|
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
 Posted - 04/10/2003 : 00:12:09 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by filthy
A little, old granny in a tiny Toy-Oater can be just as big an asshole as any lout in an SUV. As an ex-professional driver, I've seen it, all too many times.
I'm sure you have. Just as I do see it now too. I thought about that. But......
quote:
It is not the vehicle, but it's owner that's at fault. An idiot will be and remain an idiot if they're driving nothing more than a skateboard; a careful and considerate driver will be so even if they're in a 370 Pete, see what I'm sayin'?
I do see what you are saying BUT......, the problem is that there are so many suv's it's more noticeable that there are more bad drivers (in them). I also think that the size does make some people more agressive than if they were in a smaller car. Just as people in any car can be more bold than if they were confronting someone face to face. See what I'm saying?
I know I wouldn't give the finger to so many people if I couldn't speed away, he hee.
BTW, as an after thought...I've always said, Size Counts!
quote:
As for hitch hiking, I'm too old and crippled to fight if I don't have to. 
Sorry to hear that, Filthy. I bet you'd give it a good try though. |
 |
|
|
filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 05:56:21 [Permalink]
|
quote:
I do see what you are saying BUT......, the problem is that there are so many suv's it's more noticeable that there are more bad drivers (in them). I also think that the size does make some people more agressive than if they were in a smaller car. Just as people in any car can be more bold than if they were confronting someone face to face. See what I'm saying?
I know I wouldn't give the finger to so many people if I couldn't speed away, he hee.
BTW, as an after thought...I've always said, Size Counts!
Yes, exactly. SUVs stand out in traffic like blood blisters on a diamondback bite. They are a lot more visible than anything short of a 6-wheeler truck. And there seem to be so many of them! And so the asshole drivers of these are apt to be more noticable than those assholes in a more reasonable vehicle. Thus, we succumb to the perfectly human urge to tar all with the same brush.
As stated earlier, I don't like SUVs for the simple reason that I find them unnecessary and even impracticle. To regularly drive such a vehicle, with it's low fuel mileage and poor handling (I admit that the only one I've driven is my son-in-law's -- I didn't like it) strikes me as dumb.
Speaking of 4X4 and shitty handling, I'd not even consider taking one off road in the places I take the old Blazer (when it's running). I do a lot of field studies on reptiles, strictly for my own satisfaction, and what the light, short wheel-based, fat-tired Blazer could walk through easily would swallow the Tahoe like boiled okra. I think that they are as top-heavy and cumbersome as they look.
On a brighter note, my son-in-law is going to sell his as soon as it's back on the road. I dunno if he's seen the light or just become tired of hearing ridicule from me.
|
"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
|
| Edited by - filthy on 04/10/2003 07:48:05 |
|
|
|
Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 09:32:17 [Permalink]
|
Snake wrote:quote:
I also think that the size does make some people more agressive than if they were in a smaller car. Just as people in any car can be more bold than if they were confronting someone face to face. See what I'm saying?
I saw a show, somewhere, a long time ago, in which a guy was talking about how airbags are making people think they are safer than they actually are, and so they drive more aggressively and/or dangerously than they should. This guy's suggestion for safer driving was to get rid of the air bags, and replace them with big steel spikes sticking out of the middle of the steering wheel (which would basically point right at the driver's heart).
This show, by the way, came out prior to the big upswing in SUV sales, which, because they tend to be more able to withstand damage, need bigger spikes than normal cars. I wish I could remember any of the details about that show.
|
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
|
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2003 : 21:47:29 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dave W.
I saw a show, somewhere, a long time ago, in which a guy was talking about how airbags are making people think they are safer than they actually are, and so they drive more aggressively and/or dangerously than they should. This guy's suggestion for safer driving was to get rid of the air bags, and replace them with big steel spikes sticking out of the middle of the steering wheel (which would basically point right at the driver's heart).
This show, by the way, came out prior to the big upswing in SUV sales, which, because they tend to be more able to withstand damage, need bigger spikes than normal cars. I wish I could remember any of the details about that show.
I wish you could remember too. And who was that guy.
I like the way he thinks. What a great idea. |
|
|
|
filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2003 : 04:30:52 [Permalink]
|
quote:
I wish you could remember too. And who was that guy.
I like the way he thinks. What a great idea.
Yeah! Best safety idea to come down the pike in decades! Why can't I think of good shit like that?
|
"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
|
|
|
|
riptor
Skeptic Friend
Germany
70 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2003 : 09:01:57 [Permalink]
|
| Anyone here NOT driving a japanese car? *g* |
Hail the Big bearded Jellyfish up in heaven above. |
|
|
|
Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2003 : 10:43:21 [Permalink]
|
I drive a 2000 Ford Ranger. I got it preowned. It had 8000 miles on it when I purchased it. It's a long bed. The thing is, I must have a pickup, but all in all I hate driving trucks. It is as close to a car as I
could get, handling wise. The Ranger is considered a small truck. As a general contractor, I must have a truck. I suspect that most pickup drivers are tradesmen of some sort. When you see those cherry pickups with all the bells and whistles and clean as a pin, it is probably owned by someone who needs to appear macho. Laughable are those silly pickups that are mostly cab with a tiny bed. Those are show cars because they have no real practical value as a pick up. I think of them as SUVs in disguise.
As for SUV's. When you start seeing Mercedes, Cads, Lexus, and all the other high end auto manufacturers making these things you have to wonder. How many of those Mercedes are being taken off road? My guess is very few. Most are show cars. Great at restraints so everyone can see what you drove up in.
These gas guzzling beasts are everywhere. Here in California, you are measured by the vehicle you drive. The popularity of SUV's has nothing to do with whatever practicality they may have. (Which, in practice, is close to none since most are being driven by a lone occupant to and from work while talking on a cell phone or putting last touches on their makeup.)
These have become status cars. So, you are now cool if you use up our natural resources and spew even more smog into the air then was once thought expectable by the same people who are now driving these pigs. A quick check of these peoples values may be in order. Environment is out when it becomes necessary to keep up appearances. Sigh....
I'm sure there are some good reasons to own an SUV. It's just that most of the SUVs on the road are not only not going off road, they are not even going to be carrying big loads. It's madness.
I look back fondly to the days when these same people were satisfied showing off their BMWs with ski racks at that fancy restaurant. |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
|
|
|
Deborah
Skeptic Friend
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2003 : 13:35:53 [Permalink]
|
| Yeah Kil, SUV's are mostly driven as status cars. When I first began working at my company someone pointed out to me that I was the only manager, out of 7, who didn't drive a SUV. Can you guess what my response was? ;-) |
|
|
|
@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2003 : 18:58:50 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by riptor
Anyone here NOT driving a japanese car? *g*
LOL.
If it helps....our other car is a Volvo (over 15 years old). Would have gotten one again when we instead bought our Toyota, but didn't want to buy a Ford. |
|
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2003 : 19:02:37 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kil
As for SUV's. When you start seeing Mercedes, Cads, Lexus, and all the other high end auto manufacturers making these things you have to wonder. How many of those Mercedes are being taken off road? My guess is very few. Most are show cars. Great at restraints so everyone can see what you drove up in.
These gas guzzling beasts are everywhere. Here in California, you are measured by the vehicle you drive. The popularity of SUV's has nothing to do with whatever practicality they may have. (Which, in practice, is close to none since most are being driven by a lone occupant to and from work while talking on a cell phone or putting last touches on their makeup.)
These have become status cars. So, you are now cool if you use up our natural resources and spew even more smog into the air then was once thought expectable by the same people who are now driving these pigs. A quick check of these peoples values may be in order. Environment is out when it becomes necessary to keep up appearances. Sigh....
I'm sure there are some good reasons to own an SUV. It's just that most of the SUVs on the road are not only not going off road, they are not even going to be carrying big loads. It's madness.
I look back fondly to the days when these same people were satisfied showing off their BMWs with ski racks at that fancy restaurant.
Mark this day in history
Kil and I seriously finally do agree on something.
Thank you for pointing out the reality of living in Los Angeles. (with morons) |
|
|
|
Deborah
Skeptic Friend
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2003 : 19:26:03 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by @tomic
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Can you guess what my response was? ;-)
quote:
You don't have to distract people from the reality of how small your penis is?
@tomic
<looking down pants> |
|
|
|
Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2003 : 09:06:38 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by Tokyodreamer on 04/08/03:
<snippity snip>
Should we look at an SUV driver, scowl, and think "What an asshole!"
<snip>
Yes! YES!! YES!!! |
Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my life. --Falstaff |
|
|
|
Computer Org
Skeptic Friend
392 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2003 : 09:19:22 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dave W. on 04/11/03:
<snip>
This guy's suggestion for safer driving was to get rid of the air bags, and replace them with big steel spikes sticking out of the middle of the steering wheel (which would basically point right at the driver's heart).
<snip>
Ahhhhh. Great personal contentment! What wonders a simple but well-thought-out suggestion can bring to an otherwise hot, damp, sticky day. Ahhhhh! A wonderful post. |
Do thou amend thy face, and I'll amend my life. --Falstaff |
|
|
|
TG
Skeptic Friend
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2003 : 11:53:45 [Permalink]
|
I rather like the spike idea too.
My transportation (both motorcycles): 1999 BMW and 1992 Ducati. One of the few advantages of living in California is that the weather is benign and you can legally split lanes. Add to that the fact that you can out-accelerate everyone on a bike and get 40+ mpg while doing it and motorcycles make a lot of sense.
Tom |
|
|
 |
|
Topic Locked
