The "reduce to ridiculous" method is just that, ridiculous.

How about trying a question more grounded in reality? Ah, because that wouldn't suit your purpose would it?

If you have a valid point to make, then make it. What is the purpose of this dribble?

/and yes, I like my SUV very much.

//amazed at how the people that scream about personal freedom only want personal freedoms that match their own bias.

//this is almost as silly as the tank comment made earlier in this thread

If they hit me hard enough to bend sheetmetal I want a new car anyway, not some halfass repair with new patch panels and body work. Soooo moot point, cause their insurance is paying since they're at fault. I cant really think of any vehicle that would be worth replacing the frame on without totalling out the vehicle.

Whew! I had to read through 3 pages of this mess to make sure I hadn't already posted in this thread. It's not like the "I hate SUV" thread is new, you know? Given that it pops up every few months or so, I can't remember which one I'd commented in.

But, I'd just like to drop a quick one in defense of my wife and my SUV. 2004 Honda CR-V. It's an LEV. Emsissions? What emissions? There are many, many, many, many, many, V-6 sedans and minivans putting out more crap per gallon burned than our CRV does. It's about burning fuel well, and the 4 banger in the CR-V does it better than most.

Size? The "serv" as I call it (to bug my wife) is hardly bigger than my Lancer. Certainly it's taller, but if you have a problem with that, I can't help you. Oddly enough, I drive my Lancer 5 days out of the week, and I seem to cope with it's ride height just fine.

Mass? The CRV checks in at 3200lbs. That's a mere 600 more than my Lancer (which ain't a big ride, you know?) The average family sedan is heavier than our CRV. Minivans, which seem to avoid the SUV stigma, because the average American is an idiot, mass much bigger numbers than our puny 3200lb CRV.

MPG? It seems to manage 24mpg, repeatedly, per tank.

4wd? It was freakin great to have during the drive to up to MI this past Thanksgiving weekend in the freezing rain and snow. Yes, I drove slowly and remembered 4wd doesn't help you stop. Duh.

Sorry, I can't help you hate our truck. Maybe you'll try harder next time.

A crv is not a real suv, it is a tall wagon. It also cannot do anything better than my wrx wagon. (except get in the way).
Lets classify an suv as anything ford exploder or bigger that rides on a truck frame. Therefore, mercedes minivans, bmw xminivans, volvo xc90s, ford escapes, nissan murano tall wagons, etc... are not really suvs. Also, the chrylser pacifica. These are the ones with unibody construction, lower center of gravity, car engines, passenger tires, etc... also known as minivans or station wagons for people who don't suffer from low self-esteem issues.
BTW, did you know the Dodge Magnum is classified as an suv? It has a flat hatch floor and that way chrysler gets a break on cafe standards.

Mass of a SUV doesn't kill you,It's the speed.If someone hits you in the rear when their flying it's going hurt no matter if it's an car or SUV/truck.If someone Tbones you still going be messed up pretty bad,because there isn't too much room to absorb the hit like the front and back of the car.Now i'll give you about they block the views of cars.But so do vans/work trucks ,etc etc.

Wow. Just... wow.

If you are going to single out SUVs because they waste gas, also have a look at other gas wasters like recreational vehicles (snowmobiles, motocross bikes, quads, fishing boats, etc, etc., etc...) and Motorsport, which use up insane amounts of petroleum products for no reason other than Entertainment purposes. The world's biggest oil corporations pour billions of $$$ and tons of petroleum into every conceivable type of motorsport, from boat racing to motorcycle racing to auto racing.

50% of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. are suvs and the U.S. has 1/3 of all vehicles in the world. I submit to you that racing consumes a fraction of the resources that even a city like Atlanta uses. Honestly, how many full-time racers do you know? Same thing goes for the recreational gadgets like motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc... How many are there?

then what about jeep's? the cherokke and grand cherokee are both unibodies.

I'm not arguing that the figures are comparable to SUV's (they might be, I don't know one way or the other), I'm saying that SUV's aren't the only significant drain on petroleum sources. Also, in motorsport, tires (made from oil) are used once and thrown away. It can't be making the environmentalists too happy.

All Motorsports worldwide don't contribute too much to the total. Tires can be recycled. I don't hate SUV's themselves but find the reasons for owning them to be weak. Many people drive things they don't rightfully deserve or need, it only concerns me when it's beyond their capability. I feel like a carrying a small hammer to break the mirrors when i see the ignoramus drivers not using them.

when driving is beyond their capability?

not using what?

I guess you also break off the WINDOWS buttons from people's keyboards because the ignorant people still use their mouse to click on start instead of the button.

This I will never understand about women (no offense to your wife or any SUV driving women). Although a Volvo is much more manuverable and has a roll cage (even though the Blazer does great in a wreck, I'm sure), they would rather have a big ass SUV so when they get in a wreck, the Miata or Focus or Metro that they rear end while talking on their cell phone will be more or less stuck to the bottom of the SUV.

That being said, I don't see what's so great about an SUV. They are more dangerous, cost just as much, use more gas, are harder to drive, and are slower than most mid-priced sports cars. Plus, you can haul more in a pick-up truck. They're usually driven by people who don't use their mirrors to begin with, which means they'll be even more dangerous because they are more vital in a bigger automobile. The fact that they are now being sold with rear-facing cameras just reinforces that. On top of it all, they increase the demand for refined crude oil, which drives up gas prices for us all.

Did you not pass 5th grade science??? It's called inertia.