A Sad Day Indeed...

[HUMMERDOGG]

Well, I'm sick this day after Christmas so what do I do but go and pick up $50 worth of magazines at Border's Bookstore to entertain myself on the couch. So I'm reading through the new Motor Trend 'Truck Trend' and see that they are doing the 2003 SUV of the Year. So I flip to the first page of the article expecting to see our beautiful 7 slot chrome grill and instead, what do I see, but a Volvo XC90!!! WTF?!... I don't think I've ever even seen this car. We were in the running but got nailed on the: Cheap interior plastic; Fuel-thirsty engine; poor rearward visibility...

Needless to say, I'm a little pissed so I pick up the new Four Wheeler magazine, you know, the one whose readership generally understands what it is to be a Hummer owner. Well, in the newest issue they have their Four Wheeler of the Year Shootout. So I tear open the magazine looking to see our H2 winning it all and, to my dismay, they have the new Lexus GX470 (fancy 4-Runner) beating out the H2 with the H2 barely beating out the newly redesigned Toyota 4-Runner. Augh!!!

So I read through the article and Four Wheeler evidently doesn't like the fact that "when the rear locker is engaged the H2 relies on its traction-control system for the front and that seemed to take plenty of wheelspin to engage". Also, they nailed us on narrow windows, sheer size and power output. Oh Well, I guess you can't win them all...

[HummerGirl]

you are right on the money with that car review. I am sure that SUV (super uppidy vehicle) is just what some yuppy family wants.

I like MAC would never be seen in a Volvo.
Does anyone remember the movie The Rock, where NicK Cage's character states that he is a major goofball/nerd/yuppie and drives a "volvo, a beige one".

~amy
HummerGirl's Home Page

[cognitive]

Hummergirl: no I haven't driven the XC90. I've been following it for quite awhile since I was looking for car with more space that I found 'pleasing'. I haven't been fond of Volvo's until the S series and the cross country. When I heard about the XC90 I became interested since there must be SOMETHING about it to cause Volvo to basically chew into their own cross country market. Anyway, I became impatient or shall I say I fell in love with the Hummer mystique and got it instead. I love it but the points brought up in Motor Trend are all important (at least to me). I'm not an offroader... rough roader at best... so I'm not enraged by the claim that the volvo is the best 4WD. It makes me somewhat sad that my interior is cheesy, the visibility is poor, etc. but I don't think I would have purchased the XC90 had it been available. It has too much of a 'soccer mom' (I hate that term but I don't know how else to say it) image for me.

Hopefully motor trend like articles will spur GM to make an H3 that is truly the H1's smaller, more efficient brother. That is what I hoped for with the H2. I think a smaller machine would eliminate many of the issues with the competition. Visibility could be much improved. Handling would almost certainly improve. The interior would probably improve due to reduced space. The only thing that would really suffer would be cargo space. There's only so much they can do to create a rigid body with lots of clearance AND retain cargo space. However, Volvo managed to do so in the XC90. Check out the amount of cargo room in the thing. It's pretty good [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[bklynh2srock]

That wouldn't stop me (and hasn't) from buying Japanese or German though.

BTW, delete that second "not" in the first sentence of the second paragraph of my prior post.

[HummerGirl]

acckk...HummerDogg found my home movies...

hee hee just kidding! That is quite a hoot man!

~amy
HummerGirl's Home Page

[JJ]

Cognitive, you're right the XC90 is an outstanding CAR in its own right. And vovlo builds a great product.

I purchased by H2, not for image, but for UTILITY. I wanted the ability to road trip in comfort and take on a wide array of jeep trails such as those found throughout Colorado.

I just can't imagine seeing an XC90 climbing a steep dirt incline out of a sandy arroyo or crawling through heavily washed out areas that would eat its belly.

And sense there are as many different buyers of SUVs as there are definition of UTILITY it doesn't shock be that 4-wheel drive minivans make it to the SUV list.

Just my opinion, and I equally respect yours.

JJ

[SOFTTAILJC]

the h2 will drive them all into the ground ! i'll pull that vovlo around on the end of a strap...never cared what others think, never will... hummerdogg keep the icon at least till jason gets back from vegas..........soft

[HummerGirl]

A moose...that never entered my mind!

You can bet no one is safe from one of those except the national guard in a tank!!!

You are so right about the handling of a volvo. They don't drive all that well and I have never understood the big deal about them. To me it was always a snootie-mobile for those who couldn't afford a mercedes.

That's what I meant about the no thanks earlier...no thanks, I won't have one.

~amy
HummerGirl's Home Page

[HummerGirl]

Well I will tell you what they truly aren't safe from...DEER.

I have seen 4 volvos ranging from wagons to sedans with all the drivers seriously hurt from hitting a deer head on in all instances. So until they make a DEER-proof windshield, it will be THE safest vehicle on the market.

~amy
HummerGirl's Home Page

[HUMMERDOGG]

Well, I'm sick this day after Christmas so what do I do but go and pick up $50 worth of magazines at Border's Bookstore to entertain myself on the couch. So I'm reading through the new Motor Trend 'Truck Trend' and see that they are doing the 2003 SUV of the Year. So I flip to the first page of the article expecting to see our beautiful 7 slot chrome grill and instead, what do I see, but a Volvo XC90!!! WTF?!... I don't think I've ever even seen this car. We were in the running but got nailed on the: Cheap interior plastic; Fuel-thirsty engine; poor rearward visibility...

Needless to say, I'm a little pissed so I pick up the new Four Wheeler magazine, you know, the one whose readership generally understands what it is to be a Hummer owner. Well, in the newest issue they have their Four Wheeler of the Year Shootout. So I tear open the magazine looking to see our H2 winning it all and, to my dismay, they have the new Lexus GX470 (fancy 4-Runner) beating out the H2 with the H2 barely beating out the newly redesigned Toyota 4-Runner. Augh!!!

So I read through the article and Four Wheeler evidently doesn't like the fact that "when the rear locker is engaged the H2 relies on its traction-control system for the front and that seemed to take plenty of wheelspin to engage". Also, they nailed us on narrow windows, sheer size and power output. Oh Well, I guess you can't win them all...

[HeeHaw]

Reminded me of the Dodge Durango, except it had a better interior....

HeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHawwwwwwwwwwww

[HeeHaw]

Although most of my cars are Chev and Ford, I would buy the S500 MB if I wanted (by the way, REALLY nice car). I don't lean towards all American or all Foreign when it comes to vehicles, I think they all probably have their place and some of the Foreign models are quite nice, fast, duable and may be superior in some respects.

BUT when my beloved HUMMER loses to a VOLVO, 4 Runner or any other inferior SUV wanta-be, then that line is the sand has been crossed.

THEM THAR FIGHT'N WORDS!

HeeeeeeeeeeeeeHawwwwwwwwwwwww [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[m998]

OK, I’ll admit it!!!
I purchased an Acura MDX, the 2001 North American Truck of the year, it also won Motor Trend’s Sport/Utility of the Year, MotorWeek’s Driver's Choice Award: Best Family Sport-Utility Vehicle and a couple of other really meaningful awards. I go it for my wife. We actually bought the 2002, improved version, and she loved it …… until ….. you guessed it, that big ol bully moved in and started hogging all the space in our driveway!
One of the reasons we got that big ol bully was to go out with our friends where our “Truck of the Year” couldn’t go! Now she (the wife and probably the MDX) wants to go everywhere in the big ol bully.
Oh yea, a friend of mine had one of the first Volvo SUVs, I looked, felt and smelled it, and YEP, it is a “Truck of the Year”.

[MAC]

HeeHaw, that was beyond the call of duty. Job well done.
Hummer is emotion, not logic. Its like comparing apple to orange.

Which brings to my mind the most logical form of transportation is VAN. Never owned a van, would not buy one but have had several rentals, and I was impressed every time. I think the last one was a Grand Caravan, tons of space and seats, easy walk-thru interior, wide seats, upright pilot chairs, easy to see, drive and very powerful. Aerodynamic shape, maximum use of space, almost like a house on wheels. If logic is the only criteria used in selection between XC90 or a van, I think any van will win the battle among 95% of the buyers who will not go off the roads. Volvo does have some image, power and reliability issues, which is a whole bag of other stuffs not belong here. XC90 is handsome, but no way I will be seen in a Volvo.

[bklynh2srock]

I, too, could NEVER be seen in a Volvo, no matter how many accolades they get. I have problems with their image and philosophy. I am amused by their practice of making all safety features standard because they don't want a person that can't afford an option to be precluded from a safety feature. Well, if you properly extend that righteous egalitarian "logic," to its conclusion, and Volvos ARE truly the safest cars, shouldn't they be giving them away?

[SJ]

cognitive:

Volvo is owned by Ford, thus I would not cross Volvo off my list of possible vehicles to own. Basically, I refuse to buy and support the proliferation of Japanese nameplates. That being said, I give Volvo a fair shake, so that you know where I'm coming from.

Here is my first-hand experience with Volvo:

I had a Volvo C70 for a commuter car. Excellent interior and finish quality. Safety standards are industry-leading and 2nd to no other manufacturer (including Mercedes). The Volvo was in the shop 12 times in the course of 3 months for glitches dealing with engine management. I still hold a thick file of service records. Further, whenever temperatures rose above 90 degrees here in CA, the car would surge or hesitate during acceleration.

You might argue that I simply had a lemon or bad luck, but my experience with Volvo and their entire approach to the incessant problems, left much to be desired.

My experience with GM: GMC, Hummer, and Chevrolet has been excellent. My local dealer goes out of its way to get any possible issues resolved.

As for the off-road aspect - I can only assume you're trying to get a rise out of us? The Volvo is no where near the capability of the H2. It is like comparing Wladimir Klitschko to a Featherweight. The featherweight simply won't hang where the paved road ends; perhaps for a little while, but the eventual KO will come.

I enjoy these comparisons, so please don't take the previous as a personal attack - just good banter! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[HeeHaw]

I certainly like your attitude. I AGREE! THE H2 is the one to beat and therefore it is going to be the focus of these "Keyboard Warriors." Most of them are to Lazy to get off their dead asses and experience things for themselves. But they sure think they write a good game though.

SOCAL XMER ..I'm with ya.

HeeeeeeeHawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[MAC]

Not sad at all, you maybe sick but you have a neat moving sexist icon.

I would be very surprised to find Hummer win any prize, not winning truck/SUV of the year was totally expected. I have never owned a Car Of The Year type of vehicle, I don't follow the herd, I want vehicles which are somewhat unique and not too common, rarely seen and top in its category. I am usually very confident of my selection and proud of my ownership, and frankly, my dear, I don't give a &%#$ what others think of my vehicle, ever.

[JJ]

Yeah, I was hoping to see SteveR's response as well....

JJ

[HummerGirl]

And Cognitive...no thanks.

But the whole concern over this article is the fact that the Hummer and this Volvo thing are two totally different beasts.

To be honest I personally don't classify the Hummer as a Sport Utility and I don't consider the Ford Excursion Either. All the others just fall in between.

Maybe you should take your Hummer off road more.

~amy
HummerGirl's Home Page