SUV's = Dinosaurs?

I drive an SUV-a toyota 4 runner. I don't consider it that bad on gas considering all the things I can use it for. I can take it camping, take it down any rough road, sleep in it, pull a boat, and store lots of things inside. For my life style, it's great! I'd rather pay a lil more on gas and be able to do all the things I like, rather then saving a bunch of money on gas and having to rent movers, boats, hotel rooms, etc.

I don't see them becoming dinosaurs anytime soon, they're still selling. Obviously autos are becoming more and more efficient, but as long as there's enough demand for big SUV's, they'll produce 'em.

I suspect most SUV owners don't drive off road, haul boats, and so forth. For those who don't really need one, the price of fuel will determine the market for SUVs (and smaller vehicles). It's already happening...

I recall the early and late 70's during the various gas crisis that large vehicles would become obsolete in favor of the smaller, more economical cars. It didn't happen then either.

what do you think about this year fuel crisis ! I think it will happen soon ;-)

Those who can afford SUV's will buy them. It is a status symbol. Those who do not care about that, will buy what they need. We have three kids and they are all side by side in the back of a stationwagon. It is all we need and we are okay with that. I have actually been thankful for that dinosaur of a car during this gas crisis.

We may have to go to a bigger car as they get older. But it will be a van or something that is economical - I am hoping by that time that the price of hybrids will have dropped.

I've been asked increasingly frequently recently by random folks -- many of them SUV owners -- about how I like my Saturn Vue. Gets 30 mpg on the highway (4 cyl, body panels made of lightweight plastic), which is a little higher than the EPA estimates were. People seem to be responding well to that.

Hardly a status symbol, though. Used to have a Civic, but with 3 dogs (and the professional need to sometimes carry a dozen or so cat carriers at a time) we needed something bigger. The Vue was cheaper than a minivan or any comparable wagons.

I'm guessing the market's going to shift more toward the smaller car-based SUVs or actual trucks, depending on what the buyer needs it for.

Scooter sales have gone way up locally.

As far as status symbols I'm talking more about the folks who drive Sequoias and Hummers...I do think that the smaller SUV's in some cases are just what you have to have. My husband refuses to drive a van. An SUV is what he is looking into. We have a 12 year old Honda Accord that will have to be retired before long.

As far as your Saturn is concerned...what is it rated as far as safety? I need to look that up.

Not very highly, if I remember rightly. Pretty cheap for its class, and we got GREAT financing at the time. As far as safety -- hell, if traffic gets me before my lungs or my liver or my kidneys, I'll count it a blessing.

the tahoe hybrid? i think?

i want the hybrid i forget what model it is

I was a teenager during the gas crisis of the late 70's. I became very good at gas siphoning. I would only siphon enough to get around and, hopefully, not so much that the guy noticed it missing. Fortunately, I am too old to do that now.

Nick, which one are you?

And pipple's got locking gas caps now...