The fate of a Range Rover is in your hands, people
Click above to watch Ryan's call to action
Ryan Mickle, seen above and apparently afraid of no ghosts, has had a change of heart since purchasing his Range Rover Sport new in 2006. Since then, gas prices have shot through the roof and fighting climate change has become a favorite global pastime. Seeing that his SUV gets about 13 mpg, Ryan doesn't want to drive it, doesn't want to sell it and doesn't want anyone else to get behind the wheel -- ever. Trouble is, he's not quite sure how to go about it just yet. So, he wants you to help him decide the fate of his SUV. A few initial ideas: catapult it into the Pacific Ocean, blow it up or convert it to a run on either electrons or biodiesel.
We're hoping that common sense wins out here and the vehicle is somehow saved from such an inauspicious fate as being merely blown to shreds -- after all, that's not very eco-friendly either. While a biodiesel conversion might be fun, we'll put our official vote on the EV idea. Yank the engine, drop in a nice electric motor and some decent batteries in the rear cargo area... presto-chango, problem solved. Well, maybe it's a bit more complicated than that. Watch Ryan's video after the break. Thanks for the tip, everyone!
[Source: One Fewer]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
SPG 7:36PM (7/25/2008)
Don't friggin kill it, that's insane.
Selling it would at least help recoup the loss of buying a vehicle that the owner no longer wants.
I would love to see this and many other vehicles converted to bio-diesel (a Euro spec diesel would fit in the US spec Sport) or EV as the article mentions.
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obie 10:03PM (7/25/2008)
Couldn't agree with you more. I love how he justifies his idea by bringing up how "our inefficient approach to transportation is hurting us" and is "messing with our environment," and then saying that if he sells his SUV then "someone else just ends up polluting with it."
As if destroying a Range Rover for show will solve that--come on!!! If he really cares about the environment, he would do exactly as you say, SPG, and convert it into a green car. With all the publicity he's generating he could actually make a difference by promoting green technologies and encouraging people to look into more efficient transportation.
apearlman 11:16PM (7/25/2008)
Please, Ryan Mickle, get over yourself. Sell the car you don't want, and buy one you prefer. Your actions will not destroy or save the world.
Attention whores like this guy sometimes make me wish the internet would just shut down.
catgirlshyla 4:08AM (7/26/2008)
Exactly. He should kill himself, cause his carbon footprint is way worse than the Range Rovers.
Tim 3:55PM (8/04/2008)
I have a 2008 Range Rover Sport HSE. Structurally identical to his 2006. I average 17.5 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway (set the cruise around 75. I get about 22mpg when it's at 80mph). The point is, it's not what you drive but how you drive it.
Hybrids and electric cars are not the answer, because they use heavy materials that are non-recyclable, and they are more taxing on the environment because of manufacturing practices. Honda might have something with hydrogen cell, but I don't think that'll happen soon. The Big 3 American car companies are too busy controlling losses, not researching and developing.
Don't destroy a perfectly great truck. Instead, control your ego and observe the posted speed limits. You will be surprised how much gas you save.
Zane 7:38PM (7/25/2008)
Trade for an old CRV lying around? Heck, I'll fork out an extra grand if it's in Vesuvius Orange (my favorite color on the RRS).
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Zane 7:39PM (7/25/2008)
No it isn't. Sorry Ryan mate, you just lost an opportunity to earn a free grand.
Vintage 7:42PM (7/25/2008)
Uh, sell it to someone who NEEDS an SUV. Duh. The problem is 95% of all people don't need one. There's nothing inherently wrong with what an SUV is, as long as it is used for SUV purposes. Towing, offroading, or being packed full of gear and people.
Using it as a commuter is stupid. Destroying it is stupid and wasteful. Using it as only an SUV can be used is intelligent.
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why not the LS2LS7? 8:24PM (7/25/2008)
Range Rover Sports aren't really good for SUV uses. They're lowered very low and have rims too large for offroading.
And it's quite possible that there were more SUVs sold than the sum total of people who need them, meaning this one has to proper use in this world.
But hey, this is at least more green than a Prius, right?
Richard Lampitt 10:48PM (7/25/2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOSAqacsJeQ
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 25th 2008 8:24PM
Range Rover Sports aren't really good for SUV uses. They're lowered very low and have rims too large for offroading....
The boys over at Top Gear found the Range Rover Sport to be more capable off road that they appear.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:59PM (7/25/2008)
"British cars are the best in the world" - Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear.
It is not a factual show, it is an entertainment show. And they have an unabashed and well-known bias toward British vehicles.
I'm not saying you can't ever take a Range Rover Sport offroad, but it's far less capable than some other, much cheaper and more efficient vehicles. It just doesn't make sense for much other than show.
Yar 11:38AM (7/26/2008)
Top Gear is VERY biased. I remember them doing a offroad test between a Range Rover, an Escalade, and an H2. Right off from the beginning the H2 was miles ahead and climbing up a huge incline when it suddenly stopped due to "Altitude Sickness". I highly doubt that an H2 would rich-out in the location they were filming (I think it was MOAB Utah, which is some 4000 ft above sea level). The H2 was just winning, so Clarkson pulled the plug.
Frylock350 7:13AM (7/28/2008)
Problem with that is that the RR is fairly useless as an SUV. Comparing to a similar sized TrailBlazer, the RR has less power, less usable space, less ground clearance, far less towing capacity, no low-range 4WD (this REALLY makes the RR worthless IMO), not BOF, etc. Its a tarted up soccer mom vehicle that can't be put to serious use.
kb 8:16PM (7/25/2008)
He says he's all about dropping out of this materialistic race, well if he's willing to let a RRS be destroyed, i'd like to see his house. If he really is trying to help the environment, destroying his truck won't do it if he's living in a multi-million dollar house that "guzzles" electricity like his truck does
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J 7:44PM (7/25/2008)
So stupid
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Xcountryflyer 8:44PM (7/25/2008)
If he destroys his Range Rover, he should make sure he's in it. Moron.
chuck 3:49AM (7/26/2008)
Couldn't agree more.
What I don't get is, if this is about the RR's pollution and having one fewer SUV out there and all this altruistic crap, WHY THE HELL DID HE BUY THE THING IN THE FIRST PLACE?!
Since he's not selling it, he clearly can afford $5 gas, so that's no excuse for suddenly wanting to get rid of it either.
He's just a fame-seeking idiot, taking advantage of popular public concern to create this self promotional stunt.
J M C 3 7:47PM (7/25/2008)
Whatever substance You're abusing ,stop.
When Your head clears so will Your attitude about Your Range Rover.
Be grateful.
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Pete 7:53PM (7/25/2008)
Well the wholesale on the car is only about $25K. I say launch the dinosaur into the ocean. The sooner we get rid of these peaces of junk better.
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MBS 8:33PM (7/25/2008)
Yeah that's the ticket. Dump it in the ocean like we do with everything else we don't want.
Unfortunately I'm certain you don't realize that you are part of the problem.