Why all the SUV's and Trucks? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: buying, live in, price)

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by SpeedyAZ

The only vehicles brands I consider "upscale" would be Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maybach, and Rolls Royce. Each vehicle from these brands starts at OVER $100K and some surpass the $500K mark ,to me that says that whoever driving this vehicle:

a) Has money.
b) Wants to be noticed.
c) Has good taste in automobiles.

Many average people can afford to drive a fancy SUV such as an Escalade or a luxury car like a BMW 5 Series but not many can afford to buy a new Bentley. People who think driving around in a leased Beamer or Mercedes makes them "upper-class" have never really been around true wealth.

Someone mentioned a Yukon Denali being a status symbol, well I drive one and love it but I know it's a very common vehicle (albeit a nice one).

Your comment just shows how our view is so skewed in Phoenix. In other parts of the country (with the exception of SoCal) an Escalade and a BMW 5 series is considered a car worth showing off. In Phoenix, that's average because there are so many nicer cars. I remember I used to do a double take if I saw a Bentley or a Rolls Royce in Houston but in Phoenix and Scottsdale, it's normal

[bluepacific]

Originally Posted by dbean

Just down the road from our place is a large dealership that ONLY sells lifted trucks!! I have never seen such a thing!!

Absolutely! As Steve-O pointed out , "it's a status symbol". Seeing people in the massive city enviornments of San Diego and Los Angeles who drive around in 4X4 for years has always made no sense to me. I've always told people and my sister and brothers are among them , Why not just purchase a lift kit and save.

First of all a regular standard Pickup is cheaper , but also calculate the savings on Insurance. I've always has 4X4 Pickups and SUVs , but I lived in the sticks well off the beaten pathways and always came in handy especially in wintertime.

Definitely well worth the savings and you won't really notice the difference. Even if they go off-road, the higher clearence is a plus. Most off-road are pretty well maintained , with the exception of the really diehard backcountry trails where you actually need them. No doubt , Arizonica , definitely has challenging backroads

[YAZ]

My first car was a pickup truck.

[SpeedyAZ]

Your comment just shows how our view is so skewed in Phoenix. In other parts of the country (with the exception of SoCal) an Escalade and a BMW 5 series is considered a car worth showing off. In Phoenix, that's average because there are so many nicer cars. I remember I used to do a double take if I saw a Bentley or a Rolls Royce in Houston but in Phoenix and Scottsdale, it's normal

Well I wouldn't necessarily say it's "normal" to see a Bentley or Rolls Royce driving around but it seems that ultra-expennsive cars are more abudant than other parts of the country. I live in North Scottsdale and still don't see these types of vehicles that often unless I go to Paradise Valley. Phoenix is a very car-centered city and people here like to show off a bit of their personality and style by what they drive. I figure as long as you can afford the payments, you should be able to drive whatever you want without people criticizing your decision. I'm not a fan of the lifted truck scene but I'm not going to lecture someone about why they shouldn't drive one, etc. In the end it's their money and they have a right to spend it on what they like.

[AzDreamer]

It's sad to read all the put-downs posted here because someone likes driving a truck or SUV. Some are proposing extreme measures to make sure these sinners are punished. Where did this know-it-all fascist attitude come from?

[collinsl]

When my family visited AZ/NM last, my father said that you all needed large engined trucks to reduce wear when travelling long distances, and to increase fuel economy over said long diatances, as the trucks would only be dong 2,000 RPM at 70MPH instead of the 3,500 or 4,000 we would normally have in the UK.

Is this true?

Lloyd Collins
UK

[ArizonaBear]

As SpeedyAz stated; a lot of it is 'status symbol'.

Now for scary: the first time that I saw a current production Mercedes S Class; I thought it was a Mitsu Diamante.

'Better yet'; I frequently mix up a KIA Amanti with a new Bentley at a quick glance.

[Prinny]

Oh, that is funny!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Actually - I don't consider any SUV "status" symbols.

I merely consider them the vehicle that someone wanted to buy and drive.

Escalades are all the rage, even though theyre just a glorified Chevy Suburban. But people want the big, ugly Caddy symbol up front, and 24" chrome rims on them to show off. To me, thats a status symbol. Caddy even took note of that trend and started putting 22" chrome rims on them as OE!!!! Porsche Cayennes are another example of a SUV status symbol.

[The_Cadillac_Lawyer]

yes it was quite amazing to see all the 4x4s here in AZ especially coming from MI where WE REALLY NEED 4x4's to get through the snow. I have a Dodge Ram and for minute I considered lifting it, then I came to my senses. I bought a car, and now the Ram is collecting dust ready to be turned back in when the lease is up! 13.5 MPG days are over for me!