Are SUV drivers insecure and vain?

Just when it seemed that SUV owners were on the path to pariahood -- the kind of social status already attained by chain smokers and pit bull owners -- an organization arose to boldly defend the right to drive a rec-room-on- wheels that gets 8 miles per gallon if we jolly well feel like it.

The SUV Owners of America intends to be what spokesman Ron DeFore calls the "go-to place" defending the rights and reputations of aggrieved SUV owners -- even if a closer examination makes it look less like a citizens group and more like an industry front.

Full article here

E34M5 - 3/17/2006 7:38:58 PM

+1 Boost

I have a 91 4Runner with the 3VZE V6 and 31" tires. My truck came with the smaller tires from the factory (you can tell those that did because they have the larger spare which has to be externally mounted on a tailgate swingarm) so it has the taller gears. The only way for me to get 23 mpg is on a road trip with continuous 60 mph speed. actual use is a much more paltry 15 mpg or so with around town driving. and I just had my valves adjusted, which helped some. (it also gave the truck noticeably more power, which is has very little of even when in perfect tune.) this thing is a dog! but that's why I have it -- because I have an 80 lb dog and no other manufacturer seems to understand the need for a power rear window. I'm sure they cost more, but is there any other vehicle besides those made by Toyota with a power rear window for God's sake? but back to the point here -- I only drive my SUV when I'm carrying my dog to the park or stuff from Home Depot. The rest of the time I drive my Honda or BMW. they're both much more comfortable and much more enjoyable to drive. Truck-based SUVs have a horrible ride and too high center of gravity. The article makes a good point -- most people don't need SUVs and so they're heading for the next auto trend and leaving GM and Ford scratching their heads. big SUVs will probably always be made, but they'll never the profit center they were for Detriot around 2000 (25% margins from what I heard.) As for SUV safety, I think it all comes down to perception. Even if they don't cause more accidents, a reckless driver in F250 is a lot scarier than one in a Civic. And that is the real reason most people don't like big SUV drivers.