| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| RachelLeigh |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 2:15:23 PM
(I couldn't find the most appropriate place for this discussion so I'm putting it here.)
I've always tried to be responsible in that I drive a car with a small engine that gets good gas mileage (26-34/gallon depending.) I would love to have a hybrid and would always look upon SUV/big truck drivers as being boastful or ridiculous. AND THEN we bought a 16" travel trailer, which cannot be pulled with either my Kia Spectra or my husband's Chrysler Sebring. As a result, we had to buy a vehicle to tow it. We settled on a 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada with a V-6 4.3L engine. I wasn't sure how I felt about it and now, two months later, I'm forced to admit that I love driving the gas guzzling monster! It gets between 13-17 mpg on a good day - that's terrible! And on the weekends, I LOVE to drive it! I leave my car in the garage and take off in the SUV. I sit up so high that I can see better and I feel like I could run over anything that got in my way or perhaps help fish a poor wayward family out of a ditch if I had to. My problem is: How do I reconcile the environmentally-aware person with the newly discovered SUV lover inside me? It's terrible! We don't drive the SUV except on weekends and then only for trips near our home. But still.....how can something so bad feel so good?????
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LouisvilleMom |
Posted - Dec 19 2008 : 08:18:07 AM
I will have to do a post about it. My dh loves to show what he built. One of our neighbors asked if we were building a rocket! It looks like one. We have been very happy with it so far. Please pm or email me if you want some info and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.
SAHM mom to four great boys.
http://ksfarnsworth.blogspot.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 5:21:22 PM
Kathryn, that's great! You'll have to tell us more. I'd love to hear how you do this. I have been wanting to convert to the used cooking oil motor. Do people still do that? I think it's a good idea anyway. Use up all that grease.
Kris |
| LouisvilleMom |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 12:29:00 PM
I have a Ford Excursion. I call it "The Beast". It is classified as a truck instead of an SUV. I think I could fit my minivan in the back. It only gets 13 MPG and is a diesel BUT we just started producing our own biodisel from used oil so I don't feel guilty anymore.
SAHM mom to four great boys.
http://ksfarnsworth.blogspot.com/ |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Dec 08 2008 : 1:10:33 PM
I think admitting that driving your gas guzzler is a guilty pleasure is half the battle. Like others have said, you use it for a specific purpose. No need to feel bad about that, if the purpose is worthy. If you enjoy driving it, all the better.
I don't have an SUV, but I do love driving my 1974 Plymouth Satellite. There's something intoxicating about a big, powerful car.
Note of caution though: I don't think you are really as safe as you feel in an SUV. I see them rolled over in ditches all the time (just along the normal highway, on rainy or snowy days). You still have to drive carefully, and be considerate of other drivers. People in tiny cars (like my everyday Geo Metro!) really appreciate it! |
| clux64 |
Posted - Dec 08 2008 : 10:47:43 AM
Hello, my name is Celeste, and I'm an SUV-acholic....I can't help it. I just love those big, powerful monsters, I love that I can get down my dirt road on the slippy, muddy days without rolling off the edge, I can haul all the stuff my farm requires, and I can do my once a month bulk shopping and fit it all in the SUV along with both kids and sometimes a friend or two. I do conserve in other ways, and my carbon footprint is far less than the average household our size do to our conservation efforts, but the SUV is a guilty pleasure I try no to think about. If I was a better person, I would have an old work truck for 'haulin' and drive a hy-brid for other days (I actually don't leave the farm much to conserve on fuel costs), but I don't. My dream is a bio-diesel powered mercedes wagon, I think that will be my next vehicle, but for now I'm the captain of the 'ol Commander and (secretly) lovin it!
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are"
--Confucious
www.urbanprairiehome.blogspot.com
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| RachelLeigh |
Posted - Dec 08 2008 : 09:27:17 AM
Well I appreciate all the input. At least I'm not alone! I do love driving it and it will definitely be nice when we finally get our camper remodeled and get to take it out!
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Dec 08 2008 : 08:55:23 AM
Hey Rachel - only you know why you bought the SUV and it wasn't to show off or to keep up with the neighbors. It was for a legitimate need and it sounds like you're being responsible in how and when you drive it. For the most part I've always driven a Suburban. I'm on my third one and I have struggled with the same things you are. Plus I've had people ask me why I drive it if I only have one child. Around us they have become status symbols, but for me it's a necessesity. DD shows livestock and our first trailer weighed 3000 pounds empty. Our new one weighs about 1600. Only a truck or an SUV will pull it and when you compare the gas milesge of trucks and SUV's there's not much difference. Plus the SUV gives me lots of protected inside space.
My advice - have fun with it. It will be the best vehicle you've ever had. |
| Sitnalta |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 8:00:19 PM
I drive a Ford Explorer too. We had a little Hyundai Accent, but I always felt like we were riding on the ground. The Honda Accord I had before that someone back up right onto our hood. I'd rather sacrifice and pay the gas than feel like I could be smooshed like a bug at any old time someone backed up! :)lol
HUGS
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
| Firemama |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 4:13:26 PM
When I had my ford explorer I got totalled-flipped-stuck upside down in my vehicle. HOWEVER if I were in anything smaller I would have been killed. It was a gas guzzler,but my safety and the safety of my kids whom were also stuck in their seats is FAR more important to me, than how much money/gas my vehicle uses. For a year after that I drove a car, I now have my car and a truck, since I dont drive as much dh drives the truck, and I thank goodness that he is safe on the freeway..
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
People can only make you feel inferior with your permission, and you dont have my permission......
Dont let the chain of love end with you.....
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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| RachelLeigh |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 3:21:39 PM
You're right, Kris - there are definitely other things I can do to feel responsible. When we lived in Louisville, we were about 1/2 mile from EVERYTHING. Now, if we want something besides what they sell at our town market (The Dinner Bell), We have to drive at least 10 miles to get anywhere. But it is so helpful to haul stuff and to pull the camper with that big vehicle. I've been tempted to drive it to work but fight that urge because I really don't need to do that! It's Sunday night now and I haven't even seen my Kia since Friday when I parked it in the garage. I'll get it out in the morning. Bright spot I guess - I'm saving mileage on my Kia! :) And you're right about the go-cart thing....when I get in my Kia after driving the Bravada for a few days, I feel like my butt is dragging the ground!!
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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| vermont v |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 3:18:52 PM
A few years ago we were T- boned in my 1989 Buick century by a 16 year old talking on a cell phone. I was thankful that I was in a full sized car made of metal!I think safety is the the most important aspect of picking a car. Apparently now there are worries about hybrids emitting harmful EMFs and are recommending that child not spend long times in the backseats of the hybrid vehicles. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 3:03:49 PM
Rachel, I drive an Isuzu Trooper. It gets about 18 mpg and I live 30 miles from anywhere. I could not get along without it. I haul animals (chickens, turkeys, ducks, pigs, sheep (3 ewes and a ram at one time!) goats, dogs, cats and 4 calves so far.) I've gotten up to 1500 lbs of grain, maybe more, in it. I've had 4 bales of hay in it. I wish it had 3 rows of seats. That's THE only thing I don't like about that Trooper, it only can seat 5 people. All this to say I could not live without the bigness of it. Plus the fact I do feel safe in it, too.
I drove my DD's Kia to Col. a few months ago. I felt like I was in a go-cart. Couldn't see anything in front of me.
But I do recycle everything I can. I do not waste anything. I do my best to conserve energy by keeping my thermostat down and wear sweaters alot inside.
So there are all sorts of other areas that you can make up for the fuel it uses. Don't feel bad. Plus, gas here is $1.53 a gal. now!! I am taking advantage of it. Before I'd only go to town 2 times a week. I think I've been 5 times this week alone. But I have had my heater turned off today!
And you still have your little Kia. I want to get another VW for going to town in when it's just me.
Kris |
| RachelLeigh |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 3:02:38 PM
You're right - the safety factor is huge. And I do love the leg room! It was a lot easier going to a craft show this year - just loaded everything in the back and still had plenty of room. Maybe someday I'll get an SUV hybrid to make me feel less guilty. I'm definitely glad gas is only $1.60 a gallon now but I don't expect it to last.
FARMGIRL SISTER #127
My sites:
Backwoods Junction: http://www.backwoodsjunction.com
The Catholic Wife: http://www.thecatholicwife.com
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| catscharm74 |
Posted - Dec 07 2008 : 2:44:22 PM
Rachel- we drive a Ford Expedition and a Dodge Ram 4 door and I wouldn't change that for the world. I almost got T-Boned in my Jeep and had Charlie with me. I was FRANTIC and nervous after that day. I feel safer and people tend not to cut off a bigger vehicle. Just my way of thinking. I do budget for gas and I keep driving low. It is all give and take!!! I also live in my vehicle, between school, daycare, work and errands, I keep my life in there and love the room. The leg room for both of us is awesome (I am 5' 8" and DH is 6' 5").
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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