Passing Judgment on Hummers and Hybrids

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Of course, they're chumps. But if they can afford all the expenses related to owning it, they should be happy chumps. Are Hummers necessary? Of course not, but neither are Priuses. Bikes and legs still exist.
We get all huffy about folks who behave differently than us. Let it go. When gas is a nickel again, they could just drive over me and my hybrid Speck. Then, who's the chump?

Bill of CA 4:27PM August 25, 2008

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wlloon of NY 11:31PM August 12, 2008

I'm all in favor of a shift to driving more fuel effecient vehicles. However, there are some of us who need a larger SUV or truck in our family fleet. If you have three active and growing kids, a compact isn't going to cut it.
Maybe we can boil it down to this: Drive what you need. Hey, I confess that I'd like to switch to a more fuel effecient 4 cylinder car from my current V-6, especially when I drive alone most of the time. However, the choice I'm facing is to have a more effecient car PLUS a car payment or keep the car that is paid for.
Our want/need for fuel effecient cars will continue in this era of rising fuel costs and environmental concerns. Manufacturers will adjust their offerings. In a few year, many of the larger cars we've bought will cycle out of use. It's changing fast, but will take a few years.

Charles of CA 12:32PM August 12, 2008

I believe in the freedom to make choices too. That's what makes this country great.
However, it is unfortunate that it seems acceptable to make choices based in selfishness, narrow-mindedness and with complete disregard for the future. Where is the sense of responsibility??
If someone chooses to drive a Hummer, or a Range Rover (which I think is in the same class of guzzling) they are squandering the resources of our children. The resources of their children.
Where is the sense of responsibility??

Christopher of NJ 12:29PM August 12, 2008

I think SUVs are fine -- if they are used for what they are designed for. If you want to get 10 mpg driving around town doing work with the vehicle, then go for it.
What really kills me is the high number of SUVs you see with one person in them. It's a stereotype, but think of the soccer Moms. Loading up on groceries in their Excursion. Or putting their one child in the very back seat...
Again, it is their choice. But I sit there, baffled, wondering why they can't put their groceries and one kid into a family sedan rather than a road beast.
But that's just my two cents.

No Debt Plan of AL 11:46AM August 12, 2008

I like some SUV's...in fact, I may own one myself someday. I don't mind if people choose to buy and drive them, but I think it's hilarious when I see them trying to squeeze their way through the narrow streets of Boston and DC! That's not to mention trying to parallel park it. And then out tumbles one person...shopping bags in hand...no sport or utility equipment to be seen!
The day I own an SUV, I will be living in a rural area and actually use the vehicle for it's namesake.

Grace of VA 11:33AM August 12, 2008

Take a pause and think about it. We live in a free country where we can choose what to buy. How we use our vehicles is for us the owners to decide. The critics that do the criticizing don't always know the lifestyle of the other person, like work and size of family. Small cars are fine for people who just need something to get around or going to and from work if mass transportation is not convenient but they don't carry much in the way of people and cargo. Try going camping with friends that don't have cars and then you'll end up wishing you had a bigger vehicle. Or if your friends have little cars, how many do you end up taking and using more fuel rather than going in just one big SUV like a Suburban? Put this in perspective, Hummer made approximately 50,000 model H1's in about 14 years for the entire world. That's not much compared to say Toyota who made a few million vehicles in about the same time frame, and that's just one manufacturer. So who is actually burning more fuel? The SUV is ideal for situations if you like to get out more, carry more and see the world and bond with friends and family. Another point, I just can't see putting my family with little ones in a Mini Cooper or the new Smart car, do you think that would be safe and comfortable? I do my part to conserve by driving my SUV when I need to but the vocal liberals almost always jump to conclusion by giving me the middle finger or the disappointing glare, they just don't know who I am or what I do for a living. It's funny how we always push free speech, rights and choice but when it comes to buying something it's a different story. Can you say hypocrite?!

Johann of NY 10:23AM August 12, 2008

I have one, and get over 19 MPG. I am very rural - good 4WD is survival for me. Sorry if you feel so inclined to bash a vehicle you have never driven and know so little about. For me, this is my second, and hopefully not my last.

Jim of PA 8:29PM August 11, 2008

Should GWB continue to fly around in Air Force 1 accompanied by a fleet of attach copters to campaign for his party's candidate?
Leaders that lead by example can tell us to conserve. And when they start to do that, I will start to respect them.

HillBillyBill of TN 7:04PM August 11, 2008

I love the fact that we live in a country where people have the freedom of choice, so if people want to drive something with poor gas mileage, that's fine with me.
Even though I'm fine with it, I'll still get a good chuckle when I see one, or hear SUV drivers on the news complaining. If you want to spend $40k or more on a vehicle, spend more on insurance, and even more on all the gas you're burning while having little to no savings, retirement funds, and burdened with debt so you can project the image of wealth, more power to you. But I'll stick to my $9,000 used sedan and a paid off old SUV that only comes out when we need to haul something. Instead of blowing my monthly budget on a depreciating asset and gasoline, I'll be retired and enjoying life 15-20 years earlier than many of my peers.
It's all about choice and priorities, and I can't fault someone for choosing satisfaction now vs. later.

Jeremy of MI 1:11PM August 11, 2008