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.)
If you consider 20 miles per gallon "decent," come sit next to me. I have SCADS of things to sell you.
(saith the Saturn-driving babe whose 85000-mile SC1 gets close to 30)
Why!
Keep on bitching about Americans buying suvs and telling us what a conservative you are. Here's the stage and all the rope you need.
Yeah, Caddies eat the gas also. I rented an '05 deville which has damn near 300hp and it's crazy how a car this big could get up and move so fast.
I'm not quite sure I follow the reasoning why "career women" must drive SUVs, since I'm a "career woman" (if by "career woman" you mean "woman with a day job"), and I don't drive an SUV.
Try that with the new hybrids or other little Genuine Imitation cars.
I don't care what you buy or drive.
But as long as you refuse to drive or park inside the lines, I get to bitch about what a sorry driver you are.
So like I said (albeit in a roundabout way), it's a free country . . . and since you get to drive what you want, I get to bitch.
Nice how it works out, isn't it?
Or would you rather censor my speech?
Maybe his screen name is a giveaway!! :>)
Simple answer---never. The GM "Suburban" has been around for decades and decades, far pre-dating the current "SUV" fad, and its like will be around long after.
Actually, the Toyota Prius (I think that is what is called) has good leg room for adults.
However, we know some people who have become grandparents and they sold them when they started haul the infant seats around.
Car seats and more than two adults does eliminate a lot of the PC cars.
Alas, an individual that can make a decision based upon individual need!
Isn't it great living in a place where one has the choice to so?
So...you mean all those rumors about Bill Clinton and the El Camino are...false?
;-)
Cheers!
"What is a dinsaur?"
I think they came from jurssc park.
You are right! Jersey Park has lots of Muslims, a well known cold blooded predatory species.
I haven't had a ticket in about 3 decades.
You don't know diddly about my driving or my wife's, my DIl or my sons. However, your remarks are classic liberal, "All Suv drivers are terrible drivers"
The rudest drivers I see these days are Mothers with vans/cars and suvs loaded with kids and the single woman in some little car.
Next is the contractor heading home after a day with his loaded pickup and him too or to his next job.
As I said the stage is yours and all the rope you want is yours. Keep bitching and moaning about SUV drivers and owners, we know that we are second class citizens in the eyes of the mighty ones. You have the right to say anything, and I have the right to say BS.
Unless it is snowing, in which case I can park anywhere - and it rains money.
That was my impression looking at them side-by-side.
The Rolling Stones performed a song back in the 60's that could be taken as a rebuttal to your concern.
"Simple answer---never. The GM "Suburban" has been around for decades and decades, far pre-dating the current "SUV" fad, and its like will be around long after."
When did the first Suburban come out. I'm 66, and I can remember seeing forever.
I've always thought of suv's as the equivalent of the good ole family stationwagon.Whatever happened to them?
What a dimwit...ever tried to haul a deer in a BMW? Pffft!
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