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If you currently own an SUV do you expect to eventually replace it with a car or another truck type vehicle?
As much as I hate paying for gas, I can't imagine myself going back to a car and definately not a van.
I might be willing to consider a small 4x4 pickup truck though.
Inspite of all SUV bashing that goes on they are really quite practical for some lifestyles.
I drive to somewhat remote offroad areas fairly often and its nice to drive something that can easily handle that.
The only real downside I have encountered is the fuel consumption.
If you currently own an SUV do you expect to eventually replace it with a car or another truck type vehicle?
As much as I hate paying for gas, I can't imagine myself going back to a car and definately not a van.
I might be willing to consider a small 4x4 pickup truck though.
Inspite of all SUV bashing that goes on they are really quite practical for some lifestyles.
I drive to somewhat remote offroad areas fairly often and its nice to drive something that can easily handle that.
The only real downside I have encountered is the fuel consumption.
I used to own only sports cars. I thought an SUV/Truck would kill me of boredom. Anyway, this sports car ownership went on for a few years, and then it began to conflict with my lifestyle and income. I do not make enough to build a house, buy land, own a nice sports car, and own a nice SUV. One of the 3 had to go. I needed more space to haul my friends and their gear. This became painfully clear to my friend Roberto as he cuddled with a huge Pelican rifle case for 2 hours in my 370Z because his lap with his seat laid back was the only place the bloody thing fit in there.
Also, I am moving to where it snows. AWD/Alltime 4WD will be a huge benefit, as will ground clearance.
So, I ended up buying a 2010 Grand Jeep Cherokee with the 5.7L and Quadradrive II system. I really like it. With bilstein shocks on it, it now handles pretty well for an SUV, and the 5.7L gives it a 0-60 time of under 7 seconds, which isn't bad for what it is. I find it useful and enjoyable.
Personally, everything I own, I pay for, and screw other people's opinions on what I choose to spend my money on.
As to fuel consumption, my SUV can make do on 89 octane. I'm still getting over being excited about not trying to find stations which sell 93 on road-trips to worry about the 18-19mpg I get on those road-trips.
What will I buy next? I am looking very hard at the Explorer Sport edition. Very potent performance for an SUV in its price bracket. I'm keeping my Jeep for 3-5 years though, likely on the big end of that. If it's still in great shape and running well, I may keep it until the day it dies. I really like the thing.
I have an SUV specifically to do trucklike duty. I carry stuff, tow stuff, and the like with it, but it's not the daily driver. That role goes to a car. So if I do replace the SUV (a Suburban) it'll be with another one or a newer truck that is as comfortable, as fuel mileage with the truck/SUV isn't as important, since it'll only see about 5k miles a year.
I have an SUV specifically to do trucklike duty. I carry stuff, tow stuff, and the like with it, but it's not the daily driver. That role goes to a car. So if I do replace the SUV (a Suburban) it'll be with another one or a newer truck that is as comfortable, as fuel mileage with the truck/SUV isn't as important, since it'll only see about 5k miles a year.
I was totally blown away when I saw what a new Suburban costs. I don't know your means and am not insinuating anything, but...damn! Even the most affluent will do a double-take when they see how the price-tag on that ride has gone up over the years!
If you currently own an SUV do you expect to eventually replace it with a car or another truck type vehicle?
As much as I hate paying for gas, I can't imagine myself going back to a car and definately not a van.
I might be willing to consider a small 4x4 pickup truck though.
Inspite of all SUV bashing that goes on they are really quite practical for some lifestyles.
I drive to somewhat remote offroad areas fairly often and its nice to drive something that can easily handle that.
The only real downside I have encountered is the fuel consumption.
I generally don't replace vehicles, I just buy another. So currently I have two sport cars and two SUVs. My next buy will be a 2017 Mazda RX7 - if it is born. In the meantime I may trade my Rodeo for an open jeep.
I have never owned a vehicle that didn't get poor mileage, so I don't worry about that much.
I was totally blown away when I saw what a new Suburban costs. I don't know your means and am not insinuating anything, but...damn! Even the most affluent will do a double-take when they see how the price-tag on that ride has gone up over the years!
I sat in a new 2015 Tahoe LT- mid level 2WD, not even an LTZ and the window sticker was 54K!
I live where 4WD can be a near necessity for many people, both for work and pleasure. Still, I see more and more people going the route of buying an economical car for a daily driver and keeping a used "beater" 4WD pickup or SUV around for when they need one. That's pretty much what I did, and I likely will not have any need to buy another 4WD for many years, if ever. Also, very few of the current model SUV's are capable of much more than driving on a snowpacked or slick road--they have very little trail capability. And, as noted, they can cost a bloody fortune to buy new.
I was totally blown away when I saw what a new Suburban costs. I don't know your means and am not insinuating anything, but...damn! Even the most affluent will do a double-take when they see how the price-tag on that ride has gone up over the years!
Get them used, er, pre-owned ... they have pretty bad depreciation, IIRC.
There are a lot of people who drive SUV's for the wrong reasons, when a car would suit them just fine.
However, in our case, we have a rather large dog, and the only place I want him when we're going somewhere is the back cargo area, his nails puncture/tear leather easily. I also tow my sports car on occasion, or a set of jet skis. So while a car might be able to tow the jetskis, I don't know any that could trailer another car. And of course, hauling kids and all the associated crap that goes with it is easier with an SUV than a car IMO, as well as those Home Depot runs for things.
We'll stick with SUV's until they start making minivans with a lot more potent engines/drivetrain, and then maybe I'd consider one of those.
I drive a new Ford Edge which some people consider an SUV but I consider it a station wagon, and use it as such. The Edge replaced a 2012 Escort SEL, which was a great car but a little too small for our uses.
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