Is there anyone out there really foolish enough to buy a big SUV in this economy? I see that GMC continues to slash prices on their big truck line, but really... who cares when it takes more than the car payment to fill the tank each month? Can you imagine the resale value of these beasts in a couple of years? It might even get as crazy as during the 70's oil crisis where people were willing to trade their Cadillac for a moped!

Big three, you'd better get lean... and quick! You could learn a thing or two from Honda - Heck, even the Ridgeline comes with a V6 - not a V8, V10 or V12!! And where are the Hybrids, Big three? Hello? Anybody home?

Ok, I'm done. Not really, but...

Yet over on HondaSUV there is an active thread about Honda developing a v10 and v8. Assuming they can cut out some of the cylinders at cruising speeds, the mpg may not be that much higher than on their 6s.

paulj

YEAH! HONDA ROCKS!:lol:

Construction companies (we have 3)
Anyone needing to haul a large trailer.
Farmers....

Some of these jobs can be done with smaller vehicles, but I can tell you a larger vehicle worked hard will last twice as long as a smaller one. We used to purchase F150s and after about 150k miles the trucks were toast, but with the larger F250s we get about 300k.

We can't all drive high MPG cars. I would not consider the E a high mileage car and the Ridgeline mileage sux. Who cares that the ridgeline has a v-6. I had a 6 cylinder in my last truck and it got worse mileage than a v-8.

Shawn

Oh man! You should see the basement level of our parking facility. You'd have a heart attack! Large trucks for as far as the eye can see. It is all the construction workers/contractors working on our expansion. I'm waiting to see if that changes anytime soon. As far as having a tough truck to haul stuff though, not these guys. Most any of them haul is tool boxes (not gang boxes). All the heavy stuff is brought in on even larger commercial trucks.

FWIW, I saw an H2 limo this past weekend, and just for fun, I decided to ask the driver what it cost him to fill the tank, $110 each filling! Best part, he gets 7mpg.

the EPA is concerned that cars don't get mileage that was advertised...such as the civic hybrid gets normally 26 mpg city (EPA is 40)...the new eclipse gets 18mpg from EPA of 26...the liberty gets 11mpg city (EPA is 22)...this also includes the prius which gets low 30s from EPA of 50...heck the excursion gets 5-6 mpg on average versus the EPA of 13

these gas guzzlers are much worse than people advertise as the EPA testing does not indicate what they get in the real world

I'm sure those who have a genuine need for such a vehicle will buy them regardless of fuel costs.

Recently on the news I saw a reporter talking to a woman filling up a huge 7-some-odd passenger SUV and she was complaining how much it costs her in fuel. As the interview progresses, you find that her and her husband only have two kids. Why have all that vehicle and little need for its passenger capacity and cargo space? I think its just plain greed and the archaic thought that "bigger is better".

We have a 2001 "SUV Tank" as you call it.
However, we need it for family trips. We have 4 kids and love to go camping, so a 4x4 Expedition is almost too small.
I almost traded it in last year for a 4x4 Excursion and I am so glad I did not do that now :)

I have noticed a lot less people driving their SUVs in my area. A lot of the H2 and Escolades in my area where driven for a status level only. Probably by single guys.

I believe the SUV will fall to the way side as the "car of status" over the next few months and only be owned by those that need the space.

I'm sure those who have a genuine need for such a vehicle will buy them regardless of fuel costs.

Recently on the news I saw a reporter talking to a woman filling up a huge 7-some-odd passenger SUV and she was complaining how much it costs her in fuel. As the interview progresses, you find that her and her husband only have two kids. Why have all that vehicle and little need for its passenger capacity and cargo space? I think its just plain greed and the archaic thought that "bigger is better".
Maybe they frequently cart people around? Who knows.

We have an Envoy. Seats 5 just like a car does. Only we need the 4WD and carrying capacity for our monthly trips to see family, etc. Other than that it is used when there is the shortest daily trip or the trips to Lowes and Home Depot.

It'a also a heck of alot easier to put a baby in and out of.

In this case I feel it is needed...even though others may say otherwise.

I pulled my SOP E into the parking lot of my local post office this morning and saw an orange H2 will a for sale sign in the window. I can imagine the owner is spending a car payment filling that hog up. I cranked up my E and pulled away smiling that I'm getting 23 mgp average around town and my E was less than half the cost of that useless vehicle.

Folks who live in rural areas definitely need them. When you have gravel roads that nobody clears in winter, believe me, you NEED them.

Unfortunately most of the past buyers were "yuppies" needing something to pack their mommy and single baby in. THAT's definitely a waste. Nor did they care if they decapitated somebody driving a less expensive subcompact in even the least accident. That was worse.

Maybe there is some good in this fuel thing after all...

I don't see as many H2/Escalades now either on my way to work/home as I did earlier this year.

Heck, it was a big wakeup when we traded our CR-V for a Chrysler Town and Country (3rd kid on the way, CR-V won't fit 3 car seats) and got 14.5mpg in the first tank. I've since gotten it up to around 17 in town but compared to my E, ouch.

I've just started driving my new 2005 Element. As the previous post said I was hoping to avoid paying my monthly salary in gas bills. But I was absolutely astounded to find that the Element drives with the AC on almost 100% of the time, and there's no indication on the dash that this is the case. If you read the manual you'll find that the AC comes on when you turn on the defroster, but the AC light doesn't come on. Then if you turn from defrost to heat the AC stays on! Whose idea was that! This definitely hits the gas mileage.

This is an astounding problem for such a well engineered vehicle. Any suggestions from the masses?

So I had to dig my book out and don't see that anywhere??!!! My AC isn't on all the time....In fact I keep it off even on the warmer days and when I'm driving highway I get around 25mpg. I think your E needs a look over.

I've just started driving my new 2005 Element. As the previous post said I was hoping to avoid paying my monthly salary in gas bills. But I was absolutely astounded to find that the Element drives with the AC on almost 100% of the time, and there's no indication on the dash that this is the case. If you read the manual you'll find that the AC comes on when you turn on the defroster, but the AC light doesn't come on. Then if you turn from defrost to heat the AC stays on! Whose idea was that! This definitely hits the gas mileage.

This is an astounding problem for such a well engineered vehicle. Any suggestions from the masses?

Yes, disable it so that it doesn't come on automatically. I'm pretty sure it's in the manual. Something like set the vents to dash, the fan speed to something then hold the button while turning the key to ON. Do a search and you'll find it.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16531

now back on topic....

In eastern Canada they are considering a "Hummer" tax for large SUVs. I saw a news clip with Hummers, Envoys and Xterras singled out. Cruel.

Gee I am wondering how the Hummer brand is doing these days. I am sure some E owners have traded in for H3s. When I see a Hummer H2 I just snicker. I wonder if everybody does that? Then what happens to H3 sales and reputation? Negative brand effect?

In eastern Canada they are considering a "Hummer" tax for large SUVs. I saw a news clip with Hummers, Envoys and Xterras singled out. Cruel.

Gee I am wondering how the Hummer brand is doing these days. I am sure some E owners have traded in for H3s. When I see a Hummer H2 I just snicker. I wonder if everybody does that? Then what happens to H3 sales and reputation? Negative brand effect?
Why would an Envoy and Xterra be singled out? Envoys and Xterras are not that large compared to other SUVs. An example...the Sequioa, Armada, and Expedition are all completely bigger.

My Envoy gets almost as good of gas milage as my E did.

While not a "Tank" The Pilot will seat 5 large adults and 2 small people. My wife gets 19 to 22.5 depending on driving conditions and distance of trips.

Check out her sept 9 vlog, funny and damn she is attractive.

Rocketboom (http://www.rocketboom.com/vlog/)

While not a "Tank" The Pilot will seat 5 large adults and 2 small people. My wife gets 19 to 22.5 depending on driving conditions and distance of trips.
Your wife sounds economical. What sort of mileage does the Pilot get?

:grin:

Your wife sounds economical. What sort of mileage does the Pilot get?

:grin:

:lol:

I just wet my pant laughing

bone

My husband works in radio & did a remote broadcast at the Nissan dealer yesterday. He said that people are trading in lots of those big SUVs and Hummers.

Your wife sounds economical. What sort of mileage does the Pilot get?

:grin:

Sarcasim is such an under appreciated art.

Sarcasim is such an under appreciated art.
No, no sarcasm. However, a straight line like that can't pass without notice. :)

No, no sarcasm. However, a straight line like that can't pass without notice. :)

Hey, at least you didn't say ..."how much mileage does SHE get?"!! :shock: