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THGL · 11-19-2004, 10:52 AM

My wife and I own a Volvo 940 and a '98 Chevy Blazer 2-door, we also have 2 children. When we get the Blazer paid down enough it'll be traded in, right now my wife likes the Expedition (but I think she'd be happy in an Explorer as well).

Even though it's a hassle to get 2 children (18mo. & 3mo.) into the backseat of a 2-door Blazer, my wife prefers it to the Volvo because she's feels safer in it. Because she sits higher she has a more commanding view of what's ahead, the Blazer is 4WD so in winter months the added safety is there, and because the Blazer is still a truck she and the children are a little safer in some wreck scenerios (she's been rear-ended in the Blazer when she was 7mo. pregnant and all we had to do was replace the bumper and she and all babies were fine).

When we (or just herself) go somewhere with the kiddos it's like packing for an overnight stay... 2 children, 1 huge diaper bag (or 2 smaller ones), one monster baby stroller (able to hold 2 kids and storage for the diaper bags). All that takes up a lot of space and if it's time to go shopping we'll need the space for all that plus whatever we buy (groceries or whatnot). A Toyota Prius just can't compete when it comes to storage like an Explorer or Expedition.

Also, our house is not perfect (none are) and I make trips to the lumber yard or Home Depot for building supplies, landscaping supplies, etc. and that's where an SUV comes in real handy. Multiple sheets of drywall are NOT going to fit into a Honda Civic.

I'd like to pick up a used compact truck and use it for home improvement projects, but we just don't have the extra money or place to park it right now so an SUV fits our needs.

Yes, an SUV uses more gas than a car... there are more and heavier parts to move so the engine isn't as fuel efficient... that's just part of the cost of owning one. Today's engines are a hell of a lot more efficient than those of 10-15 years ago (there are a few engines so good that what comes out the tailpipe is cleaner what what goes in the intake! It's true.), so don't tell me that we're harming the environment by driving an SUV. Like someone said already, beat-up VW Vanagons are doing a lot more harm than anything I could buy today.

Different strokes for different folks.

If you want to exaggerate things how's this? If someone runs into me and my SUV all I have to do is replace a few body panels and I'm back on the road but if someone runs into your little econobox the whole thing is totaled so it'll take up space in a junkyard, dripping fluids and old flaking paint into Mother Earth. If someone runs into me and my SUV there's a good chance I'll walk away but if someone runs into you and your econobox, the fire dept./EMS will have to be called... fire trucks and ambulances pollute a HELL OF A LOT more than any SUV... not to mention the added cost to John Q. Taxpayer who has to pay for the emergency service run you caused.

11-19-2004, 10:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
THGL Psycho Location: Louisville, KY	My wife and I own a Volvo 940 and a '98 Chevy Blazer 2-door, we also have 2 children. When we get the Blazer paid down enough it'll be traded in, right now my wife likes the Expedition (but I think she'd be happy in an Explorer as well). Even though it's a hassle to get 2 children (18mo. & 3mo.) into the backseat of a 2-door Blazer, my wife prefers it to the Volvo because she's feels safer in it. Because she sits higher she has a more commanding view of what's ahead, the Blazer is 4WD so in winter months the added safety is there, and because the Blazer is still a truck she and the children are a little safer in some wreck scenerios (she's been rear-ended in the Blazer when she was 7mo. pregnant and all we had to do was replace the bumper and she and all babies were fine). When we (or just herself) go somewhere with the kiddos it's like packing for an overnight stay... 2 children, 1 huge diaper bag (or 2 smaller ones), one monster baby stroller (able to hold 2 kids and storage for the diaper bags). All that takes up a lot of space and if it's time to go shopping we'll need the space for all that plus whatever we buy (groceries or whatnot). A Toyota Prius just can't compete when it comes to storage like an Explorer or Expedition. Also, our house is not perfect (none are) and I make trips to the lumber yard or Home Depot for building supplies, landscaping supplies, etc. and that's where an SUV comes in real handy. Multiple sheets of drywall are NOT going to fit into a Honda Civic. I'd like to pick up a used compact truck and use it for home improvement projects, but we just don't have the extra money or place to park it right now so an SUV fits our needs. Yes, an SUV uses more gas than a car... there are more and heavier parts to move so the engine isn't as fuel efficient... that's just part of the cost of owning one. Today's engines are a hell of a lot more efficient than those of 10-15 years ago (there are a few engines so good that what comes out the tailpipe is cleaner what what goes in the intake! It's true.), so don't tell me that we're harming the environment by driving an SUV. Like someone said already, beat-up VW Vanagons are doing a lot more harm than anything I could buy today. Different strokes for different folks. If you want to exaggerate things how's this? If someone runs into me and my SUV all I have to do is replace a few body panels and I'm back on the road but if someone runs into your little econobox the whole thing is totaled so it'll take up space in a junkyard, dripping fluids and old flaking paint into Mother Earth. If someone runs into me and my SUV there's a good chance I'll walk away but if someone runs into you and your econobox, the fire dept./EMS will have to be called... fire trucks and ambulances pollute a HELL OF A LOT more than any SUV... not to mention the added cost to John Q. Taxpayer who has to pay for the emergency service run you caused. Last edited by THGL; 11-19-2004 at 10:54 AM..