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As much as I dislike being behind an SUV, and as much as I think that those people are ignorant who drive them in inclement weather with the feeling that they are in more control than we, as car-drivers, are, I have to say that I recently purchased a mid-sized SUV, and for good reasons.
First, given the fact that I have a wife, two small children with another on the way, and a large dog, going anywhere is a feat in itself. Short of tying my dog to the roof-racks, there was no possible way of going anywhere with her (the dog), as well as loading up the hatch with all of the kids' necessities and our own--and this was a '96 900S, which we all know can accomodate a small living room. This led to the search for a vehicle with a 3rd-row seat.
Second, the SUV we purchased is rated at getting 19 mpg, just under what my '98 9000 CSET is getting (19.7), as well as what the 900S was getting (20.8), and this is on regular (87 octane) gas with a 3.8 litre engine.
Third, after much research, there are no station wagons that have a 3rd-row seat, other than a Volvo or Audi. And, since one of my children will have to sit in the 3rd-row when the next one is born, I would not want him in the 3rd-row of a car. There is much more safety to be had in the event of a rear-end collison in an SUV.
Fourth, for those who think a mini-van would have been a better choice, it makes no difference whether it is a mini-van or an SUV--they're both big on the road. And with today's advancements, certain SUV's (like mine) drive like a car and are much less clumsy than they used to be, and are packed with tons of safety features.
I am one of those few people who drive an SUV for the sole purpose of accomodating my family and belongings. I do believe that most SUV's out there are being driven for the image, whether it be "macho-ism" or "status". I also believe that those HUGE SUV's (ie.: Navigator, Expedition, Suburban, etc.) are a waste of resources. For those blue-collar workers who say they drive them for their work, why would you need to drive such an expensive and lavishly-appointed vehicle into demolition sites, construction areas, etc.?
I can understand why some people will have ill-feelings towards SUV's, as well as their drivers. I have them, too. But there are some of those SUV-people, like ourselves, who actually use/need them for the right reasons. For me, however, I will always drive a car, and always a Saab. I do not like driving the SUV. She eventually got used to it, but it took some time.
While on the topic of a waste of resources, doesn't it really get your goat when you see the amount of trash that you have to throw out daily due to the fact that companies package their products with no respect to where the packaging will eventually end up?
Joe
posted by 12.111.48...
, Thu, 9 May 2002 07:03:53
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