1st Jan 2007, 10:30

Please enlighten us all how school buses represent 50% of the vehicle sold in the US each year, how their owners park them in spaces clearly labelled "compact", and how school buses will assuage their owners' lack of self esteem.

Thank you.

1st Jan 2007, 13:59

People buy a luxury vehicle especially businesses at year end for various reasons. A Hummer especially draws enough attention without any additional comments. I play golf and have yet to hear any of that crap. Its better to buy what makes you feel good and if you receive a compliment to humbly just say "Thank you." I actually question the validity of that comment to start with as it sounded contrived. What is tough is to be a decent individual and be negatively judged over your vehicle.

1st Jan 2007, 18:04

"As for reliability, no Hummer owner really cares.." Ain't that the truth. Anyone concerned about reliability surely wouldn't buy one. No, it is not jealousy that draws all of the negative comments. Maybe you people that drive them would LIKE to think that all of the stares you get are of jealousy, when in fact, most of us are shaking our heads in disgust or laughing.

1st Jan 2007, 19:00

If you were in traffic, and say, you collide with an older truck (80's-early 90's) driving 40mph, would you rather be demolished by it, or would you rather be in a big SUV and be able to hold your own, and still drive away?

This is very much why larger vehicles are safer IN accidents, not taking into consideration swerving. I've been in plenty of accidents before, and there was only one time where I actually had the time to attempt to avoid it, and I was in a 1998 suburban. I didn't roll, but nevertheless I hit him. he was driving a scion Xa. I clipped his rear and took his wheel well up to the front seats, and my suburban had a bent bumper, broken head, and a few dents.

The most recent one, was in fact in a hummer H2. my uncles H2. the car we hit was a 1993 ford explorer, which held up rather well. the damage to the hummer was minor front end damage. air bags deployed, on star was called.

How much safer can you get than that?

If you think about it, in most accident cases, you have very little, if no time at all, to react. therefore the roll factor of large SUV's becomes void, and the real focus on an accident is the immediate collision between vehicles. the bigger vehicle will win 99% of the time.

1st Jan 2007, 19:27

When are we going to read reviews on the Highlander? Anytime soon? Or is it to diminish its reviews by condemning others?

1st Jan 2007, 23:08

See that's what I don't get. WHY are you shaking your head in disgust or laughing? Why are you people so hostile to someone just because they drive a Hummer? If they are lucky enough to be able to afford to drive a Hummer, then good for them! That's America! If it's gas mileage you have a problem with, then I wouldn't be getting mad at someone in a Hummer! How about old pickups and big engine cars (not to mention all the empty buses driving around my town that they call 'public transportation')? They DEFINITELY get worse gas mileage than an H2! And as for reliability, I see no evidence that they have bad reliability.

2nd Jan 2007, 07:12

Funny I drive a Range Rover and wish everyone well. I appreciate being here a New Year and am very healthy!

2nd Jan 2007, 07:28

I'm laughing for a few reasons. Number one; at least with a pickup truck, you can get something done, you can haul something or accomplish some work. And an old pickup is a small fraction of the cost of a Hummer. Two; yes, the old muscle cars were bad on gas, but they don't make those engines or those cars anymore. SUV's are bad enough on gas as it is, so explain to me why some soccer mom needs a giant knockoff of a damn ARMY VEHICLE to drive to the grocery store. Probably 90% of the people that buy four wheel drive's don't need them and never even engage the four wheel drive. So why does somebody that lives in a city (which is where the majority of these things are seen) need to buy the biggest four wheel drive vehicle they can find? As a status symbol. Maybe you say that it doesn't matter if somebody NEEDS this vehicle, they should buy it just because they like it. Fine then, but if I see you wheel into grocery store in a Hummer, then I am going to laugh. Most people that buy these things would do just fine with a little four cylinder compact car for a third of the price and three times the gas mileage.

2nd Jan 2007, 13:33

To 07:28

All of what you're saying is technically true, everyone could squeeze into little Echo's and Geo Metro's, but you are still missing the point. Not everything is about pure practicality. I think those tiny cars are ugly, gutless, and crappy, so I don't drive one. And that's what most American's think, or else EVERYBODY would drive those things. I just don't understand why you are so mad about it! Just calm down and realize people are going to drive what they will and there's nothing you can do about it. Get over it!

2nd Jan 2007, 14:14

I saw a TV program on millionaires and one of their favorite stores is Sears. They typically do not finance cars, but spend heavily for their childrens eduacation. My friend owns a H1 and 4 sports cars. Individuals in this position do not usually do home repairs, have old trucks etc. or have the desire to own one. They work hard, play golf, go to the gym after work and other recreation.

3rd Jan 2007, 08:48

To the 13:33 poster.

I suggest you look at the reality of today's cars. Most small cars these days (even the Honda Fit) have more room that bigger cars and SUVS like BMW 7 series (look it up).

And please tell us all why someone needs a 6000 pound, 12 mpg commuter vehicle, because that is what SUVs are primarily used for. I think I saw five people in a nine passenger Suburban once, and that was on the weekends (daddy or mommy commutes 60 miles with it during the weekday, of course). Just look at any commuter lane during rush hour - you will NOT see many SUVs since they all have ONE occupant in them - the driver.

And I love how you avoided the question about buying American SUVs yet buying everything else from communist countries.

If you care about America and the environment you don't drive an SUV, pure and simple. But if you like exploiting this country then you drive them.