The End of a Dream

I want a Hummer.  Have I ever mentioned that before?

I've always wanted one, long before SUV's were THE suburban way to travel. I've never even ridden in one, but they look so cool and rugged. They are the epitome of the SUV.

At least, they were. They're not being made anymore. Another casualty of the falling economy. And our slightly insane obsession with "going green". I think I actually heard some environmentalists cheer when they announced that the last Hummers were rolling off the line.

It made me want to cry.

I've long admired the SUV, and I've always hoped to afford one someday. Unfortunately, I think it's going to be too late.

Vehicle manufacturers are doing something horrible to SUV's. They're turning them into monster station wagons.

Have you ever seen a station wagon that looked cool?

Me neither.


And yet, that's exactly what they're churning out of the factories.

They market this as an SUV?

I don't think so.

Take a good look around you next time you're on the road. See how many of those "sport utility vehicles" are nothing more than a station wagon sitting a little higher up.

It's so sad.

Fortunately, not all vehicle makers have ruined their products. I may not be able to afford (or find) a Hummer, but Nissan makes a vehicle called an XTerra. It's not too bad, and it still looks like a small SUV.

Truthfully, I'm not even in the market for a vehicle right now. Except that my Suzuki Forenza is in the shop, and I'm having to drive our 12 passenger diesel van everywhere I want to go.

That might be what's putting me in the mood for a more rugged vehicle, but let's face it. Our van is not an SUV.

But then again, neither are a lot of other sport utility vehicles on the road.

*Sigh*