# Do you like Hummers? (Humvee) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 12, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865 "2004-02-12T16:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/41 "2004-02-13T13:09:10Z")
> [@Frank White](#): > > I’m not sure how accurate the facts on the front page are, but the pictures are pretty funny > [http://www.fuh2.com](http://www.fuh2.com) > BTW, I’m not opposed to them. It seems a little conspicuous that 98% of the responders on that site appear to be male, late teens, and of a certain ‘me-too’ demographic. Kinda makes me wonder what they’d be driving, if they could **afford** a $50k vehicle. “I may not agree with what you say but I’ll fight to the death for your right to say it.” -Voltaire I guess the same goes for guns and cars. I’d much rather you have the choice and ability to purchase WHATEVER YOU WANT than to have a section of the population successfully tell you you CAN’T have one. The funny thing is, the Excursion failed in the market because it was too big and cost LESS than the H2. Wonder what the H2 did right that the Excursion did wrong? Further, when the majority of vehicles purchased in the US today are SUV’s of varying sizes and dimension (but mostly Large and Top Heavy), it seems like an awful lot of the population of pots calling the kettle black. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/42 "2004-02-13T14:36:28Z")
I really didn’t think I was in for such a _shame on you_ bashing when I posted the thread about owning an H2. For those who gave constructive answers and support thank you I appreciate it. My wife and I will most likely go with the Land Cruiser or Defender. Both solid cars that will protect our impending family. And THAT is what is the most important. ---
**Author:** ![Kiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Kiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiger)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/43 "2004-02-13T14:42:54Z")
My 2 cents: While the original was cool looking, the H2 looks exactly like an armored bank car. I also think if you are going to be towing that much weight, the longer wheelbase the better. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/44 "2004-02-13T14:51:13Z")
My Avalanche 2500 4X4 has a max trailer pull of 10,100 pounds…it works just fine. I’ll need the same when I change vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/45 "2004-02-13T14:58:36Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > I really didn’t think I was in for such a _shame on you_ bashing when I posted the thread about owning an H2. For those who gave constructive answers and support thank you I appreciate it. My wife and I will most likely go with the Land Cruiser or Defender. Both solid cars that will protect our impending family. And THAT is what is the most important. Odd. Just went to the Land Rover Page. Couldn’t find the Defender. From what I recall, It’s a pretty short wheelbase vehicle, and is probably not rated at anything close to 9000 lbs. ---
**Author:** ![jeevmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@jeevmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeevmon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/46 "2004-02-13T15:18:30Z")
Count me in the hate them crowd. I recently bought a Subaru Forester, which is about as far as I’m willing to go in the SUV department for now. My experience of Hummers is simply that of being on the roads with them. They’re impossible to see around, hog up space on the road that is at a premium, and take an excessive amount of space to park. Now, bear in mind, that I live in Chicago, where streets are narrow and space is kind of at a premium. When I see these ridiculous Hummers driving around (almost always with abundant evidence that the drivers are from the suburbs), all I can think of is that this car is an offense against all that is holy and good, and that the owner is basically giving a middle-fingered salute to all his/her fellow drivers. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/47 "2004-02-13T15:22:45Z")
**Enipla** - apparently the defender limited edition seen [here](http://www.landrover.com/gb/en/Products/Defender/towing_and_carrying.htm) can tow 4000kg or 8800 pounds…my boat wieghs roughly 8650…It would only be twice a year anyway…first to the slip in May, then back to the barn in October. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/48 "2004-02-13T15:25:07Z")
**Jeevmon** -I live in Connecticut remarks like: > [@](#): > > all I can think of is that this car is an offense against all that is holy and good, and that the owner is basically giving a middle-fingered salute to all his/her fellow drivers. Have no basis in any rational argument. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/49 "2004-02-13T15:54:18Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > My wife and I will most likely go with the Land Cruiser or Defender. Both solid cars that will protect our impending family. And THAT is what is the most important. NO NO NO NO NO! I suggested that I’d prefer a Defender to an H2 - but a Defender is not a safe car for a family! No way, no how! If I recall correctly, someone in the US cannot buy a Defender newer than a 1997 because it has no air bags – can’t import them. Further, the thing is NOT built for safety, no more than a Jeep Wrangler is built to survive a high-speed T-bone. The Land Cruiser is a better choice (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates is crashworthiness as “acceptable” or “marginal,” depending on the year), but if you are looking for safety, I beseech you to get past the idea that “large equals safe.” If you’re looking for a safe car for your family that also has towing capability and 4WD, I urge you do to some serious research on this subject, not just decide bigger is better. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/50 "2004-02-13T15:56:50Z")
From [CarBuyTip.com](http://CarBuyTip.com): > [@](#): > > The 4.7-liter V8 uses dual overhead-cams and four valves per cylinder to generate 230 horsepower and, even more significant, 320 foot-pounds of torque. Torque is the low-end thrust that gets you moving when the light turns green. This torque helps give the Land Cruiser a towing capacity of 6500 pounds; the full-sized domestic SUVs offer higher tow ratings, but 6500 pounds is a hefty trailer. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/51 "2004-02-13T15:56:51Z")
From [CarBuyTip.com](http://CarBuyTip.com): > [@](#): > > The 4.7-liter V8 uses dual overhead-cams and four valves per cylinder to generate 230 horsepower and, even more significant, 320 foot-pounds of torque. Torque is the low-end thrust that gets you moving when the light turns green. This torque helps give the Land Cruiser a towing capacity of 6500 pounds; the full-sized domestic SUVs offer higher tow ratings, but 6500 pounds is a hefty trailer. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/52 "2004-02-13T16:18:40Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > **Enipla** - apparently the defender limited edition seen [here](http://www.landrover.com/gb/en/Products/Defender/towing_and_carrying.htm) can tow 4000kg or 8800 pounds…my boat wieghs roughly 8650…It would only be twice a year anyway…first to the slip in May, then back to the barn in October. Before you leap, check to see if a limited slip Differential is included/available. It’d SERIOUSLY suck if you couldn’t pull the boat up the ramp cause you can’t get traction! ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/53 "2004-02-13T16:42:59Z")
Any new vehicle I get will have a limited slip differential. It will have to be able to tow my boat…no ifs, ands, or buts…Don’t get me wrong, I started this thread to see what people liked about the hummer. I’m looking for best overall utility vehicle for my family and my needs…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/54 "2004-02-13T17:37:05Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > Any new vehicle I get will have a limited slip differential. It will have to be able to tow my boat…no ifs, ands, or buts…Don’t get me wrong, I started this thread to see what people liked about the hummer. I’m looking for best overall utility vehicle for my family and my needs…🙂 But other people don’t need a utility vehicle, how could you possibly need one? And I don’t have a boat, why do you need one? You are basically “giving a middle-fingered salute” to all of us landlubbers. I better ad a 😉 for the sarcasm impaired. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/55 "2004-02-13T18:40:29Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > if you are looking for safety, I beseech you to get past the idea that “large equals safe.” > > If you’re looking for a safe car for your family that also has towing capability and 4WD, I urge you do to some serious research on this subject, not just decide bigger is better. For an interesting article on this topic, here’s [Gladwell on SUVs](http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_01_12_a_suv.html). ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/56 "2004-02-14T04:16:54Z")
I love this part of the Gladwell article " internal industry market research concluded that S.U.V.s tend to be bought by people who are insecure, vain, self-centered, and self-absorbed, who are frequently nervous about their marriages, and who lack confidence in their driving skills. " ---
**Author:** ![Andros\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Andros\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andros_X)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/57 "2004-02-14T07:06:32Z")
To me, the Hummer series seems like overkill. Short of, say, some **really** remote snowbound areas. There are smaller, cheaper and more fuel-efficient vehicles that have 4WD and a ton of cargo space that would serve its purpose in 90-95% of the US. But I have seen _at least_ one H2 in Virginia, a place that has absolutely no need of them. In that case, it’s an example of a yuppie with high amounts of cash and low amounts of clue. If it were somewhere in the Yukon, I might understand. **Disclaimer:** I am a “member of the anti-SUV crowd.” I admit that I equate SUVs with low fuel efficiency, high emissions, and compensation for some inadequacy. Especially in a place where such vehicles never leave the pavement. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/58 "2004-02-14T13:29:52Z")
> [@Andros\_X](#): > > To me, the Hummer series seems like overkill. Short of, say, some **really** remote snowbound areas. There are smaller, cheaper and more fuel-efficient vehicles that have 4WD and a ton of cargo space that would serve its purpose in 90-95% of the US. But I have seen _at least_ one H2 in Virginia, a place that has absolutely no need of them. In that case, it’s an example of a yuppie with high amounts of cash and low amounts of clue. If it were somewhere in the Yukon, I might understand. > > **Disclaimer:** I am a “member of the anti-SUV crowd.” I admit that I equate SUVs with low fuel efficiency, high emissions, and compensation for some inadequacy. Especially in a place where such vehicles never leave the pavement. Heya Andros, I’m one of those folks that lives in a snow bound State. Central Colorado Rockies here. One of the reasons I own an SUV is deep snow, but there are plenty of other reasons as well. They are, frankly, very adaptable vehicles. Good towing platform, good for general cargo, reasonable people mover. I really don’t think the anti-SUV folks realize how much use people get out of their SUV’s. If other SUV owners get a tenth of the use out of their SUV as I do out of mine, they have a very good reason to own it. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/59 "2004-02-14T14:28:16Z")
> [@Andros\_X](#): > > To me, the Hummer series seems like overkill. Short of, say, some **really** remote snowbound areas. There are smaller, cheaper and more fuel-efficient vehicles that have 4WD and a ton of cargo space that would serve its purpose in 90-95% of the US. But I have seen _at least_ one H2 in Virginia, a place that has absolutely no need of them. In that case, it’s an example of a yuppie with high amounts of cash and low amounts of clue. If it were somewhere in the Yukon, I might understand. > > **Disclaimer:** I am a “member of the anti-SUV crowd.” I admit that I equate SUVs with low fuel efficiency, high emissions, and compensation for some inadequacy. Especially in a place where such vehicles never leave the pavement. I’m curious why you anti-suv-ers don’t express the same vitriol for any OTHER vehicle that costs more than your car does. I mean, why buy a 600 class Mercedes? You MUST be compensating for OTHER shortcomings. I’m also not entirely sure why it comes down to some Freudian analysis. Based on the vehicles I own (two vettes, an Avalanche and a cruiser) I must have some SERIOUS feelings of inadequacy. 😃 I sure am glad I have the freedom to purchase the vehicle I want, vs. the vehicle YOU want me to buy. I take great pleasure in being a gearhead. I’ve had driving satisfaction from trucks, big cars, little cars, ALL SORTS of CARS. And I’m glad the lattitude is there to play with. Tell me, Do you consider a car an appliance? HAVE you lifted the hood of your current vehicle? Do you consider anytime your vehicle breaks to be a stomach tightening journey into the unknown? If so, I pity your ignorance, especially on THIS forum. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865/60 "2004-02-14T14:55:10Z")
> [@Unintentionaly Blank](#): > > …I’m curious why you anti-suv-ers don’t express the same vitriol for any OTHER vehicle that costs more than your car does. I mean, why buy a 600 class Mercedes? You MUST be compensating for OTHER shortcomings. And, to top it off, a 600 class Mercedes is much less practical than an SUV. I’m going to take a shower, grab my list, and drive into town to get the stuff I need to finish my in-floor heat in the addition that I am building on my house. The anti-SUV folks don’t understand that there are people that do things for themselves. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-hummers-humvee/228865.md?page=4)