Be Patriotic by getting a shitty car

Spinaroonie

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!
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Jul 29, 2000
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Let me come out before I post this article from the Sunday NY times that the H2 is the biggest pussy SUV in existance. It cannot go above 70mph and gets 12 miles to the gallon. The only reason the original Hummer was halfway decent was that it could go up steep inclines and through like three feet of water. The H2 practically cannot drive on a slick road. The original hummer was ok if you don't like power steering, power brakes, and if you didn't mine that the passenger compartment fills up with fumes if it runs in excess of ten minutes.


In Their Hummers, Right Beside Uncle Sam
By DANNY HAKIM

DETROIT, April 4 — While the Humvees are lined up in the desert, their cousins, the Hummers, continue to be Detroit's hottest seller.

Is it because of, or in spite of, the war? Sales of several other large sport utility vehicles, like the Chevrolet Suburban, are showing signs of weakness while overall sales remain strong for other S.U.V.'s.

But some Hummer drivers, inundated like the rest of America by war news, feel especially patriotic behind the wheel now.

"When I turn on the TV, I see wall-to-wall Humvees, and I'm proud," said Sam Bernstein, a 51-year-old antiquities dealer who lives in Marin County, Calif., and drives a Hummer H2, an S.U.V. sibling of the military Humvee.

"They're not out there in Audi A4's," he said of the troops. "I'm proud of my country, and I'm proud to be driving a product that is making a significant contribution."

"If I could get an A1 Abrams, I would," he added with a smile, referring to the tank, "but I don't know if California would allow it."

Earlier this week, General Motors, which markets the Hummer brand, rolled out its most expansive wave of zero percent financing offers yet, extending such deals even to Corvettes.

But not to the Hummer, which continues to be the only Detroit brand that sells without incentives. At a clip of more than 3,000 a month, the Hummer H2 is now the best-selling large luxury S.U.V., beating out the Lincoln Navigator and the Lexus LX470. It sells almost as many units as the smaller BMW X5, even though H2 starts at about $50,000 — $10,000 more than the BMW.

Hummer gear is also selling at a heady clip, from the $16 "Like Nothing Else" T-shirt to the $449 remote-control miniature Hummer equipped with spy camera and monitor to the $795 Hummer Tactical Mountain Bike.

Rick Schmidt, founder of I.H.O.G., the International Hummer Owners Group, said: "In my humble opinion, the H2 is an American icon. Not the military version by any means, but it's a symbol of what we all hold so dearly above all else, the fact we have the freedom of choice, the freedom of happiness, the freedom of adventure and discovery, and the ultimate freedom of expression."

"Those who deface a Hummer in words or deed," he added, "deface the American flag and what it stands for."

Hummer executives said there had been no change in their marketing strategy during the war. H2, the brand's new signature vehicle, has been on sale about nine months, and advertising is in heavy rotation. The idiosyncratic TV spots range from Zen to mock-hostile, including one in which a beatific couple drives around Iceland and another in which a slender young woman confidently motors through urban streets.

And what about the war?

"It definitely helps," said Clotaire Rapaille, a consumer research consultant for G.M. and other automakers. "I told them in Detroit, `Put four stars on the shoulder of the Hummer and it will sell better.' The Hummer is a car in uniform. Right now we are in a time of uncertainty, and people like strong brands with basic emotions."

Kevin Fieweger, general sales manager of Bergstrom Hummer in Milwaukee, said the appeal of Hummer was "testosterone," but added, "I don't have people coming in here in camouflage and a beret."

Travis Patterson, 35, an Air Force veteran who lives in Arlington, Tex., said: "To me, the Hummer, the H1, is the most American vehicle on the planet. It oozes patriotism. You put some flags on the Hummer and drive down the road and everyone is honking and waving at you."

Not every veteran appreciates them. Erik Gustafson, 31, drove Humvees a few times as a specialist in the gulf war, where he served as an engineer.

"It always bothers me whenever I see them," said Mr. Gustafson, who has founded a group that opposes the war. "At a time when oil prices are already sky high and given how oil politics play into these conflicts, it strikes me as irresponsible."

The Sierra Club is planning a campaign against the Hummer because of its gas consumption. Both the H1, which starts at $100,000 and is quite similar to the military Humvee, and the more baby-boomer-friendly H2, are so heavy they are not regulated by the same fuel economy rules that govern most cars and S.U.V.'s. They are also large enough to qualify for huge deductions for small business under loopholes in the tax code.

"At a time when our troops are at risk in part because of our oil dependence, it is the height of irresponsibility for General Motors to be pushing an 11-miles-per-gallon gas guzzler," said Daniel Becker, a global warming expert at the Sierra Club.

Mike DiGiovanni, G.M.'s general manager for the Hummer, argued that the nation's appetite for foreign oil had less to do with consumption levels than with foreign oil's being cheaper to produce than domestic oil. He said G.M. was focusing on improving fuel economy in high-volume vehicles with new technologies.

Mr. Patterson, the Air Force veteran, sees the Hummer as a vehicle that can be used for responsible off-road driving. He is the founder of an outdoor adventure company and has a Hummer club with 65 members.

"It's a dichotomy to say you own a Hummer and you're an environmentalist, but we don't run over little trees and we take care of what we have," he said. "The fuel economy issue is touchy. Yes, they use more fuel than a lot of things, but not the Suburbans, the Tahoes."

Mr. Bernstein of Marin County also says he is an environmentalist and called his H2 "the safest vehicle for exploring the places the Sierra Club talks about."


G.M. executives are happy to have a brand that sells without interest-free loans. The company's profits are slim compared with those of foreign competitors like Toyota and Honda. A pickup version of the H2 is coming next year and a smaller Hummer is being considered.

G.M. owns the marketing rights to the Hummer, but the vehicles are manufactured by AM General, a privately held Indiana company that makes Humvees. The company is for sale. This year, G.M. and AM General are on track to a goal of selling 40,000 H2's.

On Friday, Rick Almandi, 54, was buying an H2 at Bergstrom Hummer in Milwaukee. He also owns a Dodge Viper and a Corvette.

"Seeing them on TV, you kind of identify with them," said Mr. Almandi, a retired U.P.S. manager. "Whether other people don't like it, I really don't care. I really don't want to hear it. I like to personalize vehicles. They make me feel good. They reflect myself."


Like many other Hummer owners, Sam Bernstein of Marin County, Calif., said that his big S.U.V. made him feel patriotic.
 
One would think that the military would be able to get a hold of a vehicle that gets more than 8mi to the gallon when they know they have to cross a desert.
 
I mentioned Rapaille in a thread a few weeks ago...he's a psychaitrist that interprets real consumer wants & needs for automakers versus what consumers say they need/want.

He pointed out on 60 Minutes back in January that Americans like SUV's moreso in difficult times because they give them the feeling they can plow through things and be aggressors, which he says is intrinsic to the American psyche.

It definitely helps," said Clotaire Rapaille, a consumer research consultant for G.M. and other automakers. "I told them in Detroit, `Put four stars on the shoulder of the Hummer and it will sell better.' The Hummer is a car in uniform. Right now we are in a time of uncertainty, and people like strong brands with basic emotions."

Interestingly...the H2 isn't a "real" Hummer anyway...it's built on the full size Chevy truck (Silverado) chassis.

Growing up in the '60s, I always thought Jeeps were brawny, tough, cool...likely for the same "army" reasons people now dig Hummers......so I bought a soft-top one in military green in '96 when the TJ came out with round headlites again.....a decision that was advised by...Rapaille to Chrysler.
 
badasschick said:
One would think that the military would be able to get a hold of a vehicle that gets more than 8mi to the gallon when they know they have to cross a desert.


M1A1 tanks get about 1 mpg. Sometimes fuel economy isn't the most important criteria for a piece of military equipment.

Oh, nice corset. :)
 
Problem Child said:
M1A1 tanks get about 1 mpg. Sometimes fuel economy isn't the most important criteria for a piece of military equipment.

Oh, nice corset. :)

Thanks....handmade.


But correct me if I'm wrong, does the hummer have any other purpose than transportation?
 
I painted my mini scooter "desert tan." It only gets 12 miles per gallon. It should get more but I'm fat.
 
*tongue in cheek*

badasschick said:
One would think that the military would be able to get a hold of a vehicle that gets more than 8mi to the gallon when they know they have to cross a desert.

Why should they worry about Gas milage. Look at the Oil reserves they just secured?

Opps my bad...look at the Iraqi's they just liberated.....:rolleyes:
 
Let me come out before I post this article from the Sunday NY times that the H2 is the biggest pussy SUV in existance. It cannot go above 70mph and gets 12 miles to the gallon.

That's cool, because I can pass them in my 1994 4 cylinder Volvo.
 
Too loud? Too flashy?

00EM9595823474C.jpg
 
badasschick said:
Thanks....handmade.


But correct me if I'm wrong, does the hummer have any other purpose than transportation?

The military H1 is officialy called the
HMMWV
High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle


The hummer is the military utility vehicle just like the old military jeeps were 30 years ago.

Its a medium duty transport vehicle.
They have light armor and can be outfited with belt fed machine gun up top.

I know they have some mounted with missile launchers, I have seen a mobile patriot version I think, out back and I assume they use them to tow light artilery too.

Great corset as well. Corsets are yummy. :p


I completly agree with the H2 being shitty and totaly worthless. When I first heard about it I guess a year and a half ago I thought it would be cool. Take all of the first Hummers cool technology and put it in a vehicle 20-30% smaller based off a full sized truck frame in order to make it more affordable.

I thought they would offer a large gas motor, which they did, and then also offer the badass new Izuzu built Duramax diesel as an option. The duramax is not an option and that is disapointing.

The GM detroit diesel in the H1 is horribly under powered at 195 hp and the Duramax makes 345 hp and enough torque to slow the earth's rotation.

When I first saw one in person I was horribly disapointed. None of the H1's cool technology made it onto the H2.

No CTIS(Central Tire Inflation System) which allowed the driver to inflate or deflate the tires on command from the cabin.

No full independent suspension that let the H1 climb a 30 some inch vertical obstacle.

No geared hubs which allowed for massive ground clearance and even better torque multipcation.

No sandwiched multiple cooling systems mounted at an angle above and in front of the engine to protect them from obstacles.

No sealed starter and electrical system to allow deep water fording.

About the only thing that made it into the H2 from the H1 was a driver activated locking differential which isn't even all that special since Toyota has had them for years. Oh and the H1's grill made it too but that was really stolen from Jeep so it does not count.
 
Azwed said:
I completly agree with the H2 being shitty and totaly worthless. When I first heard about it I guess a year and a half ago I thought it would be cool. Take all of the first Hummers cool technology and put it in a vehicle 20-30% smaller based off a full sized truck frame in order to make it more affordable.

The only extra I've seen on them is extra bass from the "coolest of the cool" frat-boys riding them around, like they've got a lot of power.

Oh, Gold rims, they also come with gold rims.

Edit: And Calvin stickers.
 
I already have a shitty American Car....

94 Ford Escort Wagon... but it keeps on running... almost no trouble....

But my next car is gonna be a cute one... I want one of those little Mini Cooper....

Either a red one with white trim or an aqua one....

I will look so cute zipping around in one of those...:D
 
sweet soft kiss said:
I already have a shitty American Car....

94 Ford Escort Wagon... but it keeps on running... almost no trouble....

But my next car is gonna be a cute one... I want one of those little Mini Cooper....

Either a red one with white trim or an aqua one....

I will look so cute zipping around in one of those...:D

Go hang out at my MINI forum then.

I am ordering a Chili Red/Black roof/Mirrors and then get a set of aftermarket wheels powder coated black.

Kind of the antithesis of the White roof/mirrors MINI.

I am trying to elminiate all silver or chrome from the car. So I will just have red and black colors.
 
Azwed said:
Go hang out at my MINI forum then.

I am ordering a Chili Red/Black roof/Mirrors and then get a set of aftermarket wheels powder coated black.

Kind of the antithesis of the White roof/mirrors MINI.

I am trying to elminiate all silver or chrome from the car. So I will just have red and black colors.

I am a girl... Red and White is cuter...

Besides I live in L.A. The hot summer sun bakes a car with a black roof.... and hot summer sun starts in March and ends in November around here...
 
Yeah, but how much small arms fire can the H2 take?
 
sweet soft kiss said:
I am a girl... Red and White is cuter...

Besides I live in L.A. The hot summer sun bakes a car with a black roof.... and hot summer sun starts in March and ends in November around here...
When I get my MINI, hopefully by this summer, Maybe we could have a LIT-tle Cooper get together for So-Cal!:cool:
 
SuprSalor said:
When I get my MINI, hopefully by this summer, Maybe we could have a LIT-tle Cooper get together for So-Cal!:cool:

Maybe we can Salor.... although I am not looking at a Mini for at least a year... maybe two... I don't plan on getting rid of the Escort until it is kaput...
 
Guru said:
Yeah, but how much small arms fire can the H2 take?

Let me tell you something. You talk about fear. You don't know fear. YOu don't know the true fear that grips a man's heart and tries to tear it out of his chest right before his very eyes. You don't know fear until there's more adrenaline in your veins than plasma and no longer is your head heavy with subconcious thought. When fear strikes, true fear, your brain is high, shocked to where it can only concentrate on the matter at hand in short flashes between shutting down. You don't know fear until you've seen a rubber band hit a fully loaded H2 from fifteen feet away.
 
Spinaroonie said:
Let me tell you something. You talk about fear. You don't know fear. YOu don't know the true fear that grips a man's heart and tries to tear it out of his chest right before his very eyes. You don't know fear until there's more adrenaline in your veins than plasma and no longer is your head heavy with subconcious thought. When fear strikes, true fear, your brain is high, shocked to where it can only concentrate on the matter at hand in short flashes between shutting down. You don't know fear until you've seen a rubber band hit a fully loaded H2 from fifteen feet away.

LMFAO! Hey... That's not fair!
 
I drive a nice, safe Japanese car. It's 14 years old.
 
Who wants the army's cars? Bleh. I just want the artillery. Nothing says "Don't Cut Me Off Mother Fucker" like a machine gun.

And I'll keep my crappy Tempo, thanks.
 
Azwed said:
Oh and the H1's grill made it too but that was really stolen from Jeep so it does not count.
Yeah, that vertical bar thing, really an original idea.

On behalf of all the people in my hometown, thank you for buying the H2's, even if they are slow, somewhat gaudy, and get worse gas mileage than a battleship. :D

TB4p
 
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