"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Bert Robbins" wrote in message
. ..

You keep making judgments about the appropriateness of vehicles for
people, why? Last time I checked I had the freedom to purchase any
vehicle I want. If I want a big gas sucking pig of a vehicle what
business is it of yours? It is my money?

You keep responding this way. Why? Nobody except you has suggested that
when Ford produces a leaner SUV, you will be unable to buy the original
variety. If you disagree, please provide quotes or other evidence of
where I've said this. I suspect you have problems when I say most people
don't need the truck capabilities, but in fact, it is true.

This country is not based upon needs, it is based upon wants and desires.


Have you ever known anyone for whom an SUV seemed all wrong, and asked
them why they bought one? I have. Their wants and desires are simple,
usually: They want a boxy vehicle that's higher off the ground because
they feel it's safer in collisions. It probably is. And, they want more
luggage space. Not seating. Luggage space. (Uncovered luggage is actually
dangerous, but never mind that for the moment.

No, I haven't asked any vehicle owner that wasn't a family member or close
personoal friend why they own a particular vehicle.

Make a presumption as to whether or not a vehicle is appropriate to someone
based upon seeing them once is ridiculous and idiotic.

These people do not fantasize about driving over rocks and through
streams, like you see in the commercials. They would not know the
difference between a 4WD 8-cylinder SUV and a 2WD 6 cylinder model. They
just want their boxy up-off-the-ground car. They can have that wish, in a
vehicle that uses less fuel.

Your powers of calirvoiance are amazing. The State Departmet, CIA and DOD
might be interested in hiring you.

As far as needs, an awful lot of people are apparently realizing that SUVs
did not meet their needs, and in return for this disappointment they were
paying outrageous fuel bills. Around here, they're lined up by the dozens
at used car lots. A buddy of mine works for one of the larger Chevy
dealers here. He says these SUVs are not lease returns - they're mostly
trades for smaller cars.

Never leased a car and never will. I buy new and keep them for a long time.
The shortest period I have owned a vehicle is four years and the average is
somewhere around eight years. The last two vehicles that we got rid of were
a large sedan and a 1/2 ton truck, both donated to charity, the sedan was 8
years old when we donated it and the truck was 7 years old. I currently own
a full size truck and a mini-van, the truck is 6 years old and the mini-van
is 10 years old.

Apparently, the public is more able to make good decisions than you give
them credit for.

The public, in general, moves with the wind. The public buys a new car every
two to three years and finances it for anywhere from five to seven years.
You should be chastising them about their irresponsible handling of money.