General Discussion

krispos42

(49,445 posts)

268. Utility

Mon Jul 2, 2012, 03:04 PM

Jul 2012

In order to get twice the mileage, you have to pick a compact car with very little room for more than 4 people and limited cargo capacity. You loose 4-wheel or all-wheel drive, the ability to haul large and bulky items like furniture or home-improvement supplies, the ability to haul up to 8 people (5 of them comfortably), options like rear-seat entertainment systems, and the ability to tow a trailer of any note.

At the dawn of the SUV craze, a minivan got about 18mpg, a sedan got about 22 mpg, and an SUV got about 16. Gas was $1.25 a gallon, so many people figured the extra $500 a year in gas was worth it for the extra convenience and capabilities.

My Dad has a 2006 Pathfinder. He's retired, so he drives about 30 miles a week. If he switched over to a sedan, he's save maybe a gallon of gas a week while losing tons of versatility. To him, it's worth paying a few extra dollar a week in gas to be able to haul building supplies to the house and home and yard waste to the dump, plus he can haul 7 people if needed.

It's not my choice; I would rather drive a compact wagon than either a sedan or an SUV. I had a Subaru Impreza sportwagon that worked quite nice... it got 28mph highway when cruising at 80mph.

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Why do people drive SUVs? [View all] primavera Jul 2012 OP

I think for some it's a statement. drm604 Jul 2012 #1

Possibly making up for some 'shortcoming' ryan_cats Jul 2012 #30

And a lot of them don't even know enough not to park those high things near a corner. drm604 Jul 2012 #148

I hate it when We are Devo Jul 2012 #287

And Republicans like to thumb nose at Treehuggers ErikJ Jul 2012 #188

Insecurity. Big time anxieties are relieved by big wheels and lots of sheet metal. leveymg Jul 2012 #352

My Vue gets same MPG as a midsize sedan and its AWD is great in Chicago winters. Gidney N Cloyd Jul 2012 #2

Weather handling, good point primavera Jul 2012 #5

yup...come to the sticks in Maine where I live. Maine-ah Jul 2012 #93

Already been there and it was too cold for me! primavera Jul 2012 #114

I agree - also as a woman I don't feel like I am making up for any shortcomings nadine_mn Jul 2012 #122

I never question anyone driving an SUV in a rural environment that enjoys harsh weather. MADem Jul 2012 #197

Xterra....not a huge SUV...... blueamy66 Jul 2012 #238

I have AWD (don't think its an SUV) Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #3

What do you have? I'll tell you how it's categorized. I subscribe to Consumer Reports online. nt Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #44

Murano. Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #64

The Nissan Murano is classified as a mid-sized SUV by Consumerreports.org. Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #69

What sold me on the Murano was the backup camera Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #76

That was one of the things that sold me on my Prius, too! primavera Jul 2012 #90

I drove my Mom's car one day Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #95

Aren't they great? primavera Jul 2012 #102

We almost got one of those, Ruby. pacalo Jul 2012 #165

Another good reason. Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #166

Consumer reports is a rip off if you ask me madokie Jul 2012 #70

I bought a VW Rabbit because of reviews in CR years ago and it was RKP5637 Jul 2012 #80

One of my old bosses did the same thing except it was something else VW madokie Jul 2012 #128

Thanks madokie!!! RKP5637 Jul 2012 #149

CR-V, RAV-4, etc. offer good economy with high seating, lots of room. FarCenter Jul 2012 #4

"High seating"? primavera Jul 2012 #6

No, the seat is higher off the ground, so you have better visibility. FarCenter Jul 2012 #7

I see, thanks primavera Jul 2012 #11

I don't have an SUV SouthernLiberal Jul 2012 #39

You should try "The Cube" PassingFair Jul 2012 #94

Not all SUVs sit higher. Only some do. Not sure that the RAV sits higher. The Forester doesn't. nt Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #40

I just was following a Forester and the beltline is much higher than a sedan's FarCenter Jul 2012 #269

The Forester doesn't "sit" higher, seems to me. You don't have to step up to get in. Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #323

YOU BLOCK THE VISIBILITY OF OTHERS Skittles Jul 2012 #120

Yeap, we should get rid of semis too... /sarcasm uponit7771 Jul 2012 #241

As a matter of fact, semis are banned on certain commuter routes. ieoeja Jul 2012 #246

Had we not destroyed the rail system we could get rid of semi's GoneOffShore Jul 2012 #322

Not really. Rails can't get everywhere. Much of the country is off the beaten path, Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #383

Rail used to get to many places - a quick Google search came up with GoneOffShore Jul 2012 #385

It's like driving behind a goddamn wall ! jaysunb Jul 2012 #312

I think s/he does mean sitting up high. marybourg Jul 2012 #10

Yeah, I can see that primavera Jul 2012 #14

We actually lived where there were few marybourg Jul 2012 #87

Thank you so much for your response! primavera Jul 2012 #91

Good for people with back problems roody Jul 2012 #228

Lots of reasons icare4u Jul 2012 #8

Welcome to DU, icare4u! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2012 #12

Back at ya Peggy! icare4u Jul 2012 #18

Welcome to DU! primavera Jul 2012 #20

A Jeep IS an SUV. That's all that Jeep makes. nt Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #37

They are a necessity for us. Marinedem Jul 2012 #9

Passengers and hauling primavera Jul 2012 #21

A four-banger does 10 times this load at your local airport every day. boppers Jul 2012 #155

Its a work vehicle for me. Big enough to haul feed, equipment, a two horse trailer etc riderinthestorm Jul 2012 #13

May I ask, how does the hybrid work for you? primavera Jul 2012 #23

When its hauling a load or the trailer, its powered almost entirely by gas riderinthestorm Jul 2012 #265

I have a Honda Element XemaSab Jul 2012 #15

Ah ha, a fellow birder! primavera Jul 2012 #24

The Prius now has a larger version. Saw one on the street. It looks great. nt Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #35

Interesting! I hadn't heard that. primavera Jul 2012 #45

It was so pretty I looked to see what kind of car that was. It was the new Prius V! Here's Youtube Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #74

Oh nice, I could definitely be down with that - n/t primavera Jul 2012 #86

Kicked around the idea of getting a Prius XemaSab Jul 2012 #36

Tell that to my three dogs! primavera Jul 2012 #43

What kind of dogs? XemaSab Jul 2012 #52

Happily I haven't had to deal with the barf problem primavera Jul 2012 #62

I did, too. Sadly, couldn't get a Prius with upgrades without getting leather seats, which I won't Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #77

We just got rid of our Element... sweetloukillbot Jul 2012 #164

When I lived in New York City, I was astounded by the number of SUVs. With very few unpaved libinnyandia Jul 2012 #16

And with what parking in NYC is like... primavera Jul 2012 #29

Where i lived, in south Brooklyn, the parking wasn't too bad, if you didn't mind walking. libinnyandia Jul 2012 #117

My wife insisted on a SUV - so I chose the best possible SUV of its time in terms of mileage Woody Woodpecker Jul 2012 #17

Hmm, yes an AWD hybrid would be nice primavera Jul 2012 #38

Subaru has a couple of SUVs that have the best AWD system. Subaru is uber reliable, too. Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #82

Plenty of Roos in this area too... Woody Woodpecker Jul 2012 #121

I am single, with no kids.. HipChick Jul 2012 #19

Any thoughts on why? primavera Jul 2012 #26

My other car is a UFO? HipChick Jul 2012 #112

I've never understood it aint_no_life_nowhere Jul 2012 #22

SUVs come in all sizes. Check out Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV, and others at Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #33

It's quite possible that I haven't kept up with what the marketers now call an SUV aint_no_life_nowhere Jul 2012 #51

The small and medium SUV category is wildly popular. The Subaru Forester & Toyota RAV have been Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #63

The ones I'm aware of are the land yachts aint_no_life_nowhere Jul 2012 #75

SUVs combine some of the positives (and negatives) of both a van and a truck SWTORFanatic Jul 2012 #25

I can relate primavera Jul 2012 #32

Because they don't think "small" things matter enough to tolerate the "inconvenience". patrice Jul 2012 #27

You don't know much about SUVs. Here's the skinny: (1) There are small SUVs; Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #28

Yet you just made my case for me! primavera Jul 2012 #31

No, it doesn't cost less, comparing cost for size. The Forester costs less, comparing capability... Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #60

I love my Honda Fit, but it does have its shortcomings. Thegonagle Jul 2012 #198

Thanks for the review primavera Jul 2012 #218

The Fit and the Prius are 2 different kinds of vehicles. Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #384

Insecurity? Other countries don't have them, and the US scarcely had any before the 1990's. NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #34

Excuses? LOL! Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #47

I make an exception in your case... NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #48

Heh - not at all. Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #67

Europe has a lot of SUVs. They're sold all over the globe. Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #68

You are right. And"Crossover" is a clever name for "Station Wagon" which became uncool in the 90's. NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #71

SUVs are the modern "wagon." Crossovers-not really a car category. It's a sales term, I think. Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #85

thanks for that info maddezmom Jul 2012 #111

Yup. It would be a sales "kiss of death" to call a station wagon a "Station Wagon"... NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #129

lots of large SUV's in the UK when I was there maddezmom Jul 2012 #99

Scarcely any before the 90's? You DO know that the Suburban is the oldest continuously cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #97

And very few people bought them who didn't need one. NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #108

Dammit I hate when that happens... cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #186

Trouble is sometimes that regional differences aren't appreciated. NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #196

I can't argue with a word of that. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #207

Interesting info. Even if you were a bit hostile sharing it with the group. IMO, no one Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #124

Tell that to the woman who needs to get to the dialysis clinic.... Scuba Jul 2012 #235

Fortunately, you're not the boss of us. n/t PavePusher Jul 2012 #255

I'd like to see anyone Texasgal Jul 2012 #103

I've had 10 foot lengths of pipe and lumber, and a 10 foot kayak, fulling inside my Prius.... NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #109

Is that 10-foot lengths, kentauros Jul 2012 #289

Well, not ALL of these things at once! NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #295

I understand about being surprised at what fits into a small vehicle. kentauros Jul 2012 #298

Smart cars aren't the only alternative to large SUVs. drm604 Jul 2012 #152

I realize that Texasgal Jul 2012 #162

You can fit 5 people and plenty of groceries in a Prius frazzled Jul 2012 #225

Yeah, if the three people in the back are skinny. CrispyQ Jul 2012 #274

If you're smart enough you can do it! CrispyQ Jul 2012 #273

Other Countries don't have them? TheMightyFavog Jul 2012 #171

In UK they call them "Chelsea Tractors" when they're making fun of 'em. MADem Jul 2012 #199

I heard that particular term when I was over there... TheMightyFavog Jul 2012 #201

Ha! Loved the dulcet tones of "Jerusalem" at the finish when the kid swiped the fire lighters! nt MADem Jul 2012 #205

That's what the gun rack is for! Cheezitz, the Brits can be dense about some things. leveymg Jul 2012 #360

People think there are no guns in UK, but that's not true. They do their share of MADem Jul 2012 #361

I guess that America can still take comfort in the fact that Top Gear likes Russian trucks even less leveymg Jul 2012 #362

If Dick and Phil took a stroll, I wouldn't count on Dickie getting the best of PP! MADem Jul 2012 #364

Whether you arrive on the Raj's elephants or an armoured SUV, that's always been the way it's done leveymg Jul 2012 #365

Hee hee--great pics! nt MADem Jul 2012 #367

But do other countries have the Canyonero? guardian Jul 2012 #389

Herd marketing Tom Ripley Jul 2012 #41

sheeple CleanLucre Jul 2012 #88

My family has 2 Jeep Grand Cherokees. None of us are under madmom Jul 2012 #42

Not missing work is a good thing? primavera Jul 2012 #50

Some companies don't like that sort of thing. lapislzi Jul 2012 #252

Mainly so people like you can look down their noses at them. RB TexLa Jul 2012 #46

Have I looked down my nose at you? primavera Jul 2012 #55

Before you say a thing, we are looking at perhaps replacing nadinbrzezinski Jul 2012 #49

Because people don't want to get squashed like a bug on the road when a big ole truck hits them Raine Jul 2012 #53

But where does that end? primavera Jul 2012 #57

Just nail the garage to the exterior of the car and drive that down the road aint_no_life_nowhere Jul 2012 #101

Lmao! primavera Jul 2012 #105

Naw, just a semi truck. A loaded semi will squash several Escalades Thegonagle Jul 2012 #229

Towing a boat or a horse trailer. nt hack89 Jul 2012 #54

heh! subaru outback is the Maine state car magical thyme Jul 2012 #56

I know, I spent a winter in Maine once primavera Jul 2012 #65

Cubic footage. kwassa Jul 2012 #58

So, cubic footage for the homeless/nomads, then? boppers Jul 2012 #158

Do you have kids? kwassa Jul 2012 #292

It they took up that much cubic footage, boppers Jul 2012 #305

Thank you. You've answered my question. kwassa Jul 2012 #317

LOL, bzzt! I pack my twin boys tight. boppers Jul 2012 #331

uh, you have no idea. kwassa Jul 2012 #332

Okay, what do you need that cannot be easily packed into a sedan? boppers Jul 2012 #334

Carseats. laundry_queen Jul 2012 #336

Fair enough. boppers Jul 2012 #338

That's the problem kwassa Jul 2012 #354

I think the best thing for you is to not drive one madokie Jul 2012 #59

Up to a point primavera Jul 2012 #84

Some people will argue with a post madokie Jul 2012 #125

My apologies primavera Jul 2012 #127

Apology accepted madokie Jul 2012 #131

I wasn't aware I had a problem, but okay, whatever you say - n/t primavera Jul 2012 #136

Self awareness is important in life madokie Jul 2012 #139

Thank you for your common sense. n/t ChazII Jul 2012 #217

You are most welcome madokie Jul 2012 #231

because they feel entitled Skittles Jul 2012 #61

Excuse me madokie Jul 2012 #72

Did you even bother to read this thread Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #78

yeah I did Skittles Jul 2012 #115

Don't follow so fucking close then madokie Jul 2012 #138

you DON'T HAVE TO BE CLOSE Skittles Jul 2012 #140

I'm sure glad you are not king madokie Jul 2012 #141

???? Skittles Jul 2012 #145

I drive a 2 door Chevy Cavalier.... blueamy66 Jul 2012 #239

That's why I park my 1991 Volvo wagon MineralMan Jul 2012 #253

true blueamy66 Jul 2012 #257

You don't have to, but it is a real stress-reliever, MineralMan Jul 2012 #259

good advice blueamy66 Jul 2012 #262

My daughter bought a CRV in order to take left is right Jul 2012 #66

I have a Lincoln Town Car as one of our cars and we are dwarfed by RKP5637 Jul 2012 #73

That one bugs me too primavera Jul 2012 #110

People with GP6971 Jul 2012 #79

I drive a Tahoe because I live at 7,000 feet. We've been known to get 30" of snow overnight. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #81

people drive SUV's because they like them. crazyjoe Jul 2012 #83

Because they have small penises scheming daemons Jul 2012 #89

Define small taterguy Jul 2012 #92

small: boppers Jul 2012 #159

What does internal self doubt and discomfort have to do with penis size? taterguy Jul 2012 #168

"internal self doubt and discomfort" is the primary reason a person would care about such things. boppers Jul 2012 #304

According to who? taterguy Jul 2012 #306

Some of us don't have one at all. Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #98

I hear there are stores where you can buy one nadine_mn Jul 2012 #135

Don't worry, US car companies can sell you one. boppers Jul 2012 #160

Oh come on! Here I thought we were talking about penises and now you're talking about ASSHOLES? cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #203

It took 89 replies before the first "I'm going to change your behavior by trying to shame you..." cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #100

Dick-waving is not a matter of physical body. boppers Jul 2012 #161

So my penis is in my soul? cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #189

Psst...she left it in the Tahoe. Look there... MineralMan Jul 2012 #254

As a woman, I must have Vagina Envy because I pack so many big things in my SUV nadine_mn Jul 2012 #132

Only if you think it matters in the slightest. boppers Jul 2012 #163

The SUV owners in my acquaintance generally have none at all. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jul 2012 #388

'Cuz owning 2 or 3 vehicles for the same driver can get crazy/impossible for several reasons Mopar151 Jul 2012 #96

Why do people drive. Gregorian Jul 2012 #104

Because modern life in the US necessitates it primavera Jul 2012 #107

That's a pretty good answer. Gregorian Jul 2012 #113

Hear, hear! primavera Jul 2012 #119

You've got me rethinking this. There are two approaches to a better country. Gregorian Jul 2012 #209

Well, I'm a populist at heart too primavera Jul 2012 #213

Ah yes the romanticized view dmallind Jul 2012 #247

I'm fully aware of that. Gregorian Jul 2012 #249

Making up for something inadequate. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #106

What the hell is an SUV? Atman Jul 2012 #116

I'm afraid I missed those threads primavera Jul 2012 #123

I'll answer it. Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #137

So where do YOU draw the line? primavera Jul 2012 #147

I will just put you down as being a better liberal than me. Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #153

I wish you'd reconsider primavera Jul 2012 #206

Okay - I drive a little two-seater. Am I a better liberal? REP Jul 2012 #219

I have no idea whether you're a better liberal or not primavera Jul 2012 #221

We don't have kids, that's why REP Jul 2012 #222

So basically your problem with SUVs boils down to guardian Jul 2012 #299

Actually, despite the eager assertions of some SUV defenders... primavera Jul 2012 #301

Thank you guardian Jul 2012 #313

We drive a Hyundai Santa Fe and I love it nadine_mn Jul 2012 #118

An all around good pecwae Jul 2012 #232

I actually don't own one but I can think of one - pets TBF Jul 2012 #126

I've got three dogs myself primavera Jul 2012 #130

What size dogs? TBF Jul 2012 #151

I dunno, we evacuated during Gustav without too much trouble primavera Jul 2012 #154

For pets just get a Mendocino Jul 2012 #371

Don't even get me started - TBF Jul 2012 #372

Backup plan for homelessness? n/t Duer 157099 Jul 2012 #133

That's why I bought mine. justiceischeap Jul 2012 #375

Thank you everyone for your responses! primavera Jul 2012 #134

CAFE JVS Jul 2012 #142

I drive a crossover Sgent Jul 2012 #143

As a Jeep owner, I take offense. bluedigger Jul 2012 #169

Hi, neighbor! primavera Jul 2012 #185

I like Go Vols Jul 2012 #144

I have no choice but to drive this rig, what with the snow and the soccer team and boat.... NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #146

Rotfl! primavera Jul 2012 #150

That dog is freakin adorable Inkfreak Jul 2012 #233

Love the pooch! "Hey, man...we goin' for a drive or what?" Adsos Letter Jul 2012 #283

i would love to have one, buf i am too poor! blondie58 Jul 2012 #156

1. Laziness. boppers Jul 2012 #157

Not all cities, even towns, are bike-friendly. nt Ilsa Jul 2012 #211

They don't have roads? boppers Jul 2012 #311

It varies. Ilsa Jul 2012 #363

I used to drive an SUV. It was a great ride over country roads and in the winter. applegrove Jul 2012 #167

I love my SUV. Here are some of the reasons that I need it: femmocrat Jul 2012 #170

We have a Honda Hyrbid sedan and an SUV Bettie Jul 2012 #172

Republican Vehicle-like to thumb nose at treehuggers- My mini-van has TWICE the cargo as any SUV. ErikJ Jul 2012 #173

For regularly towing a trailer a min-van is not the best vehicle Bettie Jul 2012 #179

Comfort and room to haul 4 kids and sports equipment or suitcases on vacation. Pisces Jul 2012 #174

Some do it because of family size bigwillq Jul 2012 #175

Why do people drive cars? DCBob Jul 2012 #176

I care as much about the environment as YOU do about unionized autoworkers. Romulox Jul 2012 #177

We made sure or new vehicle was Union made Bettie Jul 2012 #181

About 80-90% of the folks posting in this thread (including the OP) didn't bother. nt Romulox Jul 2012 #182

Which ones? primavera Jul 2012 #184

My neighbors in the UAW. (PS: Toyota has a "company" union...) Romulox Jul 2012 #187

You mean, kind of like interjecting a labor discussion into an unrelated thread? primavera Jul 2012 #190

Inconvenient Truth? Most definitely! Unrelated, my eye. Like I said, I care just about exactly as Romulox Jul 2012 #191

Yeah I'm a little surprised at what I'm seeing. I Love a Mystery Jul 2012 #220

People in the know think Unions suck, yet they want us to accept their agenda DainBramaged Jul 2012 #394

Real liberals drive these Son of Gob Jul 2012 #178

Cool! Where can I get one? primavera Jul 2012 #183

You have to buy an SUV to get one Son of Gob Jul 2012 #194

You just won this thread! Ikonoklast Jul 2012 #275

Looks like a Smart Car that got squashed Historic NY Jul 2012 #192

!!! SunsetDreams Jul 2012 #193

You have a great sense of humor. ChazII Jul 2012 #224

ehe :) but what if the Earth doesn't give a s! about you? mwooldri Jul 2012 #264

Not only can you drive it on snow and ice Son of Gob Jul 2012 #267

All I've own since 1985 its a bus, a limo, a pickup truck, my file cabinet, its take me camping... Historic NY Jul 2012 #180

I drive a Jeep. bluedigger Jul 2012 #195

great dog blueamy66 Jul 2012 #242

Leather doors! bluedigger Jul 2012 #243

Well, the Jeep and the husband are gone blueamy66 Jul 2012 #245

You've already posted what I was going to. No fair! Rob H. Jul 2012 #347

I almost picked up a JK when I bought in 2010. bluedigger Jul 2012 #348

Yeah, I'm liking the Pentastar Rob H. Jul 2012 #349

That's pretty funny. bluedigger Jul 2012 #351

The problems is irresponsible SUV drivers if you're in a sedan flamingdem Jul 2012 #200

Well call me rare. 6 Cyl. Santa Fe with hitch, hit from behind by a corolla, hit me and landed at a NotThisTime Jul 2012 #204

That sounds terrible flamingdem Jul 2012 #214

Thanks, it's going to be a long road but I consider myself lucky, could have been so much worse..... NotThisTime Jul 2012 #244

I admire your attitude flamingdem Jul 2012 #350

Because they think they can Demeter Jul 2012 #202

I'm sorry but please don't be judgemental and lump all SUV together LynneSin Jul 2012 #208

No doubt primavera Jul 2012 #215

Because I have a family Incitatus Jul 2012 #210

I'll tell you why I've been looking at them laundry_queen Jul 2012 #212

All excellent points, thank you for sharing them primavera Jul 2012 #216

Stop-THINK! Imagine gas tripling in price or worse-unavailable. VERY real possiblity. ErikJ Jul 2012 #227

LOL, where would my kids sit? laundry_queen Jul 2012 #230

I never liked SUV's, I had the same attitude as some of the posters here. Silver Swan Jul 2012 #223

They certainly seem less popular here lately. frazzled Jul 2012 #226

remember all the zero interest financing after 9-11 G_j Jul 2012 #250

Pulling the boat, hauling the dogs and getting through the Wisconsin winters... Scuba Jul 2012 #234

I drive one for a couple of reasons... belcffub Jul 2012 #236

lol @ these 'he must be compensating' replies NatBurner Jul 2012 #237

Many reasons SoCalDem Jul 2012 #240

People feel like they aren't contributing enough to climate change. raouldukelives Jul 2012 #248

Just as you pointed out there are reasons why people purchase certain types of vehicles... Swede Atlanta Jul 2012 #251

Spacious and safety in a vehicle that's not a minivan... OneTenthofOnePercent Jul 2012 #256

"Hummer owners view themselves as morally superior" KansDem Jul 2012 #258

Thanks for posting this primavera Jul 2012 #290

Don't discount real snow tires as a solution for winter driving Kolesar Jul 2012 #260

Right, AWD only helps you go; it doesn't help you stop. FarCenter Jul 2012 #270

Snow Tires are a MUST where I live laundry_queen Jul 2012 #337

I Can Speak from Driving a Toyota Matrix On the Road Jul 2012 #261

We can rationalize any convenience LanternWaste Jul 2012 #263

Eloquently stated - n/t primavera Jul 2012 #293

Los Angeles - folks driving around in Cadillac Escalades and other big fancy things alone Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #266

Thought that the Escalade was the preferred vehicle of real estate agents? FarCenter Jul 2012 #271

Tell me about it! We are Devo Jul 2012 #286

Utility krispos42 Jul 2012 #268

We drive an SUV because it's comfortable, gets reasonably good mileage, has lots of room for ladjf Jul 2012 #272

Because it is difficult to tow a 4,000 lb. GVW trailer with a compact car. Ikonoklast Jul 2012 #276

You can haul that kind of stuff in a SUV? primavera Jul 2012 #277

I have a '96 Suburban with the two rows of back seats removed. Ikonoklast Jul 2012 #280

You may be making assumptions about other people's assumptions primavera Jul 2012 #285

Then you admit to being a 'Nanny-Stater' who uses their sense of moral superiority to judge other's Ikonoklast Jul 2012 #310

Well, I have no idea what a "nanny stater" is primavera Jul 2012 #314

Because they need the space and they worry about lack of protection in a car DainBramaged Jul 2012 #278

I've sold cars. Lots of people looking at image & status buy SUVs. DirkGently Jul 2012 #369

Who are we to judge what people can or cant buy? DainBramaged Jul 2012 #373

The OP doesn't say that; neither did I. DirkGently Jul 2012 #377

Who are we to judge what people can or cant buy? DainBramaged Jul 2012 #378

??? The OP says nothing about telling people what to do. DirkGently Jul 2012 #379

Meh, I made my point here long ago, go find someone else to argue with DainBramaged Jul 2012 #380

Oh. I see. The agenda here is YOURS. DirkGently Jul 2012 #393

They make you *feel* safer Taverner Jul 2012 #279

I drive a Ford Escape hybrid. RiffRandell Jul 2012 #281

Some people genuinely need them for work 4th law of robotics Jul 2012 #282

Sounds like it primavera Jul 2012 #288

I drive my SUV because it gets better mileage than my El Camino. LeftyMom Jul 2012 #284

Not following your logic primavera Jul 2012 #291

Do you even have an argument? kwassa Jul 2012 #294

Then you're reading into my posts something that isn't there primavera Jul 2012 #297

Sorry, I think my perception of you is quite accurate. kwassa Jul 2012 #318

Funny you should mention chips on shoulders... primavera Jul 2012 #324

LOL! Your post, #84. flvegan Jul 2012 #307

Yes, and...? primavera Jul 2012 #315

troll, troll, troll. kwassa Jul 2012 #320

Do you have anything to contribute other than insults? primavera Jul 2012 #325

I have much to contribute, as do many others. You ignored it. kwassa Jul 2012 #330

Because being holier than thou about people's cars is stupid. It's doubly stupid if your choices are LeftyMom Jul 2012 #327

Hmmm, okay, I guess I can see that primavera Jul 2012 #328

The next time you address a vegan in such a way flvegan Jul 2012 #335

Um, in what way? primavera Jul 2012 #341

Looks like a pump,... TeeYiYi Jul 2012 #296

Why do people drive godawful electric cars or comedic hybrids? flvegan Jul 2012 #300

Outside of heavy towing or rough / snowy roads, it's a weird choice. DirkGently Jul 2012 #302

Well, clearly a lot of people around here get a lot of use out of them primavera Jul 2012 #326

They're just insisting you refine the point. It's still valid. DirkGently Jul 2012 #368

I drive a compact, but will buy a small SUV next time. progressivebydesign Jul 2012 #303

They're the Bullies of the Road Iggy Jul 2012 #308

Looking out the windshield of my Freightliner even SUV's look small B Calm Jul 2012 #333

Size queen! boppers Jul 2012 #339

I have a VERY small SUV MissMillie Jul 2012 #309

One word: versatility guardian Jul 2012 #316

I drove a GMC Jimmy for awhile LadyHawkAZ Jul 2012 #319

I drive a Suburban Broken_Hero Jul 2012 #321

Well I wanted one of these....SUV's. Historic NY Jul 2012 #329

Threads like this have been showing up on DU since 2001 DainBramaged Jul 2012 #340

It's called "caring" primavera Jul 2012 #342

I'm not a FUCKING Libertarian, meh, nice try pal. DainBramaged Jul 2012 #343

Nice try primavera Jul 2012 #344

Enough people have already made you look foolish in this thread. Your 'concern' is touching. DainBramaged Jul 2012 #345

In other words... primavera Jul 2012 #346

talk about 'holier than thou' guardian Jul 2012 #381

There's no pleasing you guys, is there? primavera Jul 2012 #386

Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining REP Jul 2012 #356

Well, you can check post 344 primavera Jul 2012 #357

What about the rest? What - can't defend wasting resources on inefficient heating/cooling, lights? REP Jul 2012 #359

Because I enjoy the finer things in life? bluedigger Jul 2012 #353

America is lousy with over-consumption. mizzuz pibb Jul 2012 #355

"eco-libruls" DainBramaged Jul 2012 #366

because people can... that is all fascisthunter Jul 2012 #358

Because I live in a place where KatChatter Jul 2012 #370

You'd better get a Peeon the restof us electric and jack it up or don't go DainBramaged Jul 2012 #374

Once someone builds a hybrid or electric vehicle that KatChatter Jul 2012 #376

To get to the other side? (yuk yuk yuk!) nt Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #382

This message was self-deleted by its author bupkus Jul 2012 #387

lol octothorpe Jul 2012 #391

I always thought the giant tanks sized ones were hilariously stupid, but I found the smaller ones octothorpe Jul 2012 #390

Without doing any research, I think SUVs have taken over some of the minivan market share. BlueCheese Jul 2012 #392