I’m my kind of asshole too. Wanna hear something funny – regarding hybrids, Transport Canada issued a statement (that I cannot confirm, but remember hearing on the news) that Hybrid cars have yet to have a positive impact on the environment. Similar to recycling in many regions – people simply think that since the end result is more fuel efficiency (or re-using materials) its got to be better for the environment, right? Wrong. The costs and additional workload/materials/costs/transportation needed to make hybrids (and recycling) actually costs more money and actually has a more detremential effect on the environment that is not offset by the gains in green capacity.

So the next time you hear someone buying a Hybrid, chances are they have spent more money for a fuel efficient car that killed more trees to make than the Civic beside it.

Interesting, to me at least.

I love the Avalanche, but I’m keeping my eyes open for a used Audi A4 2.0T in the near future. Living on an island I was in truck-deprivation mode, but now I’m home I can verify you don’t need all that metal to go to Starbucks and back.

Steve-O

The rear view bit was more geared toward the Hummer driver persona, as I’m certainly not taking the gas guzzling stance. I completely agree with your point on the matter. Mind you flying is a little different, necessity wise, than driving. Its completely practical and possible to choose to drive a smaller car, or a hybrid vehicle, but if you happen to fly a lot you can’t just go ahead and take the train across the country (or ocean) instead as a viable alternative. You’re going apples to watermelons on that one, but I do see and agree with your point.

I’m certainly not painting all SUV’s with the same brush, this is for the most part a Hummer-centric view, and geared toward Hummer-specific drivers. I read that the Tahoe is almost the same size as the Hummer, but it certainly attracts a different type of person.

and the funny part is that you and your Avalanche never even crossed my mind until now, but now that I think about it.; you’re not married, no kids, no heavy cargo to lug around, you live in a suburban area and spend your free time typically driving in cities opposed to the countryside…. maybe this is something for you to consider. lol

But in my opinion Steve-O, I already have you firmly locked on the shortlist of “my kind of asshole” as it stands, but who knows, perhaps your Avalanche is the crossroads before your next car. Audi or Lexus Hybrid or Hummer Helicopter.

I drive an Avalanche. Am I on the shortlist too? I won’t be offended, I just planted trees yesterday so my rear-view yields satisfactory images. But seriously, are trucks fun anymore or is this a ‘Hummer’s only’ post? Or are we talking gas-guzzler’s in general – which actually makes me laugh. Because most people only think about gas as the main form of pollution; i.e. poor fuel mileage = environment waster vs good fuel mileage = env’t saver. Kills me that people live ‘green’ then do things like FLY 3-4x more than the average person. The carbon footprint caused by one person traveling on a commercial flight will offset the difference between in gas mileage between a hybrid and a SUV for at least one year.

I’m not justifying my vehicle, I think we should do all we can to save the planet, I’m just giving food for thought. However I want to hear the truth – are SUV’s different from Hummer’s, or in the same league but with milder outrage? PS – I agree about the Hummer’s. I get the idea of driving one being fun, but to spend more money on a car with sad 4×4 system, $1500/year more on gas and 2x the upkeep compared to most SUVs – it would have been cheaper to get the penile implant.