FYI, although Ford may have discontinued the Aerostar minivan, a replacement is
being produced by Ford, Chevy, Daimler-Chrysler, Toyota and how many others; so
are full size vans. Most buyers of Suburbans and the other behemoth SUV's do
not need them, will not use their unique capabilities (Towing a 6 horse
trailer, a pair of race cars or the H.M.S. Queen Mary), and most important,
they are incompetent to drive the monsters safely. If anyone doubts this, ask
your friendly local long haul truck driver what they consider to be the most
dangerous vehicle / driver / weather combination on the highways. SUV's are a
fad. Our roads will be much safer when the fad is over. As for your choosing to
create 5 replacements, I hope you are putting lotsa money aside for their
education.
Jim
DOUGLAS_RUSSELL@nyc.yr.com wrote:
> Attaboy John - well said. I also have a Suburban, spouse, 4 kids (with one
> more about to get the shock of his/her life in about three weeks - she's
> due April 26th!) and luggage. We use to have a Big Wagon (Caprice
> Classic) but needed to string along a trailer for luggage to avoid the hit
> on MPG that comes with roofing the luggage. The best minivan we had was
> the All-Wheel-Drive Ford Aerostar which seated 8 and still had 3 feet of
> luggage space behind the rear seat - but they stopped making them - besides
> it's real hard to be 'cool in a big minivan and they were truly butt ugly.
>
> Let's face it. We have no choice. A Suburban is just about the only thing
> we can purchase to transport our families in reasonable comfort and safety
> - something I'm sure all of the overly planned dual income dual kid types
> would insist on. To suggest that we be penalized for having large families
> is vile, pernicious dogma that is narrow minded, pigheaded, and
> discriminatory - at best! So for those who would selfishly deny others
> what you would want for yourself, open your eyes and consider the other
> side of the story before you start zipping off such hateful drivel about us
> Suburban types.
>
> Now, pickup trucks are something completely different. Hell, they waste 6
> to 8 feet of highway space sitting in front of what amounts to a big empty
> onboard wheelbarrow that they sometimes even pay extra to cover up -
> sheeesh! - give me a break.
>
> >From the author of "Big tires, little penis" ,
>
> Dr. Doug
>
> I'm on the digest so if anyone has already mentioned this, never mind.
>
> The suburban is
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 14:25:39 -0600
> From: John Steczkowski <stecz@Crossroads.com>
> Subject: RE: no-LBC content: gas prices, a rant, and an idea
>
> Ok, I get to start my anti-anti-SUV rant....
>
> As the owner of several cars, each with a different mission (ok a couple
> aren't all that different)... I think people get a little extremist in
> their
> opinions... I have a Suburban, which I would gladly trade-in for a
> different
> car, if I could find one, that can hold Me, my wife, my four children, our
> luggage, and an occasionally our childrens friends, or the children that
> carpool to school with my kids and transport us safely and comfortably to
> various places. I would suggest that there is none, except for an
> Excursion... (the suburban seats 8)
>
> Volvo Wagon: seats 7, but with no luggage if there are more than 5 in it.
> Not to mention that I have no interest in my childrens legs acting as
> energy
> absorbers if we get rearended while they are in the very back seat. If I ad
> a roof rack, then I would get under 20mpg on the highway (about like the
> suburban) (try it, I'm not kidding a roof rack will kill mileage)
>
> Taurus Wagon: (see above)
>
> Audi Wagon: (See above)
>
> Insert any wagon: (see above)
>
> Mini-van: Been there done that, has pretty good luggage space while all 7
> seats are occupied, assuming you get a long one. (one less space than my
> Suburban) Can't tow my other cars, still doesn't have the seating capacity
> or luggage capacity of the Sub.
>
> Chevy Tahoe: now has seating for 7, but when all seats are occupied, no
> luggage space, ditto for the Expedition, Discovery (although I'd like one
> of
> these for MY car, since the Sub is my wifes) and any other sport ute you
> can
> name.
>
> Full-size van, on the cost to humanity side, they are no better than the
> suburban, but they don't ride as well, driving dynamics are much worse and
> their aren't many advantages.
>
> So, chill out on the anti-suv sentiments, there ARE actually reasons to own
> one.....
>
> Besides, they are great for towing my '96 'vette, 88 Porsche 924S (this is
> my daily driver, it fits me and 3 of the kids...), or '75 MGB to the track,
> shop, where ever...
>
> - ----
> John Steczkowski
> Director, Server I/O
> Crossroads Systems, Inc.
> 512-794-2742
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