Posted by Helen Palmer (63.208.206.107) on October 13, 2002 at 01:44:52:
In Reply to: Re: Minivans???????? posted by Truth on October 12, 2002 at 23:03:12:
Well, you can see we're not going to 'shut up'! And who's yelling.
But I stray. Vans are designed to haul between 6 and 12 passengers. They are not designed to drive off road. They are for Suburban and urban roads. If peopled carpooled, these vehicles are practical.
Now, stop ranting like a lunatic and answer the question posed; Why are you driving a vehicle who's only design purpose it to drive through rough terrain? Usually in rural areas. Do you have all the bells and whistles? 4 wheel drive? Overdrive? All terrain tires?
If you have not driven over large rocks, crossed rivers, drove up steep inclines on rugged, mountainous terrain that does not have any roads, hauled a heavy load (you're faux mountain bikes don't count!), or participated in a search and rescue or military mission since you purchased your vehicle, then what was the decision that went into the purchase? Just fess up already. You bought it because it's a status symbol and you don't give a damn who you inconvenience.
Answer the question, answer the question!
: Typical response of an anti-SUV fanatic. Not surprisingly, you failed to respond to the key points of my post, so I'll repeat them:
: Minivan drivers may not have bought into a false image, but they are still driving GAS-GUZZLING, LARGE vehicles that have a greater chance of rolling over and injuring car passengers in an accident! The difference in fuel economy between the average minivan and the average SUV is negligible, and the size difference is even less! So WHY aren't all of you also yelling at the minivan drivers, telling them to drive safer, more fuel-efficient station-wagons instead???
: SUVs are taller than passenger cars and take up more space. So do minivans.
: SUVs have poor fuel economy compared to cars. So do minivans.
: SUVs rollover easier than cars. So do minivans.
: Why aren't you telling all the soccer-mom SUV drivers to get station wagons instead? Please give me an answer!
: : most people who drive minivans actually have a reason to. Like you said, soccer moms are a great example of people who use them for a good reason, to transport large groups of obnoxious children to places.
: : most people who have SUV's on the other hand, just drive them because they think they look cool. There is no reason a teenager needs an SUV. There's no reason a person who lives in a major city really needs an SUV. If you live in the country and haul heavy loads, you can have an SUV, fine, you need one. But if you're driving to get groceries, either you eat way too frickin much, or you don't need an SUV.
: :
: : : Where were all of you anti-SUV folks when the minivan boom hit? And why the hell aren't you criticizing all the soccer-mom minivan drivers out there? They may not have bought into a false image, but they are still driving GAS-GUZZLING, LARGE vehicles that have a greater chance of rolling over and injuring car passengers in an accident! The difference in fuel economy between the average minivan and the average SUV is negligible, and the size difference is even less!
: : : Why aren't all of you also yelling at the minivan drivers, telling them to drive safer, more fuel-efficient station-wagons instead??? I'm not expecting an answer from any of you, because it's my guess that you'll be silent like you've been whenever ANY hard questions have come your way.
: : : It is truly sad to see the level of intelligence of the anti-SUV groupies on this forum. You spout off your arguments without any real statistics to back you up, and when someone calls you on principles, you shut the hell up.