Proof of the "trendiness" of trucks/SUVs....

[squidward]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

People are free to buy what they want, and should be. I just think a lot of people's choices were heavily influenced by peer pressure & advertising.

Of course it is. Advertising exists because it works. People learn of products through advertising or through their peers and if those products appeal to them on some level they are likely to buy them. It's a pretty simple concept that holds true for all kinds of product choices, not just SUVs/pickups.

[z06boy]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

So there we have it.

Two grown men...
Posting from the office....
Typing on a computer...
Saying "HAH!" at the monitor.

Basically

[squidward]

Originally Posted by azoomm

Hi there!

Some things never change.... didn't you know that?

So it would seem.

[z06boy]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

I could see 4WD helping when trying to accelerate up a wet hill.......But when you are just cruising on a wet highway I don't see how it helps. Hydroplaning is the issue there.

Slowing down and antilock brakes help more.

Accelerating on a wet surface is easier with 4wd high...like at a stop light and you need to get in front of another vehicle plus going around a curve in wet conditions it will also assist should you loose traction at all.

Hydorplaning is hydroplaning regardless of 2wd or 4wd agreed however if you were to hydroplane it is easier to regain control should you loose it if you have it in 4wd high imho as long as you don't lock the brakes up of course.

It helps with changing lanes on a wet surface should the sensors detect ANY spin/slippage at all.

I never said it was a cure all but to say it doesn't help at all or is laughable is flat out wrong.

[unknownroad]

Yeah, if i had to do it over again, i would have spent the extra money to get 4wd on my Dodge... Boat ramps can be slippery as shit with algea, seaweed, and all the crap that washes up on them. I've also gotten stuck in the sand, which was really aggravating.

[HurricaneHeather]

I can't believe I just read this thread. How bored am I?

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Well of course it isn't. But if I buy a liter bike instead of a 50cc, at least I will get the benefit of having better acceleration at every single stoplight or on-ramp. On the other hand, if I live in a snow-free state and never go offroad, how often will I benefit from having 4WD/AWD? What's the point of wanting something unless you get benefits from it?

My guess is, a lot of soccer moms assume they need 4WD or AWD just to make it home on a rainy night (going 35 mph). Especially here in Cali......People freak out when it sprinkles.

The scooter and the liter bike can do the same thing if you get basic with it. Some love the power of the biker bike. The power brings speed and thrill. There are some people that like to have the little scooter to zip around on. They like being able to fill it up with change found on the ground and being able to put their helmet under the seat.

People buy a vehicle for transportation, what type they buy will depend on what they can afford/want to spend and/or what they enjoy. Some people enjoy driving a truck. They like being in a high up or having the bed to haul. They might enjoy being able to tow heavier trailers and so on.

The reason why someone buys a vehicle only really matters to the guys making the tv ads.

Why by a Corrolla if you only have one friend? A Smart car will do the job.

People buy for their enjoyment, not yours. Thats one thing you forget.

James

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

I never have.
All I need are all season tires and FWD for the winter.

I hate all season tires. I swore I would never drive a winter with them again after my first car. I remember working the gas and clutch climbing a snow covered hill in traffic. There was no turning around because of the row of cars behind me. It was hell. I made it but I had to work for it. That was enough of that. I borrowed money from my stepfather and bought a nice set of winters. I was sold at that point.

When I bought my truck it had new all seasons. They told me that the tires would be good for the first winter then I would need winters after they wore down a bit. My truck was rwd and it would kick the ass out for no reason at all. Yes if you jumped on the gas it would come around but I'm talking about maintaining your speed it would be fine then just kick out for no reason. I went in and put on four winters and I never had a problem again.

Last year was my first year with AWD and winter tires. I love it. I was doing some snow removal last year and I wouldn't have made it to work on a few of those days without the AWD and winter tires.

James

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by z06boy

Oh I'm with ya on that. My post wasn't directed at you. The area I live in has alot of soccer moms rolling around talking on the cellphone with kids in the back in Escalades...Navigators...Hummers...Armadas...and so on. You should see them in the parking lots trying to navigate without hitting anything or killing anyone.

That's one thing I don't like about the area.

That has nothing to do with the suv. I used to work at Costco and last going off I worked in the lot. I seen people with econo boxes that couldn't drive. Some drove like they had 40 ft trailers behind them. Some people just suck at driving.

James

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

I see it all the time. TV ads showing women driving home on a rainy night, making their way thru a construction zone (like as if that's difficult).......And if the commerical is really good, a tree limb will fall in front of her.

It's a war zone out there!! You need AWD and a high seat to make it home alive!!

I have had a few days like the tv ads. Construction site with something blocking part of the road. I could get around and over while others had to wait. I was also able to climb curbs to get to an empty lane (which I could also do in my 2wd truck because it didn't sit low like a car) and I have also been able to park at the back of a construction site because of the suv. The muddy lot wasn't much of and issue in the suv but a car would have taken a beating if it made it at all.

James