Why does Everyone think they deserve an Escalade

[peregrinus_WA]

America loves big cars, big houses, big everything. Americans think nothing of debt to obtain the finer things in life.

I was at the Orlando airport and I was pleased to see a Burger King inside the departure terminal.

I ordered a whopper meal or something like that. Whatever I ordered had them give me this 7 gallon plastic cup for my pop.

When the 4 employee’s walked over and hoisted this gargantuan cup onto my tray. I said to the cashier, I don’t need that much Pop.

She looks at me like I’m from Canada, and says ’ it comes with the meal’. I told her that the cup is huge, she repeated it comes with the meal…hmmm that’s a lot of pop, but oh well, I’m not going to argue over a cup.

I head over to the fountain station and decide to only fill it 3/4’s full as I only need 5 gallons of Diet Coke.

As I’m walking through the terminal, I’m actually embarrassed that I have to use a luggage cart to push this huge cup of pop!

My companions see this massive cup and they literally have a good chuckle at my expense. Needless to say, I only drank half of it and spend my entire flight in the bathroom!

That cup is symptomatic of America…waste of resources to make the cup, waste of energy required to make the cup, waste of water to fill the cup, waster of food products used to fill the cup and I didn’t see any obvious recycling bins anywhere, so that cup and thousands more everyday, will end up in landfills…waste and nothing but waste…all for a giant cup?

They don’t offer those cups in Canada.

Bigger is better or is it?

Bigger is not always better. It seems to go with bigger egos.

And the crazy thing is many “fast food” places have free refills. Other than Taco Bell where it is cheaper to get the combo meal with a large cup (only 32 oz), I usually get the 20 oz cup and refill on the way out.

 

[liberational]

I usually get the 20 oz cup and refill on the way out.

Precisely.

That is the more sensible and responsible thing to do if you ask me.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

Precisely.

That is the more sensible and responsible thing to do if you ask me.

Common Sense and Relativism/Liberalism (and the likes and diametrically opposed and are incompatible)

 

[KathleenElsie]

Yep.

But I’ve got a friend with a “monster SUV” that he needs to tote himself, his wife and 4 kids around. Few other options available for him.

I do see many folks driving around town alone in a gigantic SUV…seems kinds silly and wasteful to me…but you never know if they really need it for the room and don’t regularly drive it alone.

Sorry but you need to consider that some of those that “drive around in big SUVs alone” just might only be able to afford one car. Our car is an eight passenger van. With seven people in the family it is not a luxury but a necessity. It is also what is driven wherever we go. Why you ask? Well we can afford one car, one insurance payment and maintenance on one vehicle.

 

[liberational]

Sorry but you need to consider that some of those that “drive around in big SUVs alone” just might only be able to afford one car. Our car is an eight passenger van. With seven people in the family it is not a luxury but a necessity. It is also what is driven wherever we go. Why you ask? Well we can afford one car, one insurance payment and maintenance on one vehicle.

An 8 or 10 passenger full sized van is not a luxury vehicle.

People don’t go out and buy a top of line 10 passenger van because they want to…they do so because they need to.

Where as people buy an Escalade, or a Hummer because they want to.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

An 8 or 10 passenger full sized van is not a luxury vehicle.

People don’t go out and buy a top of line 10 passenger van because they want to…they do so because they need to.

Where as people buy an Escalade, or a Hummer because they want to.

Exactly.

With the reaction here on this one, maybe I should so one on “cell phones” and driving (Escalades, Cars, and Shopping Carts)

 

[peregrinus_WA]

As stated in the OP, I would love to see some of the European “City Cars” be produced in the US. They would make great commuter cars (40 to almost 60 MPG based on driving). In fact, I was talking to a co-worker and she would love to have one of those for driving to work (and she has two kids).

Since I work in the automotive related industry, I see a lot of what is going to happen and there is rumblings of Ford and GM doing just that.

 

[KathleenElsie]

An 8 or 10 passenger full sized van is not a luxury vehicle.

People don’t go out and buy a top of line 10 passenger van because they want to…they do so because they need to.

Where as people buy an Escalade, or a Hummer because they want to.

I had a total stranger tell me off one day because I was the only one in my van. She said it was people like me that were killing all the animals and the earth. Not sure if this was after she saw the pro-life bumper stickers or not.

I am looking into a scooter to take when I visit my mother at the nursing home 20 miles from home. So on a nice day I get fresh air and some time alone . But then I think I am being selfish in wanting to purchase this luxury item just for me .

Oh and the guy at the car dealer told me those big expensive toys (hummer etc) were not able to carry the load my van does. The frame was just not made for it but for the looks.

 

[surfinpure]

An 8 or 10 passenger full sized van is not a luxury vehicle.

People don’t go out and buy a top of line 10 passenger van because they want to…they do so because they need to.

Where as people buy an Escalade, or a Hummer because they want to.

Lots of them yes, but not all of them. My father (mentioned earlier) got a huge tax write-off when he bought his Escalade, because he uses it nearly every day in his business. It would have been just as expensive to buy a lesser vehicle without the write-off, but he wouldn’t have the clout that he needs with his high-end clients. When you’re selling multi-million dollar properties to people with their own jets, your clients don’t want to ride around in a Suburban.

So before everyone judges all the Escalade-drivers of the world, remember that expensive tools are often necessary in expensive industries.

 

[ElizabethPH]

I discuss this topic a lot with my wife. When will the cost of gasoline finally climb high enough to force Americans to *slow down *-- ten dollars a gallon? Fifteen? Twenty? I’m really curious. Down here in Texas, we have a *pick-up culture *that’s stronger than the world’s entire nuclear arsenal. Nothing could ever break it. Nothing.

If you’re a true Texan, deep down, you want the biggest, baddest TRUCK money can buy. And do we ever drive them fast. I once had a friend who drove from Atlanta, GA, to Pensacola, FL, every weekend. He had a slick sports car, and thought he was John Dillinger, Jr., by outsmarting the cops by driving 80 in the right lane. If I ever saw him again, I’d inform him that 80 is NOTHING in Texas. Nothing. You can do 80 in a school zone, in front of 20 cops, and you might raise *one *eyebrow. I have personally witnessed numerous cars doing 100 MILES PER HOUR, at least, in broad daylight, on highways running directly through our fair city. No cops. No tickets. No public recognition of *any semblance *of a speed limit.

We’ve been talking about slowing down as well. And I have been slowing down to 55 mph for the most part…hard to get back into the habit though. Not only am I saving gas it’s safer. Judging by all the cars zooming by in the right lane not too many folks taking advantage of the obvious. I really am rather tired of folks complaining about the price of gas and then still going 80 on the freeway.

As far as the Escalade I’ve always thought of it as a luxury SUV that only rich folks can afford. And unless you are rich I figure one doesn’t have any business owning one. Same with all the folks out there that have to have the top of the line home when they can’t afford it.

 

[Rammy]

I believe that with one single event of loosing power last night was sample enough to completely make me loose any sense of how much we rely on “things”.

It is not about who is right, or who is wrong…cause then you get backs up, and defenses flaring rather than actually taking into account the question and how it relates to us.

To fall into a sense of false reality, and count so deeply on them should make us wonder how we might survive if they were lost. Heaven forbid a primary bread winner loose his job, and the nescesities not even be affordable. In my case, we had to move from a home into a small two bedroom apartment due to the bills in life just choking us.

We had a decision to make, and without family around, we had to rely on no outside help. Should i get a job, hire sitters…or if i was not able to do this, i had to reduce our spending fast.

2000/mo in home before groceries and living expences that were not fixed. Now we are spending740/mo. It was HARD to do because i have never owned a home before, and this felt like going backwards. Prayer brought me down a few notches though, as this was closer to living within our means.

Decisions for downsizing started, and a very quick use of the words WANT vs NEED crossed my lips, and let me tell you how quickly justifying jumped onto my lips for a free ride.

It still is hard, it is only 32 days now, still in bins and boxes, ran out of places to put things. Will have to down size one more time. I will have to do it once the kids are in school, simply for my own ear protection from the cried of horror at my actions!!!

Note: every single thing we did not keep went to Salvation Army. I just could not NOT use this to help someone else. And where ever possible, i gave directly to a needy family.

Lana

 

[ElizabethPH]

As stated in the OP, I would love to see some of the European “City Cars” be produced in the US. They would make great commuter cars (40 to almost 60 MPG based on driving). In fact, I was talking to a co-worker and she would love to have one of those for driving to work (and she has two kids).

Since I work in the automotive related industry, I see a lot of what is going to happen and there is rumblings of Ford and GM doing just that.

I think they do have the Smart Car here now. I was in San Diego in April and saw ONE. They have them all over europe. Extremely small you can park them anywhere. Cool colors. I don’t know if they make them here or not. Do they make the Mini Cooper here? I don’t know much about the subject.

 

[liberational]

I drove a smart car, was fun. It is impractical for me and it only seats two people. Its a good commuter car.

Yes they sell the mini cooper in North America…expensive considering it’s size.

Wait until Dodge figures out how to make the Chinese Chery meet North American standards…it will be an $8000 compact car.

I’d buy one.

 

[Rammy]

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Yup, we have them in Canada…everyone i talk to likes the idea, but so many would not touch them. The danger in the side is just way to much if someone hits you. They are not allowed on the highway for this reason (freeway). They are called electric cars. So basically, plug and go…good idea, but uless so many others would consider this, they will be litterally rolled over. BTW, i downsized from a mini van to a PT Cruiser. It works for our family of 4.

Lana

 

[surfinpure]

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn...ssa.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/smart-car.jpg

Yup, we have them in Canada…everyone i talk to likes the idea, but so many would not touch them. The danger in the side is just way to much if someone hits you. They are not allowed on the highway for this reason (freeway). They are called electric cars. So basically, plug and go…good idea, but uless so many others would consider this, they will be litterally rolled over. BTW, i downsized from a mini van to a PT Cruiser. It works for our family of 4.

Lana

This is exactly why I’m not in favor of them. No matter how many people switch to “smart cars,” there will always be these massive tanks on the freeways with WAAYY too much testosterone behind the wheel. My husband drives a little Honda, which is great for commuting the 45 minutes to work, but I generally refuse to let my children ride in it because it doesn’t stand a chance in an accident.

In fact, even someone running a red light at 40mph can kill you, and their vehicle doesn’t have to be large to do it, either. So as long as I am carrying my precious cargo around, we will be in the safest vehicle we can afford to drive.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

I think they do have the Smart Car here now. I was in San Diego in April and saw ONE. They have them all over europe. Extremely small you can park them anywhere. Cool colors. I don’t know if they make them here or not. Do they make the Mini Cooper here? I don’t know much about the subject.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn...ssa.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/smart-car.jpg

Yup, we have them in Canada…everyone i talk to likes the idea, but so many would not touch them. The danger in the side is just way to much if someone hits you. They are not allowed on the highway for this reason (freeway). They are called electric cars. So basically, plug and go…good idea, but uless so many others would consider this, they will be litterally rolled over. BTW, i downsized from a mini van to a PT Cruiser. It works for our family of 4.

Lana

This is exactly why I’m not in favor of them. No matter how many people switch to “smart cars,” there will always be these massive tanks on the freeways with WAAYY too much testosterone behind the wheel. My husband drives a little Honda, which is great for commuting the 45 minutes to work, but I generally refuse to let my children ride in it because it doesn’t stand a chance in an accident.

In fact, even someone running a red light at 40mph can kill you, and their vehicle doesn’t have to be large to do it, either. So as long as I am carrying my precious cargo aroun, we will be in the safest vehicle we can afford to drive.

Ummm… The “Smart Car” ain’t a “City Car”. Here are examples of a City Car:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Daewoo_Matiz.jpg/250px-Daewoo_Matiz.jpgupload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Opel_Agila_VR_blue.jpg/250px-Opel_Agila_VR_blue.jpg

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Ford_Ka_on_curb.JPG/250px-Ford_Ka_on_curb.JPGupload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Citroen_C2_2005_VR.jpg/250px-Citroen_C2_2005_VR.jpg

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Peugeot_1007_demo.jpg/250px-Peugeot_1007_demo.jpg upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Kia_Picanto_Facelift_front_2008.jpg/250px-Kia_Picanto_Facelift_front_2008.jpg

Most of therm can seat 4 (although I do not know how comfortable the rear seats are).

 

[surfinpure]

Ummm… The “Smart Car” ain’t a “City Car”. Here are examples of a City Car:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Daewoo_Matiz.jpg/250px-Daewoo_Matiz.jpg upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Opel_Agila_VR_blue.jpg/250px-Opel_Agila_VR_blue.jpg

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Ford_Ka_on_curb.JPG/250px-Ford_Ka_on_curb.JPGupload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Citroen_C2_2005_VR.jpg/250px-Citroen_C2_2005_VR.jpg

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Peugeot_1007_demo.jpg/250px-Peugeot_1007_demo.jpg upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Kia_Picanto_Facelift_front_2008.jpg/250px-Kia_Picanto_Facelift_front_2008.jpg

Most of therm can seat 4 (although I do not know how comfortable the rear seats are).

How are their crash test ratings? Are they available for larger famlies as well? Because six months from now our family will be officially too big for a 4-seater.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

How are their crash test ratings? Are they available for larger famlies as well? Because six months from now our family will be officially too big for a 4-seater.

From what I have heard, they are relatively safe.

In Europe, there is also what are called small family cars and superminis . The “small family” is equivalent to a “compact” while “superminis” are a little smaller.

Here is a link to various car classifications:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_classification

Saying that, I would like to move talk about “City Cars” down to City Cars - Would you drive one? and leave this thread for Materialism and whether it is catching up with some.

 

[ElizabethPH]

From what I have heard, they are relatively safe.

In Europe, there is also what are called small family cars and superminis . The “small family” is equivalent to a “compact” while “superminis” are a little smaller.

Here is a link to various car classifications:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_classification

Saying that, I would like to move talk about “City Cars” down to City Cars - Would you drive one? and leave this thread for Materialism and whether it is catching up with some.

Well, yeah I’d drive one.
I see now, by clicking on pictures of the cars you are showing I see they are not called City Car…but one was an Opal anothe a Daewoo. In the 70’s I drove a 4 door Fiat. But you can drive them anywhere not just the city. right?

 

[JimG]

It’s because they don’t make cars with bench seats anymore. At one point in time it was possible to have a family sedan with bench seats that seated six people. Ask a dealer if he’s got anything with bench seats in front and you’ll get a blank stare.