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Hummers why?
- Thread starter Fearless Leader
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tell the truth they would be. it is all about supply and demand. You clearly do not understand that. You clearly do not understand that the US is near is max refinancing capabilities. The gas spike that happen last year from the 2 hurricanes was cause by a sudden drop is output that force the price up.
Oil company would be selling gas at a lower price just to move more product.
I encourage you to go read up about supply and demand
Oh and thank you for helping cause me to pay more at the pump.
And i clearly see why you wanted a hummer. You are making up for you lack of a package downstairs got it, I completely understand.
Maybe there needs to be a tax put on SUV every year that should go to people who do not drive SUV to help off set the fact that we have to pay more in fuel cost thanks you people like you.
1) Not appropriate
2) What kind of car do you drive, I'll come up with a nice stereotype.
I agree I would much rather have a Toureg that a Hummer. I just get sick and tired of people like Rodimous. Saying things like they should tax SUVs.
Drive your hybrid and hug a tree if that sthe choices you want to make.
Other people can drive SUVs. Again its not any of your business what other people drive. If I choose to drive a SUV or car that gets 1 mpg that is my right to do so. I dont shop for cars based on mpg, again I buy want I want not what I need.
As far your inappropriate comments, I can tell that I am dealing with someone very mature. Becuase everyone in the wold that has a Hummer or sports car must be over compensating for a small package. Grow up and stop hugging trees
They are, gas guzzler tax.
That tax effects only the worse offenders. Most SUVs arent hit with the gas guzzler tax.
I would also like to see how many SUV haters have more than 2 children under the age of 8 years old.
If you have 3 or more young children, your pretty limited in what you can legally drive in the US. Your choice is Large Car, Minivan or SUV. The fuel consumption isn't all that radically different between the three choices.
The reason for this is the child car seat laws in the US. I'm not sure what the laws are in other areas of the world, but in the USA, a child under the age of 8 has to be in a child seat or booster (depending on weight and height). I have 3 children under the age of 8, and you can't actually fit 3 car seats in most vehicles sold today. Certainly not anything that gets 38 miles/gallon. You also cannot put a child under (10?) in the front passenger seat.
Hummer is probably the most extreme version of the SUV to be compared. That's cool, it was the OP's vehicle of choice. I would point out that the H1 is pretty limited, mostly because of the 100K price tag.
Just because you only see Soccer moms get out of the truck with 1 kid doesn't mean there is a need. You don't drag the kids around every single place you go. I love the "I only see one person in the truck" argument. You can't see into the back of most SUV's, because the windows are tinted.
If you have 3 or more young children, your pretty limited in what you can legally drive in the US. Your choice is Large Car, Minivan or SUV. The fuel consumption isn't all that radically different between the three choices.
The reason for this is the child car seat laws in the US. I'm not sure what the laws are in other areas of the world, but in the USA, a child under the age of 8 has to be in a child seat or booster (depending on weight and height). I have 3 children under the age of 8, and you can't actually fit 3 car seats in most vehicles sold today. Certainly not anything that gets 38 miles/gallon. You also cannot put a child under (10?) in the front passenger seat.
Hummer is probably the most extreme version of the SUV to be compared. That's cool, it was the OP's vehicle of choice. I would point out that the H1 is pretty limited, mostly because of the 100K price tag.
Just because you only see Soccer moms get out of the truck with 1 kid doesn't mean there is a need. You don't drag the kids around every single place you go. I love the "I only see one person in the truck" argument. You can't see into the back of most SUV's, because the windows are tinted.
And you can't see in the back because they are towering the people in the little cars.
well you can.. the problem is that you perhaps don't get those cars because those people would be still be buying SUVs in the US even when other more fuel conserving vehicles out there
the US laws against car diesels are doing it fair share too.. like with modern particle filters there are problems
even ford is selling a mini van who gets around 39 mpg ... and that diesel engine even emits 10% CO2 than the comparable gasoline engine while providing more torque
the most popular vehicles with young families around here are the compact vans like VW Touran, Opel Meriva + Zafira (how about asking GM to import those into the US) which took the market by storm and those 3 already account for 40% of the van market already
and if you don't need the 6. and 7. seat in the third row you can simply fold them together into the car floor providing a flat surface
and that falls in the group of people who have a good reason to drive a larger SUV. It the people who have no need for them that bother me and cause me to have to pay more for my fuel.
As for Gas Guzzler tax unfortunately SUV are not charge it because trucks are currently exempted from that law. I personally think it needs to be change so all vehicles that do not meet the 22.5 mpg average should be charge it because that would cut down on the SUVs on the road and limited it to more to people who really have a need for them.
I have never made the one person argument.
Just why do people get SUVs and hummers with ZERO need for them or they do not really use them. Most people I met who drive hummers are doing it to make up for something they are lacking and insecurity's in themselves. A sports car I can at least see a reason why to get them. They are a blast to drive and people who general get them get them because they enjoy the power of a sports car and enjoy driving them hard. A lot of SUV owns who do not need them get the SUV and then do not use it in any way shape or form like they where designed to be use. They are never used for hauling, never really used to take more than 1-2 people places, never even leave the pavement. So why the hell do you get them is they are never even going to be remotely used like they where designed to be.
I think you're missing the point...they are designed to be sold. Period. Car makers are in the business of selling...if there is a market for something, they'll sell it. If there's not a market, they'll use their marketing power to create one.
When my mother was going to buy a new "family" SUV she let me pick out whatever I wanted. I chose a black Chevy Tahoe with the Z71 package. Why? Because of every reason that a lot of people here claim to "hate" them is why I love it. It's big, handles Chicago and Pennsylvania winters perfectly, is ridiculously roomy. It feels safe. I love being able to see over everybody. It sure can carry a lot. It's fun to be able to drive myself and six of my friends around. It looks cool.. etc. etc. I don't actually have a need for it, I just really like it. A lot. So what? I also like my Saab a lot. It's none of your business what kind of car I drive.
I don't get why some people care so much what people with large SUVs choose to drive. Maybe we think its crazy to drive around in Honda Fits. Why would anybody want such a tiny POS like that? I'd like to see a Fit vs. Hummer accident. And what about heavy snows? I don't go around pointing out hybrids and compact cars and tell people they're stupid for owning them.
I have all the standard North American reasons for buying an SUV or Minivan. I'm cramming two car seats in the back of my (gas powered) Jetta--one child seat will be rear facing until May--and I can only fit in the driver seat. I live in Canada, and have driven through snow for twenty years. A larger vehicle would be grand, but I already feel guilty for owning a four cylinder car, and for running my homes' A/C more than three days a year.
I will never buy a Hummer, but I don't judge people who do. I leave the judging to my children, who will bear the burden of our environmental choices. They may judge the incandescent light bulb as harshly.
P.S. Slightly disappointed this was a thread about cars.
I will never buy a Hummer, but I don't judge people who do. I leave the judging to my children, who will bear the burden of our environmental choices. They may judge the incandescent light bulb as harshly.
P.S. Slightly disappointed this was a thread about cars.
with all the mindless, idiotic ranting in this thread, this last post saved it from being totally worthless.
bravo good sir.
Wow, this became the "stereotype people because of the cars they drive" thread, and has then further descended to a mild flame war...
For the record, I don't like SUVs. I used to work in a large city and citys were not designed for people with Suburbans, Range Rovers and Escalades. Some SUVs, like the Escalade and all the Hummers, are just vulgar looking - they say "outta my way, little man" to me. They are meant to be intimidating and impressive. They can be very intimidating on the road, whether the driver intends it or not. One of my greatest scares on the freeway was a ~100lb woman on a cell phone weaving at 90mph in a Yukon. It felt like being tailed by the Bismark, if the Bismark had wheels.
I wouldn't mind having a 4WD car/truck right now though - I live in Michigan's upper peninsula, and we get lots and lots of snow...driving a 2WD car with an open diff is not always safe. Most people up here either have a truck, SUV or AWD car (Subarus are popular). If I had the money I'd get a Mitsubishi Evo - with out a rear spoiler though. Overall, I prefer to drive a smaller car, thiough I wouldn't mind having a 4WD truck as a second vehicle.
But folks, stereotpyes are either half-truths or un-truths. If people who drive SUVs are angry people with small genetalia with no regard for proper diet or environmental consciousness, then it is equally true that people who drive small cars are arrogant, hippy quasi-communists who are too busy smugly criticising others to admit their own faults. It's all BS.
More on-topic, my beef with the H2 and H3 is that they are poser vehicles, a kind of almost HumVee...when I see one the only thing I can think of is "I guess they couldn't afford a real one". Like the Porsche Caymann, a car for people who want a 911 put can't swing it. I'd rather have one of the GM trucks the H2 and H3 are based off of - less conspicuous but just as capable off-road and for hauling. I don't mind people driving around in the original Hummer as much - as long as they drive with consideration, as anyone should. Why all the hate?
Why Hummers? It's probably one of three reasons:
- I want the truck the U.S. Miltary uses (H1)
- I want a very high off-road capability (H1)
- I like the aggressive and ostentatious image that the Hummer has (H1, H2, H3).
PS...about Minivans. Someone correctly pointed out that Minivans (due to ther weight) get poor fuel mileage like SUVs. They are also generally slower than SUVs (probably a good thing), but their big advantage is a large, flat loading floor that sits nice and low. Our family has a Plymouth Voyager with the 4 cylinder (and no overdrive...). it gets about 20mpg, but can hold a TON of stuff. Minivans are also not designed for heavy towing and some (like ours) are not rated for towing at all. So Minivans don't fit the same functional category as SUVs and trucks, though there is a good deal of overlap. Some minivans have AWD, which makes them a good replacement for SUVs as long as you don't tow.
For the record, I don't like SUVs. I used to work in a large city and citys were not designed for people with Suburbans, Range Rovers and Escalades. Some SUVs, like the Escalade and all the Hummers, are just vulgar looking - they say "outta my way, little man" to me. They are meant to be intimidating and impressive. They can be very intimidating on the road, whether the driver intends it or not. One of my greatest scares on the freeway was a ~100lb woman on a cell phone weaving at 90mph in a Yukon. It felt like being tailed by the Bismark, if the Bismark had wheels.
I wouldn't mind having a 4WD car/truck right now though - I live in Michigan's upper peninsula, and we get lots and lots of snow...driving a 2WD car with an open diff is not always safe. Most people up here either have a truck, SUV or AWD car (Subarus are popular). If I had the money I'd get a Mitsubishi Evo - with out a rear spoiler though. Overall, I prefer to drive a smaller car, thiough I wouldn't mind having a 4WD truck as a second vehicle.
But folks, stereotpyes are either half-truths or un-truths. If people who drive SUVs are angry people with small genetalia with no regard for proper diet or environmental consciousness, then it is equally true that people who drive small cars are arrogant, hippy quasi-communists who are too busy smugly criticising others to admit their own faults. It's all BS.
More on-topic, my beef with the H2 and H3 is that they are poser vehicles, a kind of almost HumVee...when I see one the only thing I can think of is "I guess they couldn't afford a real one". Like the Porsche Caymann, a car for people who want a 911 put can't swing it. I'd rather have one of the GM trucks the H2 and H3 are based off of - less conspicuous but just as capable off-road and for hauling. I don't mind people driving around in the original Hummer as much - as long as they drive with consideration, as anyone should. Why all the hate?
Why Hummers? It's probably one of three reasons:
- I want the truck the U.S. Miltary uses (H1)
- I want a very high off-road capability (H1)
- I like the aggressive and ostentatious image that the Hummer has (H1, H2, H3).
PS...about Minivans. Someone correctly pointed out that Minivans (due to ther weight) get poor fuel mileage like SUVs. They are also generally slower than SUVs (probably a good thing), but their big advantage is a large, flat loading floor that sits nice and low. Our family has a Plymouth Voyager with the 4 cylinder (and no overdrive...). it gets about 20mpg, but can hold a TON of stuff. Minivans are also not designed for heavy towing and some (like ours) are not rated for towing at all. So Minivans don't fit the same functional category as SUVs and trucks, though there is a good deal of overlap. Some minivans have AWD, which makes them a good replacement for SUVs as long as you don't tow.
But, why get a sports car in the US? The speed limits around the US generally max out at 75 MPH. When is the guy in the 911 or Viper or Accord or Mini ever going to legally need to go faster than maybe 85? Personally I think anybody driving a car that goes faster is an environment hating fool who should should be tossed into the Hudson with a concrete suit.;)
Because in the US you can buy whatever you want, and you do not have to justify your purchase of a SUV or sportscar to anyone. Like I have said before if you want to drive a tiny high mpg car then do it. You can hug every tree in the US and it still isnt going to keep people from buying the car that they want.
You want to throw anyone driving a car that goes over 85 into the Hudson? Are there any cars that don't go 85??
I thought they tossed people into the East River...what happened? Did it fill up?
Better view
Lol! You'd have to put a speed governor on every car to get them to not operate faster than 85. But then cops wouldn't have a reason to patrol highways for speeders would they?
Track days?
Sports car/SUV, different strokes for different folks. They both tend to get pretty bad mileage.
What I'd like to see is a more friendly SUV (smaller engine, 4 or 6 cyl, maybe diesel). That would allow the people who get them for looks/room/height/etc to find a car they like, but would also keep the enviromentalists happy. There are some popular cars like that over here in Europe, where we happily make do without Tahoes, Suburbans, Escalades and the like.
Over the Hedge
I like the line from the cartoon movie "Over the Hedge" upon one character seeing a large SUV (obviously meant to be a Hummer,) for the first time:
"How many people does it hold?"
"Usually just one."
Those are the people I can't stand. If you can afford a Hummer, you can afford a 'cheap' vehicle, too (If you can't, you really shouldn't even be buying the Hummer.) You don't need to commute in a Hummer. You don't need to drive the Hummer to the store for groceries. You don't need to drive a Hummer 400 miles to Grandma's house with you and your one kid, with one suitcase each.
I don't think the Hummer has *NO* place in the world. I do know people who own 4x4s for the explicit purpose of off-roading, hauling large items, towing trailers, or similar. For them, a Hummer would make sense. But for 'everyday' driving, you get a Honda Civic (or an Acura or a Lexus if you really insist on expense.)
My family, for example, is a family of four. (Me, my wife, and our 12 and 2 year old children.) We have a Prius (which we drove over 3000 miles (1500 each way) with four adults and the baby a couple years ago. With a full trunk of luggage. It was perfectly comfortable,) and a Subaru Forester. My wife drives the Forester for her 10 mile daily commute, and I drive the Prius for my job, which involves driving 50-100 miles a day around town.
Before we got the Forester (it had been my wife's mother's car before she passed away,) we had a Hyundai Accent and a Ford Explorer. My wife commuted in the Hyundai, and we used the Explorer only for camping, hauling, etc. But when we got the Forester, we sold those two vehicles. (We had been contemplating buying a hybrid SUV, but when we inherited the Forester, we just decided to keep it.)
And, in a couple years, if 'cheap' plug-in hybrids become a reality (or even mid-range [100-200 miles] pure electric cars show up,) I might very well get one of those for my driving. (I like the VentureOne. I hope it becomes available in Oregon soon after release next year.)
I like the line from the cartoon movie "Over the Hedge" upon one character seeing a large SUV (obviously meant to be a Hummer,) for the first time:
"How many people does it hold?"
"Usually just one."
Those are the people I can't stand. If you can afford a Hummer, you can afford a 'cheap' vehicle, too (If you can't, you really shouldn't even be buying the Hummer.) You don't need to commute in a Hummer. You don't need to drive the Hummer to the store for groceries. You don't need to drive a Hummer 400 miles to Grandma's house with you and your one kid, with one suitcase each.
I don't think the Hummer has *NO* place in the world. I do know people who own 4x4s for the explicit purpose of off-roading, hauling large items, towing trailers, or similar. For them, a Hummer would make sense. But for 'everyday' driving, you get a Honda Civic (or an Acura or a Lexus if you really insist on expense.)
My family, for example, is a family of four. (Me, my wife, and our 12 and 2 year old children.) We have a Prius (which we drove over 3000 miles (1500 each way) with four adults and the baby a couple years ago. With a full trunk of luggage. It was perfectly comfortable,) and a Subaru Forester. My wife drives the Forester for her 10 mile daily commute, and I drive the Prius for my job, which involves driving 50-100 miles a day around town.
Before we got the Forester (it had been my wife's mother's car before she passed away,) we had a Hyundai Accent and a Ford Explorer. My wife commuted in the Hyundai, and we used the Explorer only for camping, hauling, etc. But when we got the Forester, we sold those two vehicles. (We had been contemplating buying a hybrid SUV, but when we inherited the Forester, we just decided to keep it.)
And, in a couple years, if 'cheap' plug-in hybrids become a reality (or even mid-range [100-200 miles] pure electric cars show up,) I might very well get one of those for my driving. (I like the VentureOne. I hope it becomes available in Oregon soon after release next year.)
my question is would you be willing to pay a gas guzzling tax on SUV. I believe SUV should be held to the same MPG standards as cars. Go below it the SUV will have a gas guzzling tax put on them.
I think that is a fair way to help deal with SUV. At least they should have to pay for the extra gas they burn. Yet when they try to do that people scream bloody murder of it is not fair.
Well it is not fair I have to pay higher fuel cost because of the gas guzzling SUVs and trucks do and I can not do anything about it. I say put that tax on them as well and at least that would reduce the number sold and those who buy have to help pay for the extra cost in damage to the road and environment they do.