Troll sez:

"I can't imagine any reason to own an SUV in Florida but the roads are full of them."

Exactly. People buy these things 'cause they're trendy and because the ad campaigns convince people (especially parents of small kids) that they're safer riding in one. They're expensive, polluting, hard to repair, have a high rate of mechanical failure, and some have a tendency to tip over, but you just try and convince a 40-something that he or she doesn't need one and should get a more appropriate vehicle instead. The teeth and claws are bared! There are cars out there that are safer that cause fewer emissions; Volvos and Subarus come to mind.

Bottom line: if you need a passenger car, buy one. If you're going to be hauling a lot of crap, buy a pickup (as a contractor, my husband has a Real Truck). If you truly need an all-purpose 4WD SUV, buy one, but keep a small car or bicycle for errands. Two of my partners do just that; these guys are in their fifties but can out-run and out-bike me. In all things, strive to use only what you truly need. That's the key.