Now that we have these groups destroying millions of dollars of SUVs in their view that it will protect the environment and so on, I would like to give my own view why economy cars aren't exactly the best choice.
In my view in basically all comes down to SAFETY.
If you take these compact cars and these Hybrid gas and electric run cars that get very high gas mileage from 30-60mpg, the design of these cars are so compact that there is literally only a couple of feet of protection at the front and rear from the passengers. Some of these compact cars you will notice that there is only a few inches between the rear of the car and the back seat. If another car would to accidently rear end one of these cars with even moderate force, the rear passengers would have barely no "metal" or car frame to protect them resulting in serious injury or death.
Larger mid-size cars up to SUVs have more frame in the front and rear to give some more protection from front and rear collisions. Sport cars even have longer front ends and back ends that compact cars and would be safer to be in if a collision would occur.
Now I'm not saying if your budget and taste is for a gas saving compact car that you shouldn't have one. I just want to say that my number one preference in a car IS NOT gas mileage, but I look at how much car body will protect me in case of an accident, then I would consider that a larger car is more practical for cargo and passengers. I drive a Jeep Cherokee at this time. Before that, I drove mid-size sport cars such as the Camaro and Grand Prix. All which I felt safe in next to one of these compact cars.
I wouldn't choose any car that got something like 8mpg, but an average of 16mpg, which I would consider a good price of fuel use and cost for my personal safety and the safety of my passengers.
If anyone wants to save the environment, they should look at offices and printing companies that waste hundreds of pounds of paper per day, destroying the rain forest, over-copying on their printing presses and Xerox machines and don't even bothering recycling. Along with the hundreds of pounds of junk mail that I receive in my mail box. I'm a single guy and some idiots just caused the death of a tree to mail me and other guys coupons for women's products and other products that we won't even use.

Just an opinion of mine. Not to be intended to start a flame war with compact car drivers and fuel saving conscious people here.

[b]ArmaLiter[/b]

And away we go!!!

*Grabs restraints*
Run ArmaLiter, run! Before it's too late!

I ride a friggen motorcycle!!!

I ride busses. [:P]

OKAY!!  I think I made it clear, twice, that my opinion wasn't against those who don't drive large cars, yet people are already posting smart ass remarks.
I do believe my statement was saying that large cars and SUVs shouldn't be targeted and there are worse things out in the world that is destroying the environment.
Or is that too hard to understand?

[b]ArmaLiter[/b]

I got into a multi page tyrade w/ the socialist on Michael Moore's site over this. They kept claiming that SUV's and my truck were "death traps"...Yes they are..if you're dumb enough to pull out in front of or suddenly stop right in fromt of me! My 5,000lb truck is going to decimate that POS Echo/Prius/homomobile. Then there's the arguement of gas mileage...since [B]I[/B] pay for the gas [B]I[/B] decide what gas mileage is acceptable. That brought us to the next point of contention...(paraphrased) me buying and using SOOOOO much gas makes it worse and more expensive for them, and subsequently everyone else... BOO F****** HOO! Anyway that's my take on it.

...then you have people like me.

I don't buy cars based on performance, miles per gallon, or whatever.

I buy cars based on what I can fit into!  I'm 6'6", and your average econobox would have my knees screaming in pain within 30 minutes of driving it, if my head wasn't already jammed to the roof of the car and tilted sideways!

I drive a 2002 Ford Taurus.  It has barely adequate headroom and legroom, and the Duratec V6 gives me enough get-up-and-go for my driving style.

However, I'm damn uncomfortable after only 90 minutes of continuous driving.  I'm already looking at potential replacements.

I drive an SUV because I want to.

I don't tell others what to do with their disposable income. I don't tell others how high to turn up their thermostats in the winter or how low to set them in the summer. I don't tell other whether or not to buy and use power boats for recreational purposes. I don't tell them how far to travel (or the method) for their vacations.

I think you get the idea...the SUV burners can kiss my ass. [rolleyes]

What I look for in a vehicle is

1.) Performance
2.) Price
3.) Reliablity
4.) Safety

Thats it, MPG doesnt even factor. I like my car, and could care less about who doesnt.

Been driving full size pickups for twenty five years. My '98 gets pretty good mileage compared to others I've had. Lots of crumple space with a pickup. Makes me feel secure.

The only good thing I see about the SUV debacle is that it puts a lot of soccer moms on the "naughty behavior" list. Wonder how [b]they[/b] like other people telling them how to be more politically correct?

My smart assed remarked was aimed at the flame-fest almost certain to erupt between large vehicle owners and the rice crowd.

The average ELF member creates more air pollution than my Tahoe.

Eddie

I have no use and zero tolerance for the anti car crowd just as I do for the anti gun crowd.  Screw 'em!

I drive a 3/4 Ton HD extended cab 8' bed PU.  Want to talk about big?  My fun ride is a Z-28 convertable I rebuilt.  I could give a crap about fuel consumption; that is the LOWEST thing on my list!  Used to drive big Caddy Eldorados to work - 50 mi ea way.  Got about 12 MPG but who cares?  They were cheap to own, reliable and safe.  I HATE "econo boxes" and think they are, for the most part, false economy.

Out here in the sticks there is less of the tree hugger crap anyway.  MANY people drive PU as grocery getters and never use them to haul anything.

I got the 97 crown vic and the 95 Impala both are big ol' bastards I feel resonbly safe in them although the crown vic might catch on fire
IBTL

ArmaLiter there is no talking to these butt heads.
I could tell eveybody about the guy who got in my way and how they had to cut him out of his really cool Jap car but thats old news.

PONY_DRIVER,tell the fine folks over at Michael Moore's site that if a small car hit another small car it's a death trap too.