SUVs - Whats the point?
Discussion
Gribs said:
Granfondo said:
You see lots of estates at track days all over the country! 
I know you're taking the piss but my estate has been to a trackday and I've seen a few others. Various people took the piss after the sighting lap asking if it was the safety car but were quite complementary later. I took of delivery of our SUV two months ago, an incident today confirmed to me I made the right decision to choose a SUV. The fact its an electric SUV also means a really low centre of gravity.
I was off on the nursery run, and next thing I know I was doing a 180 spin facing the wrong way!!! The pictures say it all, am just glad my daughter wasn't in the car and had it not been an electric car with low centre of gravity am pretty sure it would have flipped after hitting the kerb with enough force to shatter a wheel!!
No one was hurt, but boy am I glad I wasn't in the Seat that hit me!!
I was off on the nursery run, and next thing I know I was doing a 180 spin facing the wrong way!!! The pictures say it all, am just glad my daughter wasn't in the car and had it not been an electric car with low centre of gravity am pretty sure it would have flipped after hitting the kerb with enough force to shatter a wheel!!
No one was hurt, but boy am I glad I wasn't in the Seat that hit me!!
Modern car occupants survive crash shocker!
The blue car's passenger compartment looks to have remained intact with the front of the car absorbing the impact, which is what it was designed to do. The white car could well be written off too looking at the back wheels.
A prominent, well respected poster and all 'round good egg on another channel I use to frequent got killed when her car was hit by a Range Rover. The Range Rover driver ended up with free board and lodging provided by Her Majesty.
Even small crashes are a massive, stressful, ball ache, so not crashing is far, far better than crashing in a big car.
The blue car's passenger compartment looks to have remained intact with the front of the car absorbing the impact, which is what it was designed to do. The white car could well be written off too looking at the back wheels.
A prominent, well respected poster and all 'round good egg on another channel I use to frequent got killed when her car was hit by a Range Rover. The Range Rover driver ended up with free board and lodging provided by Her Majesty.
Even small crashes are a massive, stressful, ball ache, so not crashing is far, far better than crashing in a big car.
Willy Nilly said:
Modern car occupants survive crash shocker!
The blue car's passenger compartment looks to have remained intact with the front of the car absorbing the impact, which is what it was designed to do. The white car could well be written off too looking at the back wheels.
A prominent, well respected poster and all 'round good egg on another channel I use to frequent got killed when her car was hit by a Range Rover. The Range Rover driver ended up with free board and lodging provided by Her Majesty.
Even small crashes are a massive, stressful, ball ache, so not crashing is far, far better than crashing in a big car.
I didn't know it was a custodial offence to drive a RangeRover! The blue car's passenger compartment looks to have remained intact with the front of the car absorbing the impact, which is what it was designed to do. The white car could well be written off too looking at the back wheels.
A prominent, well respected poster and all 'round good egg on another channel I use to frequent got killed when her car was hit by a Range Rover. The Range Rover driver ended up with free board and lodging provided by Her Majesty.
Even small crashes are a massive, stressful, ball ache, so not crashing is far, far better than crashing in a big car.
Ive had an S class for the last 3 years and am about to swap it for one of these- Nissan Armada.
It will no doubt be useful for the 6 weeks of the year that i need more than 5 seats.
The dog will no doubt love it as there is plenty of space with the third row of seats down.
It will probably be plenty capable enough to drive over some sand when the mood takes me, and im positive that it will be better for crossing the speedhumps that are everywhere.
Im also sure that it wont be as fast/comfortable/refined as the s class has been, but I still want one.
It will no doubt be useful for the 6 weeks of the year that i need more than 5 seats.
The dog will no doubt love it as there is plenty of space with the third row of seats down.
It will probably be plenty capable enough to drive over some sand when the mood takes me, and im positive that it will be better for crossing the speedhumps that are everywhere.
Im also sure that it wont be as fast/comfortable/refined as the s class has been, but I still want one.
We bought ours primarily to fit the dog(s) in. The higher roof line allows them to sit up comfortably in the boot - whereas in an estate, they would have to stoop or lie down. The taller boot also comes in handy when moving stuff (like helping friends/family move house or taking stuff to the tip). Whilst SUVs may not always have a bigger boot - the shape can often be as important as the overall volume.
We also live out in a rural area - and whilst we don't go 'off roading', a few roads in the area are prone to reasonably deep flooding and can be difficult to pass when there is ice/snow. The higher ride height and 4wd system make navigating these roads easier/safer - even if it only really helps a few times a year.
Whilst i'd love to own individual cars that suit individual occasions - the cost of ownership is prohibitive and as such, people (like myself) often end up buying a car that is the best fit for all scenarios......and like it or not SUVs do appear to fit that bill for a lot of people.
We also live out in a rural area - and whilst we don't go 'off roading', a few roads in the area are prone to reasonably deep flooding and can be difficult to pass when there is ice/snow. The higher ride height and 4wd system make navigating these roads easier/safer - even if it only really helps a few times a year.
Whilst i'd love to own individual cars that suit individual occasions - the cost of ownership is prohibitive and as such, people (like myself) often end up buying a car that is the best fit for all scenarios......and like it or not SUVs do appear to fit that bill for a lot of people.
All this stuff about severe weather conditions make me laugh. I survived the last snowy winter we had and drove regularly from London to Newbury , up hills, in fact everywhere with a BMW 320d on winter tyres.
Lots of high vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging. Also many Range Rover drivers are very very aggressive for some reason, I hate them with a passion. Car hunting for my father at the moment, and every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car, unless you put the seats down. I've managed to get 5 (yes 5) suitcases, and four passengers in my classic SAAB.
As for the safety, it's no different to any modern non-suv car. I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.
Lots of high vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging. Also many Range Rover drivers are very very aggressive for some reason, I hate them with a passion. Car hunting for my father at the moment, and every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car, unless you put the seats down. I've managed to get 5 (yes 5) suitcases, and four passengers in my classic SAAB.
As for the safety, it's no different to any modern non-suv car. I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.
Threads like this are amazing. Half of PH telling the other half they have the "wrong" car because they would chose a different one.
I don't think I have a particular view on SUVs, I do have one because I found it a particularly relaxing and pleasant way to do certain journeys. Maybe I would chose something different as an only car, but it does the job I bought it for very well. It's not a 'drivers car', it's just a very pleasant way to get through the commute.
You could take the same view on sports saloons like M3s and RS6s etc. They're massively compromised as sports cars. And pretty compromised as family cars. So why on earth would anyone buy one.... misguided attempt at image? I'm purely playing devils advocate, I'm not accusing anyone of buying the wrong car or chasing an image. I get why you'd have an M3 or an RS6, certainly the latter will never be for me, but each to their own.
I don't think I have a particular view on SUVs, I do have one because I found it a particularly relaxing and pleasant way to do certain journeys. Maybe I would chose something different as an only car, but it does the job I bought it for very well. It's not a 'drivers car', it's just a very pleasant way to get through the commute.
You could take the same view on sports saloons like M3s and RS6s etc. They're massively compromised as sports cars. And pretty compromised as family cars. So why on earth would anyone buy one.... misguided attempt at image? I'm purely playing devils advocate, I'm not accusing anyone of buying the wrong car or chasing an image. I get why you'd have an M3 or an RS6, certainly the latter will never be for me, but each to their own.
Harji said:
All this stuff about severe weather conditions make me laugh. I survived the last snowy winter we had and drove regularly from London to Newbury , up hills, in fact everywhere with a BMW 320d on winter tyres.
Lots of high vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging. Also many Range Rover drivers are very very aggressive for some reason, I hate them with a passion. Car hunting for my father at the moment, and every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car, unless you put the seats down. I've managed to get 5 (yes 5) suitcases, and four passengers in my classic SAAB.
As for the safety, it's no different to any modern non-suv car. I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.
Playing devils advocate....Lots of high vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging. Also many Range Rover drivers are very very aggressive for some reason, I hate them with a passion. Car hunting for my father at the moment, and every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car, unless you put the seats down. I've managed to get 5 (yes 5) suitcases, and four passengers in my classic SAAB.
As for the safety, it's no different to any modern non-suv car. I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.
London to Newbury doesnt really represent the harshest of conditions though, does it?
Family in Scotland would be stuck without a 4x4.
'vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging.' Your 320d is bigger than a yaris. Where does the line get drawn with what people decide is 'too big'?
'Every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car' so they do have more space, even if not by much?
'I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.' Perhaps they have to go out of town occasionally?
Tongue firmly in cheek, but you can argue against virtually any type of vehicle if you really want to. People choose what they want, where is the problem? I had a westfield and an MR2 turbo when i was 20. I had absolutely no need for 2 two seat cars but since i wanted them, i bought them.
swerni said:
All this stuff about winter tyres in the south makes me laugh.
life's too short to spend it driving a 2.0 diesel.
Why would you want to drive something so dull and polluting?
That pic was from 2013, I caned 30,000 miles in a year in it , commuting to Newbury and the countryside from London. That picture is in London, when I had just got back from Wiltshire where it was snowing much heavier. I got rid of the car a few years ago once I didn't need to do the mileage.life's too short to spend it driving a 2.0 diesel.
Why would you want to drive something so dull and polluting?
Dusty964 said:
Playing devils advocate....
London to Newbury doesnt really represent the harshest of conditions though, does it?
Family in Scotland would be stuck without a 4x4.
'vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging.' Your 320d is bigger than a yaris. Where does the line get drawn with what people decide is 'too big'?
'Every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car' so they do have more space, even if not by much?
'I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.' Perhaps they have to go out of town occasionally?
Tongue firmly in cheek, but you can argue against virtually any type of vehicle if you really want to. People choose what they want, where is the problem? I had a westfield and an MR2 turbo when i was 20. I had absolutely no need for 2 two seat cars but since i wanted them, i bought them.
I sold the winter tyres off that car to a chap in Scotland for his M Sport. I needed a motorway mile cruncher, as stated before I did 30,000 in one year. It wasn't just the daily commute, I used it for all my countryside trips, it was that year where we still getting 0 degrees in April, the winter tyres came off in June!London to Newbury doesnt really represent the harshest of conditions though, does it?
Family in Scotland would be stuck without a 4x4.
'vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging.' Your 320d is bigger than a yaris. Where does the line get drawn with what people decide is 'too big'?
'Every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car' so they do have more space, even if not by much?
'I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.' Perhaps they have to go out of town occasionally?
Tongue firmly in cheek, but you can argue against virtually any type of vehicle if you really want to. People choose what they want, where is the problem? I had a westfield and an MR2 turbo when i was 20. I had absolutely no need for 2 two seat cars but since i wanted them, i bought them.
Harji said:
I sold the winter tyres off that car to a chap in Scotland for his M Sport. I needed a motorway mile cruncher, as stated before I did 30,000 in one year. It wasn't just the daily commute, I used it for all my countryside trips, it was that year where we still getting 0 degrees in April, the winter tyres came off in June!
You should have had a Fiat 500 or a yaris with winter tyres. Far less 'clogging' than your 320d. Very selfish of you to have such a large car. 
t on mud, and sHarji said:
All this stuff about severe weather conditions make me laugh. I survived the last snowy winter we had and drove regularly from London to Newbury , up hills, in fact everywhere with a BMW 320d on winter tyres.
Lots of high vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging. Also many Range Rover drivers are very very aggressive for some reason, I hate them with a passion. Car hunting for my father at the moment, and every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car, unless you put the seats down. I've managed to get 5 (yes 5) suitcases, and four passengers in my classic SAAB.
As for the safety, it's no different to any modern non-suv car. I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.
Thing is, when Epsom Council didn't bother to grit the roads earlier this year even though the rest of the country did, the only cars that managed to get home were 4x4s.Lots of high vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging. Also many Range Rover drivers are very very aggressive for some reason, I hate them with a passion. Car hunting for my father at the moment, and every SUV he looked at doesn't have much more space in the boot than his current car, unless you put the seats down. I've managed to get 5 (yes 5) suitcases, and four passengers in my classic SAAB.
As for the safety, it's no different to any modern non-suv car. I honestly cannot understand the need for heavier SUV's in towns.
Hoofy said:
Thing is, when Epsom Council didn't bother to grit the roads earlier this year even though the rest of the country did, the only cars that managed to get home were 4x4s.
I remember visiting someone in St Albans, which if anyone knows is quite hilly in some places. This chap lived at the top by one of the stations, and he was surprised that I got there as the rest of the road , including 4 wheel drive vehicles, left their vehicles at the bottom, unable to get up. Winter tyres go a long way.Also, I did a fair few trips into the countryside with it, up Porlock hill as well.
Harji said:
Hoofy said:
Thing is, when Epsom Council didn't bother to grit the roads earlier this year even though the rest of the country did, the only cars that managed to get home were 4x4s.
I remember visiting someone in St Albans, which if anyone knows is quite hilly in some places. This chap lived at the top by one of the stations, and he was surprised that I got there as the rest of the road , including 4 wheel drive vehicles, left their vehicles at the bottom, unable to get up. Winter tyres go a long way.Also, I did a fair few trips into the countryside with it, up Porlock hill as well.
Harji said:
Lots of high vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging.
Most of them have a smaller footprint than the "equivalent" estate - compare a Tiguan to a Passat for instance. They actually de-clogg British roads in that respect.nickfrog said:
Harji said:
Lots of high vehicles like SUV's are not suitable for British roads, they are bigger and wider and thus clogging.
Most of them have a smaller footprint than the "equivalent" estate - compare a Tiguan to a Passat for instance. They actually de-clogg British roads in that respect.The only problem with their shape is that the big ones tend to be enormously wide so they don't really fit in standard parking spaces very well (or through certain width restrictions). Mind you that's also true, albeit to a slightly less extent, or many big saloons/estates.
The extra height does restrict visibility for a following car marginally more than an estate would.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 13th June 10:25
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