Alright enough is really enough.

Do you need a H2 to take the kids to school anywhere in the contiguous USA. I mean honestly if you really needed the capability of the vehicle you wouln't buy the luxury model you would go to a Army surplus depot and get a working model. I though okay the little Mercedes and BMW models were bad enough but they didn't offend me near has much cause they weren't built like tanks to be used as tanks, they were built to look good in the city and show your status you knew it was a fool with too much money and lots of redneck envy, but still staying in their element.

Alright I am so peeved I am making no sense. I have a big truck with four doors cause I have 2 kids and 2 dogs and four doors is nicer than and safer than packing them all on the front bench or hanging out in the bed. And yes the 4X4 goes to the woods and pulls trailers off road. And I have squatted the one ton suspension under loads. I even try to keep it maintained for good mileage and emissions.

Yes I have run Bob to town empty, when I need to. Soon as I can get a compact four door beater car that will be the daily driver and Bob will be for work and recreation as in camping, fishing, horse trailering.

If I wanted leather heated seats, a TV, and 20 disc CD player I would just stay home or buy a luxury sedan. Now I am not cutting on Broncos and real utility vehicles that people but some comfort devices in, just the ones made for comfort that will never ever see a dirt road let alone a wood land track. And must folks who want/need a truck/Bronco and now they are going to be hard top drivers get a 2WD or 4X2 and really intelligent light truck folks get a Ranger.

Okay I feel better, some. Sure I ****** someone off, sorry if that is you, but it is my opinion.

 

I posted a similar thought about the FX4 a few months ago. My question was, why pay $26K for a Ranger with all that "extra" stuff on it? I guarantee my '99 will follow an FX4 Level II anywhere...for half the cost.

But what it comes down to is...people like the image. It's a money-making machine for these automakers. And to be honest, my next truck just might be a FX4 Off-Road model (a used one of course ).

 

But you will use it I mean get it dirty right. Not just strolling downtown, sitting at the supermarket, or in the garage; you will take it out and engage the 4X4 and go places.

 

It's been this way for sports cars for a long time. How many of these cars get driven at their potential? Some get to the drag strip or autocross, but most just putter around to work and back.

I think some of the new Sedans are even more obsurd. These Euro HP monsters. I believe Audi, Mercedes and BMW all offer a 4 door sedan with well over 400 HP. This also applies to the new Porsche SUV, 430 HP bi-turbo V8 in an SUV.


I'm not saying that we should stop making overqualified SUVS and sports cars. Heck, I own a sports that is really too fast for typical street driving (although comfortable and it get's 30 MPG on the highway). I guess my point, is that the SUVs are just another means of expressing status. And they haul more stuff than a 2 seat convertible. So, let's be fair :-)

 

I really really try to be fair. I didn't use to care much what people drove and even went trhrough a spell of car lust and still occassionally get a severe want for a new F-350 4X4 Crew Cab with V-10, but honestly it costs as much as a house. If I were going to use it everyday as part of my making a living sure I'd get one.

Sports cars are manufactured for a purpose and some get used to that end. I think the big thing going againt the "ricers" not my word is that people feel the drivers don't know how to drive, and that they are overhyped, but honestly they are probably safer for the want abe posers in them than a Mustang 5.0 or anyother true muscle car.

My problem with the luxury SUV is the same except the SUV is dangerous to the know nothing driving it and the people they run over. Ever see one of these on a icy mountain two lane going about 60, I did for 7 years working at a ski resort. Scariest moments of my life were driving up when they were coming down. I commuted that hill in a little 4X4 truck and made it up when I was pushing snow with the bumper and could even run with the fast little sportsters in the summer cause I knew how to drive it. For a while I drove a company van 2WD only got stuck once and then the plows weren't running the road. Couldn't count the SUVs stuck on the road on a fair day, sadly some new SUVs found the bottom too quickly. Rambling on, making them luxury like only buts more ignorant drivers and me at risk.

What is next luxury Semis. Hey buddy check out my automatic MACK, sound system blaring, party bar in the cab....

Okay I'm done. I even feel much better. I really don't like to judge others that H2 just did me in today, cause it was parked with the Mercedes SUV and all the others.

 

I have a '02 Ranger edge 4x4 regular cab. I didn't need the 'super' cab so I didn't pay the extra money. Just got the wife a '03 Cavalier sedan, the basic model (which is a lot of car for $12K). Both will be paid for by August of next year and then my plan is to double up on house payments and have it paid off in 10 years. We already make 2 extra payments per year. Status symbol vehicles are fine if you have money coming out the wazoo, but to my way of thinking, someone who pays a full 30 years on their mortgage so they can have a fancy vehicle is a fool and I'm not impressed. Sorry if I stepped on toes.

 

I agree with Biscuit's point about some people blowing mega dollars on huge pickups and SUVs but having absolutely no idea how to drive them. I've seen some really dumb maneuvers by a few of these drivers. I'm talkin' the type of things where you almost know for sure it was a completely clueless driver feeling invulnerable in their big SUV (people of all ages, gender, and social status, doesn't matter) performing the kind of stunts that place other people's safety, including my own, in peril.

All of us on this board have probably been driving some form of truck and/or tractor for quite a few years (at least). So we understand it's not a front-wheel-drive sedan we're kicking around in. When we get in a truck we know that we must adjust our driving habits. IMO, there are some "new breed" SUVers out on the road today who do not have that same understanding of their vehicle, and that can be annoying as well as dangerous.

 

Not to jump off course, but has anyone seen the new Snickers commercial? It has a guy driving his new 'H2-esque' truck. Hes driving around, pointing out all of the neat features and gadgets. He then goes to pull into his garage, and takes out the walls in the process. I love it.


Rich

 

so no one wants to see my future SUV then?

 

I wouldn't want to be the poor guy in the Escort who accidently cuts off the rich guy in the Kenworth I think we all know who'd win that one!

ON EDIT: Dave, why do I keep thinking about the movie "Duel" when I look at that picture?

 

I just get what I can afford, but I use it, I had not even had my truck a week and it was covered in mud, and it is only 2x4. But I could not affird more, however if I could afford it i would buy a S/C Shortbed 350 SWR 4x4, why, for the fun, I can tow everything I need to with my 6cyl. 150, but if I could I would still buy a bigger truck, alot bigger. Granted, that 45000 dollar truck would be taken off road, and I would purposely find bigger stuff to tow. but....as for sprots cars not being riven to their potential, I am planning on taking some of these hi-po driving courses you see advertised in Cali and Florida. yes they do work I have a friend who has beeen to one, you shold see the parralel parking at 90 mph......then again it is in an 03 Cobra...I think if you spend the money on something, you should know how to use it.

 

I went to St. Louis a couple of years ago, It snowed maybe 1/2 and inch and immediatly traffic went from 65-70mph to 25 mph! The next morning a friend and I were on our way to church and I counted 4 4x4 SUVs stuck in 1/2 an inch of snow! I mean really didn;t the dealer tell these people how to engage the 4x4???????????? Or is the dealer too stupid to know as well?

 

The problem with many of the new "fancy" SUV's getting stuck is that they come with a more performance oriented tire than traction oriented. Yes, a lot of it is driver ability, but at least some of it is equipment. A couple weeks ago my Dad and I went out turkey hunting in his '02 Tahoe. Just a little mud and that thing was sliding all over the place even in 4X4. I know my truck would have had no problems with the conditions we got into.

Just an FYI on the H2's. I know a guy who is the service manager at a dealership that sells them. He says they are the biggest piece of junk he's ever seen. He says they break down just sitting in the parking lot.

 

Just a small reply to the h2's(doesnt deserve capital h) breaking down.......What dya expect from a GM??? It to run right and not fall apart in a week?? But i have to agree with what most of you said, 90% of the tiem people being stuck in the snow is due to their own stupidity. Ive been thinking about starting an Suv club(i own a Brocno{i dont admit its an SUV}) but to enter you gotta bog some like 3-4 inch deep mud and not get stuck. not just regular mud, the really thick nasty mud. LOl lets see how many ppl make it. Man Venting is soooo much fun. BTW i highly dislike people that give Suv's(Ahem soccermoms and rich ppl that cant afford to learn to drive) a bad name. the explorer is a top heavy vehicle.....so slow down and dont yank the steering and a few other lil things and youll be fine. Another thing, I havent owned a truck newer than 92 so how does the new 4x4 work(in those 20k+ suvs) electric? computer? or still manual(or did they think that takes up precious floor space)?
Wow, did i already say venting is so much fun.
If i offended anyone im sry, but youll live
Tim

 

I agree with ya 100%. Most of the SUV sells are for image. I drive an 89 Mit Montero 2 dr. 4x4. I use the 4x4 when I go to the farm and that lil b*stard can go places. Its so old its still made of metal. I will hopefully get a Ford SD in a year or less. I cant afford nor do I need anything big and bad, just somin to do what I want/need it to do. I go to TTU. Fast cars, lifted trucks and luxury cars all over the place. Most of these people prolly dont get over 55 mph in town or go outside of town to get in mud. Most of these people havent had to work for anything and prolly wont mount to much. But hey thet can afford it, or at least their parents can. latr