Fast Cars

I don’t even know what caught my attention and took it from the road, but when I saw how close the monstrous SUV was, I slammed on the brakes and watched my hood crinkle up toward me. And then I said fuck. Which was probably louder than the crash.

Up until a few years ago, my grandparents (on my mom’s side) were the only ones in my family who had ever driven a Ford. I had only known of a few people who had one or had one previously, so I had not had much experience with them until I bought my own. One of my co-workers at the time (and long time friend) had just purchased her second Mustang and had actually owned an Explorer a few years earlier as well. The really loved both and encouraged me to look into Ford’s smaller SUV (the Escape).

The original FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser had character, simplicity and genuine utility. Since then there has been a proliferation of SUV brands from a wide variety of manufactures, but none have matched the ethic of the original FJ40. For many purists, Sports Utility Vehicles have all but lost their utility. That’s why the Icon was created.

Zhongxing has a U.S. partner in Chamco, with plans to introduce a line of sports utility vehicles in this country early in 2008. Currently Great Wall exports to Russia with plans to expand into Eastern Europe. Brilliance will start exporting a sedan to Germany and the Netherlands this May with an expected price tag of $26,000.

The Germans are known for their flare when it comes to automobile design. German design and engineering company EDAG have recently unveiled their latest concept the LUV taking design queues from maritime, like the wooden hood. Based on a high end SUV the LUV has an overall length of 5.7 metres, and is over 2metres wide and 1.8 metres high.

The trip, despite the delays, has been wonderful. We’ve seen things we never would have seen on our own, including the most breathtaking scenery I’ve ever seen. The wedding of our friends, Berry and Kim, was fantastic, and we had a ton of fun exploring the area on our own. Yesterday was the most intense drive I’ve ever made in pure white-out conditions, and all I can say is that I’m glad we decided to upgrade to a four wheel drive SUV with a GPS unit. It certainly helped us find a way around the closed mountain to Reno from Tahoe.

Having said that, I don’t support the “SUV’s equal Satan” movement in this country, or buying an overpriced vehicle that has the power of a golf cart. I’ve noted that some of the new hybrids are starting to at least resemble a car - in terms of power and performance. We’ll get there someday.

Here’s another helpful hint. Don’t drive your SUV on Irondequoit Bay after two days of freezing temperatures. If you do, it will cost you lots of money, your SUV will be destroyed and people will laugh at you. Also, the DEC might fine you for polluting the bay.

I am a car salesman for a GM Dealership and was happy to see the GMC Acadia finally arrive. Consumers are flocking in to see the design that replaced the 3 row GMC Envoy XL.

While my mother valiantly attempted to rescue a stray cat from the brink of death no more than five feet away from our sprawling holiday dinner, the oldest of my younger siblings explained to me that they were well into their drive through beautiful downtown Trenton, New Jersey, when fate delivered them this filthy christmas miracle by way of a Ford Astro’s front grill, which nearly launched the cat into space before finally depositing it in front of the family SUV. Even the possibility of having almost her entire family mowed down on the mean streets of Trenton on Christmas Eve could not stop my Mother, a lifelong animal lover, from seizing a golden opportunity to not only save the life of an animal 2MPH away from being turned inside out, but completely ruin everyone’s night in a truly epic fashion.

If you can make it out in the picture above, the old Jeep hit a milestone on today’s commute - 200,000 miles, or roughly 8 times around the world. Not too shabby for a vehicle that was built the same year I got my drivers license. It’s still running strong too, although it does like to mark its territory with a bit of oil here and there. Every winter, suffering with its pitiful heater, I threaten to sell it off next summer; and then come summer when I pull the hard-top and slap on the bikini, I’ll think I’d be crazy to sell it.

The Race Truck is based on the all-new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Special Edition FJ Cruiser sport utility vehicle (SUV). The TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser is a unique limited edition package available on 2007 FJ Cruiser four-wheel-drive models. The special package contains several performance, exterior, and interior enhancements.

I wasn’t freaking out about the fact that we were completely perpendicular to the direction that the street was going. Or about the fact that we might be jumping a median curb. Or the fact that we might hit another vehicle on the street. I was more freaked out about the SUV cop that was flying sideways in my field of vision.

This is an early look at the new body style Chevy Silverado. This was originally scheduled to be a 2008 model, but GM is pushing this to be sold as a 2007 model to replace the current Chevy in the fall.

There is mixed opinions on the 2007 GMC Yukon. I think it is the fact that by nature we do not like change. The old Yukon needed an update and I believe General Motors did it justice, but most say it has to grow on them.

With all the hubbub over gas prices, and how SUVs are causing the problem. Here is a list of SUV’s that get over 24 mpg, which is pretty good for the class. If the government gets their butts in gear this standard could be raised shortly. At any rate here is the list of Japanese SUVs that are really good on gas.

The only not-so-glorious moment of the weekend was when I was on my way to Ultimate and nearly broadsided an SUV who turned out right in front of me. The stupid driver was not so surprisingly on his cellphone. I layed on my horn but I doubt he even noticed he was so engrossed in his conversation. Grrr….

2. Too much emphasis on "gas guzzlers." The hypocrisy in this statement is rampant since most people who make it are ardent supporters of the "free market." The trouble for these hypocrites is that a major free market principle is the law of supply and demand. According to Seattle Times columnist Shaunti Feldhahn, consumer demand for big, bad SUVs has doubled in the last 15 years. So much for the argument that American car companies aren't building what consumers want to buy. Just like American companies have been scrambling to satisfy the one percent of car buyers who want hybrids, Japanese car makers have been scrambling to catch up to Ford and GM by offering bigger and badder behemoths (at even worse gas mileage ratings than American SUVs). GM has more models with over 30 mpg. highway (2006 EPA estimates) than any other auto maker. Last month I revealed that my 1996 Lincoln Town Car now has over 160,000 miles with no signs of letting up. What I didn't mention is that my car has averaged 24 mpg since September 2001, which is a result of combined mostly highway driving during the week and mostly city driving on weekends. Not bad for a big luxury car.

NYC sinkhole swallows up SUV - U.S. Life - MSNBC.com:

I feel guilty even writing this as I drive my gas hog SUV around. Granted I bought it six years ago before I had been slapped the last couple of times, but still I feel compelled to sell it, not so they win as many would say, but I’m sick of keeping repressive regimes in power who are brutal to their own people all so I can have the choice of driving what I want.

The production of the new subcompact is part of Ford’s restructuring plan as announced last month which also includes the closing of 14 plants including those locations meant for sports utility vehicles. Bold move, but will it work to Ford’s advantage? That, we’ll have to wait and see.

First of all, quoting an article from the NBC 5 Chicago website, “Ford said the company’s focus has to be on building cars that consumers want, noting the automaker was slow to shift its product mix away from gas-guzzling sports utility vehicles.” I don’t know if Ford really said this in precisely this way, or it is just poor writing on the part of whoever it is who wrote this article (it is not specified on the page). But doesn’t it make you sit there and chuckle, and say, “Well, duh! I could have told you that, and I’m no economist.” What on earth has their focus been, to build cars that consumers don’t want?

It probably stuck a chord in my little mind after I read this yesterday. Same basic thing - envy (although in this article it is cloaked in the assumption of a moral high ground). If it suits your needs to drive a hybrid - great! If, however, you need features only found in an SUV, then that’s OK too. When I lived in the DC area and had a 40+ mile commute, a hybrid sounded fine. Here in the Last Frontier I need four wheel drive and room for stuff

Also check out the RAV4 Dream Configurator. It lets you create your custom 2005 Toyota Rav 4… from paint to the sound system, then dream on.

I think wagons could be making a comeback. The stigma behind them is fading (not many old 60’s and 70’s wagons still on the road), and the macho appeal of the SUV is being overshadowed by guilt of owning one. But the need for hauling a lot of people or stuff isn’t going away.

There's a rant by Tony Long in Wired about how he dumped his bike after an SUV driver stopped unexpectedly because she was using a cellphone. He was following her too closely, couldn't react in time to avoid the SUV so down he went. I'm sorry about his luck but he violated the First Biker Law. (Wired: Hang Up and Drive )

Numerous times over the past few months I've had my nerves and my brake pads worn down by pedestrians walking around in La La Land. A couple of times they've darted out into a crosswalk from behind large parked vehicles (vans or SUV's) without first looking for traffic. No amount of yellow or white parallel stripes painted on the street will protect you if I can't see you, my friend.

My very first auto was a Ford F-150 truck. I love its utility and durability. I can drive it to almost every destination, either on-road and off-road. Lately, I just bought a 2-wheel drive Ford Escape Hybrid. It’s marvelous. This sport utility vehicle is another remarkable vehicle from Ford I should say. Its 2.3L 4-cylinder engine mated with 50-kilowatt electric motor works just as good as a powerful V6 and its very fuel efficient. In fact, it got an EPA fuel economy rating of 36 mpg in the city.

SUV’s are not only Stupid Urban Vehicles, they are also DOP’s (Deadly tO Pedestrians), according to a report in the British Medical Journal. Forbes has a piece on this story, excerpted below:

After our children were grown, my husband and I moved to the Sacramento area. One summer day we were stopped at a light in the little red Miata of his midlife crisis. The top was down, he was holding and latte, and my blond hair was streaming. A bunch of teenagers in an SUV stopped next to us and one of them called out, "Look! It's Barbie and Ken!" I shrieked in disbelief: me, of all people! Talk about self-satire.

Moose Boats is tweaking the concept of the sport utility vehicle by labeling its supercharged, rugged M2 vessel a sport utility boat, or SUB.

so with gas prices inching closer to $3/gallon, it’s no surprise that suv owners are trading in their hummers for something that doesn’t cost them $75 to fill up every week. sales for suvs are stagnant, even with automakers trying their hardest to move them off the lot, and presidential pardons for wasting gas. apparently people have been gladly paying the premium up front for gas savings that they aren’t likely to see within the car’s 8-year warranty.

“I found that if you made men more insecure about their masculinity, they displayed more homophobic attitudes, tended to support the Iraq War more and would be more willing to purchase an SUV over another type of vehicle,” said Robb Willer, a sociology doctoral candidate at Cornell. Willer is presenting his findings Aug. 15 at the American Sociological Association’s 100th annual meeting in Philadelphia.

A couple of our nation's finest, one who has a great blog here, were generous enough to leave their first-hand knowledge in response to this story, to comment on car chases and some of the limitations the police have in apprehending fleeing fleas. Thank you, gentlemen, for your service and your thoughts.

The Drive Summit also included an SUV course where I got to sample the Caddy Escalade EXT, Caddy SRV V8, and a BMW X5. The X5 rocked - luxurious, high performance, stellar handling for a SUV. The Escalade was huge and luxurious, but I don't foresee myself in that type of gas guzzler, however, it did rock on the "terrain" portion of the SUV course. The SRV was a little wimpy SUV - not my favorite.

Today, Ford reported a 19% drop in Q2 profits — a direct result of loss of market share in North America. This marks a 13 month slump in auto sales with a dramatic slowdown in sales of its SUVs as a result of the skyrocketing gas prices.

Quit using our money for buying officers SUV's that they don't need. Why would a cop need an SUV? i guess a lot of cops do arrest a family of 7.. or after a hard day of fighting crime he stops by home depot to do some shopping.. i guess he could use that SUV do to the many high speed chases that end up off roading in the mountains... come on guys give me a break.. quit slicking your hair back, take off the black sun glasses when its cloudy and when you go to the gym try to mix in something other than chest and biceps.. you're not cool.

A radio listener has gone to court claiming to have been snookered by a California station that awarded her a new Hummer H2 in an April 1 prize contest–and then instead presented a toy replica of the expensive SUV. Shannon Castillo, 25, apparently did not recognize the possibility that KBDS, a Bakersfield hip-hop/R&B outlet, was perpetrating an April Fool’s stunt when she went to the station to claim her vehicle.

Feeling guilty about that gas-guzzling, toxin-belching SUV? Help is on the way. No, not actual help; that's in your own hands, should you decide to trade it in. This "help" is the "let us make you feel better about yourself" variety in the form of a decal called TerraPass. You pay $80 for it and the money gets invested in environmentally responsible projects. The idea, more of less, is that you can "undo" the damage your vehicle does by paying someone to do something better. Somewhere else.

The economic effects of unrest in faraway Nigeria are immediate. Crude oil prices soar above $80 a barrel. June's then-record $60 a barrel is a distant memory. A gallon of unleaded gas now costs $3.31. Americans shell out $75 to fill a midsized SUV.

To hell with everything else. I found a car that runs on the same amount of energy as an effin light bulb. Now I know this may not seem very exciting to the majority of you being that you care more about 5.0 Liter engines and 20″ rims; however, I find all of the SUV’s and giant trucks to be such a waste. I get so annoyed driving around everyday neighborhoods and seeing people with gigantic trucks and tanks without tred in their driveways when you know damn well it’s unneccessary. Most of these people don’t even do any type of work that would even require the use of such a massive vehicle.. They just like how monstrous it looks. Gluttony at its finest.. Granted I don’t have a hybrid vehicle but I at least went for a fuel effecient car (Honda).

I love my truck. Last fall when we tossed around trading her in for a better gas mileage vehicle I cried because I couldn't imagine life without her. Really, its pathetic I know, I cried. I plan on keeping her forever and eventually getting a little 4 seater convertible with manual transmission to keep her company. But, I have to wonder if the poor girl is jinxed!

Forget sports utility vehicles–what you need is a “sports tank.”

That’s what the producers of Batman Begins call the Caped Crusader’s new ride, a repurposed military vehicle that can leap buildings and go from 0 to 60 in five seconds. Built by the Applied Sciences division of Wayne Enterprises, the “Tumbler” is meant to move soldiers through hostile territory–which explains the armor plating, jet engine and front-mounted dual .50-caliber machine guns.

It is not necessary to repeat how high oil prices can throw any business model in disarray. There is no part of the economy that is left untouched by energy prices, and except for the energy value chain participant, it is detrimental to almost everyone. Just read how General Motors is in serious trouble now that not many people can afford large SUV’s.

I was walking down the street today and heard this:

Dude. Why hasn't Ferrari or Lamborgini made an SUV? That would be the best selling SUV ever!

I'm starting to get into the mode of looking for a new car. My car is now 8 years old with 160K miles on it. It's a decent car and I'm sure I could get another 100K out of it easily, but I have to admit that cars are a weakness of mine.

I can delay big financial purchases easily, but with cars, it's a different matter.

I was looking at the Acura MDX and the Lexus 330, but the idea of paying $40K for an Isuzu Rodeo or $40K for a nice looking, but small, SUV didn't sit too well with me. Besides, it's the Toyota Highlander.

It irks me that the luxury cars provided by the Japanese car makers are plushed out versions of their more pedestrian line.

Aki Tsukioka, writing for JCNN, reported that Toyota Motor announced on March 22 the nationwide launch of two new hybrid sports utility vehicles (SUVs), the Harrier Hybrid and the Kluger Hybrid. Both models are equipped with Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II), a high-power system newly developed around the concept of Hybrid Synergy Drive that represents the fusion of ecology and power.

Rising U.S. gasoline prices are hurting sales of large sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, according to some industry analysts, a trend that could stall a major engine of profits for Detroit’s automakers.

The gas-thirsty, full-sized SUV segment lost 1.2 percentage points of U.S. market share over the last two months and large pickups were down about 2 percentage points, according to Edmunds.com, which tracks the industry. Fuel-efficient compact cars, on the other hand, gained 2.2 percentage points of market share in the same period.

Peyman said weather forecasts for snow to continue Saturday morning will have plowing continuing today. The weekend work will result in the department employees being paid overtime wages and increasing the department's snowplowing costs this winter.

Heavy snowfall discourages people from traveling, but not as many as it used to, Peyman noted.

"People don't want to stay at home, even when roads are bad," he said. "People have four-wheel-drive vehicles and sports utility vehicles and they think they can get anywhere."

Owners of gas-guzzling sports utility vehicles will see the top rate of vehicle excise duty for petrol-driven cars rise from £160 to £165. But smaller family cars, hatchbacks and minis which emit less than 166g of carbon dioxide per kilometre will avoid any rise.

Environmentalists said the government had thrown away a chance to punish the owners of so-called "Chelsea tanks" further. Friends of the Earth has advocated a top rate of vehicle excise duty of £500.

What are they smoking in the Renaissance Centre these days? Perhaps Dutch-based Kroymans – the Hummer distributor for Europe - has sent over some good stuff recently. To many Europeans the Hummer is a complete non-starter, almost offensive in its profligate use of resources (reports say the H3 out next year, could get up to 20 mpg – how’s that for frugality?) and its obvious military associations. And then there is the simple fact that it is uncomfortably wide for European roads.

Detroit is where it’s at for car industry types, at least until January 23, when the North American International Auto Show ends. (It’s open to the public, fyi.) That’s where, a few days ago, General Motor unveiled its beefiest, newest hydrogen concept vehicle, the Sequel, which can travel 300 miles on its fuel supply, about 50 miles better than the current competition. Oh--and it's about the size of a Cadillac SRX. (that's like, huge, okay?) The Sequel accelerates from 0-60 in 10 seconds—the fastest fuel cell yet. Quick as it is, it won’t make it to market that speedily—apparently fuel efficiency still doesn’t equal cost efficiency, at least not from a production standpoint. It’ll be at least five years (and lots of legislation) until these babies hit the showroom.

No one should have the impression that this is nothing but a re-ornamented TrailBlazer — especially after driving it. I can assure you we made certain the 9-7X both looks and acts like a Saab, with plenty of mechanical changes as well as cosmetic ones.

Although produced in Moraine, Ohio, along with TrailBlazers, Envoys, Rainiers and Ascenders, the 9-7X is by far the most differentiated, with special focus on making it an authentic driver’s vehicle.

The 9-7X underwent extensive suspension modifications to give it a more responsive, “European” feel. It has stiffer springs and bushings, a larger front stabilizer bar, and revised shock valving, all of which required beefing up the frame and control arms to handle the increased loads. A quicker 18.5:1 steering gear reduces steering friction, and increases on-center feel. We also stiffened the front part of the frame with additional braces to boost steering response. High-speed stability was enhanced by a limited slip differential, coupled with Saab-specific 18-inch tires and suspension tuning, which included lowering the vehicle one inch. Larger diameter ventilated disc brakes in the front provide better brake pedal feedback.

The Neva must have been specifically designed for Central Asia's bad roads and dreadful climate. It looks like a cross between a Yugo and a Subaru, but is three times tougher than both and much classier. Most have 4WD. Ours doesn't because someone removed it, but for $40, we can have it put back in. My friend owned it and took it all over the place without 4WD, finding it completely satisfactory.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of most Soviet-made cars is their lack of distinguishing characteristics. It doesn't matter if a model was made in 1976 or 1997 -- design differences are apparent only to the trained eye. Lada Nevas, especially, seem to come in one color only -- white -- and every single one looks the same.

What is the fastest SUV? Who's putting the "Sports" in "Sports Utility Vehicle"? This thread tries to answer the question.

SteveKerr
07-14-2003, 11:24 PM
I bet my firend 10 bucks that hte new porsche turbo Cayenne is the fastest SUV right now, is that true? He says the INfiniti FX35 is.. Is there any website where I can prove him wrong and me right? or am I stupid for makin the bet?

JewPac42
07-14-2003, 11:25 PM
Your friend is a fool. You should point out the FX35 isnt the fastest cuz Infiniti makes an FX45. But yes, the Cheyanne Turbo is the fastest SUV right now. Go to www.Caranddriver.com and check out the vehicle stats.

NeoGeo
07-14-2003, 11:28 PM
Does This (http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=26&article_id=6860) count?

ButtDyno
07-14-2003, 11:30 PM
Originally posted by SteveKerr
I bet my firend 10 bucks that hte new porsche turbo Cayenne is the fastest SUV right now, is that true? He says the INfiniti FX35 is.. Is there any website where I can prove him wrong and me right? or am I stupid for makin the bet?
Stock?

MightyWRX02
07-14-2003, 11:32 PM
The Forester Turbo is fast4r!