Random irritation of the day

[firecat]

This afternoon, on a suburban downtown two-lane street, a Hummer H1 was backing out of one of the newly-installed slanted-in parking spaces. These spaces are designed so backing out in a normal-width car only blocks one lane of traffic. However, the Hummer was so wide that it blocked both lanes as it backed out.

The Hummer H1 is 86 inches wide (by comparison, a Ford F150 full-size pickup at 79 inches wide, and a Ford Taurus is 73 inches wide). It gets 10 miles to the gallon. It costs $105,000. As a Class 3 truck, it does not have to meet safety requirements for smaller vehicles (for instance, it has no airbags).

A man in his 20s or 30s was driving the Hummer. He was alone. I could see no cargo in it.

He did wave thanks at me for waiting for him to back out of the parking spot.

Comments

[patgund.livejournal.com]

It may be crude and cynical of me, but whenever I see an H1 or H2 like that, (or simular overly large, obviously never taken off road or used for intended purpose vehicle), my immediate thought is usually "damm, I didn't realize they made penises that small...."

[firecat]

Yes, it's crude and cynical. And in this case, quite appropriate, I think.

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

Don't even get me started on them. I utterly despise those things.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

I hated the damn things when I was in the Army. Why a civilian would want one is beyond me.

True story. The other day at work, I was loaded a customers HUMVEE (what we really call them.) with her purchases. She complained about the low ceiling and wide wheelbase.

"Ma'am, this a is a military vehicle. It was designed to be stable on extreme slopes, and having a low profile is a lifesaver in combat. This version is not that different from what the troops use."

"Oh. I didn;t know that."

How can you spend 100 grand on a car and not know anything about it?

[firecat]

*giggle* Maybe a family member bought it and she ended up stuck with it. But still.