Spaghetti SUV?

[Tom R]

Tell me it ain't so!
Yesterday my son and I saw a red Land Roverish SUV with an Italian-like name tag. When we passed it it had an emblem with a rearing black horse on it.

A Ferarri SUV?

I'm not sure I can handle this.

I'm tempted to see if Ted Kazinski's cabin is available.

 

[Jeff]

You should not be allowed to drive an SUV or other 4x4 type vehicle without first taking the thing off road and using it for its intended purpose.

 

[donk]

If Lamborghini can make tractors and suvs and Porsche makes suv's and used to make tractors (I'll get a picture of one this weekend) Ferrari must be feeling left out.

It appears to be an item of much discussion, but no images. A quick google search leads me to believe this may be the rice factory at work.

 

[Tom R]

phew!

http://www.laforza.com/

 

[biscuit]

Are those things designed by committee? Kinda looks like a Land Rover built with Mitsubishi parts.

 

[Jessie-J]

You should not be allowed to drive an SUV or other 4x4 type vehicle without first taking the thing off road and using it for its intended purpose.

I could not agree with you more. I hate SUV's and I always will. I think if you own an SUV, you should live out in the middle of nowhere with a gravel driveway and have a family that can fill it up, or you should be required to take if off road and get it really dirty at least 6 times a year... If none of the follow apply and you own an SUV, you should be taxed like crazy.

disclaimer: please note that "you" refers to people in general, not you, the reader, personally. Unless, of course, you're one of "them".

I'm a little hot-headed about the whole SUV trend... hella BOO!

 

[Runner]

You should not be allowed to drive an SUV or other 4x4 type vehicle without first taking the thing off road and using it for its intended purpose.

Agreed!

Clearly there are far too many people running around (errr driving around) with far more money than brains.

 

[Chet]

Are those things designed by committee? Kinda looks like a Land Rover built with Mitsubishi parts.

You stole my post! That's a dead on comment.

 

[Habanero]

Funniest thing I heard about a man wanting his wife to drive one once they have kids- "she's an awful driver, I want them to be safe." Um, excuse me, what about the innocent people out there than are going to have to get SUVs to be protected from her?!

I would never buy a Lamborghini or Porsche tractor- only a JD would suffice for my land.

 

[gkmo62u]

You guys really gotta get over your anti-suv hysterics. We can't all drive honda civics.

 

[Habanero]

Oh now, I love SUVs and I'll probably want to get the Volvo SUV for my next car, but sometimes they are just too big (i.e WTF was the Frod excursion?). I'm all for them, but perhaps a special class for all of those people that buy them and don't know how to drive them.

 

[gkmo62u]

Hab:

No problem with that. It does take time to get used to the length.

 

[biscuit]

I want one! I want one! I want one!

I'm waiting for someone to finally notice that I've left the keys in the ignition of my Honda so I can get that Volvo. If it doesn't happen soon, perhaps I can take a short drive down an Ohio River boat ramp.

Vehicles like this, BMW X5, Mazda Tribute, etc... aren't SUV in the technical sense. They are built on custom or car based frames - not truck based - get better gas milage and aren't made for rugged driving. This aleviates any SUV guilt I (don't) have. I must have one NOW!

 

[El Feo]

If none of the follow apply and you own an SUV, you should be taxed like crazy.

JJ, if you own an SUV you ARE taxed like crazy. Do you know how much the excise is on a gallon of gas?

Volvo S40 man myself, but I confess I just don't get the whole anti-SUV thing. Folks have the money, let 'em buy and drive what they want. All the vitriol seems a little irrational and slightly unhinged to me . (Disclaimer: please note that I'm referring to people in general, not you, the reader, personally. Unless, of course, you're one of "them".)

Habanero - you can afford a JD? I can only afford used Massey-Ferguson on my salary...

 

[El Feo]

[BIt does take time to get used to the length. [/B]

You need to watch yourself on this site, G. This one's too easy, but I'm in a generous mood.

 

[Jessie-J]

JJ, if you own an SUV you ARE taxed like crazy. Do you know how much the excise is on a gallon of gas?

All this talk about the safety of SUV's, but true, consider the gas consumption of those beasts! They're terrible. Not very friendly vehicles....

 

[Habanero]

JJ, if you own an SUV you ARE taxed like crazy. Do you know how much the excise is on a gallon of gas?

Volvo S40 man myself, but I confess I just don't get the whole anti-SUV thing. Folks have the money, let 'em buy and drive what they want. All the vitriol seems a little irrational and slightly unhinged to me . (Disclaimer: please note that I'm referring to people in general, not you, the reader, personally. Unless, of course, you're one of "them".)

Habanero - you can afford a JD? I can only afford used Massey-Ferguson on my salary...

here's the last flyover of the family ranch- Should be named paradise.

 

[Budgie]

YAWN !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Runner]

We can't all drive honda civics.

Of course not, don't be ridiculous!
Some could drive Corollas and special people could drive Mini Coopers.

 

[Habanero]

Hab:

No problem with that. It does take time to get used to the length.

Oh... I must refain.. I must. Nope.. do you say that to all the ladies?

Sorry, I had to do it.

 

[Mastiff]

I live in the boonies, and have kids to fill the thing up, and I take it off road all the time.

I refuse to buy a mini-van... so;

YOU CAN HAVE MY SUV WHEN YOU PRY THE STREERING WHEEL FROM MY COLD DEAD FINGERS!

 

[El Feo]

Of course not, don't be ridiculous!
Some could drive Corollas and special people could drive Mini Coopers.

Dear Lord, save me from that world.

I'm pretty sure this was Dante's Tenth Circle of Hell. It was edited out as too horrible for gentler readers.

 

[Runner]

I live in the boonies, and have kids to fill the thing up, and I take it off road all the time.

I refuse to buy a mini-van... so;

YOU CAN HAVE MY SUV WHEN YOU PRY THE STREERING WHEEL FROM MY COLD DEAD FINGERS!

Define "boonies". Does it mean "off the grid" and away from roadways (improved or otherwise)?

Unless it takes some time to find you your grip will be soft and supple. The last two fatalities I went to were drivers of a "safe" SUV (her head was kind of mashed in from the rolls) and a "safe" Peterbuilt (too much burning diesel fuel).

The rest of the story:
http://www.uctc.net/access/21/Access 21 - 02 - Are SUVs Safer.pdf

SUV drivers might be more honest with themselves if they just stated their reason for owning an SUV is because they want one, period.

 

[SkeLeton]

I only hate SUV drivers when the SUV is wasted... I mean why the hell does it need 4x4 if you're never gonna use it and the wheels barely touch the mud once a year (or less). Plus if the need the 4x4 they don't know how to drive in rough roads and screw the gravel and all for the non 4x4...

 

[Jeff]

YAWN !!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry we are boring you.....

I'm going to get my pickup and drive it down the sidewalk and terrorize little kids and grandmoms.....

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!

 

[Budgie]

Fish On !!!!!!

Mike took the bait.

**************

Another bite !!! Get the net !!!!

 

[Runner]

I'm sorry we are boring you.....

I'm going to get my pickup and drive it down the sidewalk and terrorize little kids and grandmoms.....

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!

Oh, great. That's all we need, an SUV on the sidewalk

 

[biscuit]

I would never buy a Lamborghini or Porsche tractor- only a JD would suffice for my land.

I come from a long line of Kubota drivers myself. I guess they're like the Toyota of tractors.

 

[Runner]

I only hate SUV drivers when the SUV is wasted...

Oh my, you must do a lot of hating

 

[mendelman]

I'll have the station wagon instead, please

Might be off topic, but I think anyone can get the same utility froma good old station wagon. It's a shame that the SUV and their crossover offspring have almost effectively killed the full size station wagon.

 

[H]

Here in Miami, the H2 has become as common as any other car. It is so funny to watch all these drivers fumble around the street, not being able to park, driving slow because the car is so darn BIG, and knowing that they will never take it off-road.

Every time I see one I just laugh and think “SUCKER” you where scammed by the “cool” marking ploy, and now you have an overpriced oversized money pit that is not even unique because so many people have one. HAHA.

 

[mendelman]

right on!!!!

H2=silliest thing on the road

 

[Miles Ignatius]

Hyper Marketing & Over-Engineering At Work

I'm sorry to hear that Ferrari of all people have joined the "SUV-Lemming Manufacturers Organization." I guess they thought there was a segment of the market they were'nt covering. (Odd, though, that wasn't a concern before...)

On the SUV diatribe - I'm agin' em. Here in Denver, where registrations for those things exceed the birth rate several fold, I think that our urban landscape is ill served by lummox vehicles which suck more resources (land, energy,etc) far in excess of the benefit provided. Example: do you need a 3-ton vehicle to take Janey to soccer practice? To drive to work say 4 miles to sit in a parking garage all day and them back home? To block out my view, left, right, and rear when I'm trying to navigate out of a parking spot? No, and hell, no, too.

On the other side, if you're the consumate "mountain n' plains" type and have use for a vehicle of that capacity, you ought to have access to one if you need it although I'd recommend my old 67' Dodge Pickup with the legendary "Slant 6" p[owerplant.
No air conditioning, automatic transmission, power steering, power seats, am/fm/cd player....just enough guts to do any job at a vastly improved cost ratio.

 

[Mastiff]

Define "boonies". Does it mean "off the grid" and away from roadways (improved or otherwise)?

Unless it takes some time to find you your grip will be soft and supple. The last two fatalities I went to were drivers of a "safe" SUV (her head was kind of mashed in from the rolls) and a "safe" Peterbuilt (too much burning diesel fuel).

SUV drivers might be more honest with themselves if they just stated their reason for owning an SUV is because they want one, period.

No, not off the grid, it has a state highway nearby and paved roads. But, you head off of that road to the places I want to go, they get rough in a hurry. Mostly non-maintained Forest Service logging roads.

What are you saying about the accidents? That an SUV is more likely to be involved in one? I'm not sure I get the connection. The one I drive had a 4 on a 1-5 scale for rollover and safety.

Could I manage with a car? Sure... But it won't tow 7000lbs., seat 8 people if I need it, and won't go wherever I want. So, I do want one... I like them anyway. But I also have some reasoning behind it. (And I get 17 mpg, which isn't real bad for a V8)

 

[Runner]

Agreed on the H2s. Mrs. Runner and I call them and their oversized SUV cousins the "It's all about me vehicles".

On the other hand I think when you take an SUV, squash it down, and put it on an automobile frame: You have a station wagon!

You just can't call it a "station wagon" because that would not be cool. So instead you call it a "crossover" vehicle. They will begin to sell like hot cakes once more and more people realize that they have been had by the SUV marketing folks.

 

[Otis]

[I'm tempted to see if Ted Kazinski's cabin is available. [/B]

As I recall they dismantled the cabin and were going to enter it into evidence at the trial. So maybe they still have it the federal courthouse evidence locker.

 

[mendelman]

station wagons are cool!!!

My dad has the same wagon as the image I posted: 1992 Caprice Classic. Can seat 9 people, tow up to 6000 lbs, and is super comfy for long hauls. My dad's has over 170,000 miles on it and is still going strong.

I agree with supposed uncoolness of the phrase station wagon, but from the lowliest (escort wagon) to the mightiest (Caprice wagon) I love'em and I love the phrase. Especially, when you have your camping gear in the back and bikes and kayak on the roof. Michigan UP here I come.

Who-ha!

 

[Runner]

What are you saying about the accidents? That an SUV is more likely to be involved in one? I'm not sure I get the connection. The one I drive had a 4 on a 1-5 scale for rollover and safety.

A reasonable response. I assume that hauling the 7K and 8 passengers is a frequent enough occurrence.

As to your question. I don't know about the rollover ratings. I do know that you are more likely to have a rollover in a taller vehicle with a higher center of gravity. The Peterbuilt previously mentioned rolled over after having been "tripped" as it blasted through the southbound and then the northbound concrete barriers. It was a horrific site.

One concern for SUV accidents is that as you get more and more of them on the road of course more will be involved in accidents and both occupants and the vehicles that they hit are at greater risk when they do wreck. Also, once they start hitting the used car markets in greater numbers you have more marginal drivers operating them. Imagine the 16 year old careening down the roadway on the way to high school in his beat up old Ford Excursion...

Read the report that I attached to the previous post.

I'm glad "you like them". I used to own a 4x4 Ford Ranger. When I bought it I said up front that I'll never really use the 4x4 but I just like the way it looks.

 

[Runner]

Re: station wagons are cool!!!

Mendelman,

I understand your viewpoint. I'd just recommend you keep your thoughts to yourself and trusted friends and family. To everyone else: Tell them your dad drives a
"1992 Caprice Classic crossover" and he will be the coolest guy on the block

 

[Cardinal]

I only hate SUV drivers when the SUV is wasted... I mean why the hell does it need 4x4 if you're never gonna use it and the wheels barely touch the mud once a year (or less). Plus if the need the 4x4 they don't know how to drive in rough roads and screw the gravel and all for the non 4x4...

A couple years back I took my 2WD Ranger on some 4WD roads in Colorado. I did just fine. What ticked me off were the (mostly older) people with Cherokees and the like, who 1) would always pull to the inside when someone approached or wanted to pass, because they were afraid to get close to the edge, and 2) came to a crawl every time a rock jutted more than two inches out of the ground. If you are afraid to drive the thing, then don't! These are, of course, the same people who won't slow down in snow because they think 4WD means that they are invincible. I love to see them lining the ditches in winter.

So yes, SkeLeton, I also hate these people.

 

[H]

In college I drove an 89 Cutlas and I would take that be-yocth down muddy dirt roads in Mississippi to bon-fires and such that some sissy’s wouldn’t take their little “SUV”s that daddy bought ‘em because of fear of “getting scratched”

Boo whooo!!!!!!!………

Eat Cutlas dust beby!

That car has since passed away, but not without a fulfilled life.


point is: unless you REALLY need them, SUV are a waste.

 

[Seabishop]

Re: Re: station wagons are cool!!!

Mendelman,

I understand your viewpoint. I'd just recommend you keep your thoughts to yourself and trusted friends and family. To everyone else: Tell them your dad drives a
"1992 Caprice Classic crossover" and he will be the coolest guy on the block

I'd call it an X-Treme Wagon. X-Treme makes everything cool.

 

[Runner]

Re: Re: Re: station wagons are cool!!!

I'd call it an X-Treme Wagon. X-Treme makes everything cool.

But remember, it's his dad's vehicle not his. If his dad drives something called X-Treme someone is going to be convinced he is going through some type of mid-life crisis.

 

[El Feo]

point is: unless you REALLY need them, SUV are a waste.

Point is: you can say this about any old thing. Funny, though, folks don't generally seem to get as upset that we have more than a couple sets of clothes, drink beverages besides water, wear fashionable shoes, live in houses instead of tents, and eat more than bologney sammiches on Wonderbread to live.

Is the $60,000 Lexus any less objectionable by this standard than any SUV? I think it's more so - nobody really needs a luxury sedan. On the other hand, one could argue that they need towing capacity and cargo room on a regular enough basis that it's justifiable, even if they're not used on a daily basis.

 

[Chet]

point is: unless you REALLY need them, SUV are a waste.

Yes, but when you're a high brow developer or realtor and you can claim all the depreciation on your federal tax return, you can basically drive that $76,000 Range Rover for free for 3 years. Its one of the reasons I bought my Rover when I was in the private sector.

 

[jordanb]

How many people do fashionable shoes decapitate every year again?

 

[Zoning Goddess]

Just got my first SUV, a Honda CR-V, a couple months ago. Not too big, but big enough to carry all the camping/trip stuff we need. I got tired of trying to cram everything into a little sedan. I don't feel the least bit guilty.

 

[Habanero]

Yes, but when you're a high brow developer or realtor and you can claim all the depreciation on your federal tax return, you can basically drive that $76,000 Range Rover for free for 3 years. Its one of the reasons I bought my Rover when I was in the private sector.

I must admit, I do need a Mercedes, I sing a song about it everyday... Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz, my friends all drive Porshes...


For the record, Milano Blahniks, are evil.

 

[Cardinal]

How many people do fashionable shoes decapitate every year again?

Just think of all the poor, innocent cows whose lives are cut short every year. Won't somebody please think of the cows!

 

[Habanero]

Shoes can be used as weapons- Tawny Kitten' (sp?) and that psycho in Single White Female used them as weapons.