Is it a sin to drive to drive a SUV?

[Vickilynn]

Shalom Marnie,

What's funny is that you drive a teeny weeny car, the one my daughter likes. I can't fit in those, I'm too big!

I've always told her if she buys one of the mini cars, we can carry it home in the back of my HUMMER if I ever get one!

Seriously, can you see over the steering wheel in the Hummer?

Red? Ewwwwwww!

I want black with smoked windows.

I also like the Hummers they drive on CSI Miami, I think they are the H2 that I love! MAN alive they are cool!

I wanna go take a test drive just so I can say I drove one!

[sheya joie]

I might mention that my Caravan was not exactly my choice; it was given to me, by my brother who got a new car and passed his old one on to me.

Yay for generous brothers!

[Vickilynn]

Shalom,

We have a midnight blue Suburban (mid-size model) that is 4 years old and now is paid for. Yeah, the gas is a bear to buy for, so we quit going places as much. It gets about 18 MPG in town, 24-25 hwy.

We also have a smaller 15+ year old car that gets better mileage, but my hubby can't drive it due to his back injuries. I drive it on short trips, errands etc. We need to get a short fixed in it though, so it's side-lined for now.

The Suburban works well as a truck, we do a lot of hauling for our food co-op) and we travel quite a bit with stuff back and forth from daughter's college.

We are very thankful for it and we know G-d provided it, whether any person on this board agrees or not is not the issue.

[Marnie]

[Guest LadyC]

i'm not sure i would use the words sin and indulgence, at least in this context, in the same breath. i'm gonna use marnie and mike as an example. i doubt they have any real "need" for their new hummer. so most likely, it is sheer indulgence. but since they can afford it, and since they are very active in serving God and have obviously been blessed by Him in ways that my own pocketbook may not be blessed, is their indulgence even in the same sphere as sin?

i don't think so.

indulgence: 1. an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires 2. a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone; "too much indulgence spoils a child" 3. the act of indulging or gratifying a desire

I don't think buying a new car to replace one driven into the ground qualifies as an "indulgence." The price tag was $28,935. In today's world, that's not an outrageous price for a new car, one that will likely be driven for another decade, knowing Mike as I do. Furthermore, it is not financed so there is no interest or finance charges, which means the final and only cost to purchase is the sticker price, and not the compound interest charges, which add thousands of dollars to the cost of a vehicle.

These are reliable, built well, more economical than you would think because it is a midsize product built on the chassis of GM's compact Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. It seats 5 comfortably and gets around 22 mpg on the highway, 17 mpg in town.

then it's neither sin NOR indulgence!

[Vickilynn]

I might mention that my Caravan was not exactly my choice; it was given to me, by my brother who got a new car and passed his old one on to me.

Yay for generous brothers!

Shalom!

Yeah!!

But a caravan is not an SUV, it is a mini-van. Some people who object to SUV's find mini-vans more politically correct.

[Guest]

Some Folk Just Can't Seem To Keep Their Eyes Off Their Neighbor's Ride!

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Is this a personal choice or is it really a matter of righteousness?

Righteousness!

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified

1 Corinthians 2:2

WWJD....WHAT WOULD JESUS DRIVE?

What Jesus Drives!

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war

Revelation 19:11

Speaking Of Sin....

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

John 16:9

And Of Grace

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

And Of Jesus

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:16-18

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

[forrestkc]

I can't see how it could be argued that driving a big SUV is a sin. Now, if you don't need one then with 3 dollar a gallon gas (maybe 4 dollars a gallon by spring), it certainly is stupid to buy one now, but there is a difference between blowing your money on gas unnecessarily, and sin.

Some people need big trucks. For example, farmers and ranchers can't exactly tow horse trailers and tractors around with a Prius. For most people though you are better off buying the most efficient vehicle you can that supports your needs and lifestyle, and of course, more efficient vehicles are better for both the environment and our nationals security as they help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

[forrestkc]

These are reliable, built well, more economical than you would think because it is a midsize product built on the chassis of GM's compact Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. It seats 5 comfortably and gets around 22 mpg on the highway, 17 mpg in town.

I hate to break this to you, but I drive a Chevrolet Colorado Z71 4wd Crew Cab. It is the truck version of the H3. The platforms and engines are exactly the same. Mine is rated on the sticker at 22 mpg on the Highway, and 17 mpg in town. In the real world, you are going to get about 14 to 15 mpg in town, and on your absolute best day, with the wind behind you, about 20 mpg on the Highway.

Now, my wife's Subaru Outback (Symmetrical AWD) actually beats its EPA ratings on the highway. Its rated at 28 mpg and gets around 30 on the highway, and believe it or not, that car is better in the snow than my truck is, and would go 95% of the places off road that my truck can get to. I would recommend them to anyone.

I do like my truck though, just wish it was more efficient.

[Guest Biblicist]

I can't see how it could be argued that driving a big SUV is a sin. Now, if you don't need one then with 3 dollar a gallon gas (maybe 4 dollars a gallon by spring), it certainly is stupid to buy one now, but there is a difference between blowing your money on gas unnecessarily, and sin.

Some people need big trucks. For example, farmers and ranchers can't exactly two horse trailers and tractors around with a Prius. For most people though you are better off buying the most efficient vehicle you can that supports your needs and lifestyle, and of course, more efficient vehicles are better for both the environment and our nationals security as they help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Don't you drive a TRUCK, forrest?