SUV's out of control

[SS MAYFLOAT]

This issue on SUV's has me sick. At one time only the Rednecks, Outdoorsman, and Off roaders used these vehicles to entertain themselves. Constuction and Utility companies used these vehicles to perform their jobs.<br /><br />I want to put the blame on the manufactures that have gone overboard on manufacturing a SUV on every brand that is out there. Who really wants to take their Lincoln, Mercedes, BMW, Cadilac, and Lexus into the mud and brush that the SUV was originally designed for?<br /><br />This keeps up, Peterbuilt, Kenworth, and the rest of the big trucks will start to make a line that is available to the commom public to have as daily drivers to show their wealth.<br /><br />I do agree that we need SUV's, but having luxery SUV's is not neccessary. It is like adding accessories to the space shuttle. It needs a more expensive paint job, add some chrome wheels, chrome those exhaust tips, carpet the cabin area, airbags on the controls, dice hanging from the windshield, sound system that you can hear the bass from the moon, and oh yes I almost forgot the hidden neon lights under the wings.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: SUV's out of control

the biggest problem is most people driving them<br />can't really control them. you can't just drive<br />it like a car... they should classify them as<br />commercial trucks and make people go to a class<br />and learn how to drive these things.

 

[Moose_Miller]

Re: SUV's out of control

My fishing partner has a Lincoln Navigator. He always pulls the boat if it's a long trip 4 X 4 on the outside, ALLLL Lincoln on the inside. Wood grain dash, heated leather power seats, cd, dvd, surround sound, front & rear a/c... it sure beats the heck out of my old 98 Chevy for amenities. <br /><br />You're right on not handling the same as a car. I guess that's why you see so many of those "yuppie-vessels" on their lids in inclement weather... but then again, they can't ALL drive Volvos

 

[blifsey]

Re: SUV's out of control

We traded wife's minivan for SUV to be more "sporty" (more my idea than hers). Soon discovered sporty wasn't practical or convinient. I ended up with SUV for daily driver and am going to sell my truck (got a 12' tandem axle utility trailer when a "truck bed" is needed). I think most soccer mom's with SUVs would be better off with a minivan or full sized van but there is now a "stigma" against that (not cool, hip, etc.)

 

[12Footer]

Re: SUV's out of control

I just love it when Rush Linbaugh does of his "SUV Updates"...Hilarious stuff from the daily news,that he artisticly puts into perspective for real people.<br />There is a group of people who want to see all SUVs banned,and they will stop at nothing to blame these vehicles for every type of atrocity---Not the driver of said vehicle, but rather, the vehicle itself!<br />It really makes for some funny spots in his show.<br />AFA Lincoln/Hummer/Caddy makers making toys for rich boys, who really cares?<br />Really?<br />My way of thinking, the vehicle does not a man, make! And if a rich boy works his arese off so he can drive a LX SUV, more power to him/her.<br />I don't care with whom I share the roads with,as long as they are not a danger to me or the driving public. There are folks that will claim these vehicles (not the drivers again), are deadly,because of theier wieght superiority in a collision with a smaller vehicle. My belief on that is, if you are concered about this disparity, get one. Those that drive Kia Sephias want to drive KIA Sepias. They chose this vehicle for it ride,economy,looks, yada yada..But I garuntee you, any one of these buyer/drivers know before sitting in it's seat, who the winner will be in a traffic accident! If not, I do not want them on the road with me or my family. They are too stupid to know how to read the most obvious of traffic signs.<br />In conclusion, Let them rich boys play in the mud...Not that the majority would, but they paid for the luxury of having that option. I have seen how them big Caddies can haul a boat out of a steep ramp, and am impressed by it's capabilies,as far as I have seen them. I could never afford one. But (and this is important)---For 400buks less than a Toyota Matrix (a shoebox of a car), I bought a full size Dodge Ram1500 pickup that will be just as safe as a Navigator,and allmost the same mass.<br />Granted, it don't have power anything,has rubber floor covering rather than carpet, and a V6 as opposed to the magum V10, but I got what I could afford and what I wanted.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: SUV's out of control

What started all of this was the expense involved in owning a vehicle for your daily duties and weekend fun. I for one can't afford to buy more than one vehicle at a time and usually wear them out before I get another. What this means is unlike my uncle and even my dad before me I can't have a family vehicle for the wife a good on gas comfortable vehicle to get back and forth to work and then the truck or (early)SUV for fishing and hunting on weekends. I have to make do with only 2 vehicles both driven back and forth to work daily so comfort is needed and then I also have weekend boating needs so one at least has to be a tough exterior. While I agree a lot of people now have the SUV for looks there is more than enough of us that can't afford to own more than the minimum needed vehicles to where the more comfort for daily use the better while still having the weekend ability.

 

[Beaux]

Re: SUV's out of control

my wife wanted a tahoe....for looks,style,safety. So my compromise was to go and get her one...... So..... I got the Z71 offroad package/trailering package. Now I can pull the boat without straining my car (2.0 hr pull each way sometimes) and I have a happy wife. Will it get put into the mud?....NOT REALLY. Will the 4 wheel drive be added security when pulling out of a slimy/to steep/poorly designed boat ramp? Absolutely. SO i am happy and so is she. One car/two problems solved.

 

[Beaux]

Re: SUV's out of control

ooohhh..and if i ever get caught in the ice/snow when traveling...you guys will be very glad I have it....have you ever seen a southerner drive in icy conditions?????

 

[11 footer]

Re: SUV's out of control

Here in new england when it snows, The cars that end up slideing off the road are the SUV's why? People get them and think just because they have 4 wheel drive they can go fast, you can slide off the road just as eazy with 4 wheel drive as you can with 2 wheel drive. 4 wheel is good for getting started in the snow or for puting the boat in or out of the water, not for going fast in the snow.<br /><br />11

 

[DJ]

Re: SUV's out of control

Y'all are right. SUV's DO drive different than cars. Just because you can go in snow (4X4) doesn't mean you can stop.<br /><br />I also drive a Navigator. It is not babied though. She has skid plates with gouges on them and has earned her wings on the off road. I use it for quail and dove hunting and we get into some very remote places here in AZ.<br /><br />I also like it for it AWD with available low range for those unimproved ramps.<br /><br />It's practical for me, but might not be for others. <br /><br />The marketplace decides what the automakers will produce. I for one, think that's the way it should be. Competition is king.

 

[JB]

Re: SUV's out of control

Hmmmm. If we are gonna flame some machine because other people want or have them and we don't (well, some call my ML320 a SUV, some a truck, some a luxo station wagon. I call her "Shining Armor" ), how about BassRockets? Or maybe PWCs? Better yet, how about Bayliners?

 

[Beaux]

Re: SUV's out of control

let me justify..... I dont drive fast...and I give the wheel to a yank' when up north if at all possible.... same reason i dont let him cook the crawfish/gumbo when i get visits!!! LOL experience

 

[Beaux]

Re: SUV's out of control

Its all what you want....thank god for choices.

 

[DaleT]

Re: SUV's out of control

This topic is constinently a hot one in my next of the woods, the Motor City. One thing to remember is the whole upgrading of style started with pick-up trucks before the Lux SUV's came into play. The idea of leather in a truck, generally meant for work, is to me somewhat ridiculous. Carpeted floors in trucks was bad enough but then came along heated, full power leather seats and leather wrapped steering wheels.<br /><br />Another reason the auto-companies started making these luxury vehicles was the after-market parts, the profits that could be tapped into was massive. For example, the Escalade and Denali, essentially the same vehicle as the Yukon/Tahoe(as far as the underpinnings). Initially, the Yukon/Tahoes were somewhat basic but with several hundred dollars in add on parts the vehicle would look much fancier and draw more attention to the owner. Therefore, as any mart bussiness would do, GM started to manufacture parts like those being bought on the streets. Eventually realizing that these upgraded vehicles offered under a different nameplate could garner much higher profits. The diparity in the Denali price to that of the Escalade is probably the best example, as the amenties in each are not markedly different.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: SUV's out of control

My brother bought a new Land Rover the other day and I couldn't believe all the luxury options in that thing! You name it, it's got it. They've sure come a long way since the old tin cans that you used to see on television on African safaries! I can still remember them, roaring along those desert tracks with clouds of dust, being chased by a rhino ....and a monkey hanging out the window...<br /><br />I don't know if his will ever be driven off-road, but my Explorer gets a good variety of on and off road use. It's the most useful and versatile vehicle I've ever owned - it goes anywhere and everywhere, farm paddock, city streets, open roads, tracks, beaches, boat ramps... (Great for looking over the top of traffic jams too).

 

[Scoop]

Re: SUV's out of control

I don't care about the SUVs. I do care about the lousy drivers of any vehicles. I put on around 50,000 miles a year. Yeah I could complain about the gas they are using, but I use a lot of gas also. In running an old 2 cycle outboard, I also pollute.<br /><br />My sister-in-law bought my niece an SUV after my other nieces was killed in a crash in her Cavalier. They thought it was safer. They never thought about giving her driving lessons. The first year she rolled it in the middle of nowhere in the snow. <br /><br />Point, it takes skills to drive an SUV in any adverse situation whether it be snow, rain, or an emergency maneuver on dry pavement. Most people don't get a chance to paractice until the end. they don't understand that it takes longer to stop because of the weight, that four wheel drive only goes so far in helping you not get into a spin, that the top heavy weight, the higher center of gravity make it more prowen to rollover. All this means slow down, and increase your following distance. The only reason I am still alive after putting this many miles on year after year is being a cautious driver. I am always aware of the other drivers and can help them compensate in an emergency situation by giving them room. I wish someone would offer classes for everyone buying an SUV.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: SUV's out of control

couldn't agree more Scoop! there's nothing wrong<br />with them per-say, but a lot of the people driving<br />them don't understand the differences. I will say,<br />head on, I would rather be in a SUV than most everything else.<br />before I opened my biz 1 1/2 yrs ago, I used to<br />commute to Rochester 1hr. each way. the vehicles<br />that were in the ditch were predominantly SUV's.<br />once in a while one was flipped over. a lot of<br />young kids who don't have a lot of driving exp.<br />they go out and spend $2K on rims and those wide<br />low profile tires for looks. guess they don't<br />know that skinny tires work much better in the snow.<br />PS. Kiwi, I'd take an old land rover anyday!<br />a late model Grand Wagoneer also.

 

[Ross J]

Re: SUV's out of control

I can think of a few situations when my Isuzu 4x4 got the praise for good work following appropriate driving conditions.<br />Once the desert road was closed and the police were just in the process of opening it, they asked if I wanted to go along it slowely being 4x4 (in 4x4 of course) as the grader hadn't arrived to clear the snow.<br />I thought about it and decided to go for it as the road wasn't unknown to me and I could just stop if the going got difficult.<br />I didn;t realise I'd have everybody, including the police 4x4 following my wheel tracks. We got through and it was glorious. <br />We even went past trucks stranded the previous day, (the drivers stayed with the rigs to keep from freezing).<br />Stopped in Waiouru for coffee and the police commented on the driving. My reply was that with the right machine and the right driver anything safe was possible.<br />Drove back later that night whilst fresh snow was falling and loved it!<br />I don't know much about extra's added to 4x4's but I do know what my vehicle can do and what speed it can do it at!<br />Ross

 

[Moose_Miller]

Re: SUV's out of control

I got my 98 Chevy 3/4 ton 4X4 Pickup new. A couple years ago, I got into a bad accident where I wasn't even wearing my seatbelt. After impact, I had 1/2 dozen glass cuts on me, and my hair was full of shrapnel, but I walked away... no trips to the Chiropractor, no time off work, no limping around saying "woe is me". Just some time away from my truck, as it was in the auto hospital for a month getting a $13,000.00 operation <br /><br />Look at the point of impact on the truck. You tell me what would have happenned if I would have been driving a Geo!<br />

<br /><br />ps~ I still have the same truck... good as new now.

 

[Trent]

Re: SUV's out of control

Iv been wondering? Look at the price of cars and trucks. AM I underpaid or; Are the prices really getting out of line? Ten to fifteen years ago the prices were alot different. I see cars that are WAY over what I paid for my house. <br /><br />I could be wrong. But I think, The car makers have over priced and will have problems in the long run???? What do you think?? I see people leasing and not owning. I see people buying BIG suv's that cost....... Yall must make alot of MONEY!!