Bad example. The NIMBYs and the EPA have made it nearly impossible to build new refineries.
Some, but not all. Existing refineries have also gotten bigger and more efficient, leaving the industry free to consolidate.
Noted.
You don’t need an SUV to do all of that, though I’m sure it makes things more comfortable. I’ve seen my father fit his lawnmower in a sedan, and I can fit my adult bike in my Saturn 4-door (it helps if I drop the back seats and take the front wheel off). My parents never had even a 4-door until I went to college. Our family of 4 went on numerous road trips in a Mazda 323 hatchback, a Mazda 626, and a Honda Civic. In fact, I was surprised at how much you can stuff into that hatchback–I used it to move into my second college apartment. It took fewer trips than the time I used a sedan the year before.
The thing is, there are alternatives. Most furniture stores deliver. If you need to do a binge at Home Depot, I know they have those nifty trucks you can rent so you can do everything in one trip. Just because you can’t conceive of how to get by without an SUV doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
And just because you can’t conceive why others do need them doesn’t mean they don’t.
[hijack my own response]
I had a car that I could fit a bike in the trunk. 1962 Olds 98. It got 7mpg in town.
What a beast it was for a first car.
[/hmor]
I have since owned 2 economy cars, a CJ7, and I still have my pick up from hi-school. We’ve owned Pickups to Hondas and motorcycles, my family has seen what all of them can do.
I drive an SUV. So does my Wife. I’m more than familiar with the capabilities of different types of vehicles. If we lived in an area that did not get as much snow, we would probably consider an economy car for one of us.
As it stands, we need vehicles that can haul us, 2-60lb dogs and luggage. And get through at least a foot of snow. Often 2 feet.
As it stands, SUV’s and Trucks are the only type of vehicles that will work for us. SUV’s tend to be a little more practical with the dogs.
Sure. Many people do fine without an SUV. And the lawnmower can fit in the trunk. For others, it’s not that clear cut.
I don’t get the righteous indignation some anti-SUV folks spew out. I understand some consternation against folks that have absolutely no use for an SUV.
Now, I’ll get folks telling me that it’s ok for me to have an SUV/4x4, just not the folks that don’t need them. There seems to be a white knuckle attitude from people that choose to buy economy cars. Every time they see one person commuting in an SUV they chalk it up as a person that does not need an SUV.
Let me use my Mom as an example. She recently purchased a mid-sized SUV. She has spinal stenosis. She wanted a vehicle that was higher because it’s much easier to get in and out of. Also, as she is getting older, the security of 4x4 (for visiting me, where you must have 4x4 6 months out of the year, or throw the dice).
We don’t pull our boats to work. The utility of an SUV (sUv) does not have to be used everyday to justify needing one.
It’s not so much righteous indignation on my part but more eyerolling when someone complains about how much gas their SUV gets when they were the one that chose to purchase it in the first place. If this is ever pointed out to them, they usually go on and on about how much they need it, but all of their justifications usually turn out to be hollow or shallowly disguised wants. Have living conditions changed so much that more people than ever live on the tops of snowy mountains with 3 huge dogs, or could most of the whole SUV thing just possibly be attributed to fashion?
But… my family’s always had a SUV. Of course, in the 50s, they were just called ‘jeeps’.
Before that, we had pickups and horses. Sometimes at the same time.
Before the Grand Cherokee, they just weren’t comfortable, so they were only used when needed.
That’s fine.
Hmmm. The only need I question is the safety factor. SUV’s are safer in certain circumstances. Worse in others. Anyway, If you need a big vehicle to feel safe, I think you need to evaluate your driving ability.
Otherwise, needing towing ability, cargo space, 4x4, low-range, ground clearance are all real needs. I get pretty good mileage. 21 on the highway. I accept that the type of vehicle I need is not going to get as good of mileage than something that won’t do the job.
That doesn’t necessarily make me happy with the price of gas. Everyone will feel this, doesn’t mater what type of car you own, or if you own a car at all.
Where I live about 75% of us either have an SUV or 4X4 truck. Most of the rest of the cars are Subarus. You can spot a tourist by their 2 wheel drive car.
I’ll be in the market for a new SUV in about 8 months. I’m really wrestling with whether or not to get a V8. I have a V6 now and it just does not have the power I want (yes I said want instead of need there). The newer V6’s are much better though. My current SUV with a V6 is underpowered to the point of almost being dangerous for mountain driving.