R.I.P. General Motors (1931-2006)

Please explain to us how you know what buys 'need?' What is better taking
ones family and all of their stuff in one seven passenger SUV, or using two
small cars to get to the same destination? I believe you are simply
confused, around 55% of the new vehicles sold in the US are light trucks and
SUVs. The greatest percentage of Toyotas Motors (Sales) increased sales
over the past five years has been in light trucks, including SUVs not cars.
They know what buyer want today, as well. Camry sales were actually at
their highest in 2004.


mike hunt

 

Common sense and reality are not Mikey's strong points.

 

If you'll note, I said it was my opinion. An opinion means it's
mine, and not necessarily yours. It also means it's not stated as a
fact.

I've raised two sons with all the associated sports, schools, etc
without the "need" for an SUV or mini-van. That fact is what I base
my opinion on. Everyone is free to choose what they want as well.

I believe you are simply

The fact that 55% of the US population (I assume you're correct --
although around here, it looks to be an even higher percentage) buys
trucks, and SUV's does not change my OPINION that many of those
purchasing them don't need them. It also does not change my opinion
that the higher gas prices will reduce that number substantially --
further eroding the big three's market shares.

BTW, the fact that our opinions don't match does not indicate that I
am confused.

 

You noticed that too?

 

I suspect that if fuel prices continue to climb, the used-car
market will get to be sufficiently saturated with SUVs that the
things will become real bargains to acquire. They'll become
affordable to people who'd like to have them as actual utility
or occasional-use vehicles (like, say, for ski trips or runs to
Ikea), as opposed to daily drivers. I certainly wouldn't mind
having one for that sort of use.



Geoff

 

I would never ague with a persons opinion, you certainly entitled to your
own opinion, but GM SUV sales were up for the first quarter, not down.
Toyotas newest vehicles are SUVs as well. I was only asking how you knew
people that own SUVs do not really need them when you said;

I agree with you if you don't need an SUV don't buy one. I don't, I prefer
and own large and sporty cars with V8 engines myself. If you had two or
three MORE children you may have 'NEEDED' an SUV, but that is just my
opinion. When I was young I had five children and we had to take our two
1947 Plymouths whenever we all went somewhere. My oldest son had five
children as well and he could have used an SUV but SUVs were not on the
market in the sixties. He had to buy a conversion van.

Today my one granddaughter has four children and owns one of those 57K seven
passenger SUVs. When they go on a trip she even has to put on a roof
carrier to take the six of them and all their 'stuff.' You may think SUV
drivers care that much about the price of fuel, however take notice how many
you see in gas stations that have a higher price posted than one across the
street. Personally I drive into the one with the shortest line,
preferably one that charges more per gallon to pump the gas for me.

Seems to me the people that are hardest hit by rising price, gas or
whatever, are those that can only afford to buy used cars or small cars,
not those that buy new expensive vehicles.

What I find strange are those that are inside the connivance store
complaining to the lowly clerk about the $40 it cost them to fill the tank
in their Corolla with premium gas, then walk our with a twelve pack of
bottled water and a carton of cigarettes that cost them $50. LOL


mike hunt

 

I don't KNOW it. It's my opinion. It's a pretty strong one, but
it's still an opinion. Now, I base that opinion on many
observations. One of them is that I somewhat rarely see anyone
actually use the space or the off-road capabilities -- except for
contractors, etc. I also see an awful lot of them running around
with only one person in them. That's not an SUV-only phenomenon,
but at least with a smaller vehicle you're not eating so much gas.
Again, these are only my opinions.

I only had two children so I can't say for sure that I wouldn't need
an SUV with three, but my opinion is that I still wouldn't get one.

I'd agree that five children would be a problem with a 'standard'
vehicle. Depending on your beliefs, five children is a choice too.

My car requires premium so I am not overly concerned (obviously)
about getting the cheapest fuel.

Everyone makes their own choices based on what they want or need.
Sometimes, those would not be my choices but them we get more to
talk about.

 

That statement makes me wonder even more why you said; >>> I'm saying that
SUV's are not really needed by many who have them ... when over half the
buyer in the US are choosing the light trucks and SUVs want or need, if that
is your opinion?

 

This isn't really that difficult a concept to grasp. I'm saying
they don't NEED SUV's. They may WANT them. They may buy lots of
them. But they don't NEED them. (Of course, that's my opinion.)

OK?

 

You would have saved a lot of trouble, if you would have said, in my
opinion, I think, or I believe, anything that would indicated it was your
opinion rather than expecting anybody to believe that you actually know that
most people do not need SUVs. That was why I asked the question how do you
know most people do not need SUVs?


mike hunt

 

I think you need to reread what I wrote.

 

He said it was his opinion before he even stated it. But I think it
is a fact. Most of the people who drive the big SUVs would be better
served by a more efficient vehicle, like a minivan. About 80% of the
big SUVs driving around are performing missions which could be
accomplished by a subcompact.

 

Actually your granddaughter would be better served with a minivan than
an SUV. More room inside and better gas mileage.

Too me the SUVs are the Country Squire station wagons. When the next
trend comes along the public will wonder why they drove SUVs. Remember
the "personal luxury cars of the 70's?

Minivans were just as "cool" when they came out and all but killed the
standard station wagon which was uncool.

 

That my be your opinion, but the people that are choosing to buy SUVs
obviously do not agree with your opinion.

mike hunt

 

You mean this; >>> I'm saying that SUV's are not really needed by many who
have them ...?


mike hunt

 

Mike,
My niece and her husband have only one child. They have a SUV. If you saw
them in their SUV, it would be easy to assume that they should own a car
or mini-van instead of the SUV. However, their home is located about one
mile from the state road. They have to drive on a dirt road and across a
bridge in order to get to their home. In the winter and during rain
storms--the dirt road becomes muddy and the bridge becomes very slick. You
should NOT assume that SUV's are not really needed by many who have them.
I am certain that MOST of the people that own SUVs have excellent reasons
for owning an SUV instead of a van or car. This is NOT a communist
country. People have rights to buy almost any type of vehicle they want to
buy.
Jason

 

I would not assume anything, I agree, the buyer is the only one who know
what the need. That is why I asked the question, 'how do you know the do
not need them' when the post said, >>> I'm saying that SUV's are not really
needed by many who have them ...?

 

I sure did say that it was my opinion. Thanks for noticing

Mike seems to think that since many people purchase SUV's --
indicating that they WANT and LIKE SUV's -- it also indicates that
they NEED them.

 

Yes, but you cut out the many times I said that it was my opinion.

 

I didn't say they couldn't buy whatever they want to for whatever
reasons they can come up with. I stated my opinion. You seem to
disagree. That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion just like I
am. But please don't bring up Communism.