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Gas
- Thread starter Stewart
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kennypinkerton
Yoda
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/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif I've noticed more and more huge SUV's at the used car lots lately.
People are trading in SUVs in droves here; the used car lots are full of them. My neighbors bought an Envoy about a year ago($40k+ with all the trimmings, yikes! That's more than they paid for their house in the '70s.)
They wanted to trade it in for a minivan recently; the dealer offered them $14k for the Envoy. They didn't take the offer, but it just shows that gas prices do seem to be kicking a lot of peoples' butts here lately. SUVs seem to be turning up at used car dealer lots in droves, and they aren't going anywhere.
They wanted to trade it in for a minivan recently; the dealer offered them $14k for the Envoy. They didn't take the offer, but it just shows that gas prices do seem to be kicking a lot of peoples' butts here lately. SUVs seem to be turning up at used car dealer lots in droves, and they aren't going anywhere.
JamesWilson
Yoda
Offline
[ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif I've noticed more and more huge SUV's at the used car lots lately.
[/ QUOTE ]
And I'm hearing reports of more and more of them on the manufacturers' back lots, too.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif I've noticed more and more huge SUV's at the used car lots lately.
[/ QUOTE ]
And I'm hearing reports of more and more of them on the manufacturers' back lots, too.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
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I'd say to hold on to them, 'cause things will get better. But that's like the old saying, "Save your Confederate money, boys; the South's gonna rise again!"
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif Mickey
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif Mickey
kennypinkerton
Yoda
Offline
I'm just glad (not really) that I got my toyota SUV, instead of a full size GMC or something /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
KLUTZ
Luke Skywalker
Offline
Oddly enough, amungst the bashing... I get 21 to 23 MPG with my '98 Explorer combined town and highway driving. We keep it tuned up properly and have K&N filters and use Synthetic oils everywhere.
There are a heck of a lot more cars on the road that would kill for the kind of gas milage we get, and I am sure a lot of folks on here drive them too.
Paul
There are a heck of a lot more cars on the road that would kill for the kind of gas milage we get, and I am sure a lot of folks on here drive them too.
Paul
Bret
Yoda
Offline
Like a lot of folks we've got an Envoy SUV and a full size Supercrew truck. Both are 4x4's & have V8s. Are we happy with fuel prices the way they are? Of course not.
While my Truck's fuel economy with it’s 5.4L V8 isn't that great, I still manage to get between 19 & 21 MPG with it loaded with all my tools & test equipment (+500lbs extra). Of course like Paul I've done a few extra things to it to improve performance & economy. K&N FIPK, Catback exhaust and a programmer. With all that, as long as I can keep my foot out of it & drive reasonably sane, I can get some pretty good fuel economy considering how huge my vehicle is.
Likewise with the wife’s' new SUV we opted for the 5.3L V8 for several reasons. Firstly was its towing capability compared to the V6 option? But believe it or not the V8 comes with something called Variable Displacement and actually gets slightly better gas mileage than the V6 in the same vehicle. That means when cursing down the highway it'll actually shutdown 4 of the cylinders and run like a 4 banger.
Are these the wisest vehicles to own these days? Probably not. But until they make an “affordable” full sized vehicle that gets the 30 MPG or better I’ll have to stick with what I got for now. However these vehicles suit our needs like nothing else on the market could when we purchased them.
While my Truck's fuel economy with it’s 5.4L V8 isn't that great, I still manage to get between 19 & 21 MPG with it loaded with all my tools & test equipment (+500lbs extra). Of course like Paul I've done a few extra things to it to improve performance & economy. K&N FIPK, Catback exhaust and a programmer. With all that, as long as I can keep my foot out of it & drive reasonably sane, I can get some pretty good fuel economy considering how huge my vehicle is.
Likewise with the wife’s' new SUV we opted for the 5.3L V8 for several reasons. Firstly was its towing capability compared to the V6 option? But believe it or not the V8 comes with something called Variable Displacement and actually gets slightly better gas mileage than the V6 in the same vehicle. That means when cursing down the highway it'll actually shutdown 4 of the cylinders and run like a 4 banger.
Are these the wisest vehicles to own these days? Probably not. But until they make an “affordable” full sized vehicle that gets the 30 MPG or better I’ll have to stick with what I got for now. However these vehicles suit our needs like nothing else on the market could when we purchased them.
Steve_S
Yoda
Offline
Unfortunately SUVs are still selling like hotcakes. I've owned two in the past and just see no reason whatsoever for them unless you haul a LOT of stuff. Even then, most SUVs are made for passengers. But I find a high quality sedan much more comfortable than an SUV anyway. Better ride, better handling and often better seats. But that's my preference, not the majority of America's. I'm just getting tired of "I needed the extra large SUV because I carry two kids with car seats and need room for groceries". I can carry that in an MGB GT.
Banjo
Yoda
Offline
OK, first off, Klutz. That's the most disturbing avatar I've ever seen. I thought Basils "eyeball" one was bad. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
I have an SUV. a 95 Pathfinder, V6 5 speed manual. I can get mid 20 MPG if I'm really gentle on the throttle. But I also live 3.5 miles from work, and do use it quite often as a "truck". It's hauled motors (numerous times), camping gear, body panals (a TR4 bonnett fits in the back perfectly) and even a riding lawnmower (hanging out the back somewhat)
I also utilise the roof rack for my canoe, and for tent poles. It also worked well to haul home an air hockey table.
I admittatly don't use the 4WD very often, but It has and does go "woods walking" every now and then, and it's nice in the winter to be able to get to work no matter what.
All that said, I hate SUVs and trucks. But I have to have something utilitarian for all the junk I do, and still family friendly.
Fuel efficiancy is largely a state of mind as well.
Like I said, I can coax mid 20s out of my pig, and I've seen first hand (believe me I see it often) where one person can buy a Prius and get mid 40s MPG, and someone else can drive the same car and get low 20s. It's all in your right foot. Drive like you want to save gas, and you'll be amazed at what your car can do.
I have an SUV. a 95 Pathfinder, V6 5 speed manual. I can get mid 20 MPG if I'm really gentle on the throttle. But I also live 3.5 miles from work, and do use it quite often as a "truck". It's hauled motors (numerous times), camping gear, body panals (a TR4 bonnett fits in the back perfectly) and even a riding lawnmower (hanging out the back somewhat)
I also utilise the roof rack for my canoe, and for tent poles. It also worked well to haul home an air hockey table.
I admittatly don't use the 4WD very often, but It has and does go "woods walking" every now and then, and it's nice in the winter to be able to get to work no matter what.
All that said, I hate SUVs and trucks. But I have to have something utilitarian for all the junk I do, and still family friendly.
Fuel efficiancy is largely a state of mind as well.
Like I said, I can coax mid 20s out of my pig, and I've seen first hand (believe me I see it often) where one person can buy a Prius and get mid 40s MPG, and someone else can drive the same car and get low 20s. It's all in your right foot. Drive like you want to save gas, and you'll be amazed at what your car can do.
kennypinkerton
Yoda
Offline
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif You drive a Nissan to the Toyota dealership? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
Bret
Yoda
Offline
[ QUOTE ]
I'm just getting tired of "I needed the extra large SUV because I carry two kids with car seats and need room for groceries". I can carry that in an MGB GT.
[/ QUOTE ]
Don't you have to install seatbelts in the rear seat to make this work? Even so I'm not sure my dot's carseat would fit even if it did have a seatbelt. As for the "groceries" in the back of a GT - with what we put away each week in our household - we'd be going to the store ever other day to keep the fridge stocked. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Ok I know I don’t utilize my vehicle to it’s full potential every day. But couldn’t the same thing be said of just about any vehicle? Think about it – no matter what ya drive if you don’t have it filled to capacity every time you get behind the wheel - then you’re under utilizing it.
That said I drop my tail gate two or three times a day to load or unload something or other. So I kind of have to scoff at busy bodies who think they know best what type of vehicle I should be driving.
I'm just getting tired of "I needed the extra large SUV because I carry two kids with car seats and need room for groceries". I can carry that in an MGB GT.
[/ QUOTE ]
Don't you have to install seatbelts in the rear seat to make this work? Even so I'm not sure my dot's carseat would fit even if it did have a seatbelt. As for the "groceries" in the back of a GT - with what we put away each week in our household - we'd be going to the store ever other day to keep the fridge stocked. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Ok I know I don’t utilize my vehicle to it’s full potential every day. But couldn’t the same thing be said of just about any vehicle? Think about it – no matter what ya drive if you don’t have it filled to capacity every time you get behind the wheel - then you’re under utilizing it.
That said I drop my tail gate two or three times a day to load or unload something or other. So I kind of have to scoff at busy bodies who think they know best what type of vehicle I should be driving.
JamesWilson
Yoda
Offline
[ QUOTE ]
Fuel efficiancy is largely a state of mind as well.
[/ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif
But then, the manufacturer's production of SUVs are a response to what people buy (or may be persuaded to buy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif)....
We've a diesel 4-cyl, 2 liter Fiat Van adapted for a wheelchair with a raised roof and ramps. It gets 45+ MPG (~35 US MPG) average overall, which is mostly in town commuting. It'll cruise the motorways happily and will easily do 90 (and more, if I were so rash.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif). It corners like a brick, and its no dragster but its not bad for keeping up with traffic. Its a practical, utilitarian vehicle designed to meet a specific need economically.
With fuel here ~$7 gallon these economies are market driven, and the demand for the gas-guzzlers isn't so great.
That said, there are certainly lots of SUVs (AKA Chelsea Tractors, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif) here, too.
Just as the 1970s OPEC price gouging motivated people to shift to smaller cars so too will the more recent price increases... it will just take time....
Fuel efficiancy is largely a state of mind as well.
[/ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif
But then, the manufacturer's production of SUVs are a response to what people buy (or may be persuaded to buy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif)....
We've a diesel 4-cyl, 2 liter Fiat Van adapted for a wheelchair with a raised roof and ramps. It gets 45+ MPG (~35 US MPG) average overall, which is mostly in town commuting. It'll cruise the motorways happily and will easily do 90 (and more, if I were so rash.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif). It corners like a brick, and its no dragster but its not bad for keeping up with traffic. Its a practical, utilitarian vehicle designed to meet a specific need economically.
With fuel here ~$7 gallon these economies are market driven, and the demand for the gas-guzzlers isn't so great.
That said, there are certainly lots of SUVs (AKA Chelsea Tractors, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif) here, too.
Just as the 1970s OPEC price gouging motivated people to shift to smaller cars so too will the more recent price increases... it will just take time....
BoneIdle
Jedi Trainee
Offline
Right now, until I get the GT on the road, my daily driver is a 1995 S-10 pickup, standard cab, 5 speed, no AC, powered by a 2.2L, 4 cylinder engine.
I typically get 25 mpg around town and 30-33 on the highway. I can haul 3/4 of a ton of stuff and the acceleration is roughly equivalent to that of a stock MGB.
I've been noticing that the Supersized SUV and pickup truck population seems to be dwindling at the local Home Despot and that people seems to be going back to the Explorer/S-10 Blazer sized SUVs.
I find it totally irresponsible for a family to purchase something as big as an Expedition based on the grounds of "It'll be better protection for the wife/Husband and kids" .
It apparently never occurs to them that their wife/Husband would be safer if she/he stopped talking on the cell phone, turned their killer stereo down so that they could at least hear the driver three lanes over cursing them for the noise polluting dunderheads that they are, and most importantly, ENROLL IN A DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE AND TRY TO STAY AWAKE WHILE ATTENDING!
Criminy! I am so sick of children with nitrous injected (ha!) Honda Civics racing around with their ridiculous garbage can mufflers and horrid looking, scrap metal "wings" because they thought that "The fast and the Furious" was an instructional video.
Given the people who shouldn't be behind the wheel of any SUV and the boy racers ( who probably shouldn't be behind the wheel of anything ), I'd say we're pretty well doomed!
I typically get 25 mpg around town and 30-33 on the highway. I can haul 3/4 of a ton of stuff and the acceleration is roughly equivalent to that of a stock MGB.
I've been noticing that the Supersized SUV and pickup truck population seems to be dwindling at the local Home Despot and that people seems to be going back to the Explorer/S-10 Blazer sized SUVs.
I find it totally irresponsible for a family to purchase something as big as an Expedition based on the grounds of "It'll be better protection for the wife/Husband and kids" .
It apparently never occurs to them that their wife/Husband would be safer if she/he stopped talking on the cell phone, turned their killer stereo down so that they could at least hear the driver three lanes over cursing them for the noise polluting dunderheads that they are, and most importantly, ENROLL IN A DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE AND TRY TO STAY AWAKE WHILE ATTENDING!
Criminy! I am so sick of children with nitrous injected (ha!) Honda Civics racing around with their ridiculous garbage can mufflers and horrid looking, scrap metal "wings" because they thought that "The fast and the Furious" was an instructional video.
Given the people who shouldn't be behind the wheel of any SUV and the boy racers ( who probably shouldn't be behind the wheel of anything ), I'd say we're pretty well doomed!
Banjo
Yoda
Offline
[ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif You drive a Nissan to the Toyota dealership? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
Mehehehehehe.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
Or the Ford, or the BMW, soon the Jag (I hope)
Our parking lot is pretty varied. Only about 50% of the employees have Toyotas.
Not that we don't want them, some of us just can't afford them right now.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif You drive a Nissan to the Toyota dealership? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
Mehehehehehe.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
Or the Ford, or the BMW, soon the Jag (I hope)
Our parking lot is pretty varied. Only about 50% of the employees have Toyotas.
Not that we don't want them, some of us just can't afford them right now.
Sorry, I'll stay with the "big" vehicle and run my GT for everyday work. I have seen too many wrecks to dimiss the idea of a small size being "just as safe". I get as good of gas milage and can haul heavy loads with my 3/4 ton PU. I want my family safe and will pay the price. A friend has been looking at the new hybrids and he found his old Volvo station wagon is getting better fuel economy than the "new idea" cars. ***deep breath*** and back to enjoying the forum.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif