SUV (Simply Unsellable Vehicle) BLUES
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SUV (Simply Unsellable Vehicle) BLUES
As fuel prices rise, owners of gas guzzlers find themselves stuck with big drains on their budgets
By MARLON MANUEL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/01/05
Michael and Julie Curnick of Roswell are selling their 1997 Ford Expedition, an 8-cylinder monster with the power to haul six Jersey cows and enough interior space to hold, well, Jersey.
With their 16-year-old son learning to drive and family trips to Tennessee costing $75 with every fill-up, the time became right to sell. Expecting it to be snapped up quickly — SUV sales surged 11 percent in the first quarter of 2004 — the couple bought a classified ad that practically gushed: Eddie Bauer, 4WD, 137K, one owner, 3rd rear seat A/C VG condition $8,500.
Charlotte B. Teagle/Staff
In the last month, Roswell residents Julie Curnick (above) and husband Michael have received only two calls on a classified ad for their 1997 Ford Expedition gas hog — and one was from a reporter. Meanwhile, gas could climb to well over $3 a gallon by this weekend.
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"Gas is definitely a factor, but I still see there's a lot of soccer moms or soccer dads who need a bigger SUV."
KEVIN ***
General manager, CarMax in Norcross
WHAT TO DO IF YOU CAN'T GET RID OF THAT BIG SUV? Close windows, add water and fish. Instant aquarium.
Add refrigerator and berber carpet, convert to rental property.
New at Home Depot: Storage shed on wheels.
<LI>If you love her: shopping cart. If you don't: Mother-in-law suite. — Marlon Manuel
But in the last month, the response has been underwhelming. The Curnicks have had just two lousy phone calls — one from a nosey reporter.
And with Hurricane Katrina, things will probably only get worse. A gas shortage in metro Atlanta is possible, experts say, and gas prices are predicted to top well over $3 a gallon by the weekend. It's all bad news for SUV owners, who can expect to get the silent treatment not only at the pumps, but at the resale market.
The average resale price of a large SUV has dropped 7.1 percent from a year ago, while the used car industry as a whole — which had trended up until a few months ago — decreased just 2.9 percent.
When SUVs do sell, they're forced to settle for less money than the vehicle category fetched last year, said Alex Rosten, manager of pricing and market analysis for automotive Web site Edmunds.
"God forbid I had an Excursion or something larger," said Michael Curnick, a regulator for BellSouth, who still uses the Ford to haul supplies from Home Depot.
What does that mean if you hang a For Sale sign on your honkin' big ride? Nobody calls you anymore. Seventy-five bucks for a fill-up? Hello? Are you crazy? Click.
"Our timing is just terrible," said Curnick's wife, now the dubious owner of a Toyota Sequoia, with its thirsty, 28-gallon tank.
In Suwanee, John Kim posted his family vehicle — a 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL — for sale at Autotrader.com, owned by *** Enterprises, parent company of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"I've been trying to sell it for a couple of months," Kim said, "but I'm not getting any calls. I thought it'd be faster."
He first priced the vehicle at $35,900. He dropped to $31,900. With no one calling, he may go lower yet.
Fuel costs are eating him up. There might as well be piranhas in his 32-gallon tank.
"I'm going with a smaller, more gas efficient car," Kim said.
In East Cobb, Todd Lavelle, who owns a medical products company, has two sons, one who plays baseball, the other hockey. He needs on-the-road elbow room and drives a 2003 Chevy Suburban.
He wants to upgrade to a Cadillac Escalade. But after five weeks of advertising, he's had just two people come by to kick the tires on the Suburban.
"I'm sure there's less of an audience now," Lavelle said. He's trying to work a deal but expects to get less than the $36,000 he's after.
Across the country, SUV resales have hit the wall. The gotta-have vehicle of 2000 has become the can't-get-rid-of for 2005.
The SUV sales dip particularly affects the largest of the large, a rotund roster of wheeled barges including the Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon, Dodge Durango, Chevy Tahoe, Nissan Armada, Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia.
There's little relief in site from rising gas prices, with production and refinery capacity along the Gulf Coast stunted by Monday's catastrophic blow by Hurricane Katrina.
"The surge in trade-ins due to the employee purchase plans — and the corresponding increase in supply — has accelerated large SUV depreciation," said Rosten, the pricing manager from Edmunds.
Luxury SUVs like Hummer H3s and H2s or Cadillac Escalades are less prone to fluctuations in gas prices. Consumers willing to pay more than $50,000 for a car aren't likely to be bothered when gas goes up a quarter, said Kevin ***, general manager of the CarMax in Norcross.
"If you're looking for an H2, that's a person looking for a Corvette," *** said. "It's not like they're looking for an H2 and leaving with a Cherokee."
Still, while not "dramatic," he does see a "nudge" downward in the interest for large SUVs.
"When it comes to SUVs, if your lifestyle says you need an SUV, then you may not get an 8-cylinder but you may just get a 6-cylinder or a bigger sedan," *** said. "Gas is definitely a factor, but I still see there's a lot of soccer moms or soccer dads who need a bigger SUV."
Canton home builder Hal Woods is selling his own Chevy SSR performance truck as well as a 2004 Cadillac Escalade SUV owned by his boss. He's posted both online. He's bought a classified ad. The interest for either after two weeks?
"You're it," he tells a reporter. "Absolutely none. It's a wonderful time to buy. It's a horrible time to sell."
Private sellers are further hampered when competing with dealers, who can make up profits on finance packages. Many consumers trying to sell their roadway titans may owe more than they're worth, a pinch that only worsens their financial pain.
"Most dramatically impacted by the high gas prices are families who really stretched their budgets to take advantage of high incentive programs," said JesseToprak, senior analyst for Edmunds. "They can barely afford the payments of the car in the first place. They're feeling the pain the worst, expeically if they're commuting 30 to 40 miles a day."
Summer has something small to do with the suppression of large SUV sales, Toprak said. Demand will pick up in December with the first winter storm, when consumers crave the traction of 4X4 vehicles.
"It's a need issue," Toprak said.
Back in Roswell, even over the weekend, no one called the Curnicks. Everyone wants to see the 1978 280Z they're selling. No one's interested in the Expedition.
"I'm going to let it ride," Michael Curnick said. "I don't have an escape plan."
Could it be that the honkin' big SUV has one foot in the vehicle boneyard? One seed for thought: Fill it with dirt and it could become the only planter box in the neighborhood with ABS brakes and seating for nine.
SUV GAS MILEAGE
Worst gas mileage, SUVs VehicleCity MPG Highway MPG 1. Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG12 142. Land Rover Range Rover12163. Mercedes-Benz G50013144. Toyota Land Cruiser13175. Lexus LX 4701317
Best gas mileage, SUVs VehicleCity MPG Highway MPG 1. Ford Escape HEV33292. Toyota RAV424303. Ford Escape 2WD24294. Mazda Tribute 2WD24295. Subaru Forrester2330Source: www.fueleconomy.gov
USED SUV PRICES
July 2004July 2005ChangeUsed car industry$10,881$10,570-2.9%Used, large SUVs$16,357$15,543-7.1%
Source: Edmunds.com
By MARLON MANUEL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/01/05
Michael and Julie Curnick of Roswell are selling their 1997 Ford Expedition, an 8-cylinder monster with the power to haul six Jersey cows and enough interior space to hold, well, Jersey.
With their 16-year-old son learning to drive and family trips to Tennessee costing $75 with every fill-up, the time became right to sell. Expecting it to be snapped up quickly — SUV sales surged 11 percent in the first quarter of 2004 — the couple bought a classified ad that practically gushed: Eddie Bauer, 4WD, 137K, one owner, 3rd rear seat A/C VG condition $8,500.
In the last month, Roswell residents Julie Curnick (above) and husband Michael have received only two calls on a classified ad for their 1997 Ford Expedition gas hog — and one was from a reporter. Meanwhile, gas could climb to well over $3 a gallon by this weekend.
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[font=arial, helvetica][size=1]EMAIL THIS[/size][/font][font=arial, helvetica][size=1]PRINT THIS[/size][/font][font=arial, helvetica][size=1]MOST POPULAR[/size][/font]"Gas is definitely a factor, but I still see there's a lot of soccer moms or soccer dads who need a bigger SUV." KEVIN ***
General manager, CarMax in Norcross
WHAT TO DO IF YOU CAN'T GET RID OF THAT BIG SUV? Close windows, add water and fish. Instant aquarium.
Add refrigerator and berber carpet, convert to rental property.
New at Home Depot: Storage shed on wheels.
<LI>If you love her: shopping cart. If you don't: Mother-in-law suite. — Marlon Manuel
But in the last month, the response has been underwhelming. The Curnicks have had just two lousy phone calls — one from a nosey reporter.
And with Hurricane Katrina, things will probably only get worse. A gas shortage in metro Atlanta is possible, experts say, and gas prices are predicted to top well over $3 a gallon by the weekend. It's all bad news for SUV owners, who can expect to get the silent treatment not only at the pumps, but at the resale market.
The average resale price of a large SUV has dropped 7.1 percent from a year ago, while the used car industry as a whole — which had trended up until a few months ago — decreased just 2.9 percent.
When SUVs do sell, they're forced to settle for less money than the vehicle category fetched last year, said Alex Rosten, manager of pricing and market analysis for automotive Web site Edmunds.
"God forbid I had an Excursion or something larger," said Michael Curnick, a regulator for BellSouth, who still uses the Ford to haul supplies from Home Depot.
What does that mean if you hang a For Sale sign on your honkin' big ride? Nobody calls you anymore. Seventy-five bucks for a fill-up? Hello? Are you crazy? Click.
"Our timing is just terrible," said Curnick's wife, now the dubious owner of a Toyota Sequoia, with its thirsty, 28-gallon tank.
In Suwanee, John Kim posted his family vehicle — a 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL — for sale at Autotrader.com, owned by *** Enterprises, parent company of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"I've been trying to sell it for a couple of months," Kim said, "but I'm not getting any calls. I thought it'd be faster."
He first priced the vehicle at $35,900. He dropped to $31,900. With no one calling, he may go lower yet.
Fuel costs are eating him up. There might as well be piranhas in his 32-gallon tank.
"I'm going with a smaller, more gas efficient car," Kim said.
In East Cobb, Todd Lavelle, who owns a medical products company, has two sons, one who plays baseball, the other hockey. He needs on-the-road elbow room and drives a 2003 Chevy Suburban.
He wants to upgrade to a Cadillac Escalade. But after five weeks of advertising, he's had just two people come by to kick the tires on the Suburban.
"I'm sure there's less of an audience now," Lavelle said. He's trying to work a deal but expects to get less than the $36,000 he's after.
Across the country, SUV resales have hit the wall. The gotta-have vehicle of 2000 has become the can't-get-rid-of for 2005.
The SUV sales dip particularly affects the largest of the large, a rotund roster of wheeled barges including the Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon, Dodge Durango, Chevy Tahoe, Nissan Armada, Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia.
There's little relief in site from rising gas prices, with production and refinery capacity along the Gulf Coast stunted by Monday's catastrophic blow by Hurricane Katrina.
"The surge in trade-ins due to the employee purchase plans — and the corresponding increase in supply — has accelerated large SUV depreciation," said Rosten, the pricing manager from Edmunds.
Luxury SUVs like Hummer H3s and H2s or Cadillac Escalades are less prone to fluctuations in gas prices. Consumers willing to pay more than $50,000 for a car aren't likely to be bothered when gas goes up a quarter, said Kevin ***, general manager of the CarMax in Norcross.
"If you're looking for an H2, that's a person looking for a Corvette," *** said. "It's not like they're looking for an H2 and leaving with a Cherokee."
Still, while not "dramatic," he does see a "nudge" downward in the interest for large SUVs.
"When it comes to SUVs, if your lifestyle says you need an SUV, then you may not get an 8-cylinder but you may just get a 6-cylinder or a bigger sedan," *** said. "Gas is definitely a factor, but I still see there's a lot of soccer moms or soccer dads who need a bigger SUV."
Canton home builder Hal Woods is selling his own Chevy SSR performance truck as well as a 2004 Cadillac Escalade SUV owned by his boss. He's posted both online. He's bought a classified ad. The interest for either after two weeks?
"You're it," he tells a reporter. "Absolutely none. It's a wonderful time to buy. It's a horrible time to sell."
Private sellers are further hampered when competing with dealers, who can make up profits on finance packages. Many consumers trying to sell their roadway titans may owe more than they're worth, a pinch that only worsens their financial pain.
"Most dramatically impacted by the high gas prices are families who really stretched their budgets to take advantage of high incentive programs," said JesseToprak, senior analyst for Edmunds. "They can barely afford the payments of the car in the first place. They're feeling the pain the worst, expeically if they're commuting 30 to 40 miles a day."
Summer has something small to do with the suppression of large SUV sales, Toprak said. Demand will pick up in December with the first winter storm, when consumers crave the traction of 4X4 vehicles.
"It's a need issue," Toprak said.
Back in Roswell, even over the weekend, no one called the Curnicks. Everyone wants to see the 1978 280Z they're selling. No one's interested in the Expedition.
"I'm going to let it ride," Michael Curnick said. "I don't have an escape plan."
Could it be that the honkin' big SUV has one foot in the vehicle boneyard? One seed for thought: Fill it with dirt and it could become the only planter box in the neighborhood with ABS brakes and seating for nine.
SUV GAS MILEAGE
Worst gas mileage, SUVs VehicleCity MPG Highway MPG 1. Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG12 142. Land Rover Range Rover12163. Mercedes-Benz G50013144. Toyota Land Cruiser13175. Lexus LX 4701317
Best gas mileage, SUVs VehicleCity MPG Highway MPG 1. Ford Escape HEV33292. Toyota RAV424303. Ford Escape 2WD24294. Mazda Tribute 2WD24295. Subaru Forrester2330Source: www.fueleconomy.gov
USED SUV PRICES
July 2004July 2005ChangeUsed car industry$10,881$10,570-2.9%Used, large SUVs$16,357$15,543-7.1%
Source: Edmunds.com
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 1
From: Florida
That is AWESOME and they deserve it! I hope they all suffer, because THEY have been a primary contributor to the problem in the past 10+ YEARS! Suzie home-maker driving to the store in her 5,000 lbs 9mpg guzzler because it makes her feel big, or taking the 'little precious' to soccer practice...well pay up people.
As sucky as the fuel prices on ME, I hope it screws everyone with the large guzzlers and the country is forced back to REALISTIC PRACTICAL vehicles that are respnsible in the world market.
Good luck dumping those rolling piles of garbage, I sure don't know anyone that wants one in the future.
Even more deserving are all the people that bought them new in the last month on all the rediculous 'employee price plans'. Yeah, you sure saved a bundle on that big new Hummer you take off-roading in the mall parking lot. Not much of a deal now is it
As sucky as the fuel prices on ME, I hope it screws everyone with the large guzzlers and the country is forced back to REALISTIC PRACTICAL vehicles that are respnsible in the world market.
Good luck dumping those rolling piles of garbage, I sure don't know anyone that wants one in the future.
Even more deserving are all the people that bought them new in the last month on all the rediculous 'employee price plans'. Yeah, you sure saved a bundle on that big new Hummer you take off-roading in the mall parking lot. Not much of a deal now is it
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
From: Arroyo Del Valle
Unfortunately for people who own SUV's and other gas guzzlers the rule that applys to stock buying/selling also applys to them. "If it is in the press it is in the price." Once you read about the gas prices going up it is too late to sell your SUV for what you could have got for it before the news. The market has already adjusted your value downward to account for the high gas costs.
I have expected gas prices to keep going up for a long time and I expect them to keep going up. Katrina was a surprise and has had an obvious added effect to an already growing problem. I expect to see a super glut of SUV's on the market soon and prices of cars that get good milage may start going up as well. Eventually Hybrids and Diesels may look like good investments as well as MINIs of course.
I have expected gas prices to keep going up for a long time and I expect them to keep going up. Katrina was a surprise and has had an obvious added effect to an already growing problem. I expect to see a super glut of SUV's on the market soon and prices of cars that get good milage may start going up as well. Eventually Hybrids and Diesels may look like good investments as well as MINIs of course.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
SUV it self shouldn't to be blame, since there is real benefit with SUV, when you need it to haul a boat, carry lumbers.... But I think those person who buy SUV just because of the coolness, in style, feeling of safe, is the one to be blamed. In the past 10 yrs, how much gallon of gas they burn up just for their gocery trip?! (They are the person to be blamed for driving up today's gas price). And those people deserve it.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati
I would agree that for some people, having a truck or SUV can make sense, if they live on a farm and move around livestock or haul their boat to the lake every weekend. But a vast majority of the SUV population, maybe as high as 95%, has NEVER carried much more than half the youth soccer team. We used to have a full sized truck. I was constantly getting mulch and trees and top soil, etc, and it was therefore very useful and practical for us. But now that our yard doesn't need anymore significant work, we don't have the truck anymore as it didn't make any sense to keep it around, so we traded it in for a Scion xB so we could have a car with alot of interior room, good gas mileage, and we won't mind running it into the ground with miles. Plus, our truck was about five years old and it was pretty much an even trade for a brand new xB 
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Loveland, CO
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 655
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From: Tennessee
I think it's funny how a lot of you who get so down on SUVs have so many performance-enhancing mods on your cars. I assume those are for better handling or more speed....and I assume that means for fun trips. Those fun drives are a waste of fuel, if you want to be so responsible and conserve then you won't do ANY unnecessary driving or do ANY modification to decrease your car's gas mileage, or else you are a contributor to the problem just like SUV drivers. 
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 98
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From: SoFLA
Originally Posted by MandaBoo
Well, if I go on a spirited drive, I will likely get ~25mpg rather than the 34mpg I can get by driving calmly, which is still more than twice the mileage of many of the bohemoth SUV's
I just traded in my Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 with Hemi for a Mini...I needed the truck before for business, now I don't. Some on this site are a bit hypocritical in their desire to be "better" than an SUV driver, or the way they espouse their disdain for soccer moms who are driving their precious cargo wherever they want to go....
If I were to ever hear that kind of a comment from someone regarding MY precious cargo, I will gladly reconfigure your perspective through any means at my disposal...the hate and disdain I have already heard on this site is abhorrent!
If this is the conduct of your community, I don't want anything of it.....
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati
Chill dude...First of all its one thing to take a little spirited drive for a little bit a get a little lower gas mileage, not that I've done that in a while since the gas prices have gone up. I'm even planning on not attending the local autox that was scheduled this weekend so I don't have to use the gas.
And, if you needed the truck for work, fine, whatever, but why does the average soccer mom need an SUV that gets 10mpg? For most it is nothing more than a status symbol and people wanting to feel bigger than everybody else. A vast majority of the people driving around the monstrous SUV that get bad gas mileage could function the same way with a station wagon, small minivan, or even a normal sedan. One of my friends has a Mazda Tribute and she get low to mid 20's which I don't think is too bad. All SUV's aren't that bad, but the Excursions and H2's of the world are simply not needed for 95% of their owners
And, if you needed the truck for work, fine, whatever, but why does the average soccer mom need an SUV that gets 10mpg? For most it is nothing more than a status symbol and people wanting to feel bigger than everybody else. A vast majority of the people driving around the monstrous SUV that get bad gas mileage could function the same way with a station wagon, small minivan, or even a normal sedan. One of my friends has a Mazda Tribute and she get low to mid 20's which I don't think is too bad. All SUV's aren't that bad, but the Excursions and H2's of the world are simply not needed for 95% of their owners
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
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From: Gloucester, MA, USA
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati
With an actual Hummer and that license plate, I wonder if they do search and rescue or something where they need a vehicle that can take them anywhere? If that's the case, I guess I can understand it, if not then that's funny
IMHO:
If we were truly responsible, I suppose we should all drive a Kia Rio, Chevy Aveo or Toyota Echo. That is, when we are not riding a bike.
You can buy FIVE Rios for the price $10,735 each, totalling less than the price of a new H2. Haul around 20 people as well. Use 87 octane and approximately 40% of the raw materials, and natural resources needed for the Hummer, to build the car.
No more than 2 coopers couple be bought. The Cooper is a middle of the road purchase. Not the cheapest, and certainly not the most practical. It gets better gas mileage than some and worse than others. Patting yourself on the back for owning one, can extend as far as your choice to not have a huge, hulking, difficult to see around, difficult to park, "hard to control in emergency situations", vehicle..... But not much more than that.
Your mileage may vary, literally and figuratively...
If we were truly responsible, I suppose we should all drive a Kia Rio, Chevy Aveo or Toyota Echo. That is, when we are not riding a bike.
You can buy FIVE Rios for the price $10,735 each, totalling less than the price of a new H2. Haul around 20 people as well. Use 87 octane and approximately 40% of the raw materials, and natural resources needed for the Hummer, to build the car.
No more than 2 coopers couple be bought. The Cooper is a middle of the road purchase. Not the cheapest, and certainly not the most practical. It gets better gas mileage than some and worse than others. Patting yourself on the back for owning one, can extend as far as your choice to not have a huge, hulking, difficult to see around, difficult to park, "hard to control in emergency situations", vehicle..... But not much more than that.
Your mileage may vary, literally and figuratively...
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 1
From: Florida
It doesn't matter how many mods you do to a mini - you can't drive it and get as poor mileage as the big SUVs on thier best day.
It's more about that SUV people bought the big things that get crappy mileage no matter HOW they are driven.
It's more about that SUV people bought the big things that get crappy mileage no matter HOW they are driven.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati
I agree JCWDriver. That's why the vehicle that my husband and I try to concentrate our miles on is an xB. It cost ~$14K and gets gas mileage comparable with the cars you listed, but had alot more interior room. My MINI is a fun car, if I had wanted it to make a statement about fuel efficiency, I got the wrong car, even so...I can get pretty good mileage with it. Like Kealaria said, our cars have the "capability" of getting good mileage, many of the monstrous SUV's have no such capabilty. I don't think this has anything to do with superiority though. When some of my coworkers complain about their bad gas mileage, we ask what they drive and invariably its a Suburban, Excursion, H2 etc. It's not like the mileage was a secret when they bought it
5th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Yet another worthless rub it in your face SUV thread.
It is amazing to me that people actually enjoy seeing the misery others are facing. Maybe some made a bad choice, thats no reason to celebrate.
I know several people who own large SUVs and trucks. They do so out of need. Just because you see an SUV with one person driving doesn't mean that its not used at other times for its intended purpose.
Just because you bought a mini doesn't mean you're something special... get over yourself.
It is amazing to me that people actually enjoy seeing the misery others are facing. Maybe some made a bad choice, thats no reason to celebrate.
I know several people who own large SUVs and trucks. They do so out of need. Just because you see an SUV with one person driving doesn't mean that its not used at other times for its intended purpose.
Just because you bought a mini doesn't mean you're something special... get over yourself.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
Agree completely. The self righteousness of these threads is nauseating. Not to mention the vindictiveness. There are people tooling around in a Prius or Insight that think you smug hotshots are just as wasteful as you think bad, ugly, knarly SUV drivers are.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by mikem53
Yet another worthless rub it in your face SUV thread.
It is amazing to me that people actually enjoy seeing the misery others are facing. Maybe some made a bad choice, thats no reason to celebrate.
I know several people who own large SUVs and trucks. They do so out of need. Just because you see an SUV with one person driving doesn't mean that its not used at other times for its intended purpose.
Just because you bought a mini doesn't mean you're something special... get over yourself.
It is amazing to me that people actually enjoy seeing the misery others are facing. Maybe some made a bad choice, thats no reason to celebrate.
I know several people who own large SUVs and trucks. They do so out of need. Just because you see an SUV with one person driving doesn't mean that its not used at other times for its intended purpose.
Just because you bought a mini doesn't mean you're something special... get over yourself.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by 62Lincoln
There are people tooling around in a Prius or Insight that think you smug hotshots are just as wasteful as you think bad, ugly, knarly SUV drivers are.
. Really, I understand completely if someone needs an SUV or truck if they need it to haul a load fairly often. The real problem I have is the fact that most SUV's are used as everyday drivers for one person or to carry a child to school, etc. I don't think mommy needs a 6k lb behemoth to get Jimmy to school safely. I'm sitting here displeased about having to put premium gas in my 32 mpg MINI when I can easily get 65 mpg on regular in the Insight. How some people can afford $50-100 fillups weekly is remarkable to me. We'd be getting a diesel vw if they could make a Golf that didn't look like every other hatchback out there.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 698
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From: Raleigh, NC
Originally Posted by Adamini
I think it's funny how a lot of you who get so down on SUVs have so many performance-enhancing mods on your cars. I assume those are for better handling or more speed....and I assume that means for fun trips. Those fun drives are a waste of fuel, if you want to be so responsible and conserve then you won't do ANY unnecessary driving or do ANY modification to decrease your car's gas mileage, or else you are a contributor to the problem just like SUV drivers.
The frustration with SUV's isn't with those folks who genuinely need the towing capacity, etc., but rather those who use them to carry 1-4 people to go shopping and never tow anything in their lives. I appreciate the argument that it's their money but the fact is that a limited resource is being consumed at a much faster rate with little regard to the needs of the rest of the planet.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati
Originally Posted by mikem53
Just because you bought a mini doesn't mean you're something special... get over yourself.
Originally Posted by 62Lincoln
Agree completely. The self righteousness of these threads is nauseating. Not to mention the vindictiveness. There are people tooling around in a Prius or Insight that think you smug hotshots are just as wasteful as you think bad, ugly, knarly SUV drivers are.
and once I decided that I didn't need it anymore, I got rid of it. And you have to admit that a Hummer with an ECO license plate is a bit amusing. And if you were referring to the original poster, he was posting a news article. This is not his opinion, it actual published material. And if you were referring to kaelaria, I think that we should all know by now that he likes to express his opinion and in doing so may step on a few toes, but that's just how he is and none of us are going to change that 
5th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Not you mandaboo... You seem to be diverse enough in your thinking... besides... you drive an xB... goodness knows how we xB drivers suffer from all the "ugly" remarks....
I now get picked on for the mini too... My family and friends make fun of my cars... they are expecting clowns to pop out at any moment when I drive up...
I don't blame them.. they are both funny looking cars.... I never had that issue with my vettes.
After driving corvettes for almost 7 years... I'm having withdrawls... FWD cars are just not natural.... oh well...
I now get picked on for the mini too... My family and friends make fun of my cars... they are expecting clowns to pop out at any moment when I drive up...
I don't blame them.. they are both funny looking cars.... I never had that issue with my vettes.
After driving corvettes for almost 7 years... I'm having withdrawls... FWD cars are just not natural.... oh well...
