Shoud we still be Buying Suvs – Yes
Several years ago, there began a focused effort to demonize Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and those who own them. The theme was that SUV owners are rich people who do not care about the environment. It even became a class battle where SUV owners had an unfair safety advantage over the poor people who drove smaller, less expensive cars. The media delighted in reporting accidents where an SUV was involved, especially if the SUV turned over because of its higher center of gravity. But ownership of SUVs increased rapidly during the last decade. Why? Because they provide a great capability that Americans need, utility.
Should we still be buying SUVs? Yes, of course, if that's what you choose to do. It is a question of personal preference and balance. SUVs provide unique capabilities that satisfy and appeal to the needs of many Americans. They are a great family car, providing safety, flexibility, better drivability in rain and snow, and of course, utility. Utility means it's a vehicle that you can use for many purposes. You can utilize the SUV for hauling equipment, lumber, camping gear, landscape material, furniture, pet cages, and countless other items that will not fit into a typical car. You can carry a canoe on top or a car top carrier loaded with Christmas gifts. Try to tie anything on the top of most cars. SUVs are great camping vehicles, allowing you to carry your campsite with you and to access difficult terrain without tearing up the underside of your car. And, of course, even the smaller SUV's will easily pull a boat or small trailer.
So are the great SUV benefits worth the cost? Your choice. When gas prices were so high in mid-2008 people had to decide whether the extra cost of operating an SUV was worth the benefit. Many decided it wasn't, and SUV sales fell. Now in late 2008, gas prices aren't as much of an issue. However, none of us will be surprised to see the prices rise again. The market will determine whether people will buy SUVs, large or small or hybrid. That's the beauty of checks and balances in our free market system.
What about our societal responsibility to save energy? Yes, we should all be conservation minded, responsible citizens. We all have to decide personally what that means. It's our personal choice to the extent the Government allows. We choose to own houses larger than we need, using more energy than necessary. We set our thermostats for comfort when we could save by sacrificing a bit of comfort. Our long vacations use considerable gas or airplane fuel. We choose to go because we enjoy the experience.
If SUV's were purely for luxury, then our choice should be not to purchase one. But the outstanding features and benefits make it an obvious choice. We must balance these great benefits against the cost and energy use and decide for ourselves. Let's hope we continue to have that choice and that the Government doesn't make it for us.
