My husband drives a Ford Escort to work and back and it costs us about $100.00 in gas each month. It would really hurt us to have gas prices double. We get about 40 miles to the gallon and I am wondering what a SUV gets as they are about every other car around here and seem popular nationwide. Anyone own one?

-- Susan (SThoms@000.com), February 21, 2000

Answers

Why do you live so far from where you work?

-- E.H. Porter (just@wondering.about it), February 21, 2000.

Susan:

Yep, I've had them since 1966. Where I live, they are necessary. I also have a 4x4 pick-up. My SUV [Ford Explorer with a SOHC V6] is driven to work every day. It is in the 20 to 21 mpg range [over 30,000 miles]. My 4x4 pickup [Ford Ranger] gets about 26 mpg in the same use [over 100,000 miles]. They have really gotten better over the last 30 y.

Best wishes,,,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), February 21, 2000.

E.H. Porter:

In response: there are a small number of people who have a life outside of their jobs. I apologize if this sounded offensive.

Best wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), February 21, 2000.

I don't own one, for the simple fact that I dare to be diferent. It seems like everyone owns them out here, whether they need them or not, I'd rather buck the trend.

-- ,-, (comma@dash.comma), February 21, 2000.

The funny part is the new SUVs are really neat cars. Remember in the 70s when the oil crunch hit the huge caddys and lincolns were going for cheap and the little Japanese cars came into vogue so quickly? I think that should gas double in price it'll be a great time to pick up a used SUV as a 2nd vehicle if nothing else.

Love filling my tank, and PAYING to do so,

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), February 22, 2000.

Susan

I drive a '95 Jeep Cherokee, 4 dr, 2WD, 4.0 6 cyl that gets 20-22 mpg around town and 26-28 on the highway. Wife drives a '97 Pathfinder, 4dr, 4WD, 6 cyl that gets 16-18 around town and 20-24 on the highway. Very practical vehicles. Great for traveling, great for groceries...... No more cars for me.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), February 22, 2000.

SUVs have the same characteristics as cars where gas mileage is concerned. My daughter drives a Toyota 4 Runner, 4 cyl, 2WD and averages over 23 MPG. I have a Lincoln Navigator with a big V-8 that averages in the mid to low teens. I love my big rig and am willing to pay for the pleasure of driving it. Comes down to your own priorities. I can safely say that there are more SUV's than cars in our area.

-- Ra (tion@l.1), February 22, 2000.

Most of the posts above refer to SUV's with six cylinder engines. Mine is a Dodge Durango with the big 5.9 liter V8. Being reasonably careful I get 13-15 mpg in the city, 17-18 on the highway. My experience is that most SUV's have the smaller V8 engines and probably get in the range of 15 - 20 mpg. Because I tow a large trailer, I needed the power of the larger engine; it also came with a higher axle ratio that gives higher torque but costs me another 8-10% in gas mileage. I love the vehicle, and the sense of safety it provides for my wife and family.

-- Lazarus Long (lazlongk@aol.com), February 22, 2000.

I thought I would find a joke on this topic. But since I didn't, here's one: Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet "Rhinohaunches" Reno.

-- A (A@AisA.com), February 23, 2000.