SUV SALES WANE NATIONWIDE MANY VALLEY DRIVERS STILL LOVE THEIR GAS GUZZLERS, DESPITE HIGH FUEL COSTS.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

Nationwide, car-buyer interest in gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles has waned 5 percent this year because of record fuel prices, according to a survey released Monday.

The survey, conducted by the Irvine-based Kelley Blue Book car information guide, said consumers listed soaring gas prices as the No. 1 reason to forgo the large, truck-based vehicles.

``While sales of large SUVs are not necessarily declining, we are seeing greater interest in cross-over vehicles and small SUVs,'' said Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor of Kelly Blue Book.

San Fernando Valley car dealers expressed doubts about the survey while reporting a surge in weekend sales of such SUVs as the 12-mile-per-gallon Ford Excursion and the 2,784-pound Chevrolet Suburban as gas prices start to decline.

``I don't think so,'' said Jack Abramyan, a salesman at Community Chevrolet in Burbank, which sells mostly SUVs and trucks. ``This weekend, we had the greatest weekend of all time.''

Drivers defended their use of SUVs - at whatever the cost.

``I need it for my work,'' said Al Ocampo, 49, of Glendale, topping off the tank of his Toyota Land Cruiser with nearly $39 worth of premium.

Family safety was the issue for another SUV owner.

``As a mom, I feel there's just more metal; it's safer for the kids,'' said Marlena Monroe, 37, of Alta Loma, filling up her Jeep Cherokee in Calabasas. ``And it's easier to load and unload.''

But many clung to the economy of their smaller cars.

``Absolutely not,'' said Canoga Park resident Jim Henson, 43, next to his miserly Toyota Tercel, when asked if he'd step up to a hulking gas guzzler. ``I definitely love the economy.''

The Vehicle-Buyer Attitude Study on SUVs this month found that four of 10 prospective buyers determined that the $2-a-gallon cost of gas - which can equal more than $50 a fill-up - would deter them from buying the vehicle.

The survey of 524 Internet respondents marks a significant shift from buyers' response during a similar survey in January.

Early this year, SUV prospects listed potential rollovers as the primary reason to shun such cars after negative reports about SUV safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and a media campaign linking SUV thirst for fuel with support of terrorism.