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

[pauldun170]

When we had trucks we bought them because "we just wanted em"

Izuzu Rodeo - Wife just wanted a truck. Of course we'd use our Ski Trips up to Killington Vermont "We need it to get up the mountain...."

Total bullshit. We got up that same mountain in her old 85 Accord and my old MX-6. In the mountain cottage driveway, there were the usual suspects...a 90's Cavalier, Civic whatever generic fwd shitbox friends had. (Actually, the first year we brought the truck up the tire froze off the rim. We were stuck changing a tire while our friends in the Cavalier went to the lifts.)

As for the Bronco II I had. I picked it up because it was a great little vehicle. Perfect dimensions and layout. A fun little ride with the 2.9 and 5spd.
If only the engine didn't develop clogged arteries (while on loan to my stepfather) I would still have it.

[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.

[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.

[Flexin]

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.

AWD does help with hydroplaning. At least it did in the downpour I was in coming back from the cottage. My tires were getting bad and it was hydroplaning bad. I feel the AWD had a big part in keeping it out of the ditch.

Of course the most important thing is tires. With proper tires your pretty good in most cars.

James

[Sean]

http://www.aolsvc.merriam-webster.ao...tionary/poseur

[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.

[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.

[Flexin]

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.

But why do you make it about SUV's and trucks? There are some people that will buy a Prius that might have needed/wanted a truck just because of peer pressure.

Some people will look at someone in an econo box and think that they are great people for not buying a big gas guzzling truck. But some of this people (because of location and so on) could have took the bus everyday.

Its not just Suv/truck owners that buy more then they really need.

James

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by Flexin

But why do you make it about SUV's and trucks? There are some people that will buy a Prius that might have needed/wanted a truck just because of peer pressure.

Some people will look at someone in an econo box and think that they are great people for not buying a big gas guzzling truck. But some of this people (because of location and so on) could have took the bus everyday.

Its not just Suv/truck owners that buy more then they really need.

James

But we're talking degrees here. Sure, an econobox owner could have taken the bus. But so could the truck owner. So in that situation the truck owner bought even more than he needed than the econobox owner did.

The funny thing is that a lot of these SUVs actually have LESS room inside than a good car.

People say what if I have to go to Costco, well there are plenty of 5-door cars with foldable rear seats that have TONS of room to put stuff, and they get better milieage, are lighter weight, and have lower center of gravity for better handling.

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

But we're talking degrees here. Sure, an econobox owner could have taken the bus. But so could the truck owner. So in that situation the truck owner bought even more than he needed than the econobox owner did.

The funny thing is that a lot of these SUVs actually have LESS room inside than a good car.

People say what if I have to go to Costco, well there are plenty of 5-door cars with foldable rear seats that have TONS of room to put stuff, and they get better milieage, are lighter weight, and have lower center of gravity for better handling.

Yes your right. But not everyone is looking for that. And around here there are some bad pot holes after winter and you can't avoid them all. The larger tires of the truck normally make out better.

James