SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

but that you hate how much it costs to fill it up...

may I ask why you don't have an option?

I don't want to start drama at all - but my parents had 3 kids and never owned an SUV, or even a station wagon (which was the SUV of the 70's and 80's).

I guess my point it - they managed. sure it would have been more convenient to have an SUV, but they didn't exist back then. so how did we as a society evolve from not having SUV's at all to not being able to survive without one? I'm curious

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Its always you with these kind of posts

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Posted by june262004

Its always you with these kind of posts

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Maybe the people that have SUVs and don't want to change have them paid off and don't want to be strapped with a new car payment.

I can guarantee the difference in the cost of gas between a 15MPG SUV and a 30MPG sedan won't even come close to the difference in cost you would have with buying a new car (between a new car loan principal, interest, and insurance).

I actually crunched the numbers with my boss the other day. Going from a 17MPG vechicle to a 30MPG vechicle (and driving about 17k miles a year) saves you about $100 a month in gas.

That's not enough savings for me to be strapped with a new $500 car payment, and a $50 a month increase in insurance for insuring a newer car.

And on the other hand, maybe the people that are in the middle of loans would take too much of a hit selling it. Either negative equity or breaking even. It's a bad financial move.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Some people have several children and can't fit everything in to a smaller car. Some people's cars are paid off and can't afford to buy a new one ( I don't drive a suv I have a 94 honda civic I want a new car SOOOOOO BAD but since my car is paid off and I own a home I can't afford a new car) some people feel safer in an suv.

I know my SIL and BIL live in Florida. they have 4 kids. The twins are in color guard and carry large flags to and from school. Her other daughter rides horses and has her own Saddle. There is no way they could fit all that in a smaller car. she has a land rover that fits 7 he has a suburban. They said they only buy cars that they can all fit in to me that makes Sense.

Message edited 5/14/2008 8:10:59 PM.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

I have an SUV and when the lease goes up, I will get another one. My commute to work is like under 5 minutes and I fill up the tank every two weeks. I love driving an SUV, I feel safer b/c I was in an awful car accident when I was younger, and my DH uses it to bring construction materials to and from job sites. (He does construction on the side, and he drives a Corolla b/c he commutes to and from the city) However, if I drove a longer a distance to work, I would probably be driving something smaller.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

My parents never had an SUV either and had 3 kids. However, back on those days, you didn't have car seats to shove into a small car. Also, my husband carries large tools to and from work sometimes that don't fit into a small car. So, those are my reasons.

Also, it does not make me feel better to know that people in other countries are paying $8/gallon for gas, because those same countries offer other cost saving benefits that the US does not have. For example, extended (paid) maternity leave, government sponsored child care, and affordable health care.

Message edited 5/14/2008 8:32:50 PM.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

i can't get rid of mine yet cuz it's a lease and not due back until march 09. so as far as gas prices go, i work close to home and we try to use DH's car on weekends.

i had originally gotten an SUV cuz we were planning on getting pregnant, then my DH got ill and that idea was shot.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

I grew up as one of 6 children and my parents had a large station wagon. Back then, you did not have to have car seats and I remember sitting in the back of the wagon and rolling around when my dad would turn corners..... 3 kids sat in the middle seat and 3 of of were in the back area, where there were not seats.

I drive an SUV and will not give it up. I need something that will fit 2 car seats (or more later on down), and have room to take another passenger or two, plus all the stuff like strollers.... I am a SAHM and I do not put crazy miles on my trucks anyway!

Message edited 5/15/2008 2:00:57 PM.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

To be honest I will never stop driving one. I don't have kids yet, so that is not my reason. I just enjoy driving it. It feels safer to me.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

I have a small SUV (Honda CR-V). The reason I complain about gas is because of the gas price not because I have an SUV.

My SUV actually has better gas mileage than both my previous cars (crown victoria: 8 cylinders and dodge intrepide: 6 cylinders). So I find it hyronic when people complain I have a SUV. Their sedan may have a worst gas mileage than my SUV.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

My question is why is it such a big deal for SUV but not Mini Vans

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Message edited 11/18/2011 5:56:24 PM.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

Message edited 5/14/2008 9:40:37 PM.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

the main reason why most mid-size & larger SUVs are gas pigs is the AWD that everyone loves. Most minivans aren't AWD & they usually arent as heavy & they are often much more aerodynamic.
In the last eight years or so America's infatuation with big cars & all wheel drive was fueled by the oil man in the white house & the car makers that are in bed with the oil men.
Plenty of people here have posted what I consider to be very valid reasons for driving a 6000lb vehicle that could climb Mount Everest, even though we've only had about 10 inches total of snow on LI in the last two years & lots of people I know don't keep cars more than two or three years.
My DH drives a gas guzzler truck, its how he makes a living. he hates paying for gas. We take my hybrid everywhere.

Message edited 5/14/2008 9:40:09 PM.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

dh has a trailblazer. he says hes not ready for a car. We like the suv for many reasons. I have a honda civic. In the snow my car sucks. I used to drive from West Islip to Queens for work and I felt so much more safter in his car than in mine when it snowed. Now with gas prices, we take my car wherever we go (unless his car is needed). He uses his car to go to work which is about 7 miles. His car is used for road trips in which we pack alot or go with other people. I have a 2 dr and it doesn't hold much and it isn't the roomiest.

Plus it is almost paid off. No sense in dumping more $ into another car. In the long run, if we needed to get a car then we need to get a car.. but in the mean time, we'll keep his.

ETA: i want to keep his car for when we have kids

Message edited 5/14/2008 9:48:53 PM.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

I have a smaller SUV and it is useful for moving stuff.

I may not *need* it, but I feel so safe in it. I like being up higher with better visability. I had a small car and hated feeling vulnerable on the road. My SUV gives me more confidence.

The gas mileage isn't much worse than a car anyway.

Re: SUV question - for those of you say it's not an option to get rid of your SUV

I have an SUV and drive to the train station to go to work.
I won't give up my SUV for a few reasons
It's easier to go places with the dog cuz she has a place in the back.
I drive off road almost all summer at night.
I just paid it off and am not going for another car payment.
I keep my cars for 10 years minimum so have no intentions of giving it up.

I researched my truck before buying and it got good gas mileage for an SUV and I know I will get many more miles out of it since the company has a good rep for high mileage cars.

My last car was a Celica and I drove it for 13 years/140,000 miles...