I used to feel anger at SUV drivers. Now I just laugh.

[Maddy McCall]

And I'm not talking about the SUVs that get good gas mileage, like the Exteras and similar models. I'm talking about the big, gas-guzzling monstrosities like the Escalades and the Hummers.

Read this:
****************

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1327248&mesg_id=1327248

Sunday, March 20, 2005 - As the gallons clicked away on the pump and the bill rose to $60 to fill up her SUV, Lisa Hess of Westlake Village felt the same helplessness that other motorists in Southern California are feeling these days.

"What can you do? Nothing. I drive around town. I have kids. The taxi driver, that's what I am," said the mother of five. "What am I supposed to do, send my kids on the bus to T-ball? To track? It's a shame that we don't have any control over it."

***************

I've noticed recently that used car lots are packed with big SUVs, and I've seen many of them sitting in people's yards with "FOR SALE" signs on them.

Some people are getting the message. Others, like Lisa Hess, aren't. Poor Lisa. :nopity:

Did SUV drivers not pay attention to their high-school economics instructors when they were taught the basic laws of supply and demand? Anyway, I guess the middle-class-income people who persist to hold on to their vanity vehicles will have to make cuts in other areas of their budgets--like their grocery allowance--if they are going to continue to drive them.

Me? I'll just keep driving my sedan, which gets 30 miles to the gallon. And I'll laugh every time I see a frowning soccer mom pumping gas into her behemoth at the pumps.

Anyone else feeling a tickle of vindication as gas prices rise?

[trotsky]

1. Especially when it's people who voted for two oilmen.

Dumbfucks. Deserve to pay every penny and more for their stupidity.

[MuseRider]

2. I would except

I have to drive my big truck and I would give anything to be able to afford a small, fuel efficient car for the times I don't need the truck. We have been discussing this, something used and cheap. Last fill up was $2.20 for my 35 gallon tank and I have to fill it up about every week and a half. :hi: Maddy

[Maddy McCall]

4. Yeah, my dad has a Ram pick-up.

He also has a farm and in his retirement does volunteer construction for people in need. I'm excluding the people who NEED large vehicles for valid reasons.

But people like Lisa, who bought her SUV for vanity, and not necessity, reasons, are the ones who have earned my scorn.

Besides, you're building a home and will certainly need a truck to shuttle stuff back and forth. I promise not to laugh at you.

:hi: back. :-)

[MuseRider]

7. I don't get too upset

anymore and I knew you would understand. I used to get upset but got over it. I would NEVER be driving my huge Ram if I did not have to. Cripes, I almost need a stepping stool to get into it because I am more a Miata sized person. I will need the truck much less once we get moved out there so I am looking forward to a small car. I only wish I could afford a hybrid. Besides, since the county can no longer afford to put gravel on my road out there we will need something to go mudding in!

[Maddy McCall]

9. I WISH I could afford a Prius. Those guys are laughing at ME!

LOL! Yes, I wish I could afford a Prius. :-)

[havocmom]

3. Nah, I will always be angry at the woman in Tucson driving the

forest green Suburban while yakking constantly on her cell phone. That stupid bitch almost clobbered me SEVEN times with her tank and inattention. Believe me, she would've iced me had I not been on my game and constantly defensive when I saw her.

SEVEN friggin times, the same idiot in a town the size of Tucson... what are the odds?

Nah, I will stay mad at her. I will join you in laughing at the rest of the boobs though. And think how much fun for the idiots who think every teen deserves to drive a behemoth! They must be in hell now.

[Maddy McCall]

5. I was in Texas last week. I saw a teen driving a Hummer.

I wonder if every bit of his allowance goes to fill it up? You know, I'd rather have a vehicle that's conservative on gas usage and be able to take a date to the movie if I were him. But, some people don't think like I do. :-)

:hi: havocmom.

[JVS]

12. Maybe that's part of the kid's scheme

"These gas prices are so high that I don't have enough money left over to do anything tonight, but there is plenty of room in the back for some wild sex!"

[NoPasaran]

20. The old "out of gas" trick

The classics are always with us.

[havocmom]

16. LOL Wonder how making out in a hummer works?

I hear they are pretty uncomfortable ;)

[wtmusic]

6. "It's a shame that we don't have any control over it."

Real shame, Lisa. May Chevron bleed you dry.

[Maddy McCall]

8. LOL! That's exactly the sentence that did it for me.

"What can we do? Nothing."

No, Lisa, sell the damned thing and buy a car! If you're just shuttling kids around town, does it matter whether or not they have 50 sq. ft. each to play in the vehicle? Can't they sit next to each other? (And you CAN stash soccer gear and ballet shoes in the trunk, doofus.)

The other thing that's making me laugh is that these people paid $40,000 for these vehicles two years ago, and they'll be lucky if they can get 10K for them, with rising gas costs. Soon, no one will be in the market for big SUVs.

[Radical Activist]

11. She could stop voting for Republicans who hate public transportation.

Then yes, she could send her kids to practice that way. I'm guessing no one forced her to buy the SUV, so there's plenty she can do to control it. What a moron.

[MuseRider]

13. Well now,

if the rest of their lives reflect their vehicles they just may be in luck. They may have to live in them and they are surely large enough for a family of four.

[wtmusic]

15. Americans are incapable of remembering more than 30 years ago

First Vietnam, now this:

"One of the biggest long-term effects was the massive change in cars due to the oil embargo . In Detroit the production of giant, gas guzzling cars was halted. Cars with big engines and large heavy bodies were no longer made in order to preserve oil and boost the economy. Detroit was forced to increase the fuel efficiency of all its cars. Today's models like the Geo Metro and the Ford Escort are modeled after the 1970's Chevy Vega and Ford Pinto.

http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/MidEast/04/horton/horton.htm

[sbj405]

17. They will likely lose money

They've started offering 6-8 year loans so people who can't really afford these vehicles will buy them. If they try to sell them at any point before then, they are so upside down on the loan.

I laughed today Ikea as I easily loaded up several pieces of furniture(including a large desk) into my Focus wagon, while a woman in an SUV had difficult fitting hers in. I once pulled up to lowes to pick up a dryer. The guy loading it, shook his head, but was amazed when it slide right in. :-) Plenty of cargo room and my car gets 25-32 mpg. :-)

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. I will be glad when we get my Mom's Golf and our Explorer can

take a rest through the summer.

[Dr.Phool]

I used to have 2 Grand Cherokees

I leased them when gas was under $1.00. When the leases ran out last year, I wanted to get a Prius, but would have to wait almost a year for one. So, I got the wife a little Corolla, and I got a small S-10 pickup.

Toyota has doubled Prius production 4 times over the last 2 years, and still can't keep up with demand.

I see this week, that GM is losing money hand over fist. Think maybe they'd get the idea, and not make so many SUV's, and maybe concentrate on some hybrids?

[Lady Effingbroke]

14. Hummers - the stagecoach of the future!

Just hitch a couple of draft horses to one of those "bad boys" - instant stagecoach!

[wtmusic]

18. Something tells me that slogan

didn't even make the first cut... :P

[Kat45]

19. Why can't she let her kids take the bus?

"What am I supposed to do, send my kids on the bus to T-ball? To track? It's a shame that we don't have any control over it."

That's what a lot of people do. Unless they are really little, I don't see the problem with taking the bus. She acts like it's such a hideous choice.