RE: Audi Q8: Driven
Discussion
WojaWabbit said:
People have been conditioned to like and desire SUVs,
I am sure some have. I am also sure some have conditioned themselves to hate them because of the size of the chip on their shoulder, particularly on PH as demonstrated by this very thread.I don't like the looks and the image. But because image is of near-zero relevance in my decision process I still have one as it fits my needs in terms of practicality / size better than anything else I have tried, including mpvs. Mine is cheap as chips, 1.3t, achieves 40mpg actual long term mpg and is plenty fast enough for road use with the family.
Nanook said:
WojaWabbit said:
I understand people do like them and I think it's great that we all have so much choice of what to like. I just don't understand why do people like them?
A few friends use them for towing (horse box boat, caravan). Fine, makes sense as they have a higher towing capacity than most 'normal' cars. Doesn't apply to most I see on the roads though as they don't usually have towbars installed!
The only other valid reason I've heard from friends who like them is that they're easy to get in and out of for people who normally have difficulty with that sort of thing. Again, not something most buyers need to consider.
Other reasons people offer up include: they're comfy (no more so than a 'normal' car) ; people like to sit up high (no one can explain why) ; they're practical (no more so than an estate) ; the four wheel drive is good in the snow (not with 35 profile summer tyres), they're safer than 'normal' cars (try telling NCAP).
People have been conditioned to like and desire SUVs, in the same way they were conditioned to like MPVs a while back and have conveniently forgotten in recent times. Twenty years ago the only people that desired 4x4s were farmers, horse-ists, travellers and fat necked nightclub bouncers. Now vast swathes of the population think they need one in their life but when asked why they struggle to think of a sound reason why.
Can anyone provide sound, rational thinking behind the general love for SUVs, SUCs and associated soft roaders?
I could dissect your post, saying things like tyre profile size has no real impact on the ability to drive on light snow, that the fact that they're bigger can make them more practical, that some of them are more comfortable, if they're on appropriate suspension etc.A few friends use them for towing (horse box boat, caravan). Fine, makes sense as they have a higher towing capacity than most 'normal' cars. Doesn't apply to most I see on the roads though as they don't usually have towbars installed!
The only other valid reason I've heard from friends who like them is that they're easy to get in and out of for people who normally have difficulty with that sort of thing. Again, not something most buyers need to consider.
Other reasons people offer up include: they're comfy (no more so than a 'normal' car) ; people like to sit up high (no one can explain why) ; they're practical (no more so than an estate) ; the four wheel drive is good in the snow (not with 35 profile summer tyres), they're safer than 'normal' cars (try telling NCAP).
People have been conditioned to like and desire SUVs, in the same way they were conditioned to like MPVs a while back and have conveniently forgotten in recent times. Twenty years ago the only people that desired 4x4s were farmers, horse-ists, travellers and fat necked nightclub bouncers. Now vast swathes of the population think they need one in their life but when asked why they struggle to think of a sound reason why.
Can anyone provide sound, rational thinking behind the general love for SUVs, SUCs and associated soft roaders?
But screw all that noise. Some people want one. They just see one, and they like it, and they want one.
And there is no better reason for buying a car.
I don't have a sound reason for owning a thirsty, impractical, 2 seater with a cheap interior and a tiny boot, that wouldn't see which way a modern hot hatch went. But I like it.
Stop overthinking it!
The simple way to look at it is, if people like and want SUV's, then nothing else will do and that's exactly what they will buy. They probably won't be happy with anything else, so let them make their own decisions on why they want to own something. I can't comprehend why they are required to justify themselves on their choices anyway? Why should anyone, for that matter? Why should they compromise their happiness just to make others happy?
I have asked several times but still don't know who is pretending anything.
I bought mine mainly for practicality but also for comfort and frugality+cheapness in a way no estate or MPV could. It looks silly but I don't care as it's brilliant functionally.
I bought mine mainly for practicality but also for comfort and frugality+cheapness in a way no estate or MPV could. It looks silly but I don't care as it's brilliant functionally.
Edited by nickfrog on Friday 22 June 12:57
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yet again, you miss the point. Have another woosh parrot.I am specifically commenting on the fact that every time there is an SUV thread you end up getting into lengthy one-to-one debates with people about their lack of ability to argue in a semantically correct way with you. As you point out, you are not commenting on the cars, and you are not even really commenting on opinions about the cars. Ergo, no one cares and it is deeply, deeply tedious. You lower the signal-to-noise ratio here considerably and it would be much better for the community if you did not. If you wish to engage in such pointless tit-for-tat points scoring, please do so somewhere else (preferably in a private forum so that the rest of us don't have to put up with it).
Edited by herebebeasties on Friday 22 June 23:34
WojaWabbit said:
culpz said:
I can certainly see why people do like these cars though, regardless.
I understand people do like them and I think it's great that we all have so much choice of what to like. I just don't understand why do people like them?......Other reasons people offer up include:...... people like to sit up high (no one can explain why)
Does it matter if people can't explain WHY they prefer sitting up higher? I like the thrill of speed, can't explain why though
they're practical (no more so than an estate)
This is not the case in all circumstances. There are many examples where the SUV version has a larger boot space (seats up or down) than the estate counterpart. Tiguan bigger boot than a Golf estate, X5 bigger boot than a 5 series estate, X3 bigger boot than a 3 series, Urus bigger boot than a Huracan (OK, that was tongue in cheek). Not only are the boots often bigger, they are almost always easier to get kids seats across, especially 3. I had a friend who wanted a 5 series estate but couldn't get 3 seats across, so he ended up with an X5.
the four wheel drive is good in the snow (not with 35 profile summer tyres), they're safer than 'normal' cars (try telling NCAP).
This is true, although having 4WD gives people the option to stick winter tyres on and be better off than 2wd estates if they choose to do so
Can anyone provide sound, rational thinking behind the general love for SUVs, SUCs and associated soft roaders?
See above. Plus....why does it matter if they don't buy for the above reasons? Why does it matter if people just "like it" and buy it for that reason? An SUV driver may have the same questions about a Ferrari 488 owner....."it's too wide, it is very impractical as it only has 2 seats and a rubbish boot, it's poor on fuel, it's too fast and thus pointless on UK roads etc.....doesn't stop some people liking them and buying them though
Gandahar said:
Did you put both your arguments into low ratio mode?
I can summarise this whole car. People with excess money who want to look good appreciate the AWD when they go onto their gravel drive way in front of their mock tudor manor before watching crap television on something that is at least 60 inches across.
YOU HAVE MADE IT IN LIFE !
Spot onI can summarise this whole car. People with excess money who want to look good appreciate the AWD when they go onto their gravel drive way in front of their mock tudor manor before watching crap television on something that is at least 60 inches across.
YOU HAVE MADE IT IN LIFE !
BlackPrince said:
I come to PH not to read some boring claptrap about yet another SUV (admittedly a good looking one inside and out), but for the hilarious, erudite comments on said article. Not really sure why you seem so offended mate for a vehicle that noone on here yet owns? I hear xanax might be the cure for your woes 
What he saidWojaWabbit said:
ghost83 said:
i hae a golf gti which has been a great car, but in america a couple of week back i hired a jeep grand cherokee and I'm now ao suv convert, i like sitting up high (can see the road ahead and a god view of traffic and everything) i like the boot space (don't like the look of estates) i like the fact that in winter they will probably handle the situations better than any other car and i just like them, id have a jeep if they didn't lose colossal amounts of money, I'm guessing even though this is 65 you will be able to get it for 50-55 through the likes of coast2coast and drive the deal
Sounds like you need a van 
If you get such a good view sitting up high why do they all need parking sensors?!
My mate with an X5 and another with an X6 will testify they handle winter no better than their previous cars. 4x4 or not, 315 section summer tyres are crap in snow.
ghost83 said:
I just like them
This seems to be the crux of it. People just like them, often without logical reasoning. A bit like Nando's I guess. I’ve had more vans than cars lol
I’ve had a van since 17 with work they’re great
Ford courier
Citroen berlingo
Ford transit
Transit connect
Movano mwb
movano Luton
nickfrog said:
WojaWabbit said:
People have been conditioned to like and desire SUVs,
I am sure some have. I am also sure some have conditioned themselves to hate them because they're deeply flawed as driving machines and purchased, typically, by people who cannot drive or park properly, often with some deep-seated inferiority complex, particularly on PH as demonstrated by this very thread.Said owners will then get very shirty with anyone that dares question their motives in owning one, especially if there's any inference that they (whisper it) may have bought something a bit silly which has as much to do with enthusiastic driving as baking bread. They will attempt to defend their decision in having bought a lorry with lifestyle/4x4 ability/high-up position/practicality/personal choice arguments
If you've bought a truck, don't expect driving enthusiasts to do much other than pour scorn, derision and contempt over your choice of vehicle.
Hairymonster said:
Corrected.
If you've bought a truck, don't expect driving enthusiasts to do much other than pour scorn, derision and contempt over your choice of vehicle.
I don't think I bought a truck, I wouldn't call a 1.3t front wheel drive family car a truck but if that fits your definition of a truck (I don't think it's the first time you compared them to that), then fill your boots, I have no problems with it.If you've bought a truck, don't expect driving enthusiasts to do much other than pour scorn, derision and contempt over your choice of vehicle.
I have no issues nor get shirty with any (self-proclaimed) road driving enthusiasts not liking my "truck". I have only tended to do my enthusiastic driving on track for the past 30 years so I am not too precious on that front. If you think I can't drive because I have a white Skoda faux x faux, then so be it. My lap times in other cars seem to disagree with you although compared to some fellow track driving mates, I am very average (some are bloody ex racing drivers, including one in LMP2, so that's not fair!).
Edited by nickfrog on Saturday 23 June 10:24
I actually think the Panda is a brilliant car from a functional point of view, not unlike our Yaris which is the kids' car and our station car as well as our winter hack what with its Crossclimates.
I reckon different cars meet different functional needs. On PH, the obvious clearly needs stating once in a while.
I reckon different cars meet different functional needs. On PH, the obvious clearly needs stating once in a while.
Nanook said:
Generally, around here, people are more tolerant than that. There's no need to pour scorn, derision, and comtempt over other people's choices, unless there's something wrong with you.
Sometimes - mmm yes, However, defending 4x4 lifestyle purchase, to the death, (see previous contributions from frog) on a forum devoted to lovers of cars is like trying to defend a carnivorous diet on a forum for Vegans. Regardless of the validity of the argument, you'll never turn a motoring enthusiast to your way of thinking.Nanook said:
A Fiat Panda is hardly the last word in driving dynamics, is it? Shall we all get ripped into your choice of car now?
Please do! By the way, mine is the 1.2 'dynamic' model (it says 'dynamic' on the front wing) so it IS the last word in driving dynamics.Hairymonster said:
Nanook said:
Generally, around here, people are more tolerant than that. There's no need to pour scorn, derision, and comtempt over other people's choices, unless there's something wrong with you.
Sometimes - mmm yes, However, defending 4x4 lifestyle purchase, to the death, (see previous contributions from frog) on a forum devoted to lovers of cars is like trying to defend a carnivorous diet on a forum for Vegans. Regardless of the validity of the argument, you'll never turn a motoring enthusiast to your way of thinking.Nanook said:
A Fiat Panda is hardly the last word in driving dynamics, is it? Shall we all get ripped into your choice of car now?
Please do! By the way, mine is the 1.2 'dynamic' model (it says 'dynamic' on the front wing) so it IS the last word in driving dynamics.Have a good day
Hairymonster said:
Sometimes - mmm yes, However, defending 4x4 lifestyle purchase, to the death, (see previous contributions from frog) on a forum devoted to lovers of cars is like trying to defend a carnivorous diet on a forum for Vegans. Regardless of the validity of the argument, you'll never turn a motoring enthusiast to your way of thinking.
While I can't remember ever doing that (that's probably in your head), I am convinced that even you can understand that a motoring enthusiast can also cater for his family when not on a track day and therefore have more than one car ?I don't want to turn anyone to any way of thinking - you do. I am merely stating facts and sharing my experience. If that offends you, ignore it.
Btw, I think only imbeciles never change their mind.
Nanook said:
What is it that makes the owner of a 1.2 Panda more of an 'motoring enthusiast' that someone that drives a Megane RS?
I am sure that the Panda can do that too, eventually:
Edited by nickfrog on Saturday 23 June 10:57
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