Are s.u.v's useless?

ontopofoldsmokie

Yes, useless is to broad a term. They can be useful for some people. Certainly, most people with SUVs could just drive a larger sedan-which would be safer, more fuel effecient, and cheaper. But, people either have to impress other people, or they believe that bigger is safer. Most SUVs never leave the paved road. Most people with SUVs don't drive in snow and ice-at least not enough to need a SUV everyday.
That being said, I think that if you vehicle gets less than X mpg or weighs over X pounds you should have to pay a extra tax. Semi drivers have to pay more. SUV drivers should have to as well. You should have to pay if you don't require a SUV for your vocation. How would determine this? You would have to submit your reason to be excluded for the tax. Much like you have to fill out certain forms for the IRS for exemptions. This way people that need big 4-wheel drive vehicles for work get them. People that just wanna impress other people don't. And, don't tell me you need the space for kids, etc... A sedan would do. Or, one of the SUV lites such as the CRv, Forester, RAV4, SantFe,etc....would do. I've been in all of these. You can move a ton of stuff when you have to and they get car gas mileage.

Jeremy

They are very useful for wasting gas and being a danger on the road. However I can't really call them a truck. I call them what they really are....staion wagons or if you prefer a more derrogatory term, minivan.

they have a porpose,so i say buy what suits your needs.i have always had a truck,to haul such things that i needed to.i recently traded it for a fj cruiser.it gets better mileage,has more leg room for me,6'3,and i never had a vehicle that i wasnt staring at the visor of till now.i lost most of my hauling capabilities,but i am at a point that i dont haul much.i do need to carry more people now,and i still have some hauling from it.i say again,more people should buy what suits their needs.and i see exactly your point.thankyou for being outspoken about this

Peter K

Useless isn't the correct word. Wasteful is probably a better description.

bikernoj

Pretty much, unless you actually USE them for their intended purpose. I own a modified '96 Jeep Cherokee that I bought new, and over the past 11 years it has seen road trips, snow, mud, rocks, has rolled into trees, has scars on the differential cases, and is generally very well loved & abused.

It's not too big, and I can still put a load of gear into the back for 'wheeling. It gets crappy mileage, but that's more due to the mods than anything.

Now take your average Mercedes, Lexus or (gag) Hummer, and look for signs that it actually goes offroad. Are there dents in the fenders or rocker panels? Are the tire sidewalls scuffed and ugly? Is there any dried mud in places a car wash can't reach? If not, then the owners should have bought a MINIVAN.

The #1 sign that an SUV never goes offroad: CHROME TAILLIGHT GUARDS! How funny!

michael o

but what if i am short and have a small one.. Don't I need an SUV to compensate?

I don't believe that newer SUVs should be called sport utility. Most SUVs made today are marketed towards "family cars". Larger SUVs are less practical for going off roading (the original intended purpose of SUVs). I have a use for 4x4 vehicles, but not ones with fancy TVs and leather seats.

Casperia

Urban driver here: you've got my vote. Who needs a duck blind in an intersection?

[Î¦Î˜Îš] PIÑATE

the problem with suv's is that they are as tall as they are long, making them square in shape and very susceptible to roll-over in sharp turns. that's why you see race and sports cars tend to be low-profile and short as possible to the ground to prevent the car from flying off the road.

done wrenching

Oh Lois, you need to have other things to worry about....

Ry Ry

Most of them are useless and irresponsible, yes.

I think this is especially true of the so called "full-size" ones.

I love how people say they NEED an SUV for their family or whatever the excuse is. What the hell do you think they do in the ENTIRE REST OF THE WORLD where they don't sell ridiculously huge Tahoes and Expeditions and Excursions???

Somehow people get their kids to soccer practice without driving an 8 mpg aircraft carrier down the street. SO CAN YOU if you care about anyone other than yourself.

They are dangerous for everyone else on the road and people who drive them often think they are safe from anything so they drive like idiots and put everyone else at risk. To me, they just scream that the driver is an unaware, selfish, insecure idiot with their head up their a.ss.

Unless you have a giant boat you need to tow or you live ontop of a huge mountain and you need to get your family of 6 up there everyday or you are in a contruction crew on the Alaska pipeline, then you don't need to drive a damn land-based battleship. Be reasonable. Stop funding terrorism with your gasoline credit card and stop warming the planet faster than you have any right too because your fragile ego needs bolstering.

Paul

You're only looking at it from your own selfish viewpoint.

An SUV is a PERFECT vehicle for MY needs. I need to pull a trailer and also haul a crew of people around. A Suburban or other powerful SUV or van serves my needs.

Wake up! The world doesn't revolve around only YOUR views or needs.

man_nerss

They not useless!

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