# Am I a trend fallower in my SUV? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 17, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515 "2003-12-17T12:13:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![the\_duke\_69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@the\_duke\_69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_duke_69)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/1 "2003-12-17T12:13:53Z")
I have a 71 landcruiser does that make me a SUV driving yuppy? I admit its not cheap on gas but its a steady best with no electronics, something I can drive during nuclear winter, if gas is still available. When the tree huggers are talking about SUV’s destroying nature and all that does that include me? ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/2 "2003-12-17T13:01:45Z")
How many miles does it get per gallon? If it’s less than, say, 15, then you’re guilty, along with the rest of them! And a vehicle of that era is pretty much guaranteed to be spewing out many, many times the air pollutants of any relatively new vehicle, even a recent-vintage SUV. ---
**Author:** ![the\_duke\_69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@the\_duke\_69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_duke_69)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/3 "2003-12-17T13:07:21Z")
it gets about twelve miles to the gallon in the city, dont really know highway its just a around town runner. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/4 "2003-12-17T13:34:43Z")
You’d actually be doing the environment a favor by buying a brand new Lincoln Navigator (same city mileage, far fewer emissions). Remember, your trusty old Landcruiser even predates the use of catalytic converters on exhaust systems. I’d wager that 99 of your friends could cruise around in new Honda Civics, and generate less air pollution than you produce all by yourself (probably hyperbole, but you get the point)! Please report to Tree-Hugger Central Control for disciplinary action. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/5 "2003-12-17T15:59:46Z")
Whether or not you are a trend follower would depend on why you bought the thing. Did you buy it because you _needed_ a vehicle made for driving off-road? Or did you buy it for the image value? ---
**Author:** ![the\_duke\_69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@the\_duke\_69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_duke_69)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/6 "2003-12-17T16:17:27Z")
Well its a rusted beat up machine that I bought becuase I live in rural Idaho. Some of my friends call me a nature killing yuppy but thats before I take them fourty miles an hour through some of the roughest turain in the area and prove it has function. By all means this is not a baeutiful machine it shows its age very well. ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/7 "2003-12-17T17:49:48Z")
A Landcruiser? Isn’t that like a Jeep? ::ducks and runs:: Just kidding **Duke** , I am a fellow Pig owner (1978 FJ55) and while I wouldn’t classify you as a nature killing yuppie, these folks are right on with the new car vs. old car emission stuff. However, if you’re opting out of driving your Toyota Hybrid during those lovely summer days in favor of taking the Cruiser into town on Saturday morning to pick up fresh bagels and (horror of horrors) a couple of coffees from Starbucks then, yes, you have become death, destroyer of worlds and all should fear you and your gas-guzzling, emission-spewing, red-legged frog-killing, oversized and over-powered vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/8 "2003-12-17T18:03:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kizarvexius \* > \*\*Whether or not you are a trend follower would depend on why you bought the thing. Did you buy it because you _needed_ a vehicle made for driving off-road? Or did you buy it for the image value? \*\* Please reply to this thread with a paragraph for each item you own explaining why you _need_ such item. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/9 "2003-12-17T18:09:32Z")
**TaxGuy** : I think **Kizarvexius** makes a valid point in the context of this thread. The OP asks if he is a trend follower. If something is bought for “image” then that might be the case. If something is bought out of need, then “image” might not be an issue. In other words, I don’t think **Kizarvexius** was saying “If you don’t _need_ it then you are evil”; but “If you don’t _need_ it, then you might be buying an image and following a trend.” ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/10 "2003-12-17T19:03:01Z")
Succinctly put, **Johnny L.A.**. Driving an SUV because you frequently travel off-road or through the mountains is a matter of practicality. Driving an SUV because of its status symbol value makes you a trend following yuppie. Every person I’ve met thus far who drives a Hummer falls squarely into the second category. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/11 "2003-12-17T19:08:53Z")
If anybody give you static about your FJ, poke them in the eyes, punch them in the throat and cut thier finger on some of the rusty bodywork, giving them tetnis. 6 of my 9 cars average less than 20 mpg, and thats the way I likes it! Never justify your wheels. * * * BCS stands for (illegitimate child) + (crowing rooster) + (Tootsie Pops) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/12 "2003-12-17T19:11:08Z")
> [@](#): > > Driving an SUV because you frequently travel off-road or through the mountains is a matter of practicality. There are a number of other very practical reasons to own an SUV as well. -Deep Snow -Cargo -Towing To name a few. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/13 "2003-12-17T20:51:37Z")
Can that Toyota be restored, or is it too far gone? Early 70s Landcruisers were definitely kick-ass, as were many of the vehicles from that period (late 60s-early 70s; right up to the “year of NO MODEL CHANGE”). Unfortunately, most of them (US & Canada, at least) were shoddily assembled out of somewhat sub-par materials, and sucked up fuel and spew out smog like there was no tomorrow… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/14 "2003-12-17T20:53:46Z")
If I could afford a Hummer right now I’d buy one. Just because I like them. Has nothing to do with status. Or needing an offroad vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/15 "2003-12-17T21:13:37Z")
enipla and others: Another reason some people “need” SUVs is that they have more than two children who, by law, require child seats. Not many sedans can accomodate more than two child seats in the back. Your options for safely and lawfully transporting 3 or more kids get limited pretty fast. Nothing makes me smile more than seeing a crappy old Scout on the road, though. ---
**Author:** ![Sarcastro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@Sarcastro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarcastro)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/16 "2003-12-17T21:19:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > **Another reason some people “need” SUVs is that they have more than two children who, by law, require child seats. Not many sedans can accomodate more than two child seats in the back. Your options for safely and lawfully transporting 3 or more kids get limited pretty fast.** Last I checked, minivans were still being produced in great numbers, and since they’re better on the gas mileage, just as roomy, and safer, seems to me they’d be a far better option, if transporting children is your goal. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/17 "2003-12-18T00:16:28Z")
Amen to the towing, **enipla**. I’ve recently made three 2,400 mile round trips, each time towing a heavy load (and the last time the back of the Cherokee was jam-packed as well). There is no way I’d have been able to do it if I had a Toyota Prius or something economical. ---
**Author:** ![the\_duke\_69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@the\_duke\_69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_duke_69)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/18 "2003-12-18T00:20:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SirRay \* > \*\*Can that Toyota be restored, or is it too far gone? Early 70s Landcruisers were definitely kick-ass, as were many of the vehicles from that period (late 60s-early 70s; right up to the “year of NO MODEL CHANGE”). > Unfortunately, most of them (US & Canada, at least) were shoddily assembled out of somewhat sub-par materials, and sucked up fuel and spew out smog like there was no tomorrow… ☹ \*\* It could but my current restore project is my 67 opel kadett wich is a killer on the buying parts from foreign countries. wich might I add is not a yuppy car becuase no one I mean no one with in 500 plus miles has one. and it get 30+ miles to the gallon. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/19 "2003-12-18T00:21:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by the\_duke\_69 \* > **Some of my friends call me a nature killing yuppy but thats before I take them fourty miles an hour through some of the roughest turain in the area and prove it has function.** Hang on a minute… the ‘function’ consists of showing off the supposed ‘function’ to your mates? ---
**Author:** ![the\_duke\_69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@the\_duke\_69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_duke_69)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515/20 "2003-12-18T00:23:10Z")
Dont diss the beast till you have expierenced the beast. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-trend-fallower-in-my-suv/219515.md?page=2)