Comments on: Can we get by without big SUVs?

By: sammy

sammy — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:14:46 +0000

I drive a big SUV, I have 7 kids and need all the room I can get because at the moment, I cannot afford to get a 10 passenger Sprinter but that is what I want. Not just a van, but the Sprinter because of its gas mileage and its height inside without the conversion.

By: Garage/Yard Sale Update | Gather Little By Little

Garage/Yard Sale Update | Gather Little By Little — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:42:54 +0000

[...] stayed open until noon, where the few remaining items were loaded into the SUV and taken to Goodwill. We had quit a day, met a lot of great folks and made more than $600 to pay [...]

By: MITBeta

MITBeta — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 18:33:06 +0000

@glblguy: I don’t have 6 kids (yet) but I did find a vehicle that works well for my growing family: a Dodge/Freightliner/Mercedes Sprinter. It can haul 10 people, gear, and up to 5000lbs on the tow hitch. All while returning 20+ miles per gallon in fuel economy. Something to consider…

By: glblguy

glblguy — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:11:03 +0000

@Tim – You’re right, we had a full-size conversion van before we bought our big’ol “4-wheel drive, Hemi-powered” Durango. Regarding the Hemi, the MPG on the standard V8 vs Hemi is minimal. Hemi Durango gets much better MPG that the full-size van did (more reliable too…but that’s another story).

Also, back in the day, seat belts weren’t required, nor were there child seat laws, so you could cram more people in a car, and the baby would be held. I remember going to the movies with my friends, my dad driving. The 8 of us in a 6 passenger car.

By: The Friday Gathering | Gather Little By Little

The Friday Gathering | Gather Little By Little — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 12:42:04 +0000

[...] started some controversy this week with two posts: one asking if we Can get by without big SUVs and the other about Stupid, lazy people on elevators and escalators (note: his title, not [...]

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:44:47 +0000

It’s not just SUVs… How about those 4-wheel drive, Hemi-powered, Quad cab behemoths that are used as daily commuters? And at 12 MPG!!! Wow!

Yes, there are many people who do actually need these vehicles (both the SUVs and the trucks), but there are way too many people who buy much more than they need simply b/c they think they need it, or were upsold on it.

There is always a personal choice involved. I could drive one of those larger vehicles, but I would rather drive a smaller more fuel efficient car, have lower payments and fuel costs, and fund my retirement. (and no, I am not saying that everyone that drive a larger vehicle is not doing that; everyone’s personal situation is different).

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:22:29 +0000

what ever did we do without the giant SUV and minivan? i guess we crammed people in little VW rabbits or stationwagons, but then again lots of people did have those big conversion vans which were much more gas guzzling than SUVs or about the same. There are definite needs for SUVs, so I don’t think it is only a want item. a pickup truck cannot fit as many people as comfortably as an SUV despite there being those massive extended cab trucks. some things just require bigger engines with more torque to haul crap, or to go on rough roads. minivans, sedans, and station wagons just don’t do that well on pothole infested roads. of course, the vast majority of SUVs will never see off road.

as far as your comment about the feds and SUVs. well, given that you want some push power as well as clearance to go over obstacles more readily than a minivan or sedan, and the fact that larger SUVs will also provide a bit higher line of site for those pesky personal security detail types that accompany VIPs etc, i think there is a need for big SUVs. it’s a give and take, but i’d choose a big SUV over a minivan any day in this situation.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:15:06 +0000

It is incorrect to assume that if demand for large SUVs decreases, that prices will increase for those who really need them.

Rather, the amenities sought by soccer-moms, but NOT by ranchers, will go away.

My dad paid $12,000 for a Suburban in 1986. That was before large SUVs became popular. As soon as they became popular and volume increased, prices skyrocketed.

By: glblguy

glblguy — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:47:28 +0000

I have 6 kids and we go camping with a trailer monthly. I need a big SUV to both haul our family and pull the trailer. Minivan would work for hauling the family, but won’t haul the camper.

The Ford Excursion diesel was the perfect vehicle for us, and now they stopped making it. You would be surprised at the number of people with large families that RV camp.

Sure, we could sacrifice camping and stay at a hotel, but it’s not he same. Camping as been a wonderful family experience for us and our kids. Plus have you ever seen those shows were they go in and look at how dirty hotels really are??? YUCK!

The other option, which we are considering is driving two vehicles when we camp. A pickup and mini-van. Guessing that is probably even worse from an efficiency environment perspective.

By: BeyondtheConsumer

BeyondtheConsumer — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:09:43 +0000

I think people just buy whatever is advertised, and whatever is pushed. Car makers realized they could make more by taking an existing car/truck/van platform, adding some sheet metal and plastic, and selling it at a huge premium. They’ve been forcefeeding SUVs to us with safety studies and images of happy, safe little kids in the back seats, hauling boats or driving off into the wilderness. Freedom and living rich.