Finally dead, thank your chosen diety

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by nj636

don't forget to factor in the cost of all of the replacement parts in 436k miles, i mean it is a fine american made machine

I don't imagine parts would be too bad as you can get an entirely new Suburban with a third of those miles, in good cosmetic condition, on craigslist for about $1500-2000 in my area. You can barely give those away anymore.

[IamIan]

Originally Posted by CAPTAIN CHAOS

Also, 400k+ on one vehicle (even a suburban) is still better environmental-wise than buying a new hybrid or eco-minded car every 3-5years. It takes a LOT of resources to build a car.

Better yet ... put those same years and miles on a more energy efficient car and get the best of both.

For example , I read about a guy driving a Gen1 Honda Insight for over 500,000 Miles... and mine is still going strong 12 years later, even if I don't have those kind of miles on it.

[Frank Lee]

I rescued the Coupe from the crusher 13 years ago; it is still giving reliable, economical service.

[slowmover]

30k miles per year is just a barely high average in some of the larger metros. About ten years ago I came across a news article in Dallas on this phenomenon, that 3-yr old vehicles at 90k were now a common trade-in point. My ex was running these kind of miles in her job in that city at that time (but in something more fuel efficient). Realtors, sales personnel, etc are all apt to see high mileage on personal vehicles. But don't forget the IRS business miles deduction for this kind of use, currently around 55-cpm as I recall.

Subsidies around petroleum are deep, to say the least, whether direct or indirect.

[drainoil]

Originally Posted by CAPTAIN CHAOS

You know, not everybody that drives one of those tanks is a soccer mom with one kid who wouldn't know how to put a hitch into the reciever to save their life. For some (though admittedly not most) those vehicles serve a purpose that no 4cyl car or hybrid can accomplish. Some people have large families. Some people tow regularly. Some people have to carry a LOT of crap for work travel. There are a number of valid reasons for driving a Suburban. Also, 400k+ on one vehicle (even a suburban) is still better environmental-wise than buying a new hybrid or eco-minded car every 3-5years. It takes a LOT of resources to build a car.

Maybe you could climb down off your high eco-horse and broaden your perspective a little; stop judging before you know any of the circumstances.

He's not on an eco high horse. To interpret his post that way is certainly not warranted or necessary.

I'm one of those that needs a vehicle to haul half a dozen people, tow a trailer, haul lots of gear, etc, once in a while, not everyday but sometimes. For me I purchased a nice little "eco" car (for less than 2 grand btw) from another board member here to use as my daily driver. Although I admire and respect the mpgs that a Prius, Insite or other hybrid gets, they typically are currently out of my affordability range. I bought my daily because it will get up to 50 mpg which saves me money, and lots of it over time, in fuel costs. For the occasional time I need to fire up the v8 powered 12 mpg people hauler/trailer towing beast, I can handle that from an economic standpoint. But to use my big beast eveyday with just me in it back and forth to work, I feel I'd be wasting hundreds in fuel per month. But thats just me.

Keep in mind that although most here want to squeeze the most efficiency out of their machines, many sometimes enjoy utilizing automobiles in a way that isn't the most efficient or eco-minded manner but that usually takes place on a deserted roadway or racetrack

[jakobnev]

Also, 400k+ on one vehicle (even a suburban) is still better environmental-wise than buying a new hybrid or eco-minded car every 3-5years. It takes a LOT of resources to build a car.

%&¤/"%"¤"%"&"!!!!! (I swear i will pop the throbbing vane on my temple some day!)

That might resemble valid reasoning if (and only if!) people took their 3-5 y.o. cars to the junk yard! They don't, they sell them on the used market, and the cars get typicaly over a decade more of use.

[JRMichler]

Originally Posted by jakobnev

That might resemble valid reasoning if (and only if!) people took their 3-5 y.o. cars to the junk yard! They don't, they sell them on the used market, and the cars get typicaly over a decade more of use.

+1

Econ 101: Each new car sale triggers a 3-5 year old used car sale, which in turn triggers an older used car sale, which in turn ....

The chain ends with some minimum wage person buying a 15 or 20 year old clunker hoping it will hang together for more than a year.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by JRMichler

+1

Econ 101: Each new car sale triggers a 3-5 year old used car sale, which in turn triggers an older used car sale, which in turn ....

The chain ends with some minimum wage person buying a 15 or 20 year old clunker hoping it will hang together for more than a year.

That would be me.

[drainoil]

[QUOTE=JRMichler;342918]+1

The chain ends with some minimum wage person buying a 15 or 20 year old clunker hoping it will hang together for more than a year

I just picked up my 18 year old vx from another member here and I'm planning it will last well more than a year as my dd.

[oil pan 4]

I bought a 15 year old car almost 11 years ago.
(still have it)