Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-161
The Ford Fusion is their only reliable car pal. And plus it does not top the four cylinder Honda Accord in reliability. You know that the Fusion will probably show up other defects in the next couple of years that will make it hell for its owner. If you think I am crazy, then look at the history of the auto industry and all the other cars declared reliable engineering in the past that turned up to be deadly or hell for its owner. My brother in law has a 2006 Ford Ranger with 14,000 miles. It has spent most of its life at the dealer getting the defective transmission replaced, defective clutch, defective flywheel, defective slave cylinders, and everything else that is associated with the transmission and yet Ford cannot figure out why it is having so much trouble. Ford even had to call an engineer in Detroit to figure out where all the trouble is coming from and yet the engineer has no idea what is causing the problem. I can tell you that my brother in law was a Ford man, who will never buy another Ford vehicle again and we are trying to get help from the lemon laws of Minnesota.
If there are "facts" to prove that SUV's (especially real, truck based ones) kill more people than than small cars I'd like to see someone cite some VALID PROOF. Since SUV's became popular in the early 90's I have never heard of anyone ever being killed in one except for morons who didn't wear their seat belts and got thrown out. They do roll over easily, but if you have your seat belts on it's no more dangerous than an amusement park ride. It's interesting that in these comments import owners can only rant about reliability and safety, but have not cited a SINGLE FACT in support of their arguments.
Single fact? Get your head of the sand. Frontline did an extensive investigation on the SUV death/injury rate as did other independent sources.
But it's like talking to a brick wall because you people will never believe any of the TRUTH until your SUV suddently careens out of control.
SUVs are sold on the PT Barnum theory, and you people prove it in spades.
Why would anyone want a Highlander? Or did the Toyota owners reclassify it now as a car?
The comment regarding Hummers (14:50) doesn't SAY that Hummers are a "work of art", it says that LIKE a fine work of art, they show that their owners have wealth. I notice a definite inability to read among the import crowd. I suppose that is why they make so many false statements and adhere to such a plethora of myths regarding cars. As for the much ranted about "poor quality" of Hummers, I can't imagine who in their right mind could regard them as poor quality. Obviously none of the commenters making such silly statements has ever even sat in one. As for reliability, no Hummer owner really cares. If you can buy a Hummer you are able to trade every couple of years anyway. Lasting 300,000 miles is NOT a consideration, though with proper maintenance the Hummer will easily do that. Wealthy people prefer style and image to practicality. Their buddies at the country club will tease them if they drive a car more than 3 years old. Methinks the venom being vented at Hummers is simply another case of sour grapes from people who wish they could afford one, but since they can't, they attack those who do.
I do not think they are expensive at all and if I had an extra 60 g's sitting around I would have bought something a lot better!
We just had a snow storm today in Minnesota. Everyone in the Northwoods thought that their Yukons and Silverados were safe to drive on very icey roads at 80 mph. What these people do not know is that they are only good for a lot of snow: like driving through a foot of snow!!!
As for those crazy truck drivers on the freeways; they almost always end up in the ditches stuck waiting for a tow truck to get them out. It is not uncommon to find one that has flipped over in a ten minute drive during slippery conditions.
A truck or SUV = a false sense of security. Without the help of stability control or traction control, these mammoth vehicles cannot rely on their weight (sucks for pickup drivers) or 4-wheel drive to safely transport their humans. Even all the gizmos cannot fool the acts of God!
I do not think Hummers are actually that expensive especially the H2. Check out the prices. I much prefer the Range Rover with the adjustable air suspension. I guess any high center of gravity vehicle may be prone if you drive like an idiot to turn one over. How about opening up you comments further... school buses?
"Wealthy people prefer style and image to practicality. Their buddies at the country club will tease them if they drive a car more than 3 years old."
Translation: New money has no class.
Old money has little regard for what others think. Oh, and if "all these wealthy people" will tease those who drive something more than 3 years old you'll have to explain record auction prices for vehicles more than 3 years old.
"Methinks the venom being vented at Hummers is simply another case of sour grapes from people who wish they could afford one, but since they can't, they attack those who do."
Translation: I have to compensate for something lacking my life by buying a status symbol.
Please enlighten us all how school buses represent 50% of the vehicle sold in the US each year, how their owners park them in spaces clearly labelled "compact", and how school buses will assuage their owners' lack of self esteem.
Thank you.
People buy a luxury vehicle especially businesses at year end for various reasons. A Hummer especially draws enough attention without any additional comments. I play golf and have yet to hear any of that crap. Its better to buy what makes you feel good and if you receive a compliment to humbly just say "Thank you." I actually question the validity of that comment to start with as it sounded contrived. What is tough is to be a decent individual and be negatively judged over your vehicle.
A school bus has a high center of gravity like all the SUV complaints yet we allow our children to go to school in the morning as we carry them as well in our SUV's. Many have short wheelbases. I have absolutely no complaints with SUV's. If you do not like import or domestic SUV's buy something else. If the relevance escapes you... look in traffic tommorow morning the children on the buses will be looking down at you.
"As for reliability, no Hummer owner really cares.." Ain't that the truth. Anyone concerned about reliability surely wouldn't buy one. No, it is not jealousy that draws all of the negative comments. Maybe you people that drive them would LIKE to think that all of the stares you get are of jealousy, when in fact, most of us are shaking our heads in disgust or laughing.
If you were in traffic, and say, you collide with an older truck (80's-early 90's) driving 40mph, would you rather be demolished by it, or would you rather be in a big SUV and be able to hold your own, and still drive away?
This is very much why larger vehicles are safer IN accidents, not taking into consideration swerving. I've been in plenty of accidents before, and there was only one time where I actually had the time to attempt to avoid it, and I was in a 1998 suburban. I didn't roll, but nevertheless I hit him. he was driving a scion Xa. I clipped his rear and took his wheel well up to the front seats, and my suburban had a bent bumper, broken head, and a few dents.
The most recent one, was in fact in a hummer H2. my uncles H2. the car we hit was a 1993 ford explorer, which held up rather well. the damage to the hummer was minor front end damage. air bags deployed, on star was called.
How much safer can you get than that?
If you think about it, in most accident cases, you have very little, if no time at all, to react. therefore the roll factor of large SUV's becomes void, and the real focus on an accident is the immediate collision between vehicles. the bigger vehicle will win 99% of the time.
When are we going to read reviews on the Highlander? Anytime soon? Or is it to diminish its reviews by condemning others?