06-24-2009, 09:25 AM | #1 (permalink) |
will always be an Alyson Hanniganite
Location: In the dust of the archives
|
My Horrible SUV
So, I'm standing on the front porch last night, having a smoke, when I noticed that my wife's mini-van is quite a bit larger than my SUV. I drive a Ford Explorer, while she drives a Chrysler Town & Country. Now, I know that it's fun to deride SUVs, and their drivers, but what about mini-vans? I often hear (read) people complaining that they can't see past an SUV. But, her van is longer, wider, and noticibly taller than my Explorer. Your vision would obviously be more obstructed by her van than my SUV. As for gas guzzling...my Explorer has a 4.0 engine, while her van has a 3.8. Not a whole lot of difference there. So, fuel economy isn't that much of an issue. Why is it then, that my SUV is so much more socially unacceptable than my wife's mini-van? Just putting my evening ponderings out there to the masses.
__________________
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt. |
06-24-2009, 09:32 AM | #2 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Greater Harrisburg Area
|
Probably the utility vs image factor. It is generally assumed minivans are undesirable vehicles due to their 'stigma'. Therefore if you drive one, it's because you have to for the utility, not because you want to.
This is not the case with SUVs, there is a status attached to them that is actually positive in value, so people drive them just because they like them etc. It isn't that they don't have utility, that just doesn't seem to be the primary reason for owning one. There is also very little in the way of utility that another vehicle cannot accomplish at least as well, if not better. Vans for indoor capacity, trucks for towing, although and SUV kinda falls in the middle ground. So, I guess, as long as your SUV has a hitch on it, don't worry about it.
__________________
The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game. |
06-24-2009, 09:35 AM | #3 (permalink) |
warrior bodhisattva
Super Moderator
Location: East-central Canada
|
Yeah, the status symbol SUVs have become is a big part of it.
But I do tend to question drivers I see puttering around in SUVs and minivans alike if they are the only passenger and cargo in the entire vehicle.
__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot |
06-24-2009, 09:49 AM | #4 (permalink) |
... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.
|
Compare the worst SUV to the worst van and you'll get your answer. The Dodge Durango gets 12 mpg combined. The worst minivan (possibly your Town and Country) is probably going to be in the 20 mpg range.
You two don't get the same gas mileage. The T&C probably gets about 16/23 (depending on the year) and you probably get about 12/19. |
06-24-2009, 11:10 AM | #5 (permalink) |
Banned
|
Bill, how many children do you and your wife have? How many DINK's do you see driving around in minivans? Very few, but it is "acceptable" for a childless couple to have an SUV. The minivans has an image of mommywagon. As far as handling, vans can sometimes do better than SUV's because they have a more roadworthy (less compliant) suspension and their center of gravity tends to ride lower. For the same fuel economy as your explorer, you wife can haul more people and more gear. It's towing capacity is not going to be too far behind, either. Personally, when I have kids, my wife and I will probably have a minivan, possibly a Honda Pilot SUV if they can make a comfortable seat more like the Acura MDX.
Now let's talk about the social acceptability of that cigarette, hmm? |
06-24-2009, 11:38 AM | #9 (permalink) |
warrior bodhisattva
Super Moderator
Location: East-central Canada
|
Oh, come on. SUVs are just glorified minivans.... Who are we kidding?
__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot |
06-24-2009, 11:38 AM | #10 (permalink) | |||
will always be an Alyson Hanniganite
Location: In the dust of the archives
|
I have a 21 year old, not living at home. We have a 6 year old, and we are raising our 2-year-old grand daughter.
So...2 really. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Actually, truth be told, we get very similar gas mileage. Barring certain variables, such as use of the four wheel drive, the Explorer is only 2 MPG behind the T&C. Not enough that I care.
__________________
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt. |
|||
06-24-2009, 11:47 AM | #12 (permalink) |
zomgomgomgomgomgomg
Location: Fauxenix, Azerona
|
SUVs are generally derided in a way minivans are not, because they have offroading functionality that the typical urban user will never need or use, and often pay a hefty fuel penalty to do so.
__________________
twisted no more |
06-24-2009, 11:59 AM | #13 (permalink) |
will always be an Alyson Hanniganite
Location: In the dust of the archives
|
Will, I guaratee you that there is nothing wrong with the air filter. I am very anal when it comes to vehicle upkeep. Unlike my wife, who tends to just gas-n-go. Fact is, the Explorer is beefier and therefore heavier, but the T&C is larger. The T&C does have a smaller engine, but not by much. If I were to "blame" my 2 MPG difference on anything, it would be the fact that 1st generation Ford Explorers have all the aerodynamics of your average shoebox.
__________________
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt. Last edited by Bill O'Rights; 06-24-2009 at 12:12 PM.. |
06-24-2009, 12:03 PM | #14 (permalink) | |
More Than You Expect
Location: Queens
|
Quote:
But that obviously isn't you BoR. Unless you're kidding, DINK = Dual Income No Kids.
__________________
"Porn is a zoo of exotic animals that becomes boring upon ownership." -Nersesian |
|
06-24-2009, 12:06 PM | #15 (permalink) |
... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.
|
Fair enough. Is there a bunch of stuff in the van?
Anyway, the point is that some SUVs are absolutely horrendous when it comes to efficiency. There's no excuse for 10-12 mpg anymore, even if you're building a vehicle to haul. It's those SUV's that give most SUVs a bad name. On the flip side the Ford Escape Hybrid was a pioneer in hybrid technology in SUVs. |
06-24-2009, 12:22 PM | #16 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Greater Harrisburg Area
|
This is just flat out untrue, work trucks when loaded get less than that, when they're hauling (and work trucks almost always are) it doesn't matter how new or efficient it is, they don't make a truck that does better.
__________________
The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game. |
06-24-2009, 12:27 PM | #18 (permalink) |
... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.
|
When loaded, sure, but not when they're carting around some groceries. The H2 gets something like 10 mpg average without towing or hauling anything but a driver. The Dodge Durango gets 8 mpg not hauling anything but it's own weight around town.
|
06-24-2009, 12:35 PM | #19 (permalink) |
comfortably numb...
Super Moderator
Location: upstate
|
i've got a 2002 toyota 4-runner (read SUV) that gets 19 mpg around the circuit and 23 mpg on the open road (read loaded with florida stuff...)
__________________
"We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done." - Robert S. McNamara ----------------------------------------- "We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches... We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles." - Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message" ----------------------------------------- never wrestle with a pig. you both get dirty; the pig likes it. |
06-24-2009, 12:39 PM | #20 (permalink) |
Tilted Cat Head
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
|
I can't find it but there was some report on SUV vs. Minivan years ago that stated the difference was the kind of person that chose it. Something about SUV driver wanting to control and command, where the minivan driver wanted to be part of the community.
__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. |
06-24-2009, 12:43 PM | #21 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Greater Harrisburg Area
|
My apologies I didn't realize you meant that in terms of using a vehicle build for towing as a daily driver. That's a whole level of lunacy that only sort of makes MPG relevant.
__________________
The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game. |
06-24-2009, 12:44 PM | #22 (permalink) | |
lightform
Location: Edge of the deep green sea
|
Quote:
I still don't like a lot of minivan drivers either. I get cut off by just as many of them as I do SUVs.
__________________
We're about to go through the crucible, but we'll come out the other side. We always arise from our own ashes. Everything returns later in its changed form. - Children of Dune |
|
06-24-2009, 07:32 PM | #24 (permalink) | ||
Junkie
|
Quote:
Bill, even though your Explorer may be moderate, SUVs will forever be identified with the likes of Escalators, Hummers, Ford Excesspeditions, Lincoln Extravagators, and Chevy UberUrbans. Until you downsize to something like a Subaru Forester. Which is really just a small car with a little extra clearance. Like my 1981 AMC Eagle. Quote:
|
||
06-26-2009, 08:24 AM | #25 (permalink) |
Lover - Protector - Teacher
Location: Seattle, WA
|
My car gets 10 mpg, so there.
Also, I think it really ties into status vs. need. If I had a dime for everyone in an H2 who never has anything in the back seats or the trunk, and who never even has enough to occupy the HOV lane, I'd be rich. The moment I see an SUV with all of the seats filled, that'll be the day. I really don't have an issue with SUVs personally, but I can see how it bugs some people.
__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel |
07-06-2009, 12:14 PM | #26 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: The Danforth
|
__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I |
07-06-2009, 07:46 PM | #28 (permalink) |
Poo-tee-weet?
Location: The Woodlands, TX
|
I liked my explorer a lot more then the minivan I'm driving now... I actually used it for the offroad capabilities pretty regularly, camping, and adventuring... I miss the hell outta that car...
__________________
-=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto |
07-14-2009, 07:58 PM | #29 (permalink) | |
Yarp.
|
Quote:
__________________
If one million people replaced a two mile car trip once a week with a bike ride, carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 50,000 tons per year. If one out of ten car commuters switched to a bike, carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 25.4 million tons per year. [2milechallenge.com] |
|
Tags |
horrible, suv |
|
|