Auto dealers ditch SUVs for fuel-efficient vehicles

The Billings Gazette ^ | October 1, 2005

[grundle]

The free market, not CAFE stadnards, or price controls, or government rationing, is the best way to conserve scarce resources. Economics 101.

[Pukin Dog]

"The Hummer may be the 'ride' that really turns heads, but the real story is the gas," he said, waving his arms in the air. "It sucks up the gasoline, so now I only drive it for occasional joy rides."

The problem is that too many people buy Hummers to "turn heads" instead of to own a vehicle that can go anywhere, anytime in any weather. The only added benefit to owning an H2 is that it pisses off liberals.

[manic4organic]

I bet you can pick up a Ford Excursion pretty cheap. I think its bad gas mileage is only eclipsed by the M1A1 Abrams tank.

[jwh_Denver]

The only added benefit to owning an H2 is that it pisses off liberals.

Because the libs are driving H1's?

[Caipirabob]

"I'll be back!"

[Pukin Dog]

I was referring to an infamous incident between myself and a liberal at a gas station where he was driving a hybrid and I was in my H2. He looks at me and says "I'll bet you would rather be driving one of these, huh?" And I responded back, "No, I still date women".

[WV Mountain Mama]

LMAO!!

Who has time to go cruising anyway? Oh wait, he drives the H2 on joyrides, I am sure to pick up chics. Like you said.....

[Miss Marple]

Well, I am keeping my Jeep Cherokee, which gets fair mileage and is SAFER than someof those little cars. Plus, I am a short woman and I like being able to see farther down the road. I also haul stuff in my Jeep, which one can't do with those little cars.

I haven't seen any massive decline in SUV's here in central Indiana. People are just curtailing their driving a bit and allowing more in the budget for gaasoline.

[wingman1]

I still love my 1992 Nissan pickup.

266,000 miles and still rolling.

Not much to look at, but it has made me money all those years.

[Pukin Dog]

Well, I have to admit to picking up women in my H2 as well, but only because they agree to wash the thing wearing a bikini. I'm too hairy to look good in a bikini, and it is the only proper attire for hand washing a Hummer.

[jwh_Denver]

Haha! You think he knew what you were talking about? Probably a hybrid himself.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

I bet you can pick up a Ford Excursion pretty cheap. I think its bad gas mileage is only eclipsed by the M1A1 Abrams tank.

Like the Abrams, I believe the fuel consumption of the Excursion is expressed in gallons per mile.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

The free market, not CAFE stadnards, or price controls, or government rationing, is the best way to conserve scarce resources. Economics 101.

CAFE standards, with their "utility vehicle" loophole are what gave us the SUV to begin with. They were responsible for the disappearance of the station wagon, which was required to be reckoned when calculating the coporate average, while "trucks" were exempt. So gov meddling actually caused the current state of affairs. As for the free market, once again American auto makers are caught with their collective pants around their ankles, while forward-thinking Japanese companies are prepared. It's like the 70's all over again

[RunningWolf]

My year 2000 BMW R1100S (non abs) got 45 mpg. And that was with the bags on and keeping up with (and passing at will) traffic out on I-65. Roll on torque was so great, it would run away from most anything at open interstate speeds.

Wolf

[RunningWolf]

I have a 1992 Toyota V6 pickup, 190,000 miles on it. Still looks pretty good. Have changed out the radiator, brake rotors, calipers, cylinders, clutch & starter myself.

WOlf

[Cobra64]

The free market, not CAFE stadnards, or price controls, or government rationing, is the best way to conserve scarce resources. Economics 101.

Bingo!

[Oatka]

. . . while forward-thinking Japanese companies are prepared. It's like the 70's all over again. . .

Sure looks like it. With one exception, I hope. When the small trucks first came in and were killing the American auto makers, they appealed to the government for help. In response, the government slapped a $500 tariff on each imported truck. I remember Ford, in particular, immediately jacked up their truck prices by $400 and blandly called it "competitive pricing" when asked for their rationale. Since I was in the market for a small truck at the time, I lost my "support American corporations" attitude then.

[wingman1]

190,000 miles on it.

Hey Wolf,

In these parts we consider that Low Mileage.

:>)

[BluH2o]

Visited a Land Rover dealership last week ... the sales rep acted like he hadn't talked to anyone in weeks. Must be real lonely selling gas guzzlers these days ... almost feel sorry for them.

[RunningWolf]

It was the Deluxe Extd Cab V6 4WD.

Got it for an incredible(for today) price $16k, then I got $2700.00 on my trade in.

The engine is getting a little weak though, and the gas mileage is down about 40 miles per tank, but that might be from having to drag race the slow pokes to the stop light in time.

Wolf