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I've driven SUVs since I was 16. I drive my wife's Sonata from time to time to save gas (18mpg combined, not really saving much) but I do not like the seating position and it actually feels dull to me. Maybe a 500hp+ sedan (ahem M5) would be the only other way to go. Or I'll just get an X5M or Cayenne GTS next.
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 presently have a 2005 Ford Escape (110K miles) and my wife drives a 2009 Suzuki Gran Vitara (36K miles). I like SUV's and my next purchase will more then likely be another SUV. Only issue is the down sizing of vehicles that has been going on. As an example, the new Escape is small compared to mine so I would probably need to go to an Explorer to get the same size vehicle. I drive about 8K miles a year so fuel consumption is not an issue for me.
Cars do not get worse gas mileage than your SUV, unless you consider a Prius V an SUV. Cars will always get better fuel economy than SUV's due to height and weight. This is physics.
Wtf? Is this a real post?
My SUV : 17/22. Over the last 14,000 miles, I have averaged 21. Regular gas
My last 3 cars: 14/21 - really got about 17 (average over 30k miles)
16/26 - really got 18 (average over 18k miles)
18/25 - stuck at 18 for now, but only have 1000 miles on it
All the cars require premium gas.
The car I almost got was 13/21.
The numbers say one thing but I have never seen any of these cars get the top number DESPITE the fact that almost all my driving is highway. In fact, my cars are close to exclusively highway, while my SUV is the one I mix it up more in. I think you have to drive like gin-soaked grannie to get into the 20s in these sports cars.
Cars now are extremely safe. I don't think the "safety difference" (I don't think there is one with the increased rollover probability) is worth paying 50-100% more in purchase price, tire / wheel size, more frequent brake replacement, etc. and horrid gas mileage over the life of the vehicle.
Work is a different animal. But then it clasifies as a work vehicle and can be treated as such on your taxes.
My argument is pretty straightforward. The situations where people actually "need" SUVs are too few to justify their huge price difference over a standard car or hatch. Those rare occasions can be served by investing in a roof rack, hitch, trailor, or renting an SUV for $50 on the day you need that extra utility.
They can be useful in certain situations. My main argument was that the insane cost premium of an SUV won't justify the limited use for most people. You would be surprised what a car or hatchback can fit with a roof rack, hitch and small trailer. Like I said, financially it is usually worth just renting the SUV for the day.
EDIT: Just to be clear, I'm not speaking for all people... SUV's make sense for certain lifestyles (namely heavy towing, off road, etc). However, the average driver of an SUV in this country doesn't use the extra utility enough to justify the purchase from a sound financial analysis.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merc63
Simply put, you're wrong. With the SUV owned, I can use it at any time, don't have to rent anything and deal with the hassles of renting (credit card deposits, making sure the rental agency has one, etc. And at $70-100 a day for an SUV rental, I can OWN mine for less per month than renting one every time I need it during the month). I can haul 4x8 sheets of plywood in it one weekend and go towing my 30 ft travel trailer the next, for less cost than renting one ONCE.
No, it's not.
And again, MY Suburban only cost me $6500. THat's not an "insane cost premium" and in fact it makes no sense NOT to own it.
No, he's actually correct.
If you read the boldfaced part above, then maybe you would realize that you are probably one of the exceptions that he's talking about.
My SUV : 17/22. Over the last 14,000 miles, I have averaged 21. Regular gas
My last 3 cars: 14/21 - really got about 17 (average over 30k miles)
16/26 - really got 18 (average over 18k miles)
18/25 - stuck at 18 for now, but only have 1000 miles on it
All the cars require premium gas.
The car I almost got was 13/21.
The numbers say one thing but I have never seen any of these cars get the top number DESPITE the fact that almost all my driving is highway. In fact, my cars are close to exclusively highway, while my SUV is the one I mix it up more in. I think you have to drive like gin-soaked grannie to get into the 20s in these sports cars.
My wife's SUV is 18/25.
My parents' SUV is 21/27.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stan4
Here is a list of cars that defy your strange universe of "physics."
Physics is physics. Moving a vehicle takes energy. An average sedan runs 3,000-3,500 lbs these days. An average SUV runs 3,500 lbs and up (most tip the scale at 4,000 lbs or so). SUVs are heavier than cars. A cars weight is the primary factor in the city MPG number. Given that SUVs are heavier, the car will take less energy (thus...gas) to move.
The second component is highway driving. Highway efficiency is based on drag, which is a function of the vehicle's shape and frontal area. SUVs sit higher, therefore have larger frontal area which is more drag (again, more gas).
Opinions do not trump physics.
And if you want to do comparisons.. my car gets 26 in the city and 38 on the highway. Good luck finding an SUV that matches that mileage.
Sortry, real world experience trumps wishful thinking on your part, you closedminded twit.
Insult noted.
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