OT: Talking Cars Tuesday - Why'd you buy that SUV?
The SUVpocalypse is here, it's happend, Chrysler and Ford will barely sell regular "cars", but they're just following the market. So, my guess is many of you on here have recently bought SUVs. My question is why?
Keep in mind, I'm an engineer, so I think I know what's best for you, and you're wrong. Why the SUV? Did you feel you needed 3 rows? You're wrong, a minivan is smarter - better gas mileage, cheaper, easier 3rd row access, more cargo space and more people space. Cargo space? a station wagon would do the same thing, except be cheaper, and better on gas. (No one sells wagons anymore, because they make more money when you buy SUVs, because they're more expensive). Someone sell you on an SUV and 4WD for the winter? Winter tires are better than 4WD, and you don't need an SUV to get 4WD if that marketing has worked. Think you need the ground clearance? Unless you're XtraMelanin and live in the sticks, roads get plowed. Those of us with cars make it work, and if you're buying your car for the 12 hours a year that you may struggle in the snow, I have to ask if you drive a full size van for the one time you might take 8 people to the same place. Think you're going to be "active" like in the commercials? Tell me how many times you've driven not on pavement or grass and I'll believe your mall-crawler was worth it.
So - why the SUV?
I bought my truck b/c I just love it. Have absolutely no need for it. I don’t tow, I barely ever have anything in the bed, I just think it’s bad ass. Gas is a bitch, oh well.
I should add that I feel much safer driving in the winter... that was another benefit
I liked the Expedition as a portable bang-house for my side girlfriend during clandestine lunches.
Are you concerned that your contributions to global warming could ultimately foil your plans for Westeros?
This is the best answer one can give. Not the direction I went, but knowing why you did it and not offering up the lame snow excuse or the I need the bed once a year excuse is nice.
You'll need the bed once a year but you'll have a different friend that will need it once a month. Trucks are awesome though.
also I think I might get a Ford Expedition or something similar
Drove the new Expedition as a rental on a business trip and I really loved it. It was awesome. Super pricey though. Maybe one day....
Yes... expensive but my brain doesn't work right. I was thinking if I have another child that will justify spending the money for a larger SUV.... if I don't have another child I'll have the money to buy a larger SUV
When you buy your pickup you should also buy one of the bumper stickers that says: "I Love My Truck (and no I won't help you move)"
I'll add one more: because it sounds cool when you press the gas pedal and makes the vroom vroom sound.
Yes sir, it does :p Lot louder than my 2L ecoboost Fusion was. Also loved that vehicle. Was a HUGE change going from a sedan all my life to a full body truck, for absolutely no reason. Just impulse.
Only thing that sometimes frustrates is parking. Especially in the beginning. Now, I'm pretty much over it
I would have to imagine the sound of your dragon spewing that fire/ice is much better though.
If anyone can use the I need 4WD for winter excuse, it is you. Your winters literally last years! And are known to be super harsh. Some days the dragon is off doing its own thing so having a truck as a back up is a wise choice.
Dragon and a F-150, I really don't need much more in life...... besides devouring Westeros whole.
I hear that. I actually set my sights on buying a bad-ass bike rack (a very expensive one, mind you) and the car, a Mini Countryman, came with it.
All bike racks are expensive.
Roof mount towers: $150-250
Cross bars: $75
Locks: $40
Tray (each): $100-125
Just to piss off every arrogant prick that would think/write this - “Keep in mind, I'm an engineer, so I think I know what's best for you, and you're wrong.”
I work with engineers a decent amount, and they're mostly all the same. They think they know more than they do.
True, but we suffered through a rediculous curriculum in school, so give us a break.
Apparently your school curriculum didn't include spelling the word "ridiculous"
Engineers are not known for their spelling or grammar.
Smart ones are.
I don't know about other engineers, but lately I've been in meetings almost all day. I hate having meetings. Meetings to prepare for meetings. I just want to be alone. I was promised a career of avoiding people, and I am with people constantly.
Also, way to many emails. Well over a hundred emails a day is too much.
Basically, I thought I was in a career where I only occasionally was forced to interact with people, yet I am interacting with people constantly. Oh well, off to a meeting.
Depends on the job. My previous job, I had stretches where I couldn't get anything done because I had to attend (mostly) pointless meetings all day. My current job, I hardly go to any meetings. Turns out, that sucks too, because then you have no say in anything whatsoever.
Same here.
We have a '97 Rav4 and a '13 Fusion. We recently had twins, and we don't want to take them anywhere in the Rav4, which just leaves my Fusion, and once you pack in the car seats and stroller, I don't have much room left to put anything else.
So, we kind of need a larger vehicle for the family. I'd prefer to get a small SUV over a minivan, though, because you get enough storage space with the SUV, and it's smaller and gets better gas mileage than a minivan. I also admit that the 'coolness' is a small factor here. I just don't want a minivan.
Get the minivan. Once you have it and get over worrying about what others think of you, you will love it.
Also, once you take out the seats and fill it with lumber, you'll feel pretty manly too.
Don’t trust this guy, he is trying to make himself feel better about having a minivan by convincing others to make the same mistake. Don’t do it!
One of us! ONE OF US!
I had a Honda minivan and loved it. AMAZING amount of storage in the back, MUCH MORE than my Toyota Highlander. I have the Highlander now because it pulls my pop-up camper very nicely. I was afraid my Honda transmission would not pull the 4500 lbs of camper/gear that I have over the scary steep mountain passes in Colorado.
If you don't need to tow something, get the Honda, it's a very nice ride.
We own a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country and a 2011 Ford Fusion, so I am definitely not the targeted demographic of this post.
That being said, we tow a travel trailer with our Town and Country and the whole set up is close to the gross combined weight limit. This has me thinking of either an SUV or a Pickup in the future to replace the Fusion and to take over trailer hauling duties with the intention of getting a bigger trailer in the future.
I love the minivan though. I think we'll always have one as long as the kids are living with us. There is truly no better vehicle as a people hauler.
I tow a camping trailor and have 3 kids so we went with a SUV instead of a truck for more interior space for everyone. My wife does not like minivans but it wouldn't have enough power to tow what we have anyhow. We have an Expedition.
My ONLY complaint is that they made the damn liftgate and hood out of aluminum and I've had to get both spots stripped sealed and re-painted already. It's only a 2015 and i'm guessing the issue will come back. Gas mileage does also suck.
the SUV vs car decision was made mostly for space reasons. I like to be able to move that random big object or pack a ton of stuff for a vacation while still being able to see out the back. There is also something to be said for sitting a bit higher up even if i dont need the clearance. Allows me to see traffic up ahead better. Also, as a tall person, it is much more comfortable getting in/out and there is plenty of headroom.
i suppose i could have gotten a minivan instead. That decision was less rational and definitely driven solely by 'coolness.' l was a single man when i bought it and i cant imagine going on dates and pickin the girl up in my minivan...
my SUV is actually classified as a station wagon if that makes a difference
Actually, there are a few companies that make wagons, but they don't sell many. Car companies didn't stop selling an item that makes money; they stopped selling something that takes money to prepare to manufacture that barely blips the radar screen.
The Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen moved 14,000 units last year. That's a drop in the bucket--GM sold nearly 3 million vehicles.
People criticize auto companies for "not selling cars that people want to buy," and when they sell vehicles that people want to buy (you know, like trucks and SUVs) people criticize them for that, because people like to complain just to complain.
I drive a minivan, but I see the appeal of an SUV. The best reason to buy one isn't the cargo space (though it's ample) or the flexibility of 4WD (though that's nice and it's nice not to have to change tires) or the ability to seat 7/8 (though that's good).
The best reason people have to buy one is because they want to buy it. And that's good enough.
I always love the comment of GM not selling cars people want, but they sell as many cars as anyone else in the world....
How many Subaru Outbacks were sold, guessing a lot more than 14,000. They seem to have cornered the wagon market with a safe, reliable, easy to drive, semi off road vehicle with good gas mileage. I would take it over a small SUV any day.
Subaru Outbacks may be called wagons, but they feature higher ground clearance, a sporty appearance, and 4/All Wheel Drive; that is, they are essentially the same as the current trend of crossover SUVs that people who lament the passing of sedans gripe about. That's appropriate, since they've influenced that trend.
Auto companies that want to replicate the Outback's success build crossovers.
Got a used Ford Escape because it was priced competitively, I fit comfortably in it (6'4", 290), I enjoy the ride height, and it has a decent amount of space for people, luggage, supplies. For me, it does a pretty good job at a number of different tasks.
I didn't. When I picked up a new vehicle I shopped large SUVs against a minivan. To get what I wanted in a SUV I would have needed to pay a lot more or buy used. Since I'm likely to drive this vehicle for 10-15 years, to not have 30k miles on it already was a plus.
Even though it's dorky I really like the van. Lots of interior room, super comfortable for roadtrips, hauls everything and great gas mileage on the highway.
Tow a boat and camper. Had a minivan before those purchases and it was right at the tow limit so I wasn't comfortable with a full load of gear and gas. SUV can more than handle it. Gas mileage is around 20-22 so it's fine. 2018 Pilot.
I'm the proud owner of zero automobiles, and I have zero interest in owning one. Not getting into a car in the morning is one of the best parts of my daily commute. I do think the trend in sales toward these larger, less efficient vehicles is discouraging.
To each their own. In the past month, I've taken 3 road trips; Two for fun (hiking a state park 6 hours away, and visiting a college campus in another state [BTW, all Louisiana stereotypes appear to be true] ) and one cross-country emergency trip that would have cost $1500 more by air. I'm super glad to have cars that can shuttle me around the country.
Yeah, aside from the 0% chance of not having cars for the commute my wife and I both have, I love road trips. Expressway most of the way back, but generally it's cross country of some sort on the way there, and during the trip. Love this country and it's small towns and weird stuff you can see if you just "take this shortcut."
I like a big car. Had a Chevy Caprice Classic before my Crown Victoria. And just recently upgraded (down sized?) to a 2017 Taurus. My next car will most likely be an SUV. I don't really trust Dodge/Chrysler for personal reasons, won't buy foreign. GM/Ford are stopping production on all full size cars. Buick may be my only option, but that's a price hike and full size keeps getting smaller and smaller.
Station wagons are relics of the 1970's. Your argument is invalid.
Of the ones you posted, only the SportWagen has a reasonable starting price. There are very few non-luxury wagons being made today.
Check out the Outback!