Girly-men buy SUVs

If I were in any way insecure, I would almost take offense to this issue.  

As some of you know, I recently bought an SUV (albeit a "small" Toyota RAV4 SUV) because I needed

1) to get out from underneath a smothering lease
2) I wanted something a bit more fun to drive
3) I wanted more room to carry things.

My new Toyota gives me all of that, plus 30 miles per gallon (which is astounding for any SUV).  

I'm also very much in support of our troops for the job they do, but I am diametrically opposed to the war in Iraq and I also harbor a sincere loathing for the lack of intelligence shown by our current "Redneck Commander in Chief".

I am not gay, nor am I insecure in my masculinity, nor do I "hate fags" in any way, but I do proudly drive a new SUV..

Wayne

[Cyberus]

My parents used to have a RAV4 - till some idiot crashed into it. It was a nice car. I'm a huge fan of Toyotas.

They had a 4x4 for a number of reasons. We lived in the country, and once you've experienced a few winters when you can't get out of your house for days, you realise what a lifeline a decent vehicle is. Also, back then they were often towing a caravan or a trailer.

[Speelgoedmannetje]

When one needs a suv for practical reasons, than okay, but here in NL NO-ONE needs a suv, never needed one here, the earth is flat as hell over here.
Yet these things already kill pedestrians and cyclists.

Speel,

but here in NL NO-ONE needs a suv, never needed one here, the earth is flat as hell over here.

I believe you're making the typical mistake of confusing "SUV" for "huge 4x4 capable of providing bus service for a small town"...  

While you can purchase 4 wheel drive capability (mine doesn't have it), most SUV's can be thought of as merely "covered pickup trucks with seats in the back".  A carryover from the old Chevrolet Blazer vehicles of the mid-70's.

Not all SUV vehicles are huge, gas guzzling beasts.  Mine for example is a 2 wheel drive, 4 cylinder that's built on (I believe) the Toyota Camry (family car) chassis.  It sits a little higher off the ground, and has removable back seats so that I can haul lots of little boxes, or one big thing (like my 32" Sony TV) comfortably.

Before buying my Neon (a *huge* mistake) and leasing my previous Honda (LOVED the Honda, but leasing was a monstrous mistake), I used to drive a 1991 Isuzu Pickup truck with no frills.  While the RAV4 has a few niceties, it certainly reminds me a LOT of my old, reliable beater pickup truck.  That is to say;

- Easy to get into/out of which is important for me.
- no real "frills" (like DVD system or NAV)
- 5 speed Manual transmission
- fairly economical on gas (best gas mileage for ANY petrol-powered SUV)
- can still carry friends, if need be.

That being said, I am in the process of saving up for a Navigation system (http://oemvalue.com), I just ordered some vent shades, and I wish I had gotten the 4-wheel drive version (for no real reason other than to have one this winter -- and to drive about on my dad's farm).  I had to make a quick decision however between getting out of my lease, and finding the sport model I wanted.

For more on why I made this choice, check this thread on my other site;

http://www.whyzzat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=409

Wayne

Speel,

.... and oh yeah, one other thing.  The majority reason most people here want SUV's is;

- have to carry kids but don't want a minivan (THAT is the essence of questioned masculinity right there)

- want to carry pets (a friend just bought a Nissan Murano SUV specifically to transport her dog between her house and the dog park for their daily walk (which is 15 miles away).

- a feeling of safety versus cramming ourselves in your typical euro-sized crackerbox vehicle. (we're probably not as good of a driver as you are and don't want to die on the first hit)..

Wayne

[whabang]

TBH, I would like an SUV. Does that make me feminine? :-?

I am almost two metres tall and am rather "big boned"; Not only do I have problems driving small cars, I also know that most traffic accidents would be lethal for me because of the small size of the car. Even in a larger car, like a Volvo S80, I have problems getting in; my knees simply don't fit behind the steering wheel.

So, should I get a Volvo XC90 or a Nissan Micra?

Whabang,

Personally speaking, being in the same boat with height and weight, I would go for the x90, as long as you could afford gas and insurance.  I really believe you ought to check out the RAV4 though, as I have plenty of room there, they make a diesel version in every country BUT the USA, it's "relatively inexpensive" (as opposed to the cost of a Volvo here in the US) and it's good on insurance as well.

Wayne

[PMC]

Something like a RAV4 which is small, easy on fuel and has four wheel drive to get you out of the mire doesn't offend, neither does an 'old' Landie, which is crude by todays standards yet retains an honesty of purpose that appeals greatly.

What does get my back up is the many Range Rovers, Mitsubishi Shogun/Pajeros (which incidentally means w*nk*r in Protuguese so I'm told) which seem to clog the roads and parking spaces yet carry a petite blonde driver and a solitary child.  Moreover, such vehicles like the Escalade etc are classified as trucks in the US and are thus exempt from many of the safety and emissions legislation, but are bought by those who want to have a high up car in which they feel "safe".

Having been nearly nudged off the road by a few of these pointless, lumbering behemoths, I am beginning to harbour a certain animosity toward them.

[McNorris]

Funny most "SUV" drivers here as Soccer Mom type folk w/ 4-8 screaming kids and are talking on a cell phone.

I doubt they are doubt their manhood. Just the opposite. Maybe it's envy thing?

I drive a Jeep (03 TJ). Fuel economy isn't bad for a 4x4 that can really do something and I can fix it myself.

Stock height, 30-in tire's, DANA 44 in the rear, DANA 30 in the front, good old I6 block (these days w/ a more sophisticated ignition and fuel system, but if you can handle a C64 you would be fine).

Easy to park and get around in the city. Easier to get around offroad. Great breakover angle.

A box w/ wheels. I love my Jeep always will.

As for Grand Cherokees? They are big, fat, station wagons. Worse mpg than is required for what they are semi-capable offroad trucks for soccer moms or the HP starved. And notoriously hard to fix... Which I hear can be a oft occuring problem...

My next Jeep will be a 1950-56 CJ3.

Something about an open air car that you can fix yourself that handles well offroad and stock. Not to mention just how spartan the old ones are.

Fine with my masculinity, I just need to raise hell sometimes. AND I don't like civilization all the time.

[NoFastMem]

Hmm. I've never had a problem being recognised as less masculine. Men are jackasses. :-)

[cecilia]

that's funny. I can sense your masculinity from about several thousand miles away. maybe those guys just can't understand subtlty.

[Speelgoedmannetje]

I'm physical quite masculine, so most of the ppl I know were quite surprised about my coming-out.
Stereotypes :lol: