Discussion
JmatthewB said:
I feel there is a degree of buying certain types of cars with ‘just in case’ abilities.
Let’s have some with high ground clearance just in case we have to go camping in a field one day.
Let’s have something with a large boot opening just in case we need take a wardrobe to the tip.
Let’s have something easier to get in and out of just in case we need to give Dorris with her bad hip a lift.
I'd agree with that. Let’s have some with high ground clearance just in case we have to go camping in a field one day.
Let’s have something with a large boot opening just in case we need take a wardrobe to the tip.
Let’s have something easier to get in and out of just in case we need to give Dorris with her bad hip a lift.
I factored in 'just in case'/'what if' elements into my purchase - same as I did when I changed my car a year ahead of getting married and the potential of a baby came along.
Considerations now being elderly parents, proximity of school runs, kids comfort in longer journeys, etc.
BikeSausage said:
Julian Scott said:
1) Compared to the cars I looked at, my SUV is c5-10% heavier. It's as efficient, more practical, faster and better looking (IMO) - but I don't get how anyone finds a hearse-looking estate car attractive. 
2) Doesn't that say more about you and where you live than what happens to humans when they suddenly get in the drivers seat of an SUV?
Interesting comment about authenticity. So I need to define an approved need for an SUV, and make sure it is an authentic one? Or is it me that needs to be authentic. Perhaps you might explain?
1) It’s not just weight. Frontal area plays a massive part in SUV inefficiency. Like for like SUVs are not more efficient than their estate equivalent. 2) Doesn't that say more about you and where you live than what happens to humans when they suddenly get in the drivers seat of an SUV?
Interesting comment about authenticity. So I need to define an approved need for an SUV, and make sure it is an authentic one? Or is it me that needs to be authentic. Perhaps you might explain?
2) Yep. And not just where I live.
Authenticity: being honest about why you like and buy an SUV, in this context. I believe I touched upon that but the objective offered reasons of practicality, safety, need the space, 4WD, ground clearance just don’t stack up most of the time. If they did, SUV drivers would be in Land Cruisers or the like.
SUVs are status / fashion purchases. They’re “want’, not ‘need”. Which is fine. Especially if you’re honest/authentic enough to admit that’s the case.
On your final part, you do need to read. All I've ever said is that I've bought the car I wanted. I've not tried to justify it, create a 'need' or reason. I've bought a car that is way more than I need - but every single car I've ever owned has been more than I specifically need; I'd wager the same can be said for you and everyone.
If you think SUVs are more of a status or fashion purchase than other cars, that says more about you than anything. It is "want" not "need", but show me the new car owner that is different.
457892345 said:
I just hate suvs because they are hard to see around and almost always driven slowly through bends so ruin my fun and make it difficult to overtake.
Let me get past and you can drive anything from a hummer to a "brum" for all i care.
On behalf of every SUV driver in the land. I apologise for interfering with your superior right to be on the roads we all pay for. Let me get past and you can drive anything from a hummer to a "brum" for all i care.
Edited by 457892345 on Friday 30th September 17:43
As an act of contrition, please let me treat you to some grammar lessons, so that in future you can explain your greatness and human superiority without looking like a self-entitled, thick bellend x
BikeSausage said:
Julian Scott said:
BikeSausage said:
But most SUV drivers try to claim they NEED their 2.5t elephant - which most don’t.
Except they don't, other than in your narrow mind?Edited by Julian Scott on Friday 30th September 18:26
We'll wait......
carlo996 said:
BikeSausage said:
They do though. They quote a perceived, fake need rather than “I’m following fashion, it makes me look successful and assuaging my Status Anxiety”.
I’m not sure if it’s been asked, but, and……Why is what someone else chooses an issue?
biggbn said:
OK, so I'm feeling quite awkward as I don't seem to fit into any of the stereotypical descriptions thus far offered. I don't need to tow anything, I don't need 4wd, I can fit my dogs and my bike into my mini, although not at the same time, I don't give a s
t what others think about what I drive; my cars owned list will bear testament to that, I am not a dedicated follower of fashion nor am I susceptible to mass marketing; my general appearance and singular lack of big brand clothing etc bears similar testament to that claim. I drive what I like, wear what I please. But I'd really like an old Cayenne GTS or a Supercharged L322, or maybe a v8 xc90. Can someone please put me into one of their convenient pigeonholes, I feel very isolated out here.
You see, here's the thing. Despite what people like BikeSausage will have you believe, that is exactly why most people buy an SUV. They just want one.t what others think about what I drive; my cars owned list will bear testament to that, I am not a dedicated follower of fashion nor am I susceptible to mass marketing; my general appearance and singular lack of big brand clothing etc bears similar testament to that claim. I drive what I like, wear what I please. But I'd really like an old Cayenne GTS or a Supercharged L322, or maybe a v8 xc90. Can someone please put me into one of their convenient pigeonholes, I feel very isolated out here. Edited by biggbn on Saturday 1st October 16:01
Baldchap said:
GT9 said:
A modern SUV has easily enough handling, grip and power to be able to keep up with the equivalent estate on just about any road you can name.
I'd want to see some evidence before accepting that the 'same' SUV offers equivalent performance to the 'same' estate, because the laws of physics say otherwise.Rich Boy Spanner said:
I don't give a toss what people drive but this is total Walter Mitty imaginary bks and weird projection and needs calling out. SUV's don't have more space than an estate car, most have such large wheel arches that rear access is poor. They also ride poorly because they need stiffer suspension to overcome lean due to a higher centre of gravity. You can hide and mitigate that with adaptive suspension but the estate car doesn't need to. And really, most normal wives or other people couldn't care less, and kids don't care at all about cars any more.
Like for like, SUVs do have more space than their estate car siblings. Most SUVs tend to have better ride quality, like-for-like, too - worse handing, but better ride quality, in my experience anyway.ks and weird projection and needs calling out. SUV's don't have more space than an estate car, most have such large wheel arches that rear access is poor. They also ride poorly because they need stiffer suspension to overcome lean due to a higher centre of gravity. You can hide and mitigate that with adaptive suspension but the estate car doesn't need to. And really, most normal wives or other people couldn't care less, and kids don't care at all about cars any more.And kids do care, both of mine were very vocal about what car I was to get.
mikeiow said:
tberg said:
The F-Pace SVR should combine the best of both worlds, extreme performance along with practical utility. What's to hate?
Ah, someone Stateside, where size is important 
Try parking that beast in a supermarket over here, you’d soon be looking for something smaller
On your last question - & maybe it was tongue in cheek - many will say the wasted limited resources that the gas guzzlers consume…..our XC60 gets perhaps 38-40mpg….I’m guessing the beasts you speak of are around half that? (UK:US gallon adjusted!)
As for 38-40mpg, yes. I had to struggle with 31mpg yesterday driving to see my parents, but then I got to experience/arrive in a 5.0l Supercharged V8 rather than a 4-cylinder Volvo; seems a fair trade off
J4CKO said:
Love it, man maths to justify a massive 80 grand plus vehicle to take stuff to the tip occasionally
No SUV hate here, just think its quite funny, I manage quite nicely with a Fiesta for Tip runs, amazing how much rubbish you can get in it, but the Ford Galaxy was best, way more space than the Merc ML we had for a bit in that respect, funny how nobody wants to justify an MPV purchase ?
I managed quick nicely on the bus when I was 15. No SUV hate here, just think its quite funny, I manage quite nicely with a Fiesta for Tip runs, amazing how much rubbish you can get in it, but the Ford Galaxy was best, way more space than the Merc ML we had for a bit in that respect, funny how nobody wants to justify an MPV purchase ?
braddo said:
J4CKO said:
Love it, man maths to justify a massive 80 grand plus vehicle to take stuff to the tip occasionally
No SUV hate here, just think its quite funny, I manage quite nicely with a Fiesta for Tip runs, amazing how much rubbish you can get in it, but the Ford Galaxy was best, way more space than the Merc ML we had for a bit in that respect, funny how nobody wants to justify an MPV purchase ?
No SUV hate here, just think its quite funny, I manage quite nicely with a Fiesta for Tip runs, amazing how much rubbish you can get in it, but the Ford Galaxy was best, way more space than the Merc ML we had for a bit in that respect, funny how nobody wants to justify an MPV purchase ?
A handful of PHers giving reasons why their SUVs are 'necessary' for their needs as if it's a way to justify why there are millions of them on the UK's roads.
otolith said:
C70R said:
But the wider issue is why anyone has to "justify" anything. Who needs this "justification", and what does it help them with?
PH is full of people who own expensive, fast, powerful sports and supercars. Nobody is asking them to "justify" anything...
It helps them avoid having to tell the truth about why they own something someone else thinks is antisocial - the truth being "because I want to". Another possible response is "none of your business". If they find those answers embarrassing, they can attempt some "justification". PH is full of people who own expensive, fast, powerful sports and supercars. Nobody is asking them to "justify" anything...
braddo said:
Julian Scott said:
You're ignoring all the answers on this thread that have said "because I want to" and words to the effect of "none of your business"?
You're ignoring all the defensive justification going on in this thread (and in every SUV thread since the dawn of time)! See otolith's post a few posts up ^^otolith said:
Julian Scott said:
otolith said:
C70R said:
But the wider issue is why anyone has to "justify" anything. Who needs this "justification", and what does it help them with?
PH is full of people who own expensive, fast, powerful sports and supercars. Nobody is asking them to "justify" anything...
It helps them avoid having to tell the truth about why they own something someone else thinks is antisocial - the truth being "because I want to". Another possible response is "none of your business". If they find those answers embarrassing, they can attempt some "justification". PH is full of people who own expensive, fast, powerful sports and supercars. Nobody is asking them to "justify" anything...
otolith said:
Julian Scott said:
otolith said:
Julian Scott said:
otolith said:
C70R said:
But the wider issue is why anyone has to "justify" anything. Who needs this "justification", and what does it help them with?
PH is full of people who own expensive, fast, powerful sports and supercars. Nobody is asking them to "justify" anything...
It helps them avoid having to tell the truth about why they own something someone else thinks is antisocial - the truth being "because I want to". Another possible response is "none of your business". If they find those answers embarrassing, they can attempt some "justification". PH is full of people who own expensive, fast, powerful sports and supercars. Nobody is asking them to "justify" anything...
Muddle238 said:
vikingaero said:
ingenieur said:
Has anyone mentioned style in 18 pages of contributions? I read up to about page 10.
I dislike the 'watermelon' shape of SUVs. And consequently things like a Range Rover I still find appealing because they don't look like a watermelon / ruby ball.
I agree with this. My nephew calls them "Top Hat Cars" because of their shape.I dislike the 'watermelon' shape of SUVs. And consequently things like a Range Rover I still find appealing because they don't look like a watermelon / ruby ball.
When you look at cars such as the first gen BMW X6 and Merc GLA/C/S they're all pretty gopping, have dated really badly and you wonder if the driver is swivel eyed!
The nature of an SUV is that they’re never going to look sleek or sporting. Tall body, ground clearance or illusion of off-road ability through plastic panels clipped around the arches, but then try and make it look sleek and it just looks ridiculous. For example, X6 and the Merc/Audi equivalents; gopping great turds.
However embrace the nature of SUVs and something can look “proper”. Unfortunately, it’s only really the FFRR than manages it. The two runner up “best” looking SUVs in my mind are the F-Pace and Stelvio, but both suffer the same problem; they’re trying to be elegant but no amount of trickery with plastic cladding and massive alloys will mask the sheer mass of bodywork. At least with a FFRR, you have something slightly timeless about them.
I think a FFRR would be the only SUV I’d have. In green with a light interior and no tints thanks.
And who decided that SUVs were trying to (or needed to) look 'sleek', 'sporting' or 'elegant' compared to 4 door saloons?
Baldchap said:
A Land Rover Defender or FFRR isn't an SUV to my mind. It's what I'd call an off-roader or 4x4 (even though AWD isn't unique to this group of cars). To be in this group the vehicle needs actual off road ability.
Many SUVs are styled like they go off road but aren't particularly capable. That's the difference, SUVs are style over substance in many cases and I think that's why a lot of car people look down on them.
The SUV is a modern day interpretation of the MPV. A Meriva for the modern age.
MPV...multi-person-vehicle - most designed to carry more than the 5 people the average saloon can carry. Not *that* many SUVs have more than 5 seats, so not sure that analogy is correct. SUVs are just another car design, one that has become very popular (and annoyed a lot of angry people on the internet)Many SUVs are styled like they go off road but aren't particularly capable. That's the difference, SUVs are style over substance in many cases and I think that's why a lot of car people look down on them.
The SUV is a modern day interpretation of the MPV. A Meriva for the modern age.
As for SUVs styled to go off-road, styled how? Winches? Roof mounted spotlights? Or do you mean plastic 'bits' on them, same as you find on Minis, Audi estate cars, Merc Hatchbacks, 36yr old Rovers, etc.
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