Why Drive an SUV in Los Angeles (live, price)

[Desert Bimmer]

Originally Posted by sheri257

I agree. My husband works with California Highway Patrol and they don't drive small cars either because they also see the worst traffic accidents first hand.

When we were debating whether or not to buy a new Tundra, it was actually the CHP officers who insisted that we do it.

When it comes to safety ... CHP officers typically don't recommend smaller cars.

But we all drove mid-size to smaller more economic and safe vehicles we wouldn't have this problem in the first place. VISIT ASIA/EUROPE...heck anywhere but here...

[UB50]

Originally Posted by greggd

My gripe is mostly with SUV Drivers:

When they get into the "big-rig trucker mode" and go slow as though their hauling a trailer. (these are usually the really big suburban drivers)

Up until a few years ago, my car was a "last of the big cars" Cadillac. I drove it slow because it didn't have "stop on a dime brakes" -- and the car was made out of real steel (if you know what I mean.) It weighed something like 2 tons so it would have easily cruised over a smaller car made of some modern metal.

I got rear-ended while I was stopped at a stoplight by a woman in an SUV who didn't even bother to put her brakes on. (She was a blonde from Thousand Oaks, by the way.) My car was damaged, but hers was crunched.

I loved my Cadillac. It got 26 mpg on the highway. I was always low to the ground and couldn't see what someone in an SUV could see -- and I couldn't do jackrabbit starts and I couldn't really tailgate without fearing that I would kill the person in front of me in an emergency -- but I loved my Cadillac. The only reason I'm not driving it now is because I'm waiting to have it fixed by someone who really understands how to replace the engine in an old Cadillac. Otherwise, the car is in great condition.

Among the things the Cadillac offers: 12" between the side door and the driver, probably 48" of trunk and another 48" in the engine compartment. The car is built like a tank. SUV's crumble at the sight of it, let alone hitting it. Like I said, my car survived getting hit while stopped by an SUV doing 50 mph. I had very little damage. Her car collapsed all the way back to the drivers seat.

On the other hand, driving a tank like the old Cadillac makes you terribly aware of the failings of new cars. If you hit them, they collapse. Your Cadillac/tank will just keep on going. Old Cadillacs don't have ABS brakes, so you need to stop ahead of time. Dumb people like to ride on your bumper thinking it will make you go faster while they just look like distant things in your rear view mirror (they are soooooo far back there -- it's like cars trying to tailgate tractor trailers -- do they really think they are going to get the tractor trailers to move faster?).

I can't wait until my Cadillac is ready to roll again!

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Desert Bimmer

But we all drove mid-size to smaller more economic and safe vehicles we wouldn't have this problem in the first place. VISIT ASIA/EUROPE...heck anywhere but here...

I don't have THIS PROBLEM, remember, everybody else does. I dont care about any of you on the road. Its all about me, and only me. none of you are making my car payment. Its my road as far as Im concerend. I don't care what people think about my attitude. Drive your little cars....feel good, or bad, I don't care. SO THERE.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by Desert Bimmer

But we all drove mid-size to smaller more economic and safe vehicles we wouldn't have this problem in the first place. VISIT ASIA/EUROPE...heck anywhere but here...

True and it's nice to wish for all of that but it's just not practical. The fact is .... we have also have big rigs here that are much larger than trucks in those places. So, until the odds are actually even in a crash or bad drivers are completely eliminated from the roads all together... I'm sticking with my truck.

[Desert Bimmer]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

I don't have THIS PROBLEM, remember, everybody else does. I dont care about any of you on the road. Its all about me, and only me. none of you are making my car payment. Its my road as far as Im concerend. I don't care what people think about my attitude. Drive your little cars....feel good, or bad, I don't care. SO THERE.

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Relax!

[Desert Bimmer]

Originally Posted by sheri257

True and it's nice to wish for all of that but it's just not practical. The fact is .... we have also have big rigs here that are much larger than trucks in those places. So, until the odds are actually even in a crash or bad drivers are completely eliminated from the roads all together... I'm sticking with my truck.

Well change is tough. Practical or not. Big rigs are in every single country in this world. It's individual mindsets or lackthereof that are the problem regarding this issue. And it is an issue. An analogy would be like a young child who is spoiled by his or her parents and doesn't want to let go of their pacifier even though everyone knows the child is way too old to still have it shoved in their mouth...and the parents do nothing about it. Ignorance is bliss...

[RebOver]

Desert Bimmer you obviously fully embrace your own opinion. It is hard to seem fair-minded when you believe others to be so shortsighted and ignorant. Many posters have submitted reasons in support of their decision to operate an SUV but yet your post refutes their position by countering with sarcasm and exaggerated juxtapositions. How does one recognize that their opinion is superior, elevating oneself to the position of 'Universal Arbiter' and correcting the erred judgment of others? There are good reasons behind most decisions. Leave the half empty for awhile and try to see things from another perspective. Were you better informed, you'd be better company.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by Desert Bimmer

Well change is tough. Practical or not. Big rigs are in every single country in this world. It's individual mindsets or lackthereof that are the problem regarding this issue. And it is an issue. An analogy would be like a young child who is spoiled by his or her parents and doesn't want to let go of their pacifier even though everyone knows the child is way too old to still have it shoved in their mouth...and the parents do nothing about it. Ignorance is bliss...

Then get the laws changed. Until then ... you're not scoring any points with your arrogance and condescending remarks.

[Desert Bimmer]

Originally Posted by RebOver

Desert Bimmer you obviously fully embrace your own opinion. It is hard to seem fair-minded when you believe others to be so shortsighted and ignorant. Many posters have submitted reasons in support of their decision to operate an SUV but yet your post refutes their position by countering with sarcasm and exaggerated juxtapositions. How does one recognize that their opinion is superior, elevating oneself to the position of 'Universal Arbiter' and correcting the erred judgment of others? There are good reasons behind most decisions. Leave the half empty for awhile and try to see things from another perspective. Were you better informed, you'd be better company.

Big words are nice but I definitely do not need you to tell me what to think and how to base my opinions. This is a public forum and if you or anyone can't handle sarcasm or another point of view without being judgemental then move along. I never said I was superior to anyone...your obvious insecurities perhaps made you feel this way and that's too bad. I am fully aware and understand that everyone is different but that in no way means I have to side step my personal views and not say how I am feeling or thinking. Trust me I know how to be open minded or have you not read my posts on my visits to Europe...are you open minded? Seems not to me...

[Desert Bimmer]

Originally Posted by sheri257

Then get the laws changed. Until then ... you're not scoring any points with your arrogance and condescending remarks.

Well thanks. I'm not here to score "points"; just trying to add some spice to these boring forums. People should not take things so personal and relax a bit...but then again I am dealing with people from the Los Angeles area...makes sense.