I drove an SUV. No wonder the car industry is in trouble.

[Midnight Son]

In a gesture of friendship, I agreed to let a friend leave his Chevy Trailblazer at our place over the holidays while he flew on home. I drove his vehicle back from the airport.

Short version: What a piece of shit!

Long version: It's a couple of years old. It is very underpowered. The interior trim is falling apart and squeeks while driving. It feels nimble as a whale. The suspension is so pitiful it feels like you're on a boat during a hurricane. (Or fishing off Alaska in the winter!) The gas mileage is abysmal. The brakes are like spongecake. No, I didn't feel safe. That must be a soccer mom illusion.

This is the kind of vehicle "everyone" wants? Really? Not me.

My work Hyundai Elantra GT feels like a luxury vehicle compared to this travesty! Sheesh!

[Case]

On the other hand, the Trailblazer is not exactly the epitome of the art of building SUVs -- it's a pretty old design. Even GM has far better ones now.

[strummer]

Yeah, and after driving a Suzuki Reno I hereby declare all cars are crap and vow to only travel by stagecoach.

[Midnight Son]

Nobody bailed out the buggy whip makers!

[Pogo]

Yeah that's a pretty shitty way to experience an SUV. You might as well have driven a Ford Bronco.

My parents have a 2004 Lexus GX470, and there is simply no other car or SUV that is as much of a pleasure to drive (in my pretty substantial experiences with driving other vehicles).

Tight suspension (which is actually adjustable from Comfort to Sport in 4 steps, in real time), V8 power with about 20mpg on the highway, all-wheel drive control that you can turn on in abysmal weather conditions, GPS and every ridiculous amenity you would want (DVD, great stereo system, ass warmers), removable rear seats, windshield wipers that automatically set their speed based on how much rain is hitting the windshield, speed-limiting downhill cruising features, etc. It's also not as obnoxious as a Hummer, Tahoe, or Escalade, although it's on the upper end of the mid-sized SUV spectrum.

Definitely a pleasure to drive. However, it's also a Japanese (Toyota) design so, probably not relevant to the argument of failing U.S. companies and their shitty cars.

[Lunch of Kong]

Those Porsche Cayennes are great. There is very little body roll while cornering.

[John Doyle]

I love my Touareg. Excellent ride, very stable and nicely comfortable.

[MyNameIsWill]

I laughed

[Aeon221]

Yeah that's a pretty shitty way to experience an SUV. You might as well have driven a Ford Bronco.

My first several years of driving were in a decrepit Ford Bronco. They are excellent vehicles and you, sir, are going to hell for impugning their name!

I SAID GOOD DAY!

[Mean Dr. Lily]

*shrug*

I enjoy driving my SUV when the weather is bad or I don't feel like taking the car.

1998 GMC Suburban with 168,000 miles. Nice ride, few rattles, reasonable amenities. It drives like a much smaller vehicle than it is. I do wish the brakes were a bit more responsive, and it only gets 17 mpg... but it only cost me $3000 so who cares?

Makes a great family truckster.

[Ed Solomon]

Midnight, you'll take the keys of my new Volvo XC 90 only from my cold, dead hands.

[Brendan]

I'd like to own something like the 2.0l Honda CRV. Small, fuel efficient and a really good ride.

I'll also apply for the extra X chromosome and say that the little 1.3l Suzuki Jimni is an awesome little vehicle if you are looking for a small little SUV with excellent off road recreational potential. It even has a low range gearbox.

[Robert Sharp]

My mother lent me her Jeep SUV (no idea the model) while I was home for Xmas. I didn't like driving it because of the size compared to my Saturn Ion, but I have to admit it was smooth. OTOH, the suspension or muffler or something rattled when it idled, and she told me she had gotten several things fixed. It only has 72k miles on it, which might seem like a lot to some, but my Saturn is at 63 and has had zero problems. Obviously this is all anecdotal. But I have to admit it drove very smooth.

[Midnight Son]

Midnight, you'll take the keys of my new Volvo XC 90 only from my cold, dead hands.

It seems someone already took your testosterone! :)

[Ed Solomon]

It seems someone already took your testosterone! :)

Who knew Elantra drivers had such an attitude.

[Mark Crump]

Huh, I have a 2004 Trailblazer and I love it. It's got a smooth ride and has a surprisingly tight turning radius. Nothing squeeks on it.

[arctangent]

Yeah, but which SUV is bigger?

http://www.eyetricks.com/3401.jpg

[John Many Jars]

SUVs have more weapon slots than most, but serious drivers have minivans.

[Midnight Son]

Who knew Elantra drivers had such an attitude.

I guess it comes from not wasting shitloads of money on basic transportation.

I'd rather waste it on my latest Russian girlfriend!

[Anti-Bunny]

My parents have a 2004 Lexus GX470, and there is simply no other car or SUV that is as much of a pleasure to drive (in my pretty substantial experiences with driving other vehicles).
Mine also, and I totally agree. I think theirs is a 2003 and it's a little dinged up, but drives like a dream. CU didn't like the Touareg, but it was a nice drive with decent interior at least.

I have never driven or ridden in a domestic SUV that isn't total shit. Everything rattles in the Escalade and it drove me insane. The Hummer is so hilariously terrible, everything they say about its owners (small dick, etc) must be true.

[graller]

That GX470 is a tank based on the old Land Cruiser of Toyota. That thing is not a mid-size SUV. I drive a Mini Cooper S and my wife has the Lexus RX330. That is a true mid-size SUV and a terrific all around car. 20+ MPG city, great interior, handling, quality. Exactly why the American car companies are dying.

I also adore my Mini for commuting and fun driving.

[Ben Sones]

I've driven my sister-in-law's Jeep Liberty, and it's ghastly. Unresponsive handling, church-pew-like seats, blind spots the size of Texas, underpowered, highly unstable in bad road conditions unless 4-wheel drive is on, and incredibly bad mileage for a vehicle that isn't all that heavy or powerful (by SUV standards). My in-laws new Jeep Grand Cherokee handles better and gets (slightly) better mileage, but it seems like they have it in the shop nearly every month for some sort of non-insignificant repair.

Personally, I'd never buy either, but I dislike large vehicles in general. Our new Honda Fit is more along the lines of what appeals to me.

[forgeforsaken]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8hDUaik7A4

[Aeon221]

I guess it comes from not wasting shitloads of money on basic transportation.

I'd rather waste it on my latest Russian girlfriend!

Waitresses are only nice because they're hoping for a tip.

[Eric T Cheng]

The Canyonero is tiny compared to the CXT (http://images.google.ca/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=international+cxt&btnG=Search+Images)!

[Bill Dungsroman]

I've driven my sister-in-law's Jeep Liberty, and it's ghastly. Unresponsive handling, church-pew-like seats, blind spots the size of Texas, underpowered, highly unstable in bad road conditions unless 4-wheel drive is on, and incredibly bad mileage for a vehicle that isn't all that heavy or powerful (by SUV standards). My in-laws new Jeep Grand Cherokee handles better and gets (slightly) better mileage, but it seems like they have it in the shop nearly every month for some sort of non-insignificant repair.

That's a pretty accurate representation of Jeep ownership as far as I've observed. The Liberty is a complete shit of an SUV and has had all kinds of serious recall issues and is probably the worst model Jeep had produced in decades, if not ever. My mom has a Grand Cherokee and it also has quirky issues, and a former boss of mine also had one and had the same sort of issues (plus apparently Jeep dealerships can be very difficult to deal with once you drive off the lot, they aren't really concerned with customer retention).