Does anyone else hate Hummer owners?

A Hummer isn't a statement of independence -- it's a statement of dependence on Islamist nutbags who want you dead. Yeah, spew your shit about how independent you are while financing your future murderers, or actually do something to cut back the money that goes to them. Tough choice that is.

Actually the H2 has a minority of parts in common with the Tahoe platform, and most of the common parts (like the frame) are considerably modified. The computer-controlled 4-wheel-drive system is probably the most advanced ever put into a mass-production vehicle, and it's really interesting to watch it work when off-roading. Its offroading dimensions (clearance, etc.) and factory-applied body protection are second only to the H1, and exceed those to any other factory vehicle.

All that adds up to a vehicle with maybe the best off-road racing record ever. Undefeated throughout the 2005 SCORE full-stock (as in not highly modified vehicles) racing season & crushed all the competition at last years BAJA 1000. Its probably better off-road than anything but an H1 or aftermarket-modified vehicles.

There is alot of other technology as well, like noise-minimizing frame and motor-mount construction, thick/insulated doors, extra-thick window glass, tripled-up seals, and much more.

On the road it isn't as car-ish to drive as a Range Rover or an Escalade, but its quieter/better riding/more comfortable (in the front) than Escalade or even Range (front or back) on the highway. It is a pleasure to drive. Acceleration is quite poor, even for a big SUV.

My brother bought an H2 a few months ago, after i begged him not to. That thing has such a set of virtues, that if not for the fact that i simply won't own a vehicle that gets bad mileage, i'd buy one. I cannot imagine a vehicle that i'd like more (pleasure off-roading is quite fun)

he averages 12/14 for city/highway. So its a gas-piglet for sure, but really no worse than any other large luxo-SUV. The H2 is a Low Emmissions Vehicle, which helps, but it still sucks. He is an average to mellow driver, some H2 drivers might get worse, i haven't a clue.

The hummer hate - the initial post in this thread is very mild hummer hate, certainly not extreme - is sometimes almost remarkable, and rarely even somewhat rational. It must be the way the H2s stand out, or the physical size, that sends people into that kind of panic mode. And most H2s aren't $50k, probably more like $70 with options and "bling". I'm sure alot of what you see driving around is closer to $90 or even 100.

My compliments to this thread, i dug alot of the comments and the insane-flames that only hummers seem to elicit were reasonably minimal.

I've seen that CNW study ... and i've seen some threads about it that boil down to irrational panic as well.

I think it might be more interesting/as interesting to do a similar study and assess how much oil each vehicle consumes over its life. That would tip the scales back a bit towards my personal concerns. While i'm sure the prius i'm still on a waiting list for would then beat the H2 my brother had a lot shorter wait for, i guess that study is sobering in its reminder that its not always as simple as it seems.

I posted a few minutes ago that this thread was fairly good as far as hummer threads go... i didn't realize it was 10 pages long until after i posted that. :P

To folks who might be concerned about the environment or whatever else... please understand that the whole "small pee pee" "rich a-hole" "doesn't care if he kills me" semi-fruitcake arguments only work against you, and drive people to buy hummers (and other big SUVs). The "up yours, idiot" counter reaction.

Make sense, speak calmly, don't act like a pack of rabid wolves, and people might actually hear those of us who are concerned about CO2 or whatever else.

Nobody listens to lunatic rantings, except other loonies.

Just a request from some guy: please at least try to make sense. The world probably would do well with less monster SUVs, but none of that helps reduce the #s

In reply to the "I hate smug hybrid drivers".

I ordered a prius a month or two ago, not to be smug, but because there are better uses for the remaining oil than driving (like plastics & other industrial uses that won't prove as easy to replace).

I wasn't aware of the CNW study at the time, and it might have influenced my choice. I probably would have bought a VW Golf with the TDI (much cooler car, no stigma). But the prius will hold its value as gas prices go up, so it won't be a bad financial decision.

I laugh at Hummer drivers. Imagine being stuck with one of those.

You aren't the only one:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=351y51d&s=3