What I think is fuckin’ ridiculous is that GM held onto the clean, straight line design during the 90s while Ford went all curvy-ass, and now the escalades look just like Expeditions - they’re just as rounded and curvy as all the other SUVs now. The straighter, boxier lines were the big thing that made Chevy and GMC SUVs unique and different from Dodge and Ford, who both went the curvy route.
Now the new GM lineup has lost all its originality and caved in.
[QUOTE=FlyingDragonFan]
There are certainly plenty of SUV drivers who actually use the utility portion of their vehicle coming in to defend themselves, you know, “justifying” their choice, but where are the Escalade owners?
[/QUOTE]
Why should they care whether you approve of their choice of vehicle? If I started a thread that said, “Who the FUCK lives in a house bigger than 1000 square feet?” would I expect homeowners to come and “justify” their decision to live in a house that’s bigger than they need? No. Because it’s none of my freaking business.
[QUOTE=Aeschines]
Yeah, I saw one the other day and was stunned. About as smart as creating a cheapo Porche (Boxer), as in not.
[/QUOTE]
You noticed one “the other day”? The Porsche SUV has been out for what, 2 years? Not only that, it seems as though they’ve sold the shit out of the things. Ditto the Boxer.
What, exactly, do you think wasn’t “smart” about those 2 releases?
[QUOTE=Defective Detective]
Hyde, that’s a whole year’s salary for some people. Two years’ salary for most. Do try and keep a perspective on these things in the future.
[/QUOTE]
Referring to the $54,000-60,000 range…
Two year’s salary? $15 grand a year? Damn… good thing they can’t afford internet access or they’d be offended…
[QUOTE=The Swan]
You noticed one “the other day”? The Porsche SUV has been out for what, 2 years? Not only that, it seems as though they’ve sold the shit out of the things. Ditto the Boxer.
What, exactly, do you think wasn’t “smart” about those 2 releases?
[/QUOTE]
Should be “boxter”.
[QUOTE=The Swan]
Should be “boxter”.
[/QUOTE]
Or boxster.
(I’m really smart.)
[QUOTE=Argent Towers]
What I think is fuckin’ ridiculous is that GM held onto the clean, straight line design during the 90s while Ford went all curvy-ass, and now the escalades look just like Expeditions - they’re just as rounded and curvy as all the other SUVs now. The straighter, boxier lines were the big thing that made Chevy and GMC SUVs unique and different from Dodge and Ford, who both went the curvy route.
Now the new GM lineup has lost all its originality and caved in.
[/QUOTE]
The previous GM truck line was significantly curved, relative to the release before that.
[QUOTE=PunditLisa]
Why should they care whether you approve of their choice of vehicle? If I started a thread that said, “Who the FUCK lives in a house bigger than 1000 square feet?” would I expect homeowners to come and “justify” their decision to live in a house that’s bigger than they need? No. Because it’s none of my freaking business.
[/QUOTE]
You’re fundamentally right, I guess. Although arguments could be made against the gas consumption and environmental detriments of escalades and other luxury SUVs, there are just as many heavy-duty trucks and work machines, not to mention factories, that are harmful for the environment. So as I said, you’re right in theory.
But in practice, escalades are just fuckin’ annoying.
[QUOTE=PunditLisa]
Why should they care whether you approve of their choice of vehicle? If I started a thread that said, “Who the FUCK lives in a house bigger than 1000 square feet?” would I expect homeowners to come and “justify” their decision to live in a house that’s bigger than they need? No. Because it’s none of my freaking business.
[/QUOTE]
Well, that’s what you’re asking, isn’t it? If I posted “Who the FUCK drives an Escalade?”, I would want someone who drives an Escalade to come along and tell me why the FUCK they drive one. Then again, in Doperland, where most men are attracted to large women, Olive Garden is boarded up, most pets come from animal shelters, and “SUPPORT THE TROOPS” ribbon magnets are never seen, nobody owns an Escalade. Nope, it’s just sensible compact cars, and SUVs towing horse trailers up dirt roads to mountain retreats.
FWIW, I don’t mind Applebee’s or Olive Garden, and I live alone in a 2,000 square foot house. Why? Because, while cars depreciate in value, houses are a long-term investment. A 2,000 square foot house is going to appreciate in value far more than a 1,000 square foot house. Also, because housing in the Cleveland area is so inexpensive, middle income households and even one-income singles can afford houses that are much larger than what they would be able to buy in California, DC or Chicago. The region’s smaller houses are concentrated in blue-collar suburbs where my peers – young professionals – are few and far between.
By the way, I will stand from the rooftop of my 2,000 square house in Doperland, and shout it with pride …
I DON’T THINK OLIVE GARDEN SUCKS!!! I LOVE THEIR BREADSTICKS, AND THE REST OF THEIR FOOD ISN’T HALF BAD EITHER!!!
Also, I’ll say that I LIKE THE CAJUN BLACKENED STEAK FROM APPLEBEE’S!!!
FWIW, no, I don’t own an Escalade.
I’m not a huge fan of Olive Garden or Applebees but I do love Chili’s and Texas Roadhouse.
[QUOTE=EJsGirl]
Referring to the $54,000-60,000 range…
Two year’s salary? $15 grand a year? Damn… good thing they can’t afford internet access or they’d be offended…
[/QUOTE]
No, keep trying.
Somebody up-thread mentioned spending $3K on larger wheels for their car. If I had more money than brains, I suppose I could justify that. As it happens, I bought a used car 3-1/2 years ago for $2K (cash, so I didn’t have to bother with full coverage insurance).
True, I recently had to have the radiator replaced (~$200) and the air conditioning doesn’t work (wish I’d caught that when I bought it, probably could have haggled the price down $200-300, but whatever).
I don’t bear any grudges against anyone who’d spend that much on a car, I just don’t understand the logic.
[QUOTE=EJsGirl]
Referring to the $54,000-60,000 range…
Two year’s salary? $15 grand a year? Damn… good thing they can’t afford internet access or they’d be offended…
[/QUOTE]
I think the math just broke my brain.
[QUOTE=jsgoddess]
I think the math just broke my brain.
[/QUOTE]
ACK! Obviously it broke mine! Damn stupid girl… 
[QUOTE=enipla]
Those quotes around justifying are why I come back to defend my use and need for an SUV. It says to me that you don’t believe anyone really needs one.
[/QUOTE]
That was not my intention at all, poor phrasing on my part. My apologies.
I know that some people need work trucks, and that they won’t be using the truck for work (or hauling horse trailers) all the time. But my bosses’ Escalade and Land Rover sure as fuck won’t EVER be used for anything approaching work, and those are the SUV drivers that bug me.
[QUOTE=FlyingDragonFan]
I know that some people need work trucks, and that they won’t be using the truck for work (or hauling horse trailers) all the time. But my bosses’ Escalade and Land Rover sure as fuck won’t EVER be used for anything approaching work, and those are the SUV drivers that bug me.
[/QUOTE]
You know… it doesn’t matter even a little bit to me whether you approve of my choice of vehicles or not.
[QUOTE=FlyingDragonFan]
That was not my intention at all, poor phrasing on my part. My apologies.
I know that some people need work trucks, and that they won’t be using the truck for work (or hauling horse trailers) all the time. But my bosses’ Escalade and Land Rover sure as fuck won’t EVER be used for anything approaching work, and those are the SUV drivers that bug me.
[/QUOTE]
Unless you’re Amish, you’re in no position to complain.
[QUOTE=Who_me?]
You know… it doesn’t matter even a little bit to me whether you approve of my choice of vehicles or not.
[/QUOTE]
And why exactly are you participating in this thread?
[QUOTE=RaftPeople]
Unless you’re Amish, you’re in no position to complain.
[/QUOTE]
And if he was, we wouldn’t have to listen to it anyway.
Hey! Guess what? I’m totally COOL with FlyingDragonFan thinking less of me! I really am down with that! Know why? Besides having no respect for his/her opinion on this subject, I have a feeling I wouldn’t jam with anybody like him/her anyhow! And why would I care if someone who’s opinion I have no respect for likes me or not?
WHEEE!!! Freedom!! <Runs off to find a baby seal to club>
I have no idea why I’m catching everyone’s ire here. I didn’t start the thread. I’m not even complaining about all SUV drivers, but suddenly I’m the whipping boy. Whatever. I will continue to dislike pretentious yuppies who drive monster vehicles whose capabilities they will never use, and all of you who do really use your trucks can continue to blind yourselves to the fact that there are people who don’t.