1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

SUVs

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by jamcracker, May 17, 2001.

  1. Pole

    Pole Houston Rockets--Tilman Fertitta's latest mess.

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    8,569
    Likes Received:
    2,738
    I've looked at many cars, but none of them had enough carrying capacity for all of my assault rifles.

    Stay out of my way.

    [​IMG]

    ------------------
    stop posting my damn signature
     
  2. BrianKagy

    BrianKagy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 1999
    Messages:
    4,106
    Likes Received:
    6
    Hee hee... "keep honking, Pole's reloading!"

    ------------------
    It's a funny word, 'friends'

    You got beginnings and you got ends

    I guess I'll see you when we're ashes again

    --Chris Robinson

    [This message has been edited by BrianKagy (edited May 18, 2001).]
     
  3. SpaceCity

    SpaceCity Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    1,046
    Likes Received:
    2
    I don't own a SUV, but i want one. It's got nothing to do with status. That's most dumb thing I've heard. If I wanted status I'd go buy a Lexus, BMW, or Porsche. I just like them.

    There are many SUVs that get decent mileage, at least the ones I've looked at get decent mileage. I don't need a monster SUV. I'm more interested in something on the lines of a Passport, Rodeo, or Xtera. They all get slightly above 20 mpg.

    Whoever said that they don't have room must not be driving a Honda Civic hatchback. Sure my seats fold down and I have some room, but it doesn't really matter when the object doesn't fit through the hatchback door.

    As a home owner, I often find times when I wish I had a way to haul something off rather than waiting a month for heavy trash pickup day.

    Sure i could get a small truck. But then I wouldn't have any passenger room. Not too far down the road, the SpaceCity family will probably be having a new addtion. Sure I could get a van. I'm sure many of you would be more than happy to spend over $25,000 for something you find to be quite ugly.

    Don't sit here and point your fingers at the owners. There's nothing wrong with liking a SUV. Don't sit there and make assumptions about those who choose to drive SUVs. You don't know anything about them or their life.

    Don't judge.

    Instead, join Jammie and take your emmission and safety complaints to the auto makers and the government. Blame the people who make the vehicles, not the people who drive them.

    And whoever said that we won't have to worry about old cars in the future must not be thinking straight. Sure the current 20-year old clunkers might finally go away but even more 20-year old clunkers will take their place. That's kinda like saying we won't have to worry about old peolpe in the future because there will be less and less.

    carry on....

    ------------------


    [This message has been edited by SpaceCity (edited May 18, 2001).]
     
  4. heypartner

    heypartner Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 1999
    Messages:
    63,511
    Likes Received:
    59,008
    Alright, that made me laugh. What is really funny about it is hearing jammie's voice in my head as I read it, and see his expressive face.

    I don't like saying the "you need/should to" advice to people, but y'all really should meet jammie someday. It'll make comments like the above all that more enjoyable.
     
  5. SpaceCity

    SpaceCity Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    1,046
    Likes Received:
    2
    HeyP,
    I enjoyed briefly meeting both you and Jam. It definetly adds a whole new perspective to read posts from both of you.

    ------------------
     
  6. Curly

    Curly Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    896
    Likes Received:
    10
    We wouldn't be talking about freedom of choice here would we? How hypocritical of you to suggest that I/we have considerations for others on the road. You said you choose not to have one...I choose to have one, and I choose to have my family in one.

    Why not start bad mouthing the persons that buy a Volvo, or Mercedes because they have the safest cars on the road. Obviously, they have too much money, they should have bought a Ford Festiva, or a Geo Metro and gave the rest of the money to some charity? Why stop there. I got one for you, why not throw your whines and complaint to the idiots reading their freaking books while they drive. Or how about the idiots that run off the freaking road because they let their 10 dogs ride on their laps. Where are those complaints. And the fact that you believe that no one has a "need" for a SUV brings out the best in your comments. How about I "need" one because I choose to insure that my family has the best protection that I can give them. How about I "need" it because I choose to travel with my family, and pull a load that grosses over 5000lbs. Try that in your V4. How about you spend less time telling other people what they "need". Other than that, post away!

    ------------------
    In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
     
  7. SpaceCity

    SpaceCity Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    1,046
    Likes Received:
    2
    Your so funny Hydra.

    Is it really any different if a woman, who is talking on the phone while putting on makeup, is driving an SUV vs a car or station wagon or a van or a virtually indestructable Volvo?

    You're just stereotyping soccer Moms. Is it really any different than the stereotypical grandma, who can barely see over the steering wheel, driving the ol' super long Cadillac?

    Point your frutrations towards bad drivers, not the vehicles they drive.



    ------------------
     
  8. BrianKagy

    BrianKagy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 1999
    Messages:
    4,106
    Likes Received:
    6
    Hydra, you seem to have a real problem with the idea that people should be allowed to make decisions for themselves.

    I don't think it's up to you to tell people they don't need a vehicle when in this very thread, it's been pointed out that SUVs are safer than sedans.

    You do have some good ideas, though. I agree that licensing should be a much more difficult process and I like this idea so much, I am willing to pay more in taxes if it helps this come to fruition.

    • I think you should have to road test more than ONE TIME in your life-- how about on your 16th and 21st birthdays, and then every ten years after that. Let's make it $75 per test and put that money towards mass transit development. And if you fail the test, you can take it again-- once.
    • Any time you buy a new car outside the class you're licensed on, you oughta have to take the test again. If you take and pass the test in a Civic and then go buy a Trucksaurus, you should have to prove you can drive the damned thing before you're licensed to do so.
    • I think traffic tickets should be much more expensive, and cops should write fewer warnings. I speed like crazy (on the freeway only) so I know I would be susceptible to more tickets myself, but I've seen cops completely ignore reckless or overly aggressive driving too many times for my comfort. That crap's a lot more dangerous than humming along at 80 mph in light freeway traffic.
    • And, I think that anytime you get a ticket for any reason, you should incur a lasting penalty. I think Europe does this: a couple points for running a stop sign, more points for speeding, and even more points for causing an accident. Hit a given number and you have to road test again. Do it, say, three times, and your license goes away permanently.

    I know this all sounds unbelievably harsh and would constitute a huge expansion of government, but I would love to see it-- because I am a good driver and I know a system like this would completely screw those of you who think that doing 70 on friggin' Parmer or crossing three lanes of traffic to hit a freeway exit or trying to pass me on the left while I am turning left (yes you, the ******* in the 3000GT) is a good idea.

    Ha, ha, ha!

    ------------------
    It's a funny word, 'friends'

    You got beginnings and you got ends

    I guess I'll see you when we're ashes again

    --Chris Robinson

    [This message has been edited by BrianKagy (edited May 18, 2001).]

    [This message has been edited by BrianKagy (edited May 18, 2001).]
     
  9. Pole

    Pole Houston Rockets--Tilman Fertitta's latest mess.

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    8,569
    Likes Received:
    2,738
    I don't give a rat's ass what your opinion is (like you didn't already know that)

    I think every damn one of you needs to get down on your knees and thank whatever God you happen to worship that I'm kind enough to let you drive on my roads anyway.

    ------------------
    stop posting my damn signature
     
  10. haven

    haven Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 1999
    Messages:
    7,945
    Likes Received:
    14
    Kagy: I agree with almost everything you said, amazing!

    Shanna: I don't believe we *should* draw that line. I feel that it's a much better idea to simply tax individual emissions. Not sure if there's a feasible way to that, or not... but that's what I'd want in an ideal world.

    We could calculate the aggregate damages being done to the environment by each kind of pollution, and then tax the producers commensurately. Ok, it'll never happen, but I hate externalizing the costs of pollution.

    Oh, btw... YOU might be safer IN an SUV, but the other person is in more danger. I do think that the government has the responsibility to protect all of its citizens. And if the SUV's are causing greater threats to people who are being environmentally friendly... screw'em [​IMG].

    ------------------
    I would believe only in a God who could dance. - Friedrich Nietzsche

    Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001

    [This message has been edited by haven (edited May 18, 2001).]
     
  11. Major

    Major Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 1999
    Messages:
    41,682
    Likes Received:
    16,206
    No one has a legitimate need for an SUV.

    Oh, btw... YOU might be safer IN an SUV, but the other person is in more danger.

    Are you really saying that people should be willing to risk their own lives and the lives of their family to help protect the environment? (Since you have determined safety is not a legitimate need)



    ------------------
    http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets.
     
  12. SpaceCity

    SpaceCity Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    1,046
    Likes Received:
    2
    Why tax the idividual? Why condemn the individual for making a legal chioce?

    Punish the car makers! If these vehicles are so bad to the Earth then the government should enforce stricter standards on the makers, not the drivers.

    Soon, you won't have to worry about soccer Moms on the freeway. You won't have to be on the lookout for Pole. (You don't want to get in his way!) Brian won't have to worry about that damn 3000GT.

    Soon you will be driving one of these:
    http://www.moller.com/skycar/

    ------------------
     
  13. HOOP-T

    HOOP-T Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2000
    Messages:
    6,053
    Likes Received:
    5
    I am a bit taken back by this remark. So, take these "idiot soccer mom's" out of SUV's and put them into a station wagon, mini-van, whatever.....that stereotype you laid out is dangerous no matter what vehicle you put them in. It has little to do with the SUV and more to do with the driver. How about outlawing cell phone usage in vehicles when in motion? I think that would be more effective.



    ------------------
    My doctor says I am bipolar. I am going to get a second opinion. I have never had intimate desires for polar bears.
     
  14. BrianKagy

    BrianKagy Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 1999
    Messages:
    4,106
    Likes Received:
    6
    HOOP-T, I'm with you on the cell phone thing.

    BUT:

    C'mon, I think we've established that SUVs are more dangerous than station wagons, mini-vans, or the SkyCar that SpaceCity was so kind to point out for us.

    It's just a degree of danger, that's all.

    ------------------
    It's a funny word, 'friends'

    You got beginnings and you got ends

    I guess I'll see you when we're ashes again

    --Chris Robinson
     
  15. haven

    haven Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 1999
    Messages:
    7,945
    Likes Received:
    14
    Shanna:

    Safety is of course a legitimate consideration. And as far as your selection of a safe vehicle is only self-regarding, by all means, pick whatever you want. As far as your selection is an other-regarding action, I believe government has a right to place some limitations. Due to the danger to OTHER drivers and the environmental concerns, I dislike SUV's.

    Spacecity: It's no different than the current gas tax, really. It just penalizes people more directly for pollution in automobiles. It's NOT a punishment - it simply prevents externalization of cost. By polluting, you cost everyone in America... this is just turning it back on the culpable party.

    Taxing manufactorers isn't as beneficial: if you tax the individual on emissions, it encourages conservation by less driving, carpooling, etc.

    Just because it's legal doesn't mean it can't be taxed!

    ------------------
    I would believe only in a God who could dance. - Friedrich Nietzsche

    Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001

    [This message has been edited by haven (edited May 18, 2001).]
     
  16. Major

    Major Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 1999
    Messages:
    41,682
    Likes Received:
    16,206
    As far as your selection is an other-regarding action, I believe government
    has a right to place some limitations.


    I agree that the government has a right to place restrictions, and probably should in this case. I just don't see why you see individuals as bad for having SUVs.



    ------------------
    http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets.
     
  17. jamcracker

    jamcracker Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2000
    Messages:
    936
    Likes Received:
    0
    Would anyone argue that federal bumper height and emissions standards are bad?

    Both laws save lives and improve quality of life. In 1999, half the cars sold were actually classified as "light trucks", and were therefore exempt from these laws.

    I want the federal government to regulate bumper height and emission for "light trucks". Anyone disagree?
     
  18. Hydra

    Hydra Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 1999
    Messages:
    2,104
    Likes Received:
    1
    This was a really hard position for me to take, because I am generally in favor of small government. A couple of points though. There are other cars that are as safe as SUVs. Why not buy a Volvo. And saying that poeple shouldn't be allowed to have a Volvo or Mercedes was an odd way to comment on my point, those cars do not increase the danger to other motorists. SUVs are safer then sedans when an SUV hits a sedan. No SUVs means this never happens, then a good sedan is probably as safe as an SUV when hit by another sedan. Take the Volvo as an example of this. I even made allowences for people having SUVs. If you really need one, it should not be that big a deal to pay a little extra on registration and to need to get a trucking license, after all you really really need that SUV right?

    ------------------
    You can't stick a porcupine in a barn, light it on fire, and expect to get licorice.
     
  19. mc mark

    mc mark Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 1999
    Messages:
    26,195
    Likes Received:
    471
  20. Hydra

    Hydra Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 1999
    Messages:
    2,104
    Likes Received:
    1
    I think that they should require a truck license for driving trucks. This would at least eliminate some of the idiot soccer moms cutting me off in their Excursions while putting on their makeup and talking on the cell phone.
    No one has a legitimate need for an SUV. How can I say that? Because they do not have capabilities that are not available in other cars. Wouldn't an Audi Allroad or Subaru Outback be able to do all of the things mentioned for SUVs. How about a Windstar or Caravan. No you may want an SUV, and that is fine. But please do not say that you need one.
    Isn't a little consideration of the other people with whom you share the road in order here. Why must the rest of us, who don't care to have a giant, environment killing, Canyonero wannabe suffer because some of you "need" to have an SUV? At least there should be stricter licensing requirements, and maybe increased insurance and registration fees, considering people's apparent unwillingness to divest themselves of these abominations.

    ------------------
    You can't stick a porcupine in a barn, light it on fire, and expect to get licorice.
     

Share This Page