Why Drive an SUV in Los Angeles (vehicle, sticker)

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by James T

I cannot believe there are still people purchasing brand new SUV's in Los Angeles, despite all the negative publicity these vehicles have received lately. Is unnecessary air pollution, extra wear on the roads, obfuscating the view of people driving more environmentally responsible vehicles, etc., really worth whatever function SUV's have in Los Angeles that smaller vehicles do not?

I go camping and backroads exploring on my vacations, to UT, AZ, NM and CO. I need a vehicle that can carry my camping gear and food, and get into and out of very bad roads.

I can't afford to own two vehicles. I had to pick one vehicle that I could use for everything. A compact couldn't get me to my camping destinations so a truck or SUV were the only workable choices.

The SUV is very handy in my home improvement activities, able to haul large building materials like a 4'x8' sheet of plywood, or a new sliding screen patio door. It was also very handy when I brought home my newly purchased big screen TV.

[werewolf34]

I think people drive SUVs in LA for the higher driving position / status / perceived safety. I also notice a lot of SUV drivers are female particularly the luxury SUVs. Not that long ago SUVs were status symbols (Escalades, etc) so it doesn't surprise me that LA has a lot of SUVs.

Crash compatibility is a big deal so the newer sedans have taller doors to help deal with the SUV crash issue.

SUVs are hard to see around so they pose safety issues on highways (chain reaction accidents).

People can drive whatever they want b/c it's their money. They can also shut it when gas prices rise and a fill-up is over a 100 bucks (not that long ago). The truth is when you live in a city, what you do affects other people. Most people I've come across so far don't care that their actions affect others...smog being the most obvious example.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by werewolf34

I think people drive SUVs in LA for the higher driving position / status / perceived safety.

Some people, not all people. And luxury 2wd SUVs probably are to a large degree unnecessary from the utility point of view, except when carrying bulky objects. Your grocery bags are not "bulky items."

My SUV is 4x4 and I go places that would leave those Escalades in my dust.

As long as you're ripping SUVs, how about somebody take a whack at Hummers?

[ebuch]

I don't see any problem with having an SUV. If your a skier, surfer, camper, hunter, etc its a lot easier to have that extra room. I have a Mustang GT however when I move to LA I'm prolly going to get something bigger because its not practical at all. Hell even going to the grocery store can be a pain, and if its bad weather forget it.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

As long as you're ripping SUVs, how about somebody take a whack at Hummers?

Good idea. Nobody ever says anything bad about Hummers.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by James T

I cannot believe there are still people purchasing brand new SUV's in Los Angeles, despite all the negative publicity these vehicles have received lately. Is unnecessary air pollution, extra wear on the roads, obfuscating the view of people driving more environmentally responsible vehicles, etc., really worth whatever function SUV's have in Los Angeles that smaller vehicles do not? Do people still invest in these things because there's a slight chance of a freak snow storm in Los Angeles that could cause somebody to miss going to work a day, or perhaps people are concerned the La Brea Tarpits will bubble over onto Wilshire and render passenger automobiles impractical for travel in L.A.?

And I can't believe all those truck drivers in L.A. are still driving those big trucks! What's wrong with them? Shouldn't they all be in Priuses by now?

Oh wait, a Prius can't haul 40,000 pounds of product now, can it? Nor can it haul a family of seven, or a driver and half a little league team. Not many vehicles can, except those big SUVs you're complaining about. I guess these people drive what works for them.

[stilldirrty]

Hey Obama is going to raise taxes for anyone who drives a car with more then 30 miles per gallon. So If you drive a hummer/truck/suv.

You'll get taxed more. Some people think that's unfair. But I think that is a step in the right direction to go green.

I mean fossil fuels are going to run out eventually. They say that gas will most definetly increase again at least double in the next 3 years.

[impala666]

"In some circles, owning one is as fashionable as wearing fur."

This quote is one of the best I have heard for years!!
That must be about the Prius.

[hsw]

Doubt anyone who understands (and cares about) basic concepts of safety drives either a Prius or an SUV (of any brand/size)...or a convertible or w/windows or sunroof open or in a Ferrari....

Safety is a complex combination of physics, active/passive safety engineering of car, and driver judgment

Would drive newest, biggest MB AMG sedan one can afford if truly interested in safety...best safety is avoiding accidents w/a precise sedan w/powerful brakes and stability control systems...and highly engineered passenger cell, airbag systems and roof strength if unavoidable occurs

Any new Merc S65 is far cheaper than costs of surgeries or disabilities post-possibly avoidable collision

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by stilldirrty

Hey Obama is going to raise taxes for anyone who drives a car with more then 30 miles per gallon. So If you drive a hummer/truck/suv.

You'll get taxed more. Some people think that's unfair. But I think that is a step in the right direction to go green.

I mean fossil fuels are going to run out eventually. They say that gas will most definetly increase again at least double in the next 3 years.

Did you mean less than 30 mpg?

As for the projected increase of the price of gas, all the more reason to drill in our own country.