John Paradise

Disclaimer: I love my RX-8 and am happy with my gas mileage. This is not a gas mileage thread; I just want to start a discussion.

I hear a lot of SUV bashing on this website and I do not understand it. I own an RX-8 and I love it but I would like everyone to think about this with an open mind. In my 8 I get on average 18mpg and I can fit 3 comfortably ( I am tall and sitting behind the driver seat is basically impossible) If I wanted to get an H2 I could get an average of 14 mpg and I could fit 4 friends and a lot of other stuff in there. I guess the question is do I really always need that room to carry all my friends around for 4 less mpg. But I guess the same question could be asked for the 8, i.e. why don't I get better gas mileage and a faster car and get a WRX (or any car that is faster or handles better for a comparable price) Now I do understand that H2 is way to big to only fit 5 people and a freaking Prius could probably fit 5 people if you really wanted to but my argument is that for 4mpg I don't think a H2, or any SUV for that matter, is much more inefficient than the RX-8.

My thoughts on this were inspired by environmentalist who think that all SUV's are so bad. I wonder if those same environmentalists see an RX-8 and think, "now there is a sensible, efficient car" when in reality it isn't, it is just as guilty as any other gas hog out there. I don't think that environmentalist see internal combustion as the enemy and I think they probably should.

mysql101

The H2 is very heavy. I haven't driven one, but I do own a 35' long RV, and I imagine the ride being more similar to my RV than my RX-8. If that's any indication, I guess the H2 might work for you if you just want a way to get around rather than enjoying the ride. But if that is the case, there are far more economical ways of doing it.

Also for gas mileage, I did a quick google and found this:

mysql101

Another:
More:
Finally, this CBS page says "Hummers average 8 to 10 mpg"

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in567097.shtml

I've gotten no less than 17.5 mpg in my RX-8 in 100% city driving. The move to an H2 appears to be doubling the gas you'd use. It's not inconsequential especially since the RX-8's mileage is nothing to write home about.

MadRonin

This H2 site is very informative. :D

doubleohsmurf

omfg, that fuh2 site is full of shot. yeah they get bad gas mileage and theyre on a tahoe frame, EVERYONE already knows that. they buy them because they are big, accomodating, luxurious, adventurous, and frivolous. ppl who have nothing better to do than run around trying to find cars to flip off because they dont understand world politics need to wake UP!

I like the way they look, but I'd rather have an 8 any day, unless that day was off road (even then i might rally the good ole 8 )

mysql101

I don't hate H2's, but what exactly about them do you consider luxurious and big?

It's big on the exterior.... but it doesn't make good use of it.

John Paradise

My friend has an H2 and he claims the 14mpg, I don't know if he is being truthful. I agree that the space is not used well. The backseat head room is freaking terrible for such a big SUV.

doubleohsmurf

when you can order an 8 passenger suv with onstar, leather, dvd and video screens in every headrest and popdown, heated seats, all the creature comforts, that is capable of offroad handling with ample power and ease, and do it in fashion, i would consider that luxurious and big (moreso big because the thing is jacked up off the ground). either way i'd rather have a military issue HMMVVW (H1) any day, after the 8 .

shigginsrx8

I doubt any environmentalist would say that the 8 is an efficient car. The difference lies in the fact that as far as cars go, the 8 is an exception. If you consider SUV's in general, they all get shitty gas mileage, and they are not subject to the same emmision standards as cars.

As for the H2, i have never seen a bigger waste of space and money in my life. The rear hatch on that "truck" is a freakin joke, It way too small for something of that size. I cannot think of any redeeming qualities that truck has on road, and therefor no reason for 99% of the people who buy it to hvae done so.

DreRX8

Actually I don't like H2s at all--for $50K you are paying for its presence and name--the leather is low grade--the interior materials are cheap at best. People that buy H2s buy them for SLAB purposes (SLAB: slow loud and bangin--describes floss appeal) or they like the design. They are limited on utility for the price. Off-road capability is pretty good--but for the money I'd probably mess with a Tahoe/Yukon, Grand Cherokee, or Escalade.

m477

Lol, if anyone actually gets 14mpg in a H2, it's because they're driving really slow because they want to pose and show off...

Zio

the H2 is a big piece of useless ****, no one needs all that space and no one is going to go off-roading with it.

rifle

Hey Zio, an H2 is probably worthless in NJ but not in the west. Maybe you should have a more open mind.

VikingDJ

That is very true. When I see an H2 in NJ, I wonder what is the purpose other then presence, and just needing to spend money on a car that's pure name. The h2 does have it's uses though for certan people in certian areas. I can see someone who lives in the middle of nowhere and has rough winters totally getting the use out of an H2. My gf bought an 04 xterra. The thing gets similiar mileage to rx8, but it's actually a bit better then mine in city driving. She bought it because she likes the look, and she's an SUV nut. She does not need that vehicle by any means. Hell she's not the outdoors type, and she only puts like 8k miles per year on it. Some people just like certian vehicles, and whether they use it for what it's intended for is their business. We are all different. There are many people that buy the rx8 purely for it's looks. They don't run high rpms, and they don't use it's handling capability. They also aren't on this wbesite. Hell, we make up a very small percentage of rx8 owners actually. To me, they aren't really any different from the people buying SUVS. You could make this argument for an rx8, because to many people it is a complete waste of money for what they use it for. If all we were concerned about was gas mileage, reliability and getting from point A to point B we'd all be buying Toyota Corollas. Actually, it makes sense why that car is one of the most sold cars in the world.

wakeech

why doesn't someone just repost that "H2 pwned by mother nature" video??

ranger4277

I second that.

Spazm

Um...why are we comparing an H2 to an RX8?

expo1

Here is a vid of an H2 going over some rocks, notice the front wheels.

CLICK HERE

http://www.fuh2.com/ is also doesn't hide their views on the H2

mysql101

Both available with yellow? (for the time being)

shelleys_man_06

Figures a Texas Aggie would want an H2 over an RX-8. J/K :D.

Best question in this thread.

policyvote

Okay, there are many reasons to hate SUVs in general, and the H2 in particular:

* SUVs are dangerous. They are giant, road-blocking, visibility-reducing, rollover boxes that crush smaller vehicles in accidents.

* Because people feel that THEY are safe in SUVs, often people with no driving skill drive them--then buy them for their equally unsafe children.

* 99.99% of SUVs never leave the tarmac, and a scarily simliar percentage of SUVs produced today would be worthless if you ever DID venture off the suburban blacktop. Most Sport Utility Vehicles are worthless for sport, and many don't offer much utility either.

* The fuel economy thing has been flogged to death in this thread, but of course SUVs get horrendous economy, ensuring that all the sorority girls, soccer moms, and insecure executives driving them increase our dependence on foreign oil while hastening the day when there won't be any more of it to burn. Not only that, but with manufacturers flooding the market with mega-gas-guzzling SUVs, fleet economy requirements make it harder for them to produce merely inefficient vehicles (like high-powered sports cars).

* The H1 is a cigar-chomping, weapon-wielding, ***-whooping, no-compromises chunk of cold-forged manhood. The H2 is metrosexuality on wheels. That aluminum fake-diamond-plate rear bumper is a gaudy bauble meant to inspire feelings of ruggedness in those who aren't at all rugged. Those who are actually rugged are driving REAL trucks, and doing so because they actually need to haul or tow things.

Need I continue? The RX-8 is a driver's dream, and while the inaugural version isn't nearly as economical as I'd hoped (where's my 250 hp, 25 city/30 hwy wundermotor?), the rest of the vehicle is amazingly unique, sexy, and--yes--practical. If you're just looking for a hot-looking ride to cruise around in, there's no shortage of good looking luxury cars in the $30-$40k range. Hell, get a Buick Park Avenue! there's more storage space in the trunk of that boat than there is in the H2 . . .

Peace
policy

Aesculapius

Here's the thing about hard core environmentalists.....they often site fuel efficiency of cars with the wrong emphasis.

Here is what I mean. Let's say you have 2 people. One person has a Honda accord that gets about 30mpg and the other person has a H2 that gets 10mpg. The first person is doing better for our environment because their car is more efficient right? Not necessarily.

What if the honda person has a 60 mile commute every day. 60 miles x 2 ways = 120 miles / 30mpg = 4 gallons of gas used.

What if the H2 person has a 10 mile commute every day. 10 miles x 2 ways = 20 miles / 10mpg = 2 gallons of gas used.

Thus, the H2 in this case is polluting less and using less fuel over time.

The point is, is that mpg efficiency comparisons only matter if you take the driving habits into account (type of driving, mileage, etc). Ultimately it is the amount of resources you use and the amount of pollution you cause that it what's important.

I had concerns about the RX-8 mileage from an environmental point of view. A good friend pointed the above out to me and since I have a 3 mile commute to work, my annual fuel consumption and annual air pollution is far less than most.

policyvote

Um, no, neccessarily. The H2 is never a BETTER choice than a Honda. Witha very short commute, the difference might matter less. However, if all you're doing with it is driving back and forth to work--WTF is the point of buying an H2? Buy the Honda, save yourself the money at the sticker and the pump, and save the environment for your kids. Cripes.

Peace
policy

XeRo

I own a SUV (03 Z71 Tahoe) and I'll bash it all i want...and continue to as well..i also have to have something to pull trailers and such...On average we get 13-15 MPG and it sucks...i knew it would suck going into it...it's a pain in the *** to park, drive, and I hate the ride...My wife (your typical soccer mom) loves it...feels safe, likes being higher, and has room for our 1 yr old's "stuff"...

I have been trying SO hard to get her to look into swapping it out for a Mazda 6 but she, for some reason, will not part with it...the only valid arguement she has to keep it, is when we have to take the animals somewhere or if something happened we would be able to fit all of them into the back and get them to safety...otherwise...i think it's a death trap to us and others as well, I hate the gas mileage, the only thing i am happy about is it's ability to pull my trailer full of building materials, or horses...

MadRonin

There is a flaw in your logic based on the fact that the Honda is an ULEV (Ultra-Low Emmissions Vehicle) whereas the H2 is not subjected to the same government / environmental regulations. The truth is, the Honda, while using 4 gallons of gas, expels far few pollutants into the atmosphere than the H2 using 2 gallons.