Discussion
Beefmeister said:
The SUV/Estate problem is actually that 90% of big SUV drivers don’t need the space at all, it’s all about status. So until we stop watching dross like Made in Chelsea which idolises brain dead orange wealthy people it’s never going to change...
I need the space and I'm not orange 
V8V Pete said:
Ah, that must be my problem. Don't even know what "Made in Chelsea" is.
I think it might be a television programme. Could it be about Mr. Ecclestone's daughters doing their shopping?
I too thought large SUVs must have enormous space inside, until a neighbour told me about his difficulty of fitting golf equipment in his Land Rover (something). Most surprised because my DD, a two door coupe, can carry a 3'x2' paving stone in the boot, and also has the low load point required for that job.
Anyway, as Beefmiester has pointed out, the general buying motive presumably is perceived status. Therefore cannot blame the car manufacturers for making what buyers want.
I am amused by the extensive Audi SUV range of Russian dolls. Their largest model keeps being topped, by the introduction of an even larger model. How disappointing it must therefore be, driving a Q7, when a new Q8 appears, blocking the pavement at the school entrance.
Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 13th January 12:42
V8V Pete said:
I totally agree. I suspect most people who have an SUV (seemingly the whole world) would actually be better off with a good estate car but just don't know it or are simply blinkered sheep blindly following the pack (flock). Sorry to the rest of the world but I just don't get it and never see myself wanting one of these vehicles. I don't blame the manufacturers for cashing in on the trend as why wouldn't you sell people something expensive that they don't actually need?
Pete I'll let you drive my 440bhp SUV (Macan) when I see you! Its an a absolute hoot - handles and communicates FAR better than my outgoing F11 535d estate with its atrocious ride and imprecise steering. I laugh at speed bumps now and am far less tense over pot-holes and sleeping policemen. I will also not get stuck outside my own drive in the snow! I Best DD family car I have ever had. For balance I also tried a Volvo XC90 and the first corner terrified me, so they do vary - def choose a stiff estate there! Did I buy it for 'perceived status' - nah. I could have bought a lot more headturning 'status' for what this (overpriced Vee Dub) thing cost. But damn its good!
Edited by Ken Figenus on Sunday 13th January 14:20
AMVSVNick said:
Beefmeister said:
The SUV/Estate problem is actually that 90% of big SUV drivers don’t need the space at all, it’s all about status. So until we stop watching dross like Made in Chelsea which idolises brain dead orange wealthy people it’s never going to change...
I need the space and I'm not orange If my wife wasn't a car destroyer (slow stepwise death of interior & exterior finish rather than catastrophic car terminator) I would have thought our family car would be an RS6 or similar rather than a Mondeo estate. Just don't see the point in the extra weight and bulk of the SUV in comparison. Maybe I'm wrong but but I can't really see how.
V8V Pete said:
But isn't a large estate car actually more space efficient than an SUV?
If my wife wasn't a car destroyer (slow stepwise death of interior & exterior finish rather than catastrophic car terminator) I would have thought our family car would be an RS6 or similar rather than a Mondeo estate. Just don't see the point in the extra weight and bulk of the SUV in comparison. Maybe I'm wrong but but I can't really see how.
Might work for some but luggage for five for two weeks in the sunshine is a fair amount and I suspect most "estates" may struggle. Add to that our single track lane and it's uphill both ways out of the village and the Disco becomes quite handy when it occasionally snows. I also enjoy the raised driving position.If my wife wasn't a car destroyer (slow stepwise death of interior & exterior finish rather than catastrophic car terminator) I would have thought our family car would be an RS6 or similar rather than a Mondeo estate. Just don't see the point in the extra weight and bulk of the SUV in comparison. Maybe I'm wrong but but I can't really see how.
I believe my purchase is justified. If I lived in central London it would not be.
AMVSVNick said:
Might work for some but luggage for five for two weeks in the sunshine is a fair amount and I suspect most "estates" may struggle. Add to that our single track lane and it's uphill both ways out of the village and the Disco becomes quite handy when it occasionally snows. I also enjoy the raised driving position.
I believe my purchase is justified. If I lived in central London it would not be.
Yes it would I believe my purchase is justified. If I lived in central London it would not be.
V8V Pete said:
But isn't a large estate car actually more space efficient than an SUV?
If my wife wasn't a car destroyer (slow stepwise death of interior & exterior finish rather than catastrophic car terminator) I would have thought our family car would be an RS6 or similar rather than a Mondeo estate. Just don't see the point in the extra weight and bulk of the SUV in comparison. Maybe I'm wrong but but I can't really see how.
I am clearly the newfound SUV Messiah/Prophet - must be as Bristol just called me about a DBX! [Makes a Macan look cheap mind]!If my wife wasn't a car destroyer (slow stepwise death of interior & exterior finish rather than catastrophic car terminator) I would have thought our family car would be an RS6 or similar rather than a Mondeo estate. Just don't see the point in the extra weight and bulk of the SUV in comparison. Maybe I'm wrong but but I can't really see how.
Pete! A current RS6 weighs more than a Macan and a Macan is smaller!
RS6
Wheelbase 2,915 mm (114.8 in)
Length 4,991 mm (196.5 in)
Width 1,986 mm (78.2 in)
Height 1,461 mm (57.5 in)
Kerb weight 1,950 kg (4,299 lb)
Macan
Wheelbase 2,807 mm (110.5 in)
Length 4,681 mm (184.3 in)
Width 1,923 mm (75.7 in)
Height 1,624 mm (63.9 in)
Kerb weight 1,865–1,925 kg (4,112–4,244 lb) (DIN)
Cayenne
Wheelbase 2,895 mm (114.0 in)
Length 4,846 mm (190.8 in) (2010-14)
4,855 mm (191.1 in)(2014-)
Width 1,938 mm (76.3 in) (2010-14)
1,939 mm (76.3 in)(2014-)
Height 1,705 mm (67.1 in)
Curb weight 2085 kg to 2215 kg (DIN)
RRS
Wheelbase 115.1 in (2,923.5 mm)[8]
Length 191 in (4,851.4 mm)[8]
Width 81.6 in (2,072.6 mm)[8]
Height 71.3 in (1,811.0 mm)
Kerb weight 4,727 lb (2,144.1 kg)[8]
This is like debunking Brexit/Remain with rare facts - nothing much in size/weight then... Bet we'd all prefer the RS6 mind (speed bumps excepted). So you were right all along. But then you wouldn't need the Aston...
Ken Figenus said:
IA current RS6 weighs more than a Macan and a Macan is smaller!
Am I alone in thinking..... well duh. Smaller car weighs less. Stop the press!Macan boot volume is 500 litres
RS4 Avant is 505 litres
RS6 Avant is 565 litres
E63S Estate is 695 litres
RR Sport is 784 litres
Cayenne is 770 litres
Ok, I’ll bite
I live in London. I have a Disco. I like/need it for the following reasons
1. The high driving position. Anyone who has driven around the suburbs of London with its double-parked streets will know the huge advantage being able to see over the parked cars brings. Pulling out from a T-junction with double parked cars is an absolute lottery without this height
2. Space. It’s got more than an estate car. Indeed if I stow all the seats it become a mini-Van (space is a three-dimensional thing you see, so the height also matters not just the length of the car).
3. I need that space because I have failed to follow Steve’s advice and foolishly kept all 3 children
4. I need 4 wheel drive as my son plays rugby. In fact there are a lot of rugby clubs in London and they all typically share one feature - mud-based parking
5. I have an Aston Martin for other times. I don’t “need” a fast estate, my wife’s words not mine (I might “ want one” but wife doesn’t like the man-maths)
6. I’m not orange
I hope the DBX does well. But I suspect it’s going to be more a 4 seater type thing like the RRS sport so not much use to me at present. But if readers could buy lots of them so that there’s a used supply in 3-4 years that would be great. Thank you
I live in London. I have a Disco. I like/need it for the following reasons
1. The high driving position. Anyone who has driven around the suburbs of London with its double-parked streets will know the huge advantage being able to see over the parked cars brings. Pulling out from a T-junction with double parked cars is an absolute lottery without this height
2. Space. It’s got more than an estate car. Indeed if I stow all the seats it become a mini-Van (space is a three-dimensional thing you see, so the height also matters not just the length of the car).
3. I need that space because I have failed to follow Steve’s advice and foolishly kept all 3 children
4. I need 4 wheel drive as my son plays rugby. In fact there are a lot of rugby clubs in London and they all typically share one feature - mud-based parking
5. I have an Aston Martin for other times. I don’t “need” a fast estate, my wife’s words not mine (I might “ want one” but wife doesn’t like the man-maths)
6. I’m not orange
I hope the DBX does well. But I suspect it’s going to be more a 4 seater type thing like the RRS sport so not much use to me at present. But if readers could buy lots of them so that there’s a used supply in 3-4 years that would be great. Thank you
Edited by RobDown on Monday 14th January 13:50
dbs2000 said:
The latest ones are stunning.
Erm.... they are stunning. In that I am stunned that anyone would be seen dead in such an abomination. They are better than the old ones in the same way that a pufferfish looks better than a blobfish. I think perhaps people have just become desensitised to the bloated mis-proportioned design over time, and then when they make it *slightly* better it then gets confused for a good looking car.Edited by murphyaj on Monday 14th January 14:28
Beefmeister said:
Am I alone in thinking..... well duh. Smaller car weighs less. Stop the press!
Macan boot volume is 500 litres
RS4 Avant is 505 litres
RS6 Avant is 565 litres
E63S Estate is 695 litres
RR Sport is 784 litres
Cayenne is 770 litres
Well yes, my point too! Bigger cars are bigger and likely heavier in weight! Estates have no genetic advantage over a tidy SUV being the point! Macan boot volume is 500 litres
RS4 Avant is 505 litres
RS6 Avant is 565 litres
E63S Estate is 695 litres
RR Sport is 784 litres
Cayenne is 770 litres
And all that air in the boot clearly weighs a ton!
RobDown said:
Ok, I’ll bite
I live in London. I have a Disco. I like/need it for the following reasons
1. The high driving position. Anyone who has driven around the suburbs of London with its double-parked streets will know the huge advantage being able to see over the parked cars brings. Pulling out from a T-junction with double parked cars is an absolute lottery without this height
2. Space. It’s got more than an estate car. Indeed if I stow all the seats it become a mini-Van (space is a three-dimensional thing you see, so the height also matters not just the length of the car).
3. I need that space because I have failed to follow Steve’s advice and foolishly kept all 3 children
4. I need 4 wheel drive as my son plays rugby. In fact there are a lot of rugby clubs in London and they all typically share one feature - mud-based parking
5. I have an Aston Martin for other times. I don’t “need” a fast estate, my wife’s words not mine (I might “ want one” but wife doesn’t like the man-maths)
6. I’m not orange
I hope the DBX does well. But I suspect it’s going to be more a 4 seater type thing like the RRS sport so not much use to me at present. But if readers could buy lots of them so that there’s a used supply in 3-4 years that would be great. Thank you
I live in London. I have a Disco. I like/need it for the following reasons
1. The high driving position. Anyone who has driven around the suburbs of London with its double-parked streets will know the huge advantage being able to see over the parked cars brings. Pulling out from a T-junction with double parked cars is an absolute lottery without this height
2. Space. It’s got more than an estate car. Indeed if I stow all the seats it become a mini-Van (space is a three-dimensional thing you see, so the height also matters not just the length of the car).
3. I need that space because I have failed to follow Steve’s advice and foolishly kept all 3 children
4. I need 4 wheel drive as my son plays rugby. In fact there are a lot of rugby clubs in London and they all typically share one feature - mud-based parking
5. I have an Aston Martin for other times. I don’t “need” a fast estate, my wife’s words not mine (I might “ want one” but wife doesn’t like the man-maths)
6. I’m not orange
I hope the DBX does well. But I suspect it’s going to be more a 4 seater type thing like the RRS sport so not much use to me at present. But if readers could buy lots of them so that there’s a used supply in 3-4 years that would be great. Thank you
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff