That is true in so far as it goes.  But I think you are missing out on the most important
part.  People driving on the streets are NOT driving off-road vehicles.  They are 
driving cars that are somewhat off-road capable.  Like the Syncro I drive.  Mostly
it's used on the pavement.  Sometimes it is used on camping trips are partially
off-pavement.  Very rarely I actually drive it off-road.  But I have that capacity
if I need/want it.  Sometimes I winter camp in places that require some sort
of non-stardard vehicle to reach because of the snow and ice.

I don't think that the average SUV/4X4 driver "actually use use them
> to anywhere approaching their full capabilities very often, if ever"
more that the average driver uses the capabilities of their car on-road.  Have
you ever actually driven your daily driver anywhere near it's on road
capacity.  There are any number of ordinary new cars that will go 140 and up
but they are rarely driven half that.  Most cars are used to putt around town!

Rowan

On Mar 21, 2014, at 12:23 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

>  Boy Howdy!  You guy's nailed it...
> I agree that most people are driving these vehicles to make a
> Statement, not because they really need them or actually use use them
> to anywhere approaching their full capabilities very often, if ever.