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I'll buy a sedan because I can get one much cheaper.
But I have a history of zigging when everyone else zags.
I'm the exact same way, and has served me well in my life!
I remember not too long ago when SUV's were out of flavor with the public and everyone wanted a fuel efficient vehicle instead. Trading them in masses over $100+ visits every 10 days to the fuel pumps.
Personally, I think these automakers are making a huge and costly mistake. Sure, dial the sedans down and dial up the SUV's, as they have to follow market demand. But don't mothball the whole thing, because it'll cost a boat load to revamp / retool to bring them back when the market demand shifts yet again. But admittedly, I am not an automobile manufacturing expert by any means, so I can't really speak to the profit margins on any segment. Although will say, that in that other thread posted about GM's costs, I was surprised to read that any factory that isn't running at 80% or higher capacity is losing money. To me, that statistic seems to reveal a root cause for the problems at hand for the car makers, and an area where focus should be the most. 80% to break even seems awfully high to me, but again, I'm no expert.
I just don't see the appeal of the little SUV's, minus one or two exceptions (which are German). I also don't see the appeal, in a multi-car home, of having two of the exact same type/thing if you don't have to have it that way. But, that's just me, and I'm a strange bird!
I just hope the European automakers aren't tariffed to death for the US at this point, as I personally enjoy a fast and sleek sedan.
I miss having a sedan. Years ago, when I had a 75 mile round trip commute I needed something that got great mileage and something I didn't care about putting miles on. I had a VW Jetta TDI for that. Loved the car.
That being said, we have a rural cabin about 5 hours away. When we visit there we have two dogs, gear, food, etc. plus need to tow either a UTV and a couple of ATV's (summer) and 3 snowmobiles in the winter. So I have to have a truck or full size SUV.
My wife also needs a vehicle that gets better mileage than the truck due to her commute. So tried a sedan for a few years and with her hobbies it was difficult, she now drives a CUV.
Now that my work commute is only 16 miles round trip and the Jetta had 260k miles on it, I offed it just to have one less vehicle to maintain.
That is why we no longer have a sedan. If there were funds for an extra vehicle, I'd have a Camaro, Challenger or at least a Cadillac ATS-V It's all about the money.
I'm the exact same way, and has served me well in my life!
I remember not too long ago when SUV's were out of flavor with the public and everyone wanted a fuel efficient vehicle instead. Trading them in masses over $100+ visits every 10 days to the fuel pumps.
$100 gas visit is when I bought a Chevy Tahoe. I sold it five years later for pretty close to what I paid for it.
I also bought a Chevy Cruze Diesel in 11/15. VW crapped the bed in 9/15. I got it for less than a comparable gas Cruze.
I love buying cars when they're "distressed goods".
$100 gas visit is when I bought a Chevy Tahoe. I sold it five years later for pretty close to what I paid for it.
Ha! Yep, I did the exact same thing with a Toyota 4Runner V8 in 2008! Traded it (stupidly) in January 2013 after driving it for 100k miles or so for about 80% of what I paid for it.
I drove TJ Wranglers back in the day, but somewhere around 2008 I traded it as gas prices topped $4 a gallon. I was spending $75+ a fillup two and three times a week! 14 MGP with $4+ gas was NO fun on my wallet!
I ended up buying a wagon - best of both worlds. Sleek and better handling than a tall, blobby CUV, but it still has plenty of utility. Unfortunately, Americans still think wagons are "uncool". These CUVs bore me (save for a few exceptions), and if I plan on using the extra height/ground clearance, I'm getting a proper SUV.
My biggest problem with sedans of recent years is the fastback design that shrinks the trunk opening. If these automakers are gonna do that, why not make it a hatch??? Cars like Kia Stinger and Buick Regal Sportback have the right idea.
I ended up buying a wagon - best of both worlds. Sleek and better handling than a tall, blobby CUV, but it still has plenty of utility. Unfortunately, Americans still think wagons are "uncool". These CUVs bore me (save for a few exceptions), and if I plan on using the extra height/ground clearance, I'm getting a proper SUV.
My biggest problem with sedans of recent years is the fastback design that shrinks the trunk opening. If these automakers are gonna do that, why not make it a hatch??? Cars like Kia Stinger and Buick Regal Sportback have the right idea.
I love wagons ! Would have loved to have a Jetta TDI wagon. And was bummed when Cadillac discontinued the CTS wagon (CTS-V wagon has to be one of the coolest cars out there) and really like the new Buick Regal TourX. A wagon would be perfect for us...except for the lack of towing.
I'm probably going to order a new truck in the next year. It's going to be a 2500 Mega cab 4WD opting for a gas motor this time instead of diesel. Its the only thing that fits our criteria and budget.
I love wagons ! Would have loved to have a Jetta TDI wagon. And was bummed when Cadillac discontinued the CTS wagon (CTS-V wagon has to be one of the coolest cars out there) and really like the new Buick Regal TourX. A wagon would be perfect for us...except for the lack of towing.
The TourX is the wagon I ended up getting . Wonderful car, I've put about 15k miles on it so far in the past several months and really enjoy it. The owner's manual originally called for no towing, but GM updated it online with a 1000-lb towing limit. Oddly enough, the Euro version of the car (Opel Insignia Country Tourer), has something like a 4500-lb towing limit. Something to do with regulations, I've heard.
I too was disappointed that the CTS wagon was discontinued. That thing looked sweet, and the -V version was one of my dream cars lol.
We have a sedan and CUV between the wife and I. I cringe when I have to drive it. Yes, it can seat 7, fit tons of stuff inside and has AWD and ground clearance, but it sucks on fuel economy, handles poorly and doesn't brake like a sports car.
I do a lot of highway driving. I like my sedan. I feel safer due to the ability to brake and turn better.
But that's just me. I'm fortunate to have one of each in the household so best of both worlds
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. Wonderful car, I've put about 15k miles on it so far in the past several months and really enjoy it. The owner's manual originally called for no towing, but GM updated it online with a 1000-lb towing limit. Oddly enough, the Euro version of the car (Opel Insignia Country Tourer), has something like a 4500-lb towing limit. Something to do with regulations, I've heard.
