Nobody has argued that they don't have their uses, and in limited cases, are
absolutely necessary. The disagreement was whether they are safer than
normal cars and whether they are always reasonable.
Getting an Expedition solely so mommy can drive her little brat to soccer
practice is not reasonable, IMO. Buying an Expedition for regular towing IS
reasonable. Driving an Expedition 365 days a year because you may find a
need for it for 1 day a year... well, figure it out.
If you need it, you need it. I'd guess at least 90% of the SUV's on the
road are not needed.
----- Original Message -----
From "Wm. Severin Thompson" <wsthompson at thicko.com>
To: "'Larry Daniels'" <ladaniels@sbcglobal.net>; "'Rick Fisk'"
<refisk@chartermi.net>; "'Spridget List'" <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 3:43 PM
Subject: RE: SUVs
And good for towing friend's Bugeyes to the blasting shop and back... when
your friend owns a Honda and a minivan.....
(how's that point grab ya?)
-----Original Message-----
From owner-spridgets at autox.team.net [mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Larry Daniels
Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 11:04 AM
To: Rick Fisk; Spridget List
Subject: Re: SUVs
Amazingly enough, many people have lived in the upper midwest for decades
without needing an SUV. How do they do that? 50+ years for me -- often
driving more than 200 to 300 miles per day.
SUV's don't make driving safer. They making crashing safer. The only
advantage they have on slippery roads is for acceleration. Their heavy
weight makes stopping distances longer. Their high center of gravity makes
rollovers MORE likely. Excess weight and high CG also makes holding the
road on slippery curves worse. The incidence of SUV's in weather related
accidents is higher; the survivability is too, but the higher incidence
negates the higher survivability rate.
They are, however, good for keeping our friends in the Middle East happy and
our gas prices high.
|