SUV's Tumbling Value

A friend of mine was turned away the other day while trying to trade in his 2006 Ford 150 truck. Actually he was not turned away, Blue book was 16K. He was offered 8k, hence "No deal". The dealers said that even at the auctions, the trucks are stacking up.

 

For those who didn't catch it the first time they are U-haul in line 2 and Budget Rentals in line 3.

 

I can use dollar bills to roll my own cigs and wipe my butt with $2 bills.

Problemchild, you chose your vehicle and I chose mine. If your idea of "roughing it" is living in the woods, fine. My idea of "roughing it" is there is no wi-fi in the hotel and the ice machine is down the hall. If you don't complain about how much it costs to fuel your vehicle then I won't complain when I ONLY get 50mpg in my mid-sized car.

Because of people like you I recommend buying oil stocks.

 

Amen, brother!

 

The local "CarMax" that just opened looks like a graveyard of SUV's! perhaps they have the Prius in the showroom!

 

First off: Most people driving SUV's and 4WD trucks AREN'T going camping or plowing through snow. They are driving to work, dropping kids off at school, running errands. For these people, a car or minivan would be a more sustainable and economical way to perform the task.

The American way isn't dying, it's evolving. The American way is wasteful and unsustainable, and now current events are going to drive change. Three things can change, equipment, behaviors, and attitudes.

Most people on this site have changed equipment (switching to a Prius from their previous vehicle) and this is the easiest (albiet expensive)choice to make.

A more difficult change is in behavior, altering driving habits to improve your current equipment's mpg's (slowing down, not tailgating, anticipating lights, combining trips, etc). This involves moving past psychological barriers (everyone is going faster than me, I don't want that person cutting in front of me, etc) and is harder to do.

A final difficult change is attitude. Moving beyond your "big bad self" and recognizing that what you want and what may be the best tool for the job may not be the same thing. 4WD trucks are great if you are in snow, hauling stuff, going offroading, etc. They are terrible choices for daily commuting, running errands (grocery store), etc. A minivan is a better choice (better MPG's and cleaner emissions) for a family doing errands. A sedan is a better choice still (better MPG's).

In general, SUV's have been used as a status symbol. What we are seeing now, is that people who opted to drive a status symbol, now have to face the consequences of their decision......something that doesn't happen enough in our society.

But that appears to be changing.....and that will lead to better choices. And that is something we should all rejoice.

 

I have driven my Prius through one winter in Montana and one winter in Alaska, and I am yet to get stuck. I camp and enjoy the wilderness quite regularly. However, I do this on foot or on bicycle, which is a much better way (IMNSHO) to experience the outdoors. I feel sorry for people who require four wheelers or trucks/suvs to enjoy the outdoors (and I used to be a big 4x4 guy). I would also add that the prius can tackle some pretty nasty roads with the proper tires and a driver who picks the right lines.

I was back in Montana to visit the folks this past week, and my dad and I were discussing the current "need" for new trucks equipped with 600+ HP engines. I pondered on how anyone ever managed to pull a trailer or move anything 30 years ago with the anemic 200-300 HP trucks. If you need a one ton truck with a 650 HP diesel, you would probably be better off buying a used semi, as it would be cheaper than the new pickup, and certainly more "bang for your buck."

I came to the conclusion a couple of years ago that the driving a Hummer or other SUV of choice was not my "American Dream." If that is what truly defines us, we live in a rather pitiful society.

 

Yesterday I was driving on the interstate locally. I was driving 55 MPH. About 80% of all the other vehicles, many being SUV's & large pickups were speeding at least 10-25 MPH over the speed limit. One of the rubes tried to climb into my cargo area with his yahoo-mobile. What the heck is wrong with all these idiots that they feel the need to get somewhere in warp drive with these gas guzzlers? Don't any of these rubes feel the pain @ the pump? I guess I must be the only person driving around this area that needs to watch how many $$ get wasted in a gas tank. I have no clue what these people are thinking. Perhaps they are all brain dead.

 

I think I have an idea about this. People don't calculate their MPG's (especially in big vehicles). They aren't interested, the math is too hard, whatever. Basically, all they know is that the gas gauge is low and they have to put $80 of gasoline into the tank to reach "full". Thus, all they do is gripe about how expensive gasoline is and how much it costs them to fill up. They won't slow down, because they won't "see" a difference, other than they feel like they are moving in slow motion. To them, they still will have to put in $80 to fill the tank.

That is why an instant MPG/MPG per tank readout is valuable. It gives realtime feedback (both good and bad) about people's driving habits. Likely, this will be something we'll start seeing in vehicles again....if we are lucky....or demand it.

 

Agree, completely. Don't forget that may people who speed, lack the planning abilities to leave for wherever they are going without having to speed. Or if they do leave on time, lack the foresight to know they have plenty of time and don't have to speed. Everyone is in a hurry to hit the next red light.

 

well, a couple hundred years ago the american way was fairly farm-centric. farmers made up a lot of the immigrants that came here, so what did they do once they got here? but the previous american way is dead, we're all city slickers now.

there is always a tradeoff- while we're not all in the country breathing fresh air anymore, all the technology, the medical improvements, that's what we've gained as that american way died. there will always be a new american way.

it's called evolving...

the death of the middle class, well, you can thank the economic policies of our country... part of which are shaped by the demand for oil...

 

No, he really doesn't understand.

He's the same guy who drives a Hummer with a tattered American flag (made in China) flying from his back window.

That demographic is clueless.

... Brad

 

All I have to say about this subject is I think a lot of Americans are right now in the midst of a rude awakening. For their sake, I hope gas prices are artifically high from overspeculation, and they come down soon. But the medicine was needed.

 

This is incorrect, carmax just bought a Nissan Armada LE from me a few weeks ago... The prices for large SUVs has definitely come down alot, with new '08s selling for $10k less than I paid 7 mos ago, but Carmax is still buying them, the guy told me there are still areas in the US where they are selling...

-Andy