If the public was any more naive....

[Tractorat]

I just have to chime in here. Yes, in eastern Oregon, you probably are a good fit for an Explorer. I think the point that is being made here though, is that in ares where you dont get a lot of snow (here in Seattle for example) you see far too many LARGE suv's being driven by someone that will never drive it in the snow (although they say they might). Those same people should probably not even drive their Explorers in the snow because they just dont have the skill set required to drive in the snow where 4 wheel drive actually buys you something.



Most suv drivers Ive seen will never use the 4x4. But I do think there is somewhat of a bad rap for suv's. More and more of them are the small suv's that actuall get pretty good gas mileage. As good as a lot of cars. The large suv's that everyone talks about (suburbans, tahoes, excursions, etc) are really not all that prevelent.



TRat

 

[Alphacowboy]

"SUV's are popular and in widespread use because they usually FIT the needs of the buyer, just as our SUV, and a fairly wide variety of OTHER larger than average vehicles have for our own specific personal needs"



Gary... . please. SUV's are popular because they're big and cool. I rarely see people with SUV's out in the hills around town here. That's were you want a beater 4WD PU.

No. . the SUV's you see are down in Boise being driven by a soccer mom and it never gets dirty and rarely gets used in 4WD. And that's the gripe with them... . they're a BS staus car bought to impress the neighbors and they're ******* away fuel at like 13 mpg the whole time. I'm not saying thats what yours is... just the majority.

Mike

your falling for the media hype and brain washing, who cares what anyone drives, its thier money, let them spend it how they want. I wont drive a car, period, I dont like them. Niether does my wife. She could easily get by with a 30mpg Saturn (she had one) but ya know, we got rid of it for a v8 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Why? Because we wanted to. The back of a SUV fits way more crap than a stupid trunk, I can fit 4-5 people comfortably in it if I want, has 4wd for those snowy days, blah blah blah, I dont need to make any excuse why we bought it. We liked it, and that is what we got. I REFUSE to buy into the craptacular view that we should only drive what we "need" to, BS, I will drive what I want, and will be damned if anyone, especially the Government, tells me what I can and cannot drive.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I just have to chime in here. Yes, in eastern Oregon, you probably are a good fit for an Explorer. I think the point that is being made here though, is that in ares where you dont get a lot of snow (here in Seattle for example) you see far too many LARGE suv's being driven by someone that will never drive it in the snow (although they say they might). Those same people should probably not even drive their Explorers in the snow because they just dont have the skill set required to drive in the snow where 4 wheel drive actually buys you something.



Most suv drivers Ive seen will never use the 4x4. But I do think there is somewhat of a bad rap for suv's. More and more of them are the small suv's that actuall get pretty good gas mileage. As good as a lot of cars. The large suv's that everyone talks about (suburbans, tahoes, excursions, etc) are really not all that prevelent.



TRat

Main point I was attempting, is that most of US, driving these huge 4x4 Dodges are in the same boat as the SUV owners some of us so freely criticize - we buy and drive vehicles that REGULARLY are loaded far less than their capacity, many are rarely used off road - and we get relatively poor town/overall MPG, just like the SUVs...



Just for kicks, sorta watch and keep track of the Dodge and other make 4x4 trucks you see out on the road - how many are well loaded down, and how many APPEAR to see regular 4x4 use - I suspect the numbers will surprise you and others using the same yardstick to judge the SUV's.



2/3 of my own truck operation is RV towing - mine's not a 4x4, and rarely is off pavement - but the 1/3 of the time mine is NOT towing, it has all the same external visual evidences of excess we see the SUV's criticized for - too much vehicle for the apparent use it is seeing - in the eyes of the uninformed onlookers who are only going on external casual exposure at that small moment in time.



Indeed, we may well soon see the SAME media demonizing and stereotyping as the SUV's are now "enjoying" - so maybe WE should sorta watch where WE are carelessly tossing stones...

 

[DZink24]

It would be funny to know how many of these above mentioned people actually know how to engage their vehicle in 4 wheel drive!! Transfer case?!? Whats that?!?! Oh yeah, 4 wd means 4 wheel stop, right?? :-laf



I do tell friends when they pick on me about my "inefficient" truck is -lets compare apples to apples- I drive a 7,000 pound pickup that has the capability to tow a trailer of over 13,000 pounds, and could get about 12-13 mpg doing so, and between 18 and 20 mpg empty at highway speeds. And I can travel over 600 miles on a tank of fuel. If needed, I have a payload capacity of over 2500 lbs. Now, lets take a Ford explorer for example, maybe 4,000 lbs?- Nowhere near a 13,000 lb trailer, maybe 20 mpg highway empty, and don't even get me started on payload.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I drive a 7,000 pound pickup that has the capability to tow a trailer of over 13,000 pounds

AH, but you see, THERE (CAPABILITY) is where the rubber meets the road - it isn't what the SUV's are CAPABLE of that they are steadily criticized for - it's for the times they are seen by critics driving empty or lightly loaded - and if they aren't all covered by mud, well, they can't POSSIBLY be seeing any 4WD action...



The SUV's aren't BOUGHT to "tow 13,000 pounds" (how often do you use yours that way?) - but they ARE used to haul 6 or more passengers as needed, long distances in good comfort, and to easily convert to haul a wide variety of goods in a covered and protected environment, either on or off pavement - but when they, or YOUR vehicle are NOT being used at near maximum capacity, they, and you too, are open to criticism as "wasteful vehicles, to big and energy wasteful for the use they are seeing"...



Until *I* consistently start using my own Dodge up near capacity ratings, I don't feel very qualified to chastise a SUV owner for driving their vehicle down for a loaf of bread or gallon of milk - you know, sorta like I sometimes do... :-laf

 

[Dieselnut59]

your falling for the media hype and brain washing, who cares what anyone drives, its thier money, let them spend it how they want. I wont drive a car, period, I dont like them. Niether does my wife. She could easily get by with a 30mpg Saturn (she had one) but ya know, we got rid of it for a v8 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Why? Because we wanted to. The back of a SUV fits way more crap than a stupid trunk, I can fit 4-5 people comfortably in it if I want, has 4wd for those snowy days, blah blah blah, I dont need to make any excuse why we bought it. We liked it, and that is what we got. I REFUSE to buy into the craptacular view that we should only drive what we "need" to, BS, I will drive what I want, and will be damned if anyone, especially the Government, tells me what I can and cannot drive.

A FRIGGIN MEN!!!!!! My thoughts EXACTLY! You could not PAY me to drive a damn car! I hate the way they ride/drive (especially the front wheel drive ones), their stance, their pathetic cargo capacity and NO towing or off road capability, limited diesel choices (hopefully that is changing), limited powertrain choices (damn near impossible to get a manual transmission in a car, unless it is a sub-compact econobox) and the lack of safety, especially in a crash. You can put 400 airbags in a car but it won't stand a CHANCE against my truck or a full size (REAL) SUV! The best safety feature, especially in a head on collision is to have the BIGGER vehicle. Urban folks can have their little commuter vehicles... if that is all they need or want, that is great, but out here in the rural areas, I NEED a truck with towing and hauling capability and 4x4 for when I need it, which is rare, but when I need it, I would much rather have it than to have to pay a wrecker bill to get pulled out!

 

[JasonCzerak]

... .



Criticise the empty SUV's only if YOU always have your truck and other family vehicles loaded to the gills, and are in 4WD! :-laf



YUP, media demonizing stereotyping really WORKS!

yeah, mine's empty, but the second it rains, I have to be in 4x4 or I get passed by grandma in the rain until I get to about 75mph where where spin it's that much of an issue while accelerating straight.

 

[JasonCzerak]

ya know. I'm with alphacowboy. You can go suck and egg if you don't agree with my purchase, Better yet, stick your nose in my tail pipe while I lay on the fuel peddle just a little.



I can afford it. If you can't, then that's your problem. I'm sure each and every person that ******* about SUV has a habit like smoking. Fine, Smoke, I don't care if you freaking burn, just keep that smoke outa my face when I'm eating, or sitting around relaxing and you will not have one peep from my mouth. (for example).



To lay the above out in plain and simple english... .



13mpg SUV/Truck that is never "used" = becuase they want it, and can.



Smoking cigs (that do NOTHING positive period prior to addiction) = because they want to.



Just keep your 13mpg SUV outa my way, stop cutting me off or think you own the road... .



Keep that smoke outa my face please, you know witch way the wind is blowing retard!





That about sums it up right? If you don't like it, get out of the U. S. A. .

 

[bighammer]

I was astounded the other day when I learned that over half of the adult population of the US has an IQ under 100! That's just damn scary...

And how many of those can't even count that high?

 

[mhenon]

ya know. I'm with alphacowboy. You can go suck and egg if you don't agree with my purchase, Better yet, stick your nose in my tail pipe while I lay on the fuel peddle just a little.



I can afford it. If you can't, then that's your problem. I'm sure each and every person that ******* about SUV has a habit like smoking. Fine, Smoke, I don't care if you freaking burn, just keep that smoke outa my face when I'm eating, or sitting around relaxing and you will not have one peep from my mouth. (for example).



To lay the above out in plain and simple english... .



13mpg SUV/Truck that is never "used" = becuase they want it, and can.



Smoking cigs (that do NOTHING positive period prior to addiction) = because they want to.



Just keep your 13mpg SUV outa my way, stop cutting me off or think you own the road... .



Keep that smoke outa my face please, you know witch way the wind is blowing retard!





That about sums it up right? If you don't like it, get out of the U. S. A. .

You summed it up perfectly man! Gotta go.

Mike

 

[Greenleaf]

Our rual school district's administration/school board is a lot like the City Transit Board. The Superintendent, along with the Board will publish an article about me buying Biodiesel and using that to power the school buses.



The reality is that is does nothing to support the local farmers at 5% blend and the bio blend is only purchased a few times per year. They see an oportunity to develop some good PR and exaggerate. Thy must not know I recieve the SAME school news letter as John Q public.



The same thing will occur when we begin to purchase the ulta low fuel come December.



I hate politics.



Politicians (school boards) are a lot like baby dipers... ... ... ... . they must be changed often and for the same reason.

 

[JasonCzerak]

I've always like the "bad smelly exhaust" and "dirty" comments I get in conversations with people about diesel in general.



Ya know (I replay with), If diesel was in the 90% of the cars you grew up with and drove around with, the Smell of a gasser in the mix would "smell bad" to you because, your not familiar with that smell.



Kinda like your own BO. you can't smell it unless it's REALLY RICH. But others will notice at the slightest hint that you forgot to put on your deodorant