Hummers

[4X4]

Fotze's post in the suicide thread reminded me of an occurrance from last week. I was going to the Timmys drive thru in Avenida, caoming around the corner in the parking lot. I was reasonably far to the right, but not far enough for a dude in his hummer to escape the parking lot. I had to stop, back up, pull all the way over so that this guy could get out to the way to teh drive thru.

No big deal really, but the amusing part was that he had the thing lowered & had something like 24" low-pro tires with spinner rims on it.

A hummer. Lowered.


OK, my 2 cents is taht if you think you need a hummer because you need to be able to climb a mountain at any given time, go ahead. I think you've got small man syndrome, but go ahead.
Lowering a behemoth vehicle that is specifically designed for off road use is going too far, and basically saying to the world that you've only bought this vehicle to show off, not because you may need to climb a mountain.

The strangest thing about this situation was that the guy was about 50 years old, white, wearing a collared white shirt and generally not the pimp-type individual you'd expect to see in a lowered vehicle. Dude looked like my dad FFS. My dad drives a buick regal.


I'm a 4x4 nut (hence the moniker), but you wouldn't catch me driving one of those things. Nope, those things are not for 4x4ing. They are for rich people to drive around the city. Just like BMW & Mercedes & Acura SUVs, Land Rovers, Suburbans, Toyota Highlanders, Ford Expidetions and usually Yukons Denali's.

(My apologies to anyone that drives any of those vehicles & has actually taken it 4x4ing)

[habernac]

those vehicles, when used for what they were built for are absolutely amazing. I've seen them in action down near Moab, Utah and they really can get over just about anything. Anyone driving one around town just because of the status it affords is a tool. I bet my Camry has seen more "off road" than most of the H2's out there.

[FireFly]

Most vehicles these days are bought for the bling factor though, and usefulness is thought about as a secondary reason.

Here's a question for you then, 4x... what about men who buy trucks with 4x capability, and add on huge tires, and jack them up? Thats just about as useless, isn't it? Unless you're driving over small trees, it really isn't useful for 4xing, not to mention the increased gas usage, and additional bumpiness of the ride. Better suspension my ass, it just gives it a smoother, bigger bounce.

[4X4]

Originally posted by FireFly@Jul 11 2005, 10:53 AM
Most vehicles these days are bought for the bling factor though, and usefulness is thought about as a secondary reason.

Here's a question for you then, 4x... what about men who buy trucks with 4x capability, and add on huge tires, and jack them up? Thats just about as useless, isn't it? Unless you're driving over small trees, it really isn't useful for 4xing, not to mention the increased gas usage, and additional bumpiness of the ride. Better suspension my ass, it just gives it a smoother, bigger bounce.

Most of those guys actually indulge in the great past time that is 4x4ing. You'd be surprised at how many people are into this thing. Check out 4wheeler.ca if you want an idea.

Sure there are guys who feel cool just because they can look down ladie's shirts while sitting in traffic, but like I said, most of them are into the hobby. Some of them cannot afford two vehicles or insurance on two vehicles & have to drive their rig on a day to day basis. Alot of guys have regular cars or light trucks that they use for city commute & use their 4x4s on the weekend. Guys like me have to settle for a median between both worlds. Just a regular SUV (late model Jimmy) with normal sized tires with an aggressive mud terrain pattern, some better suspension, and $15 carwashes every Sunday. I can have fun on the weekend & look professional during the week. Unfortunately, I can't go as far down the trails as the guys with the 44" tires, but I can get a woman in my rig without getting an earful.

[FireFly]

That's nice, but is it necessary, or even practical?

[Frank the Tank]

Hummers are truly the most ridiculous vehicle on the road. Its military purpose is fine, but for living in the burbs? Ridiculous.

[4X4]

Originally posted by FireFly@Jul 11 2005, 11:06 AM
That's nice, but is it necessary, or even practical?

What's nice? That people have a hobby? I agree, its nice.

Whether its practical or necessary is open to your own interpretation. Maybe you don't find trail riding fun, but maybe you have a hobby that other people don't find fun either. My g/f knits while watching tv. The only reason I'd ever have one of those needles in my hand is to scratch my back. Doesn't mean her hobby is unnecessary, or impractical.

[4X4]

Originally posted by Frank the Tank@Jul 11 2005, 11:06 AM
Hummers are truly the most ridiculous vehicle on the road. Its military purpose is fine, but for living in the burbs? Ridiculous.

But wait! You are forgetting about all the construction in the burbs these days. Maybe a Hummer IS necessary to navigate those muddy side roads, not to mention the potholes.


I wonder if those Hummers can get over the bus traps. I bet thats why they own them.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Since when did most people buy vehicles for practicality anyway?
I agree that big vehicles can be annoying because they get in the way.
but if you're gonna complain about hummers because they're not being used for military use, you can complain about almost every vehicle on the road.
Anyone who has a sports car and doesn't go racing, anyone who has a truck and doesn't lug around huge loads. It's all the same IMO.
Alot of people buy cars for show, and that's the market for Hummers.

[FireFly]

Originally posted by 4X4+Jul 11 2005, 12:13 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (4X4 @ Jul 11 2005, 12:13 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-FireFly@Jul 11 2005, 11:06 AM
That's nice, but is it necessary, or even practical?

What's nice? That people have a hobby? I agree, its nice.

Whether its practical or necessary is open to your own interpretation. Maybe you don't find trail riding fun, but maybe you have a hobby that other people don't find fun either. My g/f knits while watching tv. The only reason I'd ever have one of those needles in my hand is to scratch my back. Doesn't mean her hobby is unnecessary, or impractical. [/b][/quote]
Trail riding is fun, I'm all over that. I'd much rather be out 4xing than knitting, that's for sure.

It's nice that they have a hobby, yes, and it's nice that they can look down girls shirts because of their tires. I'm sure other guys would also say it's nice that when they watch women get into these vehicles, it's nice to be able to look up their skirts. It's nice that these are their only vehicles, but perhaps if they lowered them again, they'd save so much on gas they could afford a second vehicle? Not to mention the increased maintainance as those suspension systems are expensive, as well as the tires, although I'm sure they last a long time.

My question is if jacking up your vehicle is necessary to 4x, which you've already said no to, as you do it in your Jimmy, or practical, which I've answered my own question by explaining how much more expensive it makes the vehicle to run and maintain.

So then, in other words, it's just as useless to jack up your 4x as it is to lower it. Although in lowering a 4x you lose the original purpose of the vehicle, in jacking it up, the gain is probably fairly minimal, (How much more can these guys 4x that you can't?) while the costs are great.

Regardless, I'm just purposely yanking your chain. The only beef I really have with jacked up 4xs is the cost of gas and pollution they create because of it. You can have just as much fun without doing it, why would you hurt your pocket book and the environment like that?

[arsenal]

The H2 and H3 are just glorified Suburbans anyway. You can still buy the H1, and that is the off-road vehicle. That would be the only Hummer I would buy. Mind you the $100,000 US price tag may keep it out of my hands for a while.
The other 2 are just for "show".

[Ironhorse]

Originally posted by 4X4@Jul 11 2005, 12:16 PM
I wonder if those Hummers can get over the bus traps. I bet thats why they own them.

I'll bet an H1 (original one) Hummer could. Those things are as wide as a bus...

The H2 is fairly useless, gets about 7-8 mpg in the city, and if I'm not mistaken, is based on the GM 2500 pickup chassis. GM bought the Hummer name from International, I think. Hardly a representation of the beast that was...

But hey, don't forget the "cool" factor

[habernac]

I wonder if those Hummers can get over the bus traps. I bet thats why they own them.

LOL! Is there anything more funny than the idiots who get stuck in the bus traps? I always point and laugh when I see one. There are two of them on my bike commute route. It never ceases to amaze me that people miss the gigantic signs that say "STOP". Rode by one guy who said "You gotta watch out, you get stuck in these things." My reply was "Yeah, you should have paid attention to the sign then, right?"

[Indi]

Originally posted by FireFly+Jul 11 2005, 06:25 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (FireFly @ Jul 11 2005, 06:25 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

What's nice? That people have a hobby? I agree, its nice.

Whether its practical or necessary is open to your own interpretation. Maybe you don't find trail riding fun, but maybe you have a hobby that other people don't find fun either. My g/f knits while watching tv. The only reason I'd ever have one of those needles in my hand is to scratch my back. Doesn't mean her hobby is unnecessary, or impractical.

Trail riding is fun, I'm all over that. I'd much rather be out 4xing than knitting, that's for sure.

It's nice that they have a hobby, yes, and it's nice that they can look down girls shirts because of their tires. I'm sure other guys would also say it's nice that when they watch women get into these vehicles, it's nice to be able to look up their skirts. It's nice that these are their only vehicles, but perhaps if they lowered them again, they'd save so much on gas they could afford a second vehicle? Not to mention the increased maintainance as those suspension systems are expensive, as well as the tires, although I'm sure they last a long time.

My question is if jacking up your vehicle is necessary to 4x, which you've already said no to, as you do it in your Jimmy, or practical, which I've answered my own question by explaining how much more expensive it makes the vehicle to run and maintain.

So then, in other words, it's just as useless to jack up your 4x as it is to lower it. Although in lowering a 4x you lose the original purpose of the vehicle, in jacking it up, the gain is probably fairly minimal, (How much more can these guys 4x that you can't?) while the costs are great.

Regardless, I'm just purposely yanking your chain. The only beef I really have with jacked up 4xs is the cost of gas and pollution they create because of it. You can have just as much fun without doing it, why would you hurt your pocket book and the environment like that? [/b][/quote]
"jacking it up" as you put it, or installing a lift kit is necessary to fit the bigger boots(tires). Tires are where you get your ground clearance, so for all those fools that hit the trails and mud bogs every weekend (like I used to), then yes, "jacking the truck up" is most definitely a necessity. Threre are other ways to fit a larger tire, such as cutting the fenders, installing a body lift etc....but the suspension lift is the absolute best way to go.

[CrzyCanuck]

I read that the average annual income for an H2 owner is around 150K.

[TARR]

Well image is mostly everything,

I buy my clothes because I like how they look, some people can afford to take that into the car they drive,

I'd hate to imagine what I' be wearing if practicality was 100% of my decision for what I do and wear..

I can get through bus traps in my standard pathfinder, I've also gone through in a jimmy, escalade, and 95 range rover.. they're not that big.. oh and a 90 something toyota truck

[soulchoice]

I personally have more things to think about than what other people choose to drive. I really could care less. If someone wants to drive a huge truck like a hummer, despite not going 4x4ing..who cares..thats his business.

I myself drive a larger suv, which is hard on gas, etc. I drive it cause I like the truck. Any other persons opinion on my auto of choice is irrelevent, which I am sure is the same for others whom drive, so called non practical autos as well. Although i do look forward to the day when someone makes a comment to me about it.

Never really understood why others seem so intent on worrying about what others do or dont do in there life. Cracks me up when people just can't mind their own business.....some just dont have anything else in their lives to occupy time i guess.

[Reaper]

Originally posted by soulchoice@Jul 12 2005, 04:17 AM
I personally have more things to think about than what other people choose to drive. I really could care less. If someone wants to drive a huge truck like a hummer, despite not going 4x4ing..who cares..thats his business.

I myself drive a larger suv, which is hard on gas, etc. I drive it cause I like the truck. Any other persons opinion on my auto of choice is irrelevent, which I am sure is the same for others whom drive, so called non practical autos as well. Although i do look forward to the day when someone makes a comment to me about it.

Never really understood why others seem so intent on worrying about what others do or dont do in there life. Cracks me up when people just can't mind their own business.....some just dont have anything else in their lives to occupy time i guess.

At the risk of sounding granola-ish.

When it comes to pollution and the inefficient consumption of fossil fuels people have every right to criticize those drivers who feel compelled to own/drive gas guzzlers without a real sense of practicality.

Issues such as air quality and environmental impact affect everyone so if someone rags on you for driving an SUV when you don't really need it then suck it up because you're not the only one who has to live in this ecosystem.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally posted by soulchoice@Jul 12 2005, 04:17 AM
I personally have more things to think about than what other people choose to drive. I really could care less. If someone wants to drive a huge truck like a hummer, despite not going 4x4ing..who cares..thats his business.

I myself drive a larger suv, which is hard on gas, etc. I drive it cause I like the truck. Any other persons opinion on my auto of choice is irrelevent, which I am sure is the same for others whom drive, so called non practical autos as well. Although i do look forward to the day when someone makes a comment to me about it.

Never really understood why others seem so intent on worrying about what others do or dont do in there life. Cracks me up when people just can't mind their own business.....some just dont have anything else in their lives to occupy time i guess.

This thread started with a story about a guy who's Hummer was too damn big for a regular parking lot and it affected him. It is our business when the city we live in (and the planet) are being polluted.

Would you mind your own business if your neighbour was keeping warm by burning tires in his yard? If some cretin was dumping mercury on a school field, is that his business?

[tjinaz]

Actually the prices on Hummers aren't that much. You can buy a H2 used for about 35 to 45k. It is about as much as a 7 series beemer. The H1 is definitely the way to go and I think the diesel gets about 12mpg, which is the same as the giant dodge and ford crew cab pickups. where they get you is the service and parts.