUV?
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Steve Mayfield wrote: I had a SUV plow into the driver's side of my nice car a few years ago No, a driver in an SUV plowed into the side of your car. I know it's just symantics, however I believe that there has been an attempt to demonize the SUV in the media. It is like the SUV has a mind of it's own and the mind is evil. Just yesterday, 4 Die When SUV Hits Las Vegas Bus Bench[^]. It is only when you read the story that you find out that someone was actually driving the thing and that she may had been under the influence of something. Of course, these are just my observations over the past few years...nothing scientific about it. :) Gary Kirkham Forever Forgiven and Alive in the Spirit He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot Me blog, You read
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Rocky Moore wrote: 4WD is better than 2WD in the snow at any time! If your rear wheels have traction and your front wheels don't, yeah. If all four are sliding, you're still bummed.
Shog9
I'm not the Jack of Diamonds... I'm not the six of spades. I don't know what you thought; I'm not your astronaut...
The problem is people who think that 4 wheel drive means you can drive in snow the same as you would drive on dry pavement.
"You're obviously a superstar." - Christian Graus about me - 12 Feb '03 "Obviously ??? You're definitely a superstar!!!" mYkel - 21 Jun '04 Within you lies the power for good - Use it!
Honoured as one of The Most Helpful Members of 2004
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Richard Stringer wrote: I get 15 MPG in the city and about 21 on the highway in my big SUV and 17 and 26 in my small one. Egads, it's a good job fuel is so damned cheap over there. I get 50mpg out of my car and it still costs a fortune to run. :eek:
Ðavid Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Audioscrobbler :: flikrDie Freiheit spielt auf allen Geigen
You Sir do not have a car - you have a golf cart. Not even the hybrids get 50 mpg. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
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For those of you who own a 4-wheeled vehicle (or drive one on a regular basis), please vote: 1 = I drive a SUV/truck 5 = I drive something else /ravi My new year's resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | Freeware | Music ravib@ravib.com
I drive an Urban Assault Vehicle - a tiny, underpowered 2-wheel drive micro pickup. But I drive it like a SUV. My little GMC Sonoma was never meant to go the places I take it, but the skill of the driver is far more important than the vehicle. Knowing how to properly drive in sand, shale, mud, snow, or across deep ruts is much more valuable than than buying an overpriced off-road vehicle. "If it's Snowbird season, why can't we shoot them?" - Overheard in a bar in Bullhead City
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You Sir do not have a car - you have a golf cart. Not even the hybrids get 50 mpg. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Remember that David, like me, is a Brit. We have bigger gallons than you do. Also, diesels can often get over 50 mpg. I don't know how common diesel cars are in the US - I've only been once and I wasn't driving. I don't recall seeing diesel at the gas station, but then I wasn't looking for it. Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder
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You Sir do not have a car - you have a golf cart. Not even the hybrids get 50 mpg. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
50 US gallons = 41.6336922 Imperial gallons (thanks google) So to you it would be 41.5 mpg. French cars are generally very efficient - probably because fuel is expensive over there too. I guess when people make cars for American use they must add in fuel inefficiency so you feel like you're getting your dollar value out of them. I bet even your golf carts - the electric ones - still burn more fuel than a power plant. :rolleyes:
Ðavid Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Audioscrobbler :: flikrDie Freiheit spielt auf allen Geigen
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Remember that David, like me, is a Brit. We have bigger gallons than you do. Also, diesels can often get over 50 mpg. I don't know how common diesel cars are in the US - I've only been once and I wasn't driving. I don't recall seeing diesel at the gas station, but then I wasn't looking for it. Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder
Mike Dimmick wrote: I don't recall seeing diesel at the gas station, but then I wasn't looking for it. Deisel everywhere. Trucks - some cars - many pickups all use it. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
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50 US gallons = 41.6336922 Imperial gallons (thanks google) So to you it would be 41.5 mpg. French cars are generally very efficient - probably because fuel is expensive over there too. I guess when people make cars for American use they must add in fuel inefficiency so you feel like you're getting your dollar value out of them. I bet even your golf carts - the electric ones - still burn more fuel than a power plant. :rolleyes:
Ðavid Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Audioscrobbler :: flikrDie Freiheit spielt auf allen Geigen
The Toyota Prius hybrid will get 50 MPG on the highway but it is really underpowered - ugly - expensive - costly to maintain - will get you killed if someone in a New Beetle hits you - and did I mention ugly. American cars have to be able to cruise on the freeway at 75 MPH ( 121 KPH for you that care ) for hours on end and have AC and an automatic tranny and maintain some sort of cool factor. A little 50 CC engine ain't gonna do it. Plus when we put our campers, boats, travel trailers etc behing the family vehicle we still want to cruise at 75 with the AC blasting. Gimme horses Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
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The Toyota Prius hybrid will get 50 MPG on the highway but it is really underpowered - ugly - expensive - costly to maintain - will get you killed if someone in a New Beetle hits you - and did I mention ugly. American cars have to be able to cruise on the freeway at 75 MPH ( 121 KPH for you that care ) for hours on end and have AC and an automatic tranny and maintain some sort of cool factor. A little 50 CC engine ain't gonna do it. Plus when we put our campers, boats, travel trailers etc behing the family vehicle we still want to cruise at 75 with the AC blasting. Gimme horses Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
I did a Google image search for the Toyota Prius and yeah it is a tad on the 'I look like a dung beetle' side, but not all efficient cars are so bad. The requirements you list sounds about the same for this part of the world too. I think towing an average boat my motorway/freeway crusing speed would be about 60mph (I would check the manual, but I'm not going outside in my ill health). Horses would be cool, but I expect they'd cost more to run than a car. :)
Ðavid Wulff The Royal Woofle Museum
Audioscrobbler :: flikrDie Freiheit spielt auf allen Geigen
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For those of you who own a 4-wheeled vehicle (or drive one on a regular basis), please vote: 1 = I drive a SUV/truck 5 = I drive something else /ravi My new year's resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | Freeware | Music ravib@ravib.com
Civic hybrid. :) 42mpg average due to high speed highways to work (75mph) that brings down the average of 48 in the city. :) _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Ravi Bhavnani wrote: Most software engineers I know are of the view that driving an SUV (other than for true off-roading) is highly illogical. True, since they stink at fuel efficiency, and the need for 4WD is rare in most parts.
"Opinions are neither right nor wrong. I cannot change your opinion. I can, however, change what influences your opinion." - David Crow
DavidCrow wrote: True, since they stink at fuel efficiency, and the need for 4WD is rare in most parts. the idea that 4WD is more important than proper driving is to me more of the issue. Rather than learn where not to go, and how to get through messy conditions.... I have passed stuck 4WD vehicles while driving a 2WD hybrid on mountain roads. My grandfather when he was alive would pull them out using his 2WD truck. That is one thing my little hybrid does not have the power to do. I learned to drive from him, and I benefited from it, but my choice in cars prevents me from pulling out the SUVs as he would. He would tsk me for it, but I just smile and go on. ;) _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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You Sir do not have a car - you have a golf cart. Not even the hybrids get 50 mpg. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Richard Stringer wrote: You Sir do not have a car - you have a golf cart. Not even the hybrids get 50 mpg. not true... Although my car is rated 47 on the highway and 48 in the city, I routinely get 52mpg when I travel north on the smaller highway roads at a maximum speed of 55mph, if I travelled those roads every day would get higher gas mileage. I get 47mpg at 65mph, and 41mpg at 75mph. _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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The problem is people who think that 4 wheel drive means you can drive in snow the same as you would drive on dry pavement.
"You're obviously a superstar." - Christian Graus about me - 12 Feb '03 "Obviously ??? You're definitely a superstar!!!" mYkel - 21 Jun '04 Within you lies the power for good - Use it!
Honoured as one of The Most Helpful Members of 2004
PJ Arends wrote: The problem is people who think that 4 wheel drive means you can drive in snow the same as you would drive on dry pavement. All too true. Somehow those drivers think they are immune to the laws of physics -- ice is slippery no matter what you drive, how big the wheels are, or how many differentials it has.
"Opinions are neither right nor wrong. I cannot change your opinion. I can, however, change what influences your opinion." - David Crow
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Richard Stringer wrote: You Sir do not have a car - you have a golf cart. Not even the hybrids get 50 mpg. not true... Although my car is rated 47 on the highway and 48 in the city, I routinely get 52mpg when I travel north on the smaller highway roads at a maximum speed of 55mph, if I travelled those roads every day would get higher gas mileage. I get 47mpg at 65mph, and 41mpg at 75mph. _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Enough of these mythical super cars. What do you drive that gets this fantastic MPG. Links, descriptions, names, anything. And by a car I mean something that will haul 5 adults in some degree of silence and comfort for long periods of time and gives one at least a fighting chance to survive a collision with another auto or a 30 MPH crosswind. Not A Morris for example. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
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I only half agree with you. SUVs are DIFFERENT from regular automobiles - yet no special license, training, etc. is really in place for people who buy them. So you get a lot of people who don't really know how to drive them, but do anyway. Also, SUVs are not always designed to be friendly towards other automobiles... their lights and bumpers are higher, for instance. The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance.
They are more dangerous to pedestrians (particularly children) as well :mad: The tigress is here :-D
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Enough of these mythical super cars. What do you drive that gets this fantastic MPG. Links, descriptions, names, anything. And by a car I mean something that will haul 5 adults in some degree of silence and comfort for long periods of time and gives one at least a fighting chance to survive a collision with another auto or a 30 MPH crosswind. Not A Morris for example. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/specifications_full_specs.asp?ModelName=Civic+Hybrid&Category=3[^] Honda Civic Hybrid, CVT. It will hold 4 comfortably, 5 with a bit more effort. It is the same size, shape, weight, and strength of a standard civic. Which means it is safer than either the Insite, or the Prius, though does not get as good of gas mileage as either. I pay 1/3 the insurance of the Insite, and almost half that of the Prius (which I took into account before purchase). Although I probably get better gas mileage than the average person, I know how to maximize the energy conservation of the energy collection system. And no, no modifications to the vehicle, only a few changes in driving habits. Since I am the only person in the vehicle, even at over 400lbs, the vehicle gets the gas mileage I mentioned, so two people would probably get the same otherwise. I with a 35mph cross breeze with gusts to 55mph, just like today and yesterday, I survive quite comfortably. yesterday the breeze was NOT in my favor, I got 34mpg over the 52 miles home from work. Today it was in my favor, I got 54mpg home. Average mpg 41.43 Since Jan 14, 2005 (purchased with 114 miles on the vehicle). Mileage travelled 37385 miles. Avg miles per tank 445.05 Avg days between fills 5.2. Highest mileage across a full tank 51, lowest across a full tank 32. Yes, american miles, gallons and vehicle purchased unmodified in the states. Nothing added, nothing removed. Anything else you want to know? _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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http://automobiles.honda.com/models/specifications_full_specs.asp?ModelName=Civic+Hybrid&Category=3[^] Honda Civic Hybrid, CVT. It will hold 4 comfortably, 5 with a bit more effort. It is the same size, shape, weight, and strength of a standard civic. Which means it is safer than either the Insite, or the Prius, though does not get as good of gas mileage as either. I pay 1/3 the insurance of the Insite, and almost half that of the Prius (which I took into account before purchase). Although I probably get better gas mileage than the average person, I know how to maximize the energy conservation of the energy collection system. And no, no modifications to the vehicle, only a few changes in driving habits. Since I am the only person in the vehicle, even at over 400lbs, the vehicle gets the gas mileage I mentioned, so two people would probably get the same otherwise. I with a 35mph cross breeze with gusts to 55mph, just like today and yesterday, I survive quite comfortably. yesterday the breeze was NOT in my favor, I got 34mpg over the 52 miles home from work. Today it was in my favor, I got 54mpg home. Average mpg 41.43 Since Jan 14, 2005 (purchased with 114 miles on the vehicle). Mileage travelled 37385 miles. Avg miles per tank 445.05 Avg days between fills 5.2. Highest mileage across a full tank 51, lowest across a full tank 32. Yes, american miles, gallons and vehicle purchased unmodified in the states. Nothing added, nothing removed. Anything else you want to know? _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Hmmm.. a hybrid. Expensive to buy - to maintain - and you give up so much. But if I was averaging 17000 miles a month I may buy something similar. However I average about 30,000 miles a year on two vehicles. I average 21 MPG on my big SUV and 27 on my small one - call it 24 average. So I buy about 4 gallons for every 100 miles or or about 1200 gallons a year at - call it two bucks a gallon ( thats high ) or 2400.00 a year for gas. You lets - call it 50 mpg - or 2 gallons per 100 are buying that much every 2 months. Since if I had a vehicle like that it would have to be the Ford Escape hybrid - at 28000 base 34000 drive off I am saving a lot of money with my SUV. Did you really put over 37000 miles on in two months ? Thats over 500 miles per day 7 days a week. I have looked at the hybrid Ford Eacape several times and from a money standpoint it would take me almost 3 years to break even on the vehicle costwise . Since I very rarely keep one that long the tradeoff is not worth it. Gas milage is not really a prime factor in ownership anyway if you compare it to other factors. I would like to hear your tale of woe when you break down in BoonieVille and some 20 something mechanic wanders over to repair the vehicle :) Or your batteries need replacing. Or when your warrenty runs out. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
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Hmmm.. a hybrid. Expensive to buy - to maintain - and you give up so much. But if I was averaging 17000 miles a month I may buy something similar. However I average about 30,000 miles a year on two vehicles. I average 21 MPG on my big SUV and 27 on my small one - call it 24 average. So I buy about 4 gallons for every 100 miles or or about 1200 gallons a year at - call it two bucks a gallon ( thats high ) or 2400.00 a year for gas. You lets - call it 50 mpg - or 2 gallons per 100 are buying that much every 2 months. Since if I had a vehicle like that it would have to be the Ford Escape hybrid - at 28000 base 34000 drive off I am saving a lot of money with my SUV. Did you really put over 37000 miles on in two months ? Thats over 500 miles per day 7 days a week. I have looked at the hybrid Ford Eacape several times and from a money standpoint it would take me almost 3 years to break even on the vehicle costwise . Since I very rarely keep one that long the tradeoff is not worth it. Gas milage is not really a prime factor in ownership anyway if you compare it to other factors. I would like to hear your tale of woe when you break down in BoonieVille and some 20 something mechanic wanders over to repair the vehicle :) Or your batteries need replacing. Or when your warrenty runs out. Richard "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer --Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Richard Stringer wrote: Did you really put over 37000 miles on in two months ? Thats over 500 miles per day 7 days a week. oops, no that was a typo... teach me to reply at night.... 2004 model from jan 2004. I am averaging 30,000 a year on one vehicle. I work extremely variable hours so I can't carpool. This was my solution. Richard Stringer wrote: I would like to hear your tale of woe when you break down in BoonieVille and some 20 something mechanic wanders over to repair the vehicle Or your batteries need replacing. Or when your warrenty runs out. That will be the clincher and only time can tell. One of the reason that I bought the Civic is that, like the ford, it is not a completely redesigned vehicle. That means the annual maintenance (which I run through 3 times a year) is half the price of my 1995 nissan. The bad news is, I will hit the battery replacement in only 3 years (90k miles). The good news is, my car can function without the electric assist. Think of it no different than when they introduced the very first turbo charged engine. The engine can function completely without the turbo. One reason the civic does not get as good of gas mileage as the Prius is that the civic can not run on electric alone. It can operate as a low power gas only engine (85hp) or dual assist (93hp). In the first year (equivalent to 3 to a normal driver), all my costs have been halved. I will reach the first big cost at 90k, which I am already saving for so that I will be ready. The battery cost will be $1000. My first year tax reduction for buying the vehicle was about $600, first year gas reduction about $800 (and gas was cheaper a year ago) , and first year maintenance reduction was higher than it should be because my last vehicle was dying from the drive. The difference in price between a standard Civic and the Hybrid was at the time $2500. The president had just made the deal with congress to reduce the tax break on hybrids from $2500 to $2000, still that helps. I had to buy a new vehicle anyway, so given the difference in price I bought a hybrid. I've had it through death valley, yosemite, around the grand canyon, and up a few local mountains many times. It handles mountains and entering roads/highways FAR stronger than my old sentra. Only time will tell the rest. I am not going to hold my breath until the 90k mark (battery replacement), I'll take it as it goes. Due to the fact that I regularly drive in the middle of no where, I have kept th