29 April 2011

The Hummer of Charnwood. Images of Canberra

| johnboy
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Charnwood Hummer

Owen has sent this in with the following note:

Photograph taken at the back of the Charnwood shops, and on the back of the vehicle are the words, “3.9 tonnes of pure muscle”

Google tells me ( while looking for the price of the beast ) they went out of production last year. This fellow is in first class condition.

Got an image of Canberra you want to share with the world? Email it to images@the-riotact.com .

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Breda and KB1971

I’m sorry but for some unknown reason I regularly lose my RiotACT posts into the ether. Hence I type my comments elsewhere and cut and paste until I can see that they are awaiting moderation. Unfortunately, this time, I forgot on the last attempt to check for subsequent posts and missed KB1971’s #27 post.

I agree that my comment that Hummer’s should be taxed off the road was flippant but no more so than a suggestion that I support everyone driving a soviet era unsafe, inefficient and environmentally unfriendly Trabant. I do support existing and possibly future financial incentives and regulation (positive or negative) for increasingly environmentally friendly vehicles and to use existing vehicles more efficiently and safely.

Actually, I appreciate the mechanics and appearance of vehicles such as Ferraris and Hummers and I LOVE big bore thumping but inefficient motorbikes. However, I may never own one as I, personally, see little point in owning a vehicle that can do more than 110km/h, get to the next set of traffic lights a few seconds quicker or is only used for four wheel driving or towing a handful of times a year. Obviously semis etc are used for what they were designed (and hopefully cover the real economic on road costs) otherwise business owners would look for cheaper options.

My comment about shared ownership of purpose built and/or environmentally efficient vehicles is not a socialist view or borne out of guilt. It’s an alternative idea for people who want the best of both worlds but possibly can’t afford or financially justify it (for example, some apartment complexes overseas own vehicles for communal use). Another less likely option some people might support is a rego system based on distance travelled and, more proportionately, weight, which might even suit sole owners of multiple vehicles or some car enthusiasts. For example, I’m sure there are many people who go four wheel driving every weekend but yet would love to have a cost effective option to drive a more efficient weekday car.

I’m not sure how my views are invasive. Is it just because they differ from yours? Perhaps you are objecting to existing and continually increasing fuel taxes and rego and insurance disincentives based on power and weight and you are just looking for somewhere to vent. Alternatively, perhaps you actually have an environmental conscience and feel a, albeit guilty, need to justify your personal choices.

Tooks said :

Deref said :

Tooks said :

One word comes to mind whenever I see a Hummer driving around. It starts with ‘W’.

How about the B and D words?

Yeah, them too 🙂

Each to their own, but they are the ultimate ‘look at me’ vehicles.

Yeah, bit like a trophy wife. Lovely to look at; wouldn’t want to own one.

Tooks said :

Deref said :

Tooks said :

One word comes to mind whenever I see a Hummer driving around. It starts with ‘W’.

How about the B and D words?

Yeah, them too 🙂

Each to their own, but they are the ultimate ‘look at me’ vehicles.

It works! Whenever I see one I look at it and think “what a dickhead”.

Innovation, you have completely missed the point. As a PP said, the same comments could be made about high end sports or luxury cars – do you think people should be financially penalised (more than they already are) for owning them as well? Why is it that everyone should conform to some external, puritanical standard about what they ‘need’ and how they choose to spend their own money?

Personally, I think that Hummers are rubbish and would never buy one. But, there are some mighty ‘inappropriate’ (by your standards) luxury cars that are very appealing to me, including both large, heavy and thirsty limousines and fantastically extravagant sports cars. Thank goodness we still live in a free country, where people with your intrusive and authoritarian views on personal consumption can only fulminate on the sidelines. Honestly, it sounds as if you’d have us all in Trabants if you had your wish.

And, what is it with the shared ownership thing? Is it a form of socialism, or just guilt about prosperity? Almost no-one who can afford to own something in their own right chooses to share ownership with someone else – other than with a spouse or family member. Human nature and the practicalities of life ensure that this is not going to change in the forseeable future.

Because of the comments on this thread I looked up some stats for the hummer H2. I’m happy to be corrected but basic stats seem to be about 2.9 tonnes weight, 3.6 tonnes towing capacity (impressive and maybe the origins for the claimed 3.9 tonnes of pure muscle claim), up to 8 seats, 10 square meter footprint, a claimed but untested 22 litres per 100km (although there were several sites that suggested fuel consumption was considerably more) and cost about 140k.

#18 Breda – I don’t care how people spend their money except when it adversely affects others. If the vehicle is regularly used to its limits and more efficient vehicles won’t suffice then good luck to them. It’s a bit sad though when they are used for four wheel driving or tow a significant weight once or twice a year and are more regularly used for commuting or grocery shopping. My suggestions such as for shared ownership of these vehicles and/or a second fuel efficient vehicle are just options to better use these vehicles for what they are designed. For example people already share ownership of prop planes and boats etc, why not cars. Also, when I need a four wheel drive, towing vehicle or people mover a few times a year I either hire them or borrow a friend’s and reimburse them, generously, for costs.

Sometimes financial incentives or regulation are necessary to encourage efficient use (eg despite increasing costs of energy would people still build energy hungry homes if there was no EER scheme?). Also, isn’t the fuel tax a federal tax? How much do us road users see of that. And I’m not sure whether the marginal increased rego levy in the ACT covers the true cost on the road of wider lanes, carparks, more damage to the road from increased weight, increased congestion (ie a 10 metre footprint is a lot more than that of a small car) and (although they are four wheel drive and possibly generally safer than some cars) the likely increased risk/cost of injury to third party persons compared to a smaller lighter car.

Maybe you haven’t noticed but these types of cars are being regulated/taxed off the roads but it is taking time. Changes to emissions standards, smaller car parks and higher rego costs and taxes are all being gradually introduced and increased.

#22 dvaey – I agree that Hummers are probably a very safe vehicle assuming that all other things are equal (eg, the driver’s ability and ego are equivalent to that of a driver in a small car), however once things cut loose I suspect that the weight of the Hummer can do a lot more damage to other people/property than, for example, a WRX. I was suggesting a slower speed limit though as, I may be wrong, but I thought that such a heavy vehicle would damage the road less at slower speeds. It would also discourage people from driving them purely for ego.

Innovation said :

kb1971 – so the rego is even less (ie somewhere between $900 and a grand).

I didn’t write that they should be “outlawed”. I wrote that they should be “taxed off the road”. For example, if the States and Territories could get their act together, vehicles could be better proportionately taxed based on a weight/fuel consumption vs distance travelled basis, meaning these things would be driven only as needed. It would also create other cost effective incentives such as sharing car ownership, owning second fuel efficient (cheaply taxed) vehicles, increased public transport useage, a more competitve market for hiring out larger vehicles etc. Of course some concessions might be required for some businesses and farmers etc that have a genuine need for “approved” large but fuel efficient vehicles and for rural communities who might get by with a small car but travel large distances.

Also, just brainstorming but, if these larger and/or inefficient vehicles had a marginally lower speed limit (to partly offset the higher fuel consumption compared to a smaller car) this might discourage people from driving them other than when needed or purely for ego purposes.

I don’t know about the fuel efficiency of the hummer, but I suspect that it has the aerodynamics of a house brick and that there are more efficient vehicles that suit whatever purpose many owners want them for (unless it is just owned for ego).

Last, I agree that electric vehicles are not very practical or cost effective for most people – yet. But there are plenty of cost effective small fuel efficient cars that suit the majority of most car trips for most people.

Outlawed – Taxed out of existence, is there much difference? You are basically saying the same thing.

Also this whole 4WD’s are inefficent thing is a fallacy to a certain dagree. The Hummer has a petrol powered 6lt enging in a that weighs over two tonnes, so does the Toyota Landcruiser (4.5lt though) & yes these two vehicle use more fuel than say a Honda Jazz but I have Nissan Pathfinder diesel that uses less fuel than my Holden Commodore V6.

The Commodore is no slouch in the economy department only using 11l/100 around town, the Pathy is currently using 9-10 depending on how its driven.

As far as safety is concerned, it has 6 airbags, traction control, AWD & ESC. Ok, I hit a smaller car it will be worse off but if a Kenworth hits me I’m toast too, thats just a fact of life on our roads.

Also the Hummer H2 is not the evil demon you are making it out to be, there are really only a handful in the country (probably about 100, 1millione vehicles were sold in OZ last year) as the purchase cost of them plus the running costs places them in the enthusiast category of vehicle. No different to things such as Ferrari’s, Lambo’s, Corvettes & such. Should they be taxed out of existence too?

He has a choice to own such a vehicle & good on him if he can afford it.

BTW, the everage Kenworth with two trailers on it cruising down the Hume is only getting 2km/litre, think about that.

Tooks said :

One word comes to mind whenever I see a Hummer driving around. It starts with ‘W’.

Wonderful?

Deref said :

Tooks said :

One word comes to mind whenever I see a Hummer driving around. It starts with ‘W’.

How about the B and D words?

Yeah, them too 🙂

Each to their own, but they are the ultimate ‘look at me’ vehicles.

Tooks said :

One word comes to mind whenever I see a Hummer driving around. It starts with ‘W’.

How about the B and D words?

One word comes to mind whenever I see a Hummer driving around. It starts with ‘W’.

Innovation said :

Also, just brainstorming but, if these larger and/or inefficient vehicles had a marginally lower speed limit (to partly offset the higher fuel consumption compared to a smaller car) this might discourage people from driving them other than when needed or purely for ego purposes.

Actually, if you get a wide/long-wheel base vehicle, with power transmitted to all 4 wheels, youre generally able to handle existing speeds safer than most 2 wheel drive vehicles. Just ask any WRX driver if they think the AWD makes a difference.

georgesgenitals said :

Personally I’ve nvere understood the 4WD/SUV thing. They’re slow, handle like crap and use too much fuel. Unless you actually have a need for regular offroad use, they’re a wank.

If you live in the city and always drive in asphalt roads, I agree theyre a complete waste. Personally, I have a caravan that often comes off-road with me, and while I wouldnt be buying a hummer, you wouldnt catch me in anything less than a large/stable 4WD/SUV. (BTW, Im fairly sure SUV is the USA term). Having said that, I also have a little hatchback for the ‘living in the city and driving on asphalt roads’.. Theres nothing inherently wrong with a large 4WD car, the same way you might look at a big rigid truck and say thats a slow/wasteful way to travel, but horses for courses.

The highest classification of wankerism is reserved for owners of 4WD/SUVs with low profile tyres, and it looks like we might have a candidate.

But you’ve got to laugh – I suspect the driver is as unlikely to mount a curb as a chick using that vehicle. A mechanic’s creeper has more ground clearance.

Innovation said :

I don’t know about the fuel efficiency of the hummer, but I suspect that it has the aerodynamics of a house brick

-About 24km/L [Wikipedia]
-do aerodynamics really matter below 80kmh (ie city driving/crusin’)?

georgesgenitals8:31 am 01 May 11

Personally I’ve nvere understood the 4WD/SUV thing. They’re slow, handle like crap and use too much fuel. Unless you actually have a need for regular offroad use, they’re a wank.

If you want more than average space or towing, there are vehicles with far fewer compromises.

Innovation, you certainly are the very model of a modern social engineer. I bet you have all kinds of schemes to punish people who spend their money in ways you don’t like!

I am no great fan of Hummers, but if people want to spend their own money (not yours, Innovation) on an expensive car that also uses a lot of (highly taxed) juice, what business is it of yours? They are already paying a financial penalty, but since they still choose to do it, further and stricter measures are apparently required.

It sometimes seems that certain sections of the community just wish there was a great big Naughty Step that those who don’t conform to their preferred lifestyle could be sent to. Failing that, confiscating their pocket money, even if they have earned it, is the next best thing.

Your chances of converting the average Hummer owner into a public transport-loving greenie using these methods is somewhere between Buckley’s and none, and you know it. But ooh, the thrill of punishing the wicked is just so delicious!

kb1971 – so the rego is even less (ie somewhere between $900 and a grand).

I didn’t write that they should be “outlawed”. I wrote that they should be “taxed off the road”. For example, if the States and Territories could get their act together, vehicles could be better proportionately taxed based on a weight/fuel consumption vs distance travelled basis, meaning these things would be driven only as needed. It would also create other cost effective incentives such as sharing car ownership, owning second fuel efficient (cheaply taxed) vehicles, increased public transport useage, a more competitve market for hiring out larger vehicles etc. Of course some concessions might be required for some businesses and farmers etc that have a genuine need for “approved” large but fuel efficient vehicles and for rural communities who might get by with a small car but travel large distances.

Also, just brainstorming but, if these larger and/or inefficient vehicles had a marginally lower speed limit (to partly offset the higher fuel consumption compared to a smaller car) this might discourage people from driving them other than when needed or purely for ego purposes.

I don’t know about the fuel efficiency of the hummer, but I suspect that it has the aerodynamics of a house brick and that there are more efficient vehicles that suit whatever purpose many owners want them for (unless it is just owned for ego).

Last, I agree that electric vehicles are not very practical or cost effective for most people – yet. But there are plenty of cost effective small fuel efficient cars that suit the majority of most car trips for most people.

triffid- they are based on a Chevy Silverado, the H3 was loosely based on the Colarado (Rodeo, Dmax/GreatWall)

P1 – the tow hooks that come from the factory are cast steel

Innovation – they dont weigh 3.9 to tonnes, that sticker is bullshit. They are about 2.5 tonnes full of fuel. They should be outlawed off the roads??? So should every car, even they hybrids with their oh so envirnomentally unfriendly batteries……..

Yep, they are a pointless vehicle but so are electric cars that cost a bomb with 100km of range.

screaming banshee8:08 pm 29 Apr 11

Black? I thought these things only came in
– Watch out for my lousy driving yellow; or
– Oops I just backed over my kids red

Rawhide Kid Part35:32 pm 29 Apr 11

triffid said :

Innovation said :

Where are the Greens when you need them.

Out communing with nature (just don’t ask too many questions about how they got there. What? No! No! That’s not my Land Cruiser parked over there).

It the mountain bike over here.

Innovation said :

Where are the Greens when you need them.

Out communing with nature (just don’t ask too many questions about how they got there. What? No! No! That’s not my Land Cruiser parked over there).

I just looked up ACT rego’s website. If it is 3.9 tonnes then it seems that they pay $1194.40 rego (not counting any additional cost for the rego plate). Doesn’t seem anywhere near enough to me. They should be taxed off the road – especially since they don’t seem to serve any purpose.

Where are the Greens when you need them.

troll-sniffer3:45 pm 29 Apr 11

In America apparently you can buy bumper stickers that are along the lines of:

When you’re finished lookin’ at ma truck, come around the back and you can check out ma small willy”

Do you think they mean a Hummer owner invariably has a Jeep as well?

p1 said :

triffid said :

Waddayareckon p1 . . . it’s conspicuously free of retrieval points, innit?

I don’t think that’s because it doesn’t need them.

I’ve seen one with tow points. Pretty sure they were plastic.

Tow points or no, I’m certainly not bloody towing that thing with my car.

Pommy bastard3:00 pm 29 Apr 11

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Pommy bastard said :

3.9 tonnes of pure muscle, 0.06 gram of penis.

I think you are being kind…

That’s me all over, I’m all heart…

triffid said :

Waddayareckon p1 . . . it’s conspicuously free of retrieval points, innit?

I don’t think that’s because it doesn’t need them.

I’ve seen one with tow points. Pretty sure they were plastic.

colourful sydney racing identity2:53 pm 29 Apr 11

Pommy bastard said :

3.9 tonnes of pure muscle, 0.06 gram of penis.

I think you are being kind…

I wonder where they stole it from?

No bullbar, highway tyres, a helicopter-like thirst for fuel, oh yeah, the ultimate off road vehicle.

In the US they rent out bright yellow ones from JFK airport, a very appropriate environment for them.

Pommy bastard2:39 pm 29 Apr 11

3.9 tonnes of pure muscle, 0.06 gram of penis.

Rawhide Kid Part32:38 pm 29 Apr 11

Somebody loves themselves…….

p1 said :

Plus, I can’t help but think the side steps would bend and the chrome come off the bash plate were you to actually use the car…

I have footage — on a DVD at home — of one of these out ‘wheeling’ with a couple of (not entirely standard) Jeep TJ Wranglers and Toymotor Land Cruisers in East Gippsland (where it can get a bit, er, damp and the trails a bit, um, ‘slick’). At one point that Hummer became nothing more than a 3.9 tonne bobsleigh down a descent as it’s ego wrote the cheque its ability was never, ever going to be able to cash. Lucky it stayed in the ruts. Could have used a scrub chain to slow it up a bit.

Waddayareckon p1 . . . it’s conspicuously free of retrieval points, innit? I don’t think that’s because it doesn’t need them.

Driving a vehicle like that would make me feel less secure about my masculinity.

Plus, I can’t help but think the side steps would bend and the chrome come off the bash plate were you to actually use the car…

Hummer H2 . . . an Isuzu ute in a party frock. I know what it’s 3.9 tonnes of (and it ain’t muscle).

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