All Else Failed
Well-Known Member
It seems to be a much more frequent occurrence that I see over sized trucks and various monster SUV's on the road lately. You know, the ones that could pass as armored vehicles if fitted with a machine gun? Yeah, those and trucks like Hummers really, really piss me off whenever I see them. Why? because I think they symbolize a lot of negative things that are harming America.
First off, NO ONE besides farmers, contractors, construction workers and various other "heavy lifting" craftsmen needs a large truck or SUV. There are uses for big trucks, but they don't include a soccer mom driving to Starbucks. Seriously, how many large truck/SUV owners actually go "off road" or haul loads heavy enough to require a V8 diesel engine? Probably not a lot, since a great amount of these SUV's are owned by people that live in cities and suburbia, and will probably never ever need that kind of power or off road capability. Essentially, these behemoths are just guzzling gas for no good reason for people that would be better off in a smaller, more gas efficient vehicle that is better suited for their environment.
What it comes down to it, in my opinion, people owning large trucks or SUV's that do not truly need them buy them for status, or the culture around them influences them to. An Escalade and a navigator are status symbols that are bought to symbolize your wealth, and if you're that wealthy to buy one or two of these, odds are you're not someone who does a lot of physical labor all day that would actually NEED that type of power under the hood.
People will say things like "well I have kids! I need a large vehicle to keep them safe!". False. A larger vehicle is more prone to flip over due to its higher center of gravity. So when that little civic T-bones you on the highway, odds are you will be the one doing barrel rolls down that embankment. There are plenty of smaller cares that are excellent in crashes. People just have this idea n their heads that bigger=better. Another argument is weather. People THINK the need a massive engine that and 4X4 capability to maneuver in harsh weather. While this MAY be true in extremely harsh areas in some parts of the world, it is not true for most (there are exceptions) areas in the US. There are smaller cars with 4X4 capability that will fare better on paved roads during the winter months, especially with their lower center of gravity. Lower to the ground = more stability. I will grant you that there are rural areas that would need a vehicle with higher clearance such as a truck, but this is not the case for the majority of truck/SUV owners that most likely live in urban areas that have perfectly fine, paved and salted roads.
Trucks and SUV's are a shot in the foot, economically-wise as well. They are ALWAYS less gas efficient than smaller cars (depending on the model). So you'll be paying $70+ in gas to fill up that monster for what, a few days worth of driving? While my 4 cylinder Hyundai will last a week and a half on one tank, if not more getting 33-35 MPG. Why would you ever want to do that to yourself if you live in an urban area that doe snot require such a vehicle???? Especially with oil being at around $85-90-something a barrel. Good luck heating your homes this winter while filling that half-track up at the same time.
Then there is the king of all wastefulness. The Hummer. There is NO fucking use for that piece of male induced testosterone wank-fest of a vehicle. I've sat in one, and for it's size, there is not a lot of room in it at all. These vehicles were meant for MILITARY use. But, I guess they are also good to drop your hard earned coin on to drive a few city blocks in order to look "cool". These trucks are blatant status symbols that the wealthy use to flaunt their cash. Could they be used for jobs that NEED powerful vehicles, sure, but any sane contractor isn't going to use one. The average 2006 Hummer H3 4WD gets 14 MPG in the city, and 18 MPG on the highway. Thats ridiculous and a joke.
Then, there is the environment. All cars pollute. From the smallest mini cooper to the largest Dodge ram. BUT, some pollute more than others, and to excessive levels. Cars that are more gas efficient burn less fuel, and last on less fuel for longer than a huge truck. Trucks owned by people that DO NOT need them are only spewing more and more filth into the air while depleting their own income at an expedient rate by feeding their trucks/SUV's.
A vehicle is the WORST investment a person could ever put money into because of the constant money drain it puts on their wallets for various things and it's mandatory upkeep. Knowing this, why in the HELL would you buy a far worse investment on something you DO NOT need in the first place????
What I think should be done is, companies should halt all production on overly large trucks and SUV's to be sold to private civilians that do not have a valid reason for owning one. People like contractors and people that live in rural areas that actually have a reason for owning one would have a special license that they can show to the company that produces them that yes, they can own one because they have a reason too. People that already own large trucks/SUV's would be given a special deal where they can trade them in for a more gas efficient car for a lower price. The trucks/SUV's that are traded in will either be recycled or sold to people who actually need them. This will stimulate the economy and give people jobs. This process is totally optional and voluntary, no one will be forcing you to give up your truck, although with the way gas and oil prices are going....odds are it will be a favorable option to consider.
Opinions???
First off, NO ONE besides farmers, contractors, construction workers and various other "heavy lifting" craftsmen needs a large truck or SUV. There are uses for big trucks, but they don't include a soccer mom driving to Starbucks. Seriously, how many large truck/SUV owners actually go "off road" or haul loads heavy enough to require a V8 diesel engine? Probably not a lot, since a great amount of these SUV's are owned by people that live in cities and suburbia, and will probably never ever need that kind of power or off road capability. Essentially, these behemoths are just guzzling gas for no good reason for people that would be better off in a smaller, more gas efficient vehicle that is better suited for their environment.
What it comes down to it, in my opinion, people owning large trucks or SUV's that do not truly need them buy them for status, or the culture around them influences them to. An Escalade and a navigator are status symbols that are bought to symbolize your wealth, and if you're that wealthy to buy one or two of these, odds are you're not someone who does a lot of physical labor all day that would actually NEED that type of power under the hood.
People will say things like "well I have kids! I need a large vehicle to keep them safe!". False. A larger vehicle is more prone to flip over due to its higher center of gravity. So when that little civic T-bones you on the highway, odds are you will be the one doing barrel rolls down that embankment. There are plenty of smaller cares that are excellent in crashes. People just have this idea n their heads that bigger=better. Another argument is weather. People THINK the need a massive engine that and 4X4 capability to maneuver in harsh weather. While this MAY be true in extremely harsh areas in some parts of the world, it is not true for most (there are exceptions) areas in the US. There are smaller cars with 4X4 capability that will fare better on paved roads during the winter months, especially with their lower center of gravity. Lower to the ground = more stability. I will grant you that there are rural areas that would need a vehicle with higher clearance such as a truck, but this is not the case for the majority of truck/SUV owners that most likely live in urban areas that have perfectly fine, paved and salted roads.
Trucks and SUV's are a shot in the foot, economically-wise as well. They are ALWAYS less gas efficient than smaller cars (depending on the model). So you'll be paying $70+ in gas to fill up that monster for what, a few days worth of driving? While my 4 cylinder Hyundai will last a week and a half on one tank, if not more getting 33-35 MPG. Why would you ever want to do that to yourself if you live in an urban area that doe snot require such a vehicle???? Especially with oil being at around $85-90-something a barrel. Good luck heating your homes this winter while filling that half-track up at the same time.
Then there is the king of all wastefulness. The Hummer. There is NO fucking use for that piece of male induced testosterone wank-fest of a vehicle. I've sat in one, and for it's size, there is not a lot of room in it at all. These vehicles were meant for MILITARY use. But, I guess they are also good to drop your hard earned coin on to drive a few city blocks in order to look "cool". These trucks are blatant status symbols that the wealthy use to flaunt their cash. Could they be used for jobs that NEED powerful vehicles, sure, but any sane contractor isn't going to use one. The average 2006 Hummer H3 4WD gets 14 MPG in the city, and 18 MPG on the highway. Thats ridiculous and a joke.
Then, there is the environment. All cars pollute. From the smallest mini cooper to the largest Dodge ram. BUT, some pollute more than others, and to excessive levels. Cars that are more gas efficient burn less fuel, and last on less fuel for longer than a huge truck. Trucks owned by people that DO NOT need them are only spewing more and more filth into the air while depleting their own income at an expedient rate by feeding their trucks/SUV's.
A vehicle is the WORST investment a person could ever put money into because of the constant money drain it puts on their wallets for various things and it's mandatory upkeep. Knowing this, why in the HELL would you buy a far worse investment on something you DO NOT need in the first place????
What I think should be done is, companies should halt all production on overly large trucks and SUV's to be sold to private civilians that do not have a valid reason for owning one. People like contractors and people that live in rural areas that actually have a reason for owning one would have a special license that they can show to the company that produces them that yes, they can own one because they have a reason too. People that already own large trucks/SUV's would be given a special deal where they can trade them in for a more gas efficient car for a lower price. The trucks/SUV's that are traded in will either be recycled or sold to people who actually need them. This will stimulate the economy and give people jobs. This process is totally optional and voluntary, no one will be forcing you to give up your truck, although with the way gas and oil prices are going....odds are it will be a favorable option to consider.
Opinions???
