SUV = Crappy Old Truck

How come America has a love affair with the SUV? They only exist because the US car industry sidestepped new car emission regulations in the 70's by sticking a car type cab on top of old truck chassis and calling them something different from "car". That was how they were invented - because Detroit couldn't build efficient engines! And it doesn't take a genius to realise they drive like an old truck too! Why so popular?

I have a 1971 Dodge D100 (pickup truck) and A 2002 Chevy Suburban. Trust me the suburban drives way better the than my old truck, some one gave you some bad info. As for sidestepping rules and all that good stuff. That's the American way we're very innovative. I love my Suburban cause it will usually win in a car accident and I can see over most other vehicles. These features make it very safe.(K)

Okay phonebin, your Suburban drives better than a 31 year older truck, but that's not surprising is it? The point is, how does the Suburban drive compared to a modern truck and a modern car? Be interesting to know what you think.

I've driven SUV's and lots of cars. By comparison the SUV's all have terrible cornering, high roll, lack of steering precision and they guzzle the petrol like you own a private oilfield... Incidentally, research has shown the safety thing to be a myth because SUV's put you into more accidents in the first place (by rolling or skidding more easily)

It drives about the same as a newer truck. The only difference (I've noticed) between an SUV and a car is the weight difference. You have to be mindful of stopping distance. I am not sure of stats, as far as accidents. As a firefighter (rescue/responder) I see a lot of Ford SUV rollovers. I think it's more of a ford thing than an SUV problem. If you took ford out of the equation the SUV roll over stats would be lower. Of course I don't see my observations as scientific.

Hmmm - the problem with all SUV's is the much higher centre of gravity though, so all of them are going to roll before a car does, don't you agree?

Yes but that height gives you an advantage of seeing above obstacles that car driver may not.

Okay, but if you're driving correctly you'll be far enough from the car in front to stop in time anyway! So what if you can see over the other guy, if you're only three feet from his rear you're asking for an accident.

The car I drive is about the lowest thing you could find and I can see past the car in front fine - through his windscreen for one, and around the side for another.

We have a 94 Geo Tracker (technically an suv) and a 92 Thunderbird. I prefer the T-Bird.

There was a comedy sketch I saw once where people kept buying bigger and bigger SUV's because everyone wanted to see over the top of everyone else. It was like the Cold War arms race for vehicles!

In America, gas (petrol) is approaching $2.00 per gallon. The big suv's might be in trouble!!

Two bucks a gallon? You've got nothing to complain about - in England it's 80 pence a litre, which is about $6.50 a gallon

That's why we build more efficient vehicles in Europe.

$6.50?? Fuck that!! I'd take the bus instead.

Yep, and roughly 80% of that is TAX, which goes straight into the pocket of fatboy Gordon Brown!!

That sucks!!

Yep, but not as much as the woman reversing her SUV and nearly running me down last week! Those things are so high the drivers can see feck all out the back, especially in car parks.

the love of SUVs id have to say comes from
1)the love of excess, why have 1 empty seat on that lonely commute when you can have 4 (plus another row that folds down)
2)ignorance. people think they are safer in these fuel guzzling topple tanks but the truth is there are as many accidents involving them as not. (that is to say, if you're a moron, you could be driving a moped and you'll still hit the guy in front of you if you're on the cell phone, eating mcdonald's and yelling at the kids in the 3rd row of seating to be quiet or they'll miss soccer practice.)

oh, and i drive an SUV, but i don't like or suggest it to others....too damn expensive :-) this has been my two cents.

hmm i am not sure but you compare a SUV with a normal car?
of with am old truck?
for my work i drive daily in different SUV,s but there is very very big difference between an old truck and a new SUV
ever driven i an Cadillac Escalade EXT? it drives like a a normal car and its even faster than the avarage car

All I'm saying basically is that underneath every SUV there's a Fred Flintstone truck chassis. All these folks that think SUV's are the height of technology and performance just make me laugh. If you want safe transport a good modern car is safer. If you want a decent off road vehicle then a good 4x4 is superior (Land Rover or Land Cruiser for example) Most SUV's are just driven around town and all they do is piss people off with their exhaust fumes and crap drivers who mow down pedestrians. Each to their own and all that - it's a free world. I just don't see the point of driving a pointless vehicle that's not particularly good at anything useful.

to be honest you are right about it also that they have a flintstone chassis

i only say that i drive daly with it ,but i dont own one
its also to expencive to drive a SUV in holland
but most of then drive on LPG in holland
i think you know what i mean

No need to apologise even if you did own one metalux - I'd just be the guy who was always overtaking you!

ps - is Holland large enough for an SUV to fit?