US drivers in SUV gas-guzzling buying

Reuters Environmental News Service ^ | 12/07/2001

[ar10]

One of the reasons that SUV'S became popular was due the average fleet fuel economy standards set by the Feds. People couldn't buy station wagons or large cars with V8's as they would ruin the fleet average of the manufacturer. Trucks were exempt from this standard. Hey presto, the manufacturers made comfortable trucks with V8's. If the Feds had never been involved with fleet consumption averages the SUV might never have become so popular.

[just looking]

I have a 1500 Suburban (4x4) and a 2500 Suburban (4x4). Let me see which one I want to take on a road trip this weekend...Hmmmmmmmm

[ar10]

Bone fish caught on the fly run about $1,500 a pound when you add the cost of travel and accomadation. $500 will get a pound of striped bass.

[oyez]

Me, You and Tony Soprano all drive Suburbans. These little pr*cks can take their Honda Civics and drive off the face of the earth as far as I'm concerned.

[babyface00]

I don't think its left-wing to support ways to reduce U.S. effectiveness on foreign oil imports.

I do think its left-wing to think this can be accomplished with arbitrary, expensive government mandates that seek to force people to purchase against their will. I especially think its left wing to force people to compromise the safety of themselves and their families so that they can save a couple of gallons of gasoline every couple weeks.

[Dataman]

I am going to upgrade from my 5500 lb Expetition to an 8200 lb V10 Excursion. It's my money.

[babyface00]

Small request to you SUV guys (and gals): Would you mind collectively not parking by me in the parking lot? I park out in the middle of nowhere because I can't see around you guys backing out of the parking spot (I have a Sebring Convertible).

Inevitably, I'll come out of the store and find an SUV (or minivan) has decided it needs to keep my car company and I'll have to slowly creep out of the spot until half my car is in the middle of the lot before I can see around the darn thing. I don't get it. Do SUVs get lonely if they're not parked next to short, long sporty cars?

[LIBERTARIAN JOE]

Dammit! already put my 12MPG '74 Charger up for the winter... guess I'll have to put her back on the road (can't let the SUV's burn ALL the gas!)

[ar10]

I won't park next to you if you will concede the a Sebring is not a sports car.

[Dataman]

Is it left wing to reduce our reliance on oil so that we could tell tyrants, er uh, I mean our "friends" in Saudi Arabia, etc to go to hell?

It is left wing to suggest one illogical solution to a problem with many possible solutions including perfection of the fuel cell.
It is left wing to exaggerate the problem of foreign oil dependence.
It is left wing to simplify a complex situation to the point where driving anything but a pop can is supporting terrorists.
It is left wing to point the finger at everyone else and demand they solve the problem.
It is left wing to hate the free market.
It is left wing to hate seeing civilized people enjoy themselves in legal ways.
It is left wing to be jealous of those who prosper.
It is left wing to just plain whine, whine, whine.

[babyface00]

Totally agree. It's a sporty car. However, even with the 2.5 v6 (it's a '96) its gutless. And the brakes are fairly pathetic. It does handle remarkably well, but that's mostly due to the tires.

Unfortunately, the Corvette is out of my price range, mostly due to insurance in the city. Camaro/Firebird is impractical compared to the Sebring. That's it for convertibles unless you go Japanese or European.

[BlueLancer]

"My dad has an '82 Dodge. Maybe we'll use his vehicle.

My wife has an '80 Cadillac Coupe de Ville ... I think we could get all of us FReepers into it and take a LONG ride this weekend.

[Dataman]

Small request to you SUV guys (and gals):

My Eddie Bauer Expedition is in excellent shape. I don't park in tight spots. People with cheap cars tend not to care what happens to their car or the other guy's. The problem you report is a problem peculiar to people with bad manners and no respect for property. That is not exclusively an SUV drivers' characteristic.

[babyface00]

Unfortunately, its only the SUVs and minivans I can't see around.

[CraigH]

why should the SUVs get a break on the milage thing as ordered by the Feds

You've got it backwards. It isn't a question of giving SUV's a break, the Feds shouldn't involve themselves in gas mileage regulations at all, for any type of vehicle.

[alpowolf]

CAFE is why we have stupid unnessesary vehicles

Bingo! Another example of what comes of government interference. Now these bozos call for more, to solve the problem the government meddling created. Don't they ever learn? Have any of them heard of the law of unintended consequences?

[mil-vet]

Senate Democrats introduced a broad energy bill this week that seeks, in part, to boost vehicle fuel efficiency...

Same old liberal BS - working to penalize the consumption side instead of building the supply side - these are the same A$$ holes who refused to address the energy needs of the USA by killing Bush's energy bill. The only shortage in existence is the shortage of American brains between the ears of all liberals!

[ar10]

Why don't you put a sign on it telling us truck drivers not park next to it?