Gas guzzlers can some one provide the definition?

Question

What determines which vehicle comes under this banner? Yes I know 4x4's are classed into this category whats the cut off point miles per gallon? weight? public mis- conception? Additionally if 4x4's are not a reasonable everyday vehicle then nor might i mention are 2 seater sports cars. A 4x4 is generally owned and maintained by people who tow, are we now going to class caravans as enhancements to gas guzzlers and therefore penalised and become akin to anti social delinquents?

Answer 1

Gas guzzler was a term that was coined in the late seventies, early eighties during the gas crisis. It really meant someone that consumed more gasoline than the norm. This would be someone who drove excessively and not necessarily a big car (let's be honest, did anyone pay attention to the gas mileage of vehicles until the late 80's?).
It has since been used as a term for a vehicle as well, that sucks down the gas and you have to fill up twice a day to run errands (comedic relief there). It is not a term exclusively used for 4x4's, it can also be used for sports cars, mini vans or people that have no concept of conservative driving habits and drive past point A 3 times to get to points B, C and D.
I would think an estimate of MPG would be about 25, any lower and the vehicle would be a gas guzzler. My 4x4 is a gas guzzler, but since I live in the mountains of Colorado, I kind of need it to back and forth to work. Thankfully, it is also a flexi-fuel vehicle, so I am guzzling a renewable resource when I fill up (ethanol, made from corn and refined locally) so I don't have to feel as guilty about my SUV getting 16 MPG.

Answer 2

Er - The majority of 4x4's are owned by people who have absolutely no need for 4 wheel drive and never tow anything. Visit Chelsea if you don't believe me. I come from a family with strong farming and forestry links. A 4x4 is about the most impractical vehicle for anything apart from daytripping. Flatbed trucks for work or estates for towing.

I personally drive an overpowered and hugely impractical 2 seater but appreciate that this does more damage to the environment and so am happy to pay over the odds for what is essentially an unecessary ego boost. 4x4 drivers should have the same attitude - possibly with dispensations if they can prove they really do use it for more than the school run or taking up two spaces at Sainsburys.

Answer 3

i would say anything bigger than what is needed.
most gas guzzlers will fit in the executive/sports/big categories.
i would argue that most cars are oversized anyway or misused.
as a former delivery driver i am quite aware of the number of 'people carriers' used by only one person, the extreme numbers of company cars driven all round the country with one person in them and the massive amount of delivery vehichles.
the car has now become an affordable accessory rather than an out of range luxury.
i would also argue that a very high percentage of car use is not needed, company reps, school drops, many deliveries.
when i was a lad, people would get the children and go for a walk over the local woods or across the fields, plenty of excercise and fresh air, now they all want to drive away to some theme park, stand for hours to get on a ride, then shoot off to maccy d's for the kids suppers.

Answer 4

Somebody that orders a pint of petrol down the boozer is a gas guzzler? As for 4x4's, you dont see a lot of caravans in Chelsea...

Answer 5

I define a gas guzzler as any 8-Cylinder vehicle. Also I look at the size of the vehicle. Obviously a SUV will consume much more gas than a station wagon

Answer 6

It isn't an exact, scientific term, just a common popular one. It just means a car that gets substantially worse mileage than the average.