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Re: So...no SUVS...but help a sister out (Reply to this comment)
by tennis_player
Carrie,
From my limited knowledge/experience, I would guess the Buick Enclave would be a better choice as far as gas mileage, styling, crash safety, rollover safety and nice ride are concerned. The reason for this is - it is a "crossover" vehicle. This means it is built/based on a "car" chassis which offers many benefits such as "energy absorbing" for less injury in the event of a collision and will have a lower center of gravity for better upright stability. And, since it is less heavy and has a more efficient aerodynamic shape, the mileage will be better, especially on the highway. The Sequoia is built on the standard Toyota Tundra frame - that alone says a lot - heavier, beefier/stiffer ride characteristics if you get the 4 x 4 drive, more weight and more friction for lower gas mileage.
All the crossover vehicles will be much better riding, lighter and more fuel efficient. There are quite a few of them out there to look at.
Just my immediae thoughts.
Jim
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Jun 17, 2008
6:19 pm PDT
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So...no SUVS...but help a sister out (Reply to this comment)
by mcmahanpest
Okay...great article. I currently drive a Ford Excursion. And God help me, I love it. I did not realize though how difficult it makes life for smaller cars until I borrowed my friends Honda. OMG!! I was furious at the big SUV's (of which I am an offender) because I could not SEE!!!
This is my problem. I see what you are saying, I agree...but put my four kids, two dogs, two adults and all our crap in a passenger car. Find me one. I'll buy it. Money isn't really a problem. I am currently looking at the Toyota Sequoia...see, I am trying. But, seriously, we cannot fit in a car. I would LOVE a car.
I am researching every avenue. I am test driving, until I am sick of it, but fact remains, SUV hater or not...we don't fit in anything smaller (now granted the Excursion is huge...and we are down-sizing from that...that was a young and stupid purchase).
Got any ideas? I like the Buick Enclave and the Toyota Sequoia...that's about as small as we can go right now. Course we could take two cars and really screw up the environment...but that's a whole other article.
Thanks...I did really like the article..just HELP!!
Carrie
PS (Does it count that we are riding our bikes to school and I normally don't move my car except on trips)
Oh...and the whole running your kid over thing...absolutely. It scares me to death. I am an absolute fanatic about that. Everyone has to stand IN FRONT of my car so that I know I am not running over them. Neighborhood kids think I'm nuts...whatever...they are alive. You CANNOT see behind that Excursion.
Also like the Honda Odyssey minivan...but my husband is having major man-issues about it. Hmmmm...sounds like a personal problem to me. Looking forward to your help.
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Jun 16, 2008
3:40 pm PDT
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Yes, for the short people (Reply to this comment)
by carlyoof
Highly informative! I completely agree. Thanks for including your sources.
In addition to everything you mentioned, I hate the way people park SUVs. There's nothing like seeing a half of a giant Suburban sticking out the back of a space marked COMPACT, or an entire row having to park crooked because someone hasn't mastered their 50ft beast. I say all SUV drivers who park wacky should have their vehicles replaced with Ford Aspires until they acquire a skillset more in-line with a person who has been driving for longer than a month.
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Jul 24, 2007
6:52 pm PDT
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Hiya! (Reply to this comment)
by smorg
Great essay, bro! Can't agree more (and I think I've sprained my neck nodding so vigorously as I read through the points you made!).
...rather ride down the Niagara Falls in one of those beer barrels, I think. At least that would be thrilling... even if it is just as unsafe. ;oP
Thanks for a really enlightening read!
Cheers,
Smorg :o)
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Jul 11, 2007
10:06 am PDT
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I happen to agree with your article... (Reply to this comment)
by knotheadusc
Although I own a small SUV (Toyota RAV4). I swore I would never buy one, but my husband thought it would be more practical. I actually like my RAV4, but I have definitely agree that it's hard to see behind the car. Living on a military post means that my neighborhood is full of kids. I back up very slowly to make sure I don't run over anyone unaware.
And God help us, we're sending our SUV to Germany, too...
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Jul 9, 2007
6:34 pm PDT
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Wow! (Reply to this comment)
by goodmama
Great review! I didn't know this information & with many kids it's good to know. Thanks for great review. -Tam (goodmama)
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Jul 9, 2007
6:06 am PDT
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Re: New Meaning for SUV (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
I agree with "craftwoman," and the others, Mark.
Unfortunately, the message for Americans in the New Century seems to be: "Bankrupt yourself to buy a huge gas-guzzler in order to repel terrorists in small cars."
Fear has both its price and its attractions.
Great review.
Alex
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Jul 8, 2007
12:11 pm PDT
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New Meaning for SUV (Reply to this comment)
by craftswoman
This may be the most important review ever written on this website.
I thought SUV stood for Stupid, Uneducated, Vehicle-Owners.
All you have to do is drive behind one of them to know that you can't see around them or through their rear window to see the car lights of the cars in front of them to know that these SUV's are dangerous and a menace to society.
When you're driving behind an SUV, if they are on their cell phone or talking to their passengers or otherwise distracted and they rear-end the guy in front of them, where do you think you'll end up? Unless you're a good distance away, you'll end up rear-ending the SUV because you couldn't see the lights of the car in front of the SUV giving you some warning that vehicles were slowing down. I hate these vehicles (and vehicles like them) for this reason.
You're right. SUV owners think their vehicles are safer. Because they think they're safer, they drive them way too fast. They don't realize that it takes greater stopping distance because they are bigger and heavier. They don't realize they are driving a missle.
Here in Indianapolis, every driver thinks they're at the Indy 500 Speedway. I deliberately chose to work "off" hours so I could avoid the nuts during regular rush hours. I was too shook up driving around shards of glass and metal pieces on my way to work after rush hour accidents. Not to mention the gawkers who slow down traffic and make it a miserable driving experience for the rest of us.
You have done a great service to the community. Thank you for raising everyone's consciousness level on vehicle safety and the dangers of SUVs. I hate the damn things. They should be banned. They're gas hogs, road hogs and just plain hogs.
By the way, I'm holding back.
Marcy
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Jul 8, 2007
11:28 am PDT
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Re: Re: great piece (Reply to this comment)
by mrkstvns
Hey, thanks for all the kind words. I was worried that too many people would take this as a personal criticism of their own car choices.
M
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Jul 8, 2007
9:32 am PDT
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SUV - doesn't that stand for . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Reply to this comment)
by tennis_player
"Silly Useless Vehicle?" I'm a golf nut and one of our vehicles is a Toyota Avalon. I can take 3 other golfers with their bag manual golf cart all securely put away in the trunk. One of our regulars drives a Ford Explorer, the best selling SUV in history. When he drives, we are barely able to get all the stuff in the rear cargo area unless it is piled up high to limit rearward vision from the inside rear view mirror and, when we stop for lunch, everything can be seen as an inviting target for thieves. And the ride is rough and not as comfortable as a normal sedan. And of course, I feel unsafe and the gas mileage is horrible. So why is that people buy these monstrosities?
Worse yet, many of these SUV owners/users drive very aggressively. To me, they act like road bullies. So the idea of "consideration for other people" is nonexistent!
Great piece of writing, Mark!
Jim
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Jul 8, 2007
8:14 am PDT
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Re: great piece (Reply to this comment)
by mickp
This line really hit home for the way I feel about this issue - "I saw one interesting study (ref. 5) that showed that SUV drivers weren't just endangering themselves and their passengers, they were also causing injuries to other drivers. People who collided with vehicles like the GMC Yukon were almost twice as likely to be killed or injured than people who collided with passenger cars"
My wife informed me that SUVs are popular because of perceived greater safety due to "being up higher". My question is where is the consideration of the other people? SHould everyone just get higher and higher cars to be the highest on the road until cars are 20 feet tall?
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Jul 8, 2007
6:30 am PDT
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I hate these things. (Reply to this comment)
by mickp
I have been stunned by the "boats" that pass for family cars since arriving in the US. Everything here is 40% bigger than in Australia - It makes traffic a nightmare and they are just so ugly.
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Jul 8, 2007
6:28 am PDT
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Great One (Reply to this comment)
by bettega
Mark, I couldn't have said it better myself. I dislike SUV's and trucks in general for the reasons you mentioned and many, many more.
I did read the entire article word for word twice over, and it's truly one of your best pieces I have ever read (and you are one of the best epinionators). Well researched, well written, concise, informative. Are you trying to triple your WOT overnight by any chance? Wish I didn't already trust you just so I could have the pleasure of adding you to my WOT... again.
Regarding your "back up danger" scenario, I agree 1000 (that's one thousand) percent. We have a toyota tacoma in the fam which I drive sometimes. I remember going to visit a friend of mine for a weekend a few years ago and as usual, part of our ritual is to hit the local Dairy Queen. Everyone in the area on a Saturday night has the same idea ages 1 minute to 100 years. Needless to say, the parking lot is crawling with all sorts of people, including little ones running around.
Usually, I am not the type who talks about safe driving and whatnot because here in the States most people are so uneducated about car control I think turning the key is too much for most. There is just something about Americans' reluctance to pay attention, to "go" on cue and be decisive that makes me so much more eager to not be courteous and just do my own "Italian job" than while in Europe.
However, one thing I noticed that night was that as I engaged reverse in my tall 4WD and looked behind me, a kid ran behind my truck and disappeared from sight right in my blind spot. It was actually more than a few feet away, I was startled at how far behind me he was as he moseyed into my blind area. His father grabbed him but for a good 2-3 seconds I couldn't see him as he was loose! I was so scared that I got my friend to get out of the car to make sure everything was OK, and backed out with him outside protecting my six.
Being used to a 95 Maxima with amazing 360 degree visibility thanks to specially designed rear and C-panel windows (borrowed from the Alfa Romeos like the Alfetta which were designed for spirited driving from the start by building in windows that would allow that), that was a disconcerting experience.
Down with SUV's/Pickups
Bettega
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Jul 7, 2007
12:57 pm PDT
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great piece (Reply to this comment)
by pilarzmom
The royal family of Tonga was killed in a SUV rollover accident in California. Read here: http://www.redorbit.com/news/international/562978/tongan_royals_killed_in_hwy_101_crash/index.html
Peggy
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Jul 7, 2007
12:54 pm PDT
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