# Dear SUV driver: Not to put too fine a point on it ... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 17, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301 "2003-01-17T20:52:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/121 "2003-01-20T19:36:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Airman Doors, USAF \* > **… banning SUVs is as close to impossible as anything can be** Did I _say_ ban them? I must have missed that part in my own post. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/122 "2003-01-20T19:39:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pucky Schumer \* > \*\*Samarm: > Thank you for injecting some decency into a thread that has become largely a flamefest. (Though I’m the one who _started_ the flamefest with a rant about a driver.) > > I agree that some drivers are jerks no matter what vehicles they drive. SUVs in and of themselves are not the root of all evil. Technology is value neutral. It’s what you do with the technology that counts. > > My peeve is people who insist on buying these things for all the wrong reasons and then don’t learn how to operate them properly. For people in areas who really need 4WD or offroad capability, I don’t have a problem with that. \*\* And the problem is, how the fuck are you supposed to know what they are using it for? Do you just glance at one in the street, and say, “it’s ok they have 5 kids”? That’s why people have a problem with your stupid ass point of view. ---
**Author:** ![MrMyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19b73/32.png) [@MrMyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMyth)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/123 "2003-01-20T21:52:21Z")
Pussy behind the wheel, eh? Very good, **Pucky**. Very fifth-grade. I suppose we could get into an internet pissing match - like my broadband is bigger than your dialup, or something equally silly - but frankly I’ve had raisins in my breakfast cereal that I attribute more importance to than you. I refuse to further bang my head against a wall that I can easily climb over in my SUV. DNFTOTP, folks. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/124 "2003-01-20T22:00:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Realhoops \* > \*\*I love the fact that this person is a “FARKING DICKWEED MORON” because they did this in an SUV, not because they did this at all. Naturally it’s the fact they own an SUV that makes them a dickweed moron, and not the fact that they were driving like an idiot. \*\* No, get it right! Sheesh. He’s a FARKING MORON for the way he drives. He is a DICKWEED because he did it in an SUV. Got it? ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/125 "2003-01-21T01:58:09Z")
What’s fun is arguing with you guys, who get SOOO upset when someone criticizes your precious ride. Overidentifying with an inanimate object is in itself humorous. What’s also funny is that _I’M_ accused of ranting and obsessing. Ha! Honestly, I don’t care what you drive, but it does annoy me that people complain about terrorism but who aren’t interested in getting off fossil fuels. Fuel efficiency _IS_ an issue of patriotism, made even more poignant by those sorry-ass plastic flags people attach to them. Glad to hear you’ve tuned out, Jackmannii, considering the general tone of your posts. I did concede that fuel efficiency for SUVs is improving, but you ignored that and had fun name-calling. See, you must think it’s fun too. Airman Doors, clearly this was too subtle for you, but I’ll try again: vehicles that aren’t fuel efficient put money in the pockets of people who hate America. In general, the US should be moving away from cars that use fossil fuels and work on developing cars that don’t. Until then, people should try to buy cars with better MPG ratings. Driving a 2002 Chevy Blazer, a very inefficient car, and putting a flag on it to make yourself feel all patriotic is ridiculous, so don’t tell me to shut up, OK? It just makes me want to talk more. Don’t wanna read my post? Use your mouse. ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/126 "2003-01-21T03:29:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rubystreak \* > Fuel efficiency _IS_ an issue of patriotism, made even more poignant by those sorry-ass plastic flags people attach to them. So lemme try and understand what you’re saying. The guy (gal, whatever) driving the type R Honda more patriotic than the guy driving the Ford exploder? So does that make the guy using petrolem-based products but _walks_ more patriotic than the Honda driver? And a walking guy, who doesn’t use _any_ petroleum-based products,he’s the most patriotic of all? ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/127 "2003-01-21T05:00:05Z")
Yeah, Captain America don’t drive no SUV, man. (Well, he **did** have a cycle back in the 70s for a while, but we all just pretend that never happened.) ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/128 "2003-01-21T05:24:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MrMyth \* > \*\*I suppose we could get into an internet pissing match \*\* Of course, you’d have to do it squatting. (MrMyth, you are just making this too easy.) ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/129 "2003-01-21T05:30:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*And the problem is, how the fuck are you supposed to know what they are using it for? Do you just glance at one in the street, and say, “it’s ok they have 5 kids”? > > That’s why people have a problem with your stupid ass point of view. \*\* A spotlessly clean, detailed, never-even-seen-mud SUV in the middle of a large metropolitan area is a pretty good indication someone bought an offroad vehicle they never intend to take offroad. I don’t begrudge the 4WD capability to someone in Montana, etc. But 'burb SUVs are for morons like you. Stupid ass? My left cheek has more brains than your family. Eat me, worldeater. ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/130 "2003-01-21T06:27:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Skeezix \* > \*\* > (Well, he **did** have a cycle back in the 70s for a while, but we all just pretend that never happened.) \*\* Why ,because he had to grease his sprocket and chain assembly?_That_ would be un-patriotic… ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/131 "2003-01-21T06:38:14Z")
I’m gonna park my cars and only drive my SUV FYA Burn it while you got it SUK the ME dry!!! ---
**Author:** ![Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/132 "2003-01-21T06:59:56Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Tony Montana** _: > **Why ,because he had to grease his sprocket and chain assembly?** No, man, did you **see** the helmet he wore when he rode that thing? Bad guys laughed themselves into submission before he could throw a punch. Horrible for a superhero’s ego, that. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/133 "2003-01-21T20:00:58Z")
Tony Montana, I expect better of you and your leetle friend. The only reason patriotism is an issue is b/c people slap those sorry looking plastic flags on their cars. I mean, drive whatever you want; you’re an adult, you know the consequences. My POINT that you seem to wish to twist all out of true, is that putting a flag on your gas guzzler does NOT make you or your car a symbol of patriotism. THAT was my point, but if you want to make it into something else, go right ahead. And Blown and Injected, you will never “suck the Middle East dry.” THEY will suck YOU dry-- every dollar they get gives them more power. Pucky is right: people who drive to the mall, the grocery store, and the office, in a 14mpg SUV are morons. If you go offroad, or live in a place where the roads aren’t plowed, then it’s a necessity to have 4WD and no sane person would begrudge you that. However, a lot of people drive them b/c everyone else has them. They’re a status symbol, and in an era where fossil fuels are an issue, it’s a bit silly and wasteful. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/134 "2003-01-21T20:32:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pucky Schumer \* > \*\*A spotlessly clean, detailed, never-even-seen-mud SUV in the middle of a large metropolitan area is a pretty good indication someone bought an offroad vehicle they never intend to take offroad. I don’t begrudge the 4WD capability to someone in Montana, etc. \*\* Are suggesting that You leave the mud caked onto your suv to prove to the world that you’ve used it offroad? Are you saying that I’m not allowed to clean my car, or drive it in a city? \*\* > [@](#): > > But 'burb SUVs are for morons like you. \*\* I live in Brooklyn, and have never owned a car. I just think its amazing that you can look at an SUV driving by and instantly glean if it’s for work, how many children they have, whether they use it onroad offroad etc. \*\* > [@](#): > > Stupid ass? My left cheek has more brains than your family. Eat me, worldeater. \*\* Are you fucking 3 years old or what? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/135 "2003-01-21T21:08:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rubystreak \* > \*\*Tony Montana, I expect better of you and your leetle friend. The only reason patriotism is an issue is b/c people slap those sorry looking plastic flags on their cars. I mean, drive whatever you want; you’re an adult, you know the consequences. My POINT that you seem to wish to twist all out of true, is that putting a flag on your gas guzzler does NOT make you or your car a symbol of patriotism. THAT was my point, but if you want to make it into something else, go right ahead. \*\* Why the fuck can’t a person put a flag on their car? I would say people waste fuel, not cars, and that’s a simple concept you can’t seem to grasp with your pea sized brain. A person can responsably use a SUV or a Honda, or they can waste fuel with an SUV or a Honda. It depends on factors that you can’t judge when they drive by. \*\* > [@](#): > > And Blown and Injected, you will never “suck the Middle East dry.” THEY will suck YOU dry-- every dollar they get gives them more power. \*\* I don’t know the numbers, but I’ll wager we get less the 50% of our oil from the middle east. I sure know that we get barely any from Iraq. Why don’t you vent at people that drive _any_ type of vehicle and get their gas at any place other then BP or Citgo, who don’t even use middle eastern oil? Because you don’t know shit that’s why. \*\* > [@](#): > > Pucky is right: people who drive to the mall, the grocery store, and the office, in a 14mpg SUV are morons. \*\* Even if they drive 2 miles to get there? A person driving 5 miles in a 28mpg Honda to the store wastes 20% more fuel, why don’t you bitch at them, they are the more evil of the two. \*\* > [@](#): > > If you go offroad, or live in a place where the roads aren’t plowed, then it’s a necessity to have 4WD and no sane person would begrudge you that. \*\* When you see a SUV driving by, how do you know what you just said isn’t true? For all you know they could be in town from the ranch visiting family. The point is don’t judge, because you don’t know. \*\* > [@](#): > > However, a lot of people drive them b/c everyone else has them. They’re a status symbol, and in an era where fossil fuels are an issue, it’s a bit silly and wasteful. \*\* That’s a genuine concern, but nobody will take you seriously when you are making ludicrous stereotypical assumptions about people, judged on what type of vehicle they drive. You might as well go all the way and judge them by their skin color. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/136 "2003-01-21T21:18:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Are you fucking 3 years old or what? \*\* No, I leave that activity to you. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/137 "2003-01-21T21:28:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pucky Schumer \* > \*\*No, I leave that activity to you. > 😃 \*\* When I see a pedantic comeback like this, I figure it’s safe to assume you’ve given up your argument. Hopefully you learned something. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/138 "2003-01-21T21:34:15Z")
Like it or not, the OP does have a point and it’s not limited to SUV drivers. There is a tendency toward the “I have a 4×4, thereby I can go anywhere” mentality, especially if the driver is new to the wonderful world of the 4×4. This can lead to problems like the one in the OP but there’s no way of knowing whether or not the driver of the overturned vehicle was driving over his head and anyone passing by later can only speculate. BTW: anyone else remember [this BlinkingDuck post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1845968&highlight=white+jeep+snow#post1845968)? There’s one driver who found out a Jeep’s limitations before it was too late. ---
**Author:** ![Realhoops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@Realhoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Realhoops)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/139 "2003-01-21T22:03:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > \*\*No, get it right! Sheesh. > > He’s a FARKING MORON for the way he drives. > He is a DICKWEED because he did it in an SUV. > > Got it? \*\* … ahhh, how could I have missed that? Thanks for the clarification Opal! //insert smiley of your choice// ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301/140 "2003-01-21T22:18:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > **When I see a pedantic comeback like this, I figure it’s safe to assume you’ve given up your argument.** Nah, worldeater, it’s just that you’re such a big, slow-moving target. Who could resist? My argument: [ul] [li]that some (not all) SUV drivers fail to understand the limits of the vehicle and think it entitles them to drive faster in adverse conditions.[/li][li]that many (not all) people who buy SUVs do so for status, trendiness, or a misplaced sense of power, rather than for the offroad capabilities.[/li][li]that buying a gas guzzler for those reasons is asinine.[/li][/ul] And I stick by all those points. > [@](#): > > Hopefully you learned something. Indeed I have. I have seen the error of my ways. This thread shows me that I completely underestimated the fuckwit contingent among SUV drivers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-suv-driver-not-to-put-too-fine-a-point-on-it/149301.md?page=8)