Sunday, July 6, 2008

Hummers - To drive or not to drive

The other weekend I was out driving and couldn't believe the number of Hummers I saw driving around. As one was pulling out of the gas station I could only wonder how much it costs to fill up a Hummer with gas prices ranging around $1.34 and threatening to rise. I mean no disrespect to any owners driving a Hummer but can anyone tell me what is so great about a Hummer, especially in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan? If it is a status thing would it not be better to import a fuel efficient car where everyone will look at you and say, boy that car must have cost a lot as it is brand new to the car industry but is great on the environment. People would surely admire you for your thoughtfulness and intelligence to say with the times and think of the environment. Again if it is a status thing, is there really no other means of showing your status but drive a gas guzzling vehicle? I wonder if people who drive Hummers realize the adverse conversations people have instead of one of admiration. Or maybe that is their goal.

I shouldn't be so hard on people who own Hummers. Each to their own I say. It's not like gas prices were skyrocketing when they first bought their Hummers and what are they supposed to do when gas prices do rise, stop driving Hummers and not enjoy the Hummer for whatever reason they chose to buy it in the first place?? However I will say that I remain puzzled over the reasons why anyone would purchase a Hummer. Hummer lovers out there, please feel free to enlighten me and tell me why you love your Hummer.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a Hummer:

http://www.autocult.com.au/img/gallery/full/TorqueOmata235.jpg

The H2 and H3 are not hummers. They are nothing more than a somewhat modified Chevy Tahoe (suburban) and Colorado (basic 1/2 ton pick up truck). The H2 and H3 are the most ridiculous marketing ploys ever. Big mark up for just putting the name "Hummer" on something is definitely not a Hummer. The H2 and H3 are no different on gas then any other 1/2 ton pickup or mid to full size SUV.

The H1 on the other hand has some really impressive capabilities and is a hog on gas.

James said...

I wonder if what I saw wasn't a H2 or H3.

With respect to a H1, what impressive capabilities does it have besides being able to crush any small cars? I still fail to see what is so great about a Hummer...

Anonymous said...

For the average user, nothing. For the serious off roader or the military, lots. The H1 is the civilian version of the HMMWV (or Humvee) the US military uses. From wikipedia.

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Hummer H1s are unique in the way they handle off road, and in their interior arrangement. Passenger and highway comfort are sacrificed for maximum mobility compared to civilian SUVs, with features much more radical than the original Jeep, though they do share a similarly cut simple grille opening. They are inherently very stable, thanks to their wide stance. They also can ford 30 inches (76 cm) of water, climb a 22-inch (56 cm) step, have a stock ground clearance of 16 inches (41 cm). This high clearance is made possible by tucking driveline components inside a channel in the central space between the left and right seats. They have high approach/departure angles of 72/37.5 degrees. Most H1s are equipped with a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS), which enables the driver to increase or decrease the tire air pressure at will- since lower tire pressures are more suited for off road, and higher tire pressures are desirable on-road.

Hummer H1s have many unusual features. They use inboard brakes. They have portal gears, allowing the drivetrain's half shafts to be up high for greater clearance. The radiator is up high, sloping back over the engine on a forward hinged hood. The air intake is mounted high, enabling fording waist-level water. Rather than using simple runflat tires, aluminum or rubber inserts are an optional feature for runflat ability.
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My point is there are 2 maybe 3 H1 Hummers in town (the only ones I've seen are Jerri's and one other business, haven't seen one that appears to be privately owned). They really are pointless for city use. The H2 and H3 are no different than any other truck or SUV in town that isn't a Hummer. They just cost more. So singling out the H2 and H3 hummer as something pointless next to any other SUV or truck in town to me is pointless ;)

James said...

HAHAHA thanks for the info and clarifying that the H2 and H3 are basically the same as any other SUV. I probably did mistake a H2 or H3 for a H1 and do agree singling them out is pointless unless I talk about SUVs/trucks in general.

It does make me feel slightly more.. "comforting"?? that there are really only one or two actual H1s in Saskatoon.

Anonymous said...

LOL, James!! You've never seen the real military Hummers go??? They are awesome! they deflate whatever tire you want to get across caverns that are up to a metre or more wide and they are hardcore! :D

James said...

LOL don't get me wrong, I'm pretty sure if I saw a H1 go across caverns I would be super impressed. However I live in Saskatoon, Sk so the likelihood of that happening is rare, hence the post :P