A rant about my car, and SUVs in general.

"Nymphicus Hollandicus" (nymhicus-hollandicus)
06/22/2015 at 21:31 • Filed to: Rant, idk, SUV, Pilot, Random

*DISCLAIMER* I am not in anyway ungrateful about getting a free car, it’s just I find it ridiculous that my parents want to keep this car, even though a smaller, more fuel efficient car makes much more sense, especially since a car with a 12 gallon fuel tank gets more range than my 20.5, and I drive conservatively...

So I had to fill up my car tonight since it’s the summer, gas prices have been rising up slightly, and now it’s nearly $3 per gallon... Which means it costs $60 to fill up the tank if its run down to the last drop. Meaning if I fill up every week and a half, I’d spend close to $200 per month for gas, which is a lot considering I work part-time. Even if I made much more money than I do now, I certainly wouldn’t have a 3-row SUV just for myself just because ‘merica.

Unless you legitimately need to tow a boat or carry 7 passengers at a time (no, having one baby doesn’t count) an SUV like a Durango, Tahoe, etc is stupid and pointless. Smaller ones like the Rav4, Forester, Edge, X3 do make sense but not the large ones. I will admit, I sometimes take advantage of the Pilot’s large cargo area when I have to carry around a lot of stuff, but it’s really not necessary... Like a Golf Sportwagen can carry just as much, get much better fuel economy and it is easy to maneuver. Did I mention the amount of people who can’t drive their large SUV is horrifying? Even I am having trouble with parking and maneuvering in tight spaces, just because this car is so damn big.

Like I said in my disclaimer, I’m glad I got a free car, but it’s time for it to go and get something that isn’t a “status symbol.” I hate this symbol of “excess” though I do like it’s somewhat comfy seats.

TL:DR, I think large SUVs are so pointless unless you really need them. And while I’m glad I got a free car, I don’t understand why we still have it. I’d be much happier if I got an old LeSabre, because those are cool.

Have an unmolested Civic si for your time.

DISCUSSION (23)

CB > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 21:42

Have you discussed your feelings with your parents? They’d probably understand a want for a more efficient vehicle.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 21:45

You’re happy that you have a car. Good. Step 1 complete.

But be glad that you are discovering that having a car is far more than the cost to buy it. Chief among the costs, fuel. I drive a Mini to work, but I also now have a Silverado 2500 diesel for towing the Audi to the race track.

Also, be happy that you aren’t driving my F-150, which gets 12MPG on regular, and when prices were above $3.15/gallon, would literally cost $100 to fill (32 gallon capacity over two tanks)

Steve in Manhattan > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 21:46

If I really needed something like that, it’d be a Highlander - smooth ride, very comfortable. The Pilot is also a decent ride. The only person I know who has a vehicle like this who needs one is my best buddy from elementary school. He travels in the weather and needs the towing capacity. It’s a Trailblazer - 25oK, so it’s on the way back from the moon (240K).

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 22:00

We are in the same boat actually. Own a 2007 Honda Pilot. But we don’t really need the space and are looking into downsizing. We kind of want a CX-5 or Forester BUT here’s whats stopping us:

Yes, the gas mileage on a Pilot isn’t very good. But in our case it is paid off. A new car will have new car payments. These payments are much higher than the costs of fuel in the long run and as of right now its cheaper to just run the Pilot into the ground.

dogisbadob > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 22:09

Kinja'd!!!

best British car ever sold over here. Only Honda could make Lucas electronics actually work!

Matthew Phillips > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
06/22/2015 at 22:24

.....If I can get 17-21 in a Yukon, you can get 15 in a F150....

BigBlock440 > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 22:29

Easy solution, buy the car you want.

BigBlock440 > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 22:29

Also, since when has the Pilot been “big” or a status symbol?

HammerheadFistpunch > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 22:32

I would feel bad for you, but my daily driver has such bad mileage that the trip odo stopped working so I wouldn’t feel bad when I filled up and did the math. Joking aside, we’ve all been there at one point and one day when you have a job that pays and you’re older you will look back on this moment and think:

Man, remember when I couldn’t afford gas? That feels like so long ago

And then

oh man...I wish I could go back to the time when all I had to worry about was paying for gas.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/22/2015 at 22:42

Ours is paid off too, but if I literally trade this for a smaller car, it will be much cheaper for myself since I basically paid nothing for this, even if I spend one or two grand on top of the trade-in since the gas bill will literally be cut in half. This plan however, will most likely have to wait until after I graduate.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Steve in Manhattan
06/22/2015 at 22:46

My car has never towed a boat before, though it has carried 15 cross-country skis once for a club trip. It’s been called the “living room” by my club.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Matthew Phillips
06/22/2015 at 22:47

Not with a 351 Windsor V8 and early 90s fuel injection. Those drink gas at the rate of 12MPG. 9MPG when towing a two ton Audi.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > CB
06/22/2015 at 22:57

I have actually:

My dad understands my reasoning, he’s even told me to look at a few cars! But he really likes the car so it probably won’t go. Not for the next year or two at that. I think he may even help me out when I graduate, as he told me he wants both the new Camaro and Volt. Plus his lease runs out December 2017, and I (most likely) will graduate May 2017. Hmmmmm........ He did once get a manager at a Chevy Dealer to give him 159/month for a Camaro LS, and I could pay that...

My mom doesn’t think it’s a good idea, saying if I want to save money I can just leave my car home when I go up to college. She brings up new car payments even though I’d probably get a used car. But she just thinks a car is a car and nothing more.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > BigBlock440
06/22/2015 at 23:00

Even if I had the money, my parents won’t let me. I can’t explain why.

The Pilot is a big car, even the first generation. Also, any large SUV or crossover is a status symbol because people buy these even though they don’t need it.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 23:06

Oh duh... I umm...didn’t think that way. I guess if you aren’t going out to buy something brand new and all most trade for equal value it makes a lot more sense...

That all depends on your parents sadly. Sometimes if they are like mine they don’t trust used cars since they don’t know the history. Good luck!

Nymphicus Hollandicus > HammerheadFistpunch
06/22/2015 at 23:06

In 30 or so years (unless these “mass extinction” articles are true) when I walk into the garage and see a beautiful 1967 Pontiac Firebird staring at me I’ll think, “I’m so glad I can afford to put gas in this” ;)

Grindintosecond > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/22/2015 at 23:11

sounds like they dont care this vehicle is breaking your bank. Start taking the bus or riding a bike and do that until they relent. Bum rides off friends. ?do something else other than drive it and when they ask why you dont use it tell them you cant afford the gas. period. refuse it.

im 41 and theyre being very silly. Besides, telling their son who cant afford gas in that thing about how they want a new camaro and new volt and cant decide what car to pour their money on top of is pretty petty. It appears to me they obviously think that since they can afford big ticket purchases without blinking that anyone else can.

Unless they wanted to teach you this lesson about cost of owning things.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/23/2015 at 00:04

Exactly. Saving pennies at the gas pump by dropping thousands of dollars on a slightly more fuel efficient car. Who cares?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/23/2015 at 00:16

Nah. It’s not just their car for you to use, it’s also their backup vehicle. Be wise and just enjoy the thought.

BigBlock440 > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/23/2015 at 08:02

I don’t know your family situation, but I can understand why they want to keep it. Having a bigger vehicle available whenever you need is nice when you have passengers or bigger things to carry. My parents kept their 3-row SUV for family trips, and 3 of the kids drove it when they started driving, until they purchased their own car. If the parking is limited or they’re trying to get you to save for college, those are valid reasons to not let you buy a car. Their house, their rules. The only thing you could so is not drive it. Also, if you can’t afford the gas for this car, how are you going to buy one yourself?

Meatcoma > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/23/2015 at 08:51

My 1991 Ford F-150 had dual tanks.

I remember filling them both up for $100 and gas was 1.99/gal —- Suck it.

Half the time the pump would shut off at $75 and I’d have to put the handle up, close the transaction and then start a new transaction to fill it up the rest of the way.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
06/24/2015 at 08:48

Chief among Ontario costs, insurance. Almost double my gas bill.

NJAnon > Nymphicus Hollandicus
06/25/2015 at 00:39

“Thank you senator. Yes Mr. Zach the gas prices are too damn high.”