Posted on 07/17/2005 1:25:15 PM PDT by grey_whiskers
Let me be the first to predict the imminent death of the SUV's as a preferred form of transportation. This is not because the drivers are Starbucks-sipping yuppie scum, nor because they are chain-smoking over-the-hill-trophy wives, nor because they are preoccupied with their cell phones (though these are all true).
It is because the SUV's, despite their name, are not SPORT utility vehicles, but specialty UTILITY vehicles, good for ferrying half of a boy scout troop, or hauling home several months' salary worth of goods from Best Buy or from Home Depot in a single trip. In other words, they are large, lumbering, and specialized. Just like the dinosaurs. And like the dinosaurs, when the environment to which they have laboriously adapted changes--when their ecosystem changes—they will go extinct.
Just what is it that will spell the end of these suburban monsters? I used to think it was a spike in gas prices: surely no one can continue driving an 8- or 12- mpg beast in the face of $2.00+ per gallon charges at the pump. But I was wrong. These vehicles are status symbols. They are not Babe Mobiles, like a BMW roadster; these are what you buy after you have landed the babe and she has domesticated you, when you want to impress other couples. I have heard a yuppie explain this very point, when asked why he didn't abandon his new Durango, even though he was burning two gallons of gas a day, just commuting to work. "That's not the statement I'm trying to make." The automakers (even with 0% financing) must need supercomputers just to count their lease payments. And the “now all customers can have the employee discount” sales aren’t helping either.
Well, if it isn't gas, what will spell the end of the SUV? I think the answer is, when they outlive their natural utility (no pun intended). What are the SUV's used for, really? Certainly not (except maybe the Xterra or Hummer) for serious off-road work. They cost too much to buy, and you don't want to damage a leased vehicle! As noted earlier, SUV's excel at hauling around small people, buying stuff at Home Depot, and impressing the neighbors. When will these functions die off?
Let us remember that ever since the 60's, the vanguard of every cultural movement has been the baby boomers--from rock 'n roll, through Doonesbury, to career women, and SUV's. Boomers have delayed parenthood until late in their lives; now they have children at the same time as they have money. Boomers like a large house, they want a large vehicle to carry the furniture and hardware; they use the SUV for soccer practice, piano practice, singing lessons, birthdays, you name it.
But children grow older; they want their own cars. (How many people really let a 16-year old drive a $40,000 vehicle that they don't even own? And how much is the insurance?) Finally, the children move out. Now there is no need at all for ferrying the children; and the large house out in the 'burbs begins to feel 'empty'…”Honey, maybe we should look into a condominium, or a townhouse?” And as the large house is downsized, there too goes the need for a wheeled dinosaur to haul lumber, furniture, plumbing. The day of the dinosaurs is done. And (by the way) the automakers will have to turn to another guaranteed profit center. Caveat emptor.
(Full disclosure: SUV's are also good for mashing subcompacts under their tires like a dinosaur stomping a frightened rabbit. The author drives a Nissan Sentra. This fact has nothing whatsoever to do with the contents of this article.)
Least i'll admit it.
Yes, of course it's a matter of personal choice. If you can buy it and afford to pay for its upkeep, then I say, knock yourself out and go for it.
But I see a lot of people buying things they can't afford these days.
p.s.
I think we're talking on two different channels here. I don't see SUVs as a political issue. I see them as a transportation choice. Call me backwards, but sometimes a car really is just a car.
And remember, the article was humorous.
Full Disclosure: My other car is a bicycle. 20 miles per gallon, except in summer. Your mileage may vary.
Second Disclosure: Don't tell the Euro-weenie liberals. They think I'm one of them!
Cheers!
"There are many of us SUV drivers who do not drink Starbucks, nor haul the soccer team around. I live on the side of a mountain and the snow gets deep. The county snowplows do not come to our little gravel road, therefore, at times, I need the all wheel drive to bust through the drifts, just to get to town to take my elderly parents to the Dr., buy groceries, etc... No apologies for having one. I need it."
One of my sisters in law lives in snow country, drives a lot two lane roads and is an on call RN. She lives 10 miles from work, 11 miles from shopping and 12 miles from the nearest grandkids.
She inherited a little money and traded her front wheel drive Pontiac in for one of the Lexus all Wheel Drive SUV. She also has a bad knee and back from a motorcycle accident in her younger days.
They had a miserable winter, and her waste of money as a liberal daughter called it served her and her husband very well. She never missed work calls and actually got her husband to work when he couldn't get out of their driveway with his two wheel drive pickup. She does a Super Sams run about every 6-8 weeks now versus every two weeks with her Pontiac due to more room. Her grandsons love it, and her two adult daughter just about fight to drive it, including the liberal.
Who started this mud slinging contest?
This is looking like the number two issue right here on Free Republic, ...hell,.... where are the bicyclists?
We have them by the tons around here....they even have special lanes...
We are glad that you were driving an evil SUV, and both you and your son survived the crash.
"Since it's high-profile, I can also see well and avoid the little cars who zip in and out of traffic around me."
That is one of the safest aspects of the bigger Suvs. You can see what is happening down the road and with the big side view mirrors see approaching danger from the rear better in a sedan.
"Stupid drivers can be behind the wheel of anything."
That is where the anger should be centered on: Stupid Drivers, drunk drivers, drugged out drivers and drivers who own the road and the parking lots.
Why is this posted in the News category, there is a special Topic area for items that are really about Chatting!!!
Ernest!!!
I'm a bicylist. Obviously my article was a diabolical plot to get all of you motorists to assassinate each other in online road rage incidents, leaving the road (and the internet) clear for us pedal heads BWUHAHAHAHAH!
Cheers!
Full Disclosure: If any of you guys liked the article or the discussion it engendered, let me know. I have ideas about a follow-on entitled "In Praise of Internal Combustion".
Cause I'm a clueless newbie. I even tried to look up how to change it from News/Activism to Personal / Bloggers, but evidently I made a hash of it. mea culpa and HOW!
If you've got any hints (I even read through HTML Sandbox) I'd love to hear them. . .
Cheers!
Do you bike down PCH south of Long Beach...I don't see how those guys survive on the race way thru Bolsa Chico...
I don't like SUV's (the result of living in Ithaca NY for 15 years), but am considered by many in my school (and in my home) to be a crazy conservative. Figure that one out.
As my Dad used say to a certain cousin of mine, "Son, you are one mixed up individual!":)
Havanese. Cute little things. Used to show Standard poodles with my parents years (and years!) ago.
That is where the anger should be centered on: Stupid Drivers, drunk drivers, drugged out drivers and drivers who own the road and the parking lots.
'zackly!
:-)
The best part is, I don't really much care for what other people think. You're entitled to your opinion, but I'm entitled to ignore it! Ahh... America. How I love thee.
We supply the Terminex company.
Little blocks of wood, specially treated with an attractant and a "lethal weapon" to kill the termites. Insert them into the ground around your property. Termites come to them instead of your house..............and die.
PETA may be after us.
Cause I'm a clueless newbie. I even tried to look up how to change it from News/Activism to Personal / Bloggers, but evidently I made a hash of it. mea culpa and HOW!
If you've got any hints (I even read through HTML Sandbox) I'd love to hear them. . .
Cheers!
I've got it! Let the Admin Moderator know!
Now yer tawlkin, newbie!!! Whip it on us!!! External combustion isn't much bedder than a fert! If ya know what I mean... Phhhhhht!
I've never been so tempted to grafitti something in my life! I wanna add "NOT TILL THEY PAY CAR/TRUCK TAXES!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.