SUV's are obsolete

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Poverty

Poverty

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First Impressions: Forget luxury SUVs: This all-wheel-drive S-Class has all the capability you'll ever need.


Its still no audi quattro through :sly:

And on a side note my nan has just brought herself a new mercedes E-class estate. Dont know what model apart from its avantgarde. Complaining of getting cut up alot more now in Germany by other drivers. Should have gotten a understated A6 Avant instead.
 
you'll never convince americans of that.

having run loggers for a living through miles/kilometers of mud, plenty deep, and ruts deeper than wheel hubs, there will never be a time for quite a while where utility shapes are no longer needed...at least untll someone finally invents the real life repulsorlift :b

which means Merc better get on it before VAG beats them to the punch :D
 
But can you stack timber in the back of that thing? :lol:

Damn.... AWD and S-Class... not a bad idea. :D
 
True on that, you'll never convince us Americans. We love our gas guzzling, obnoxiously big SUVs! (And we still complain about gas prices! *gasp*)
 
Just let me know when your S-Class can tow a 30 ft. boat, and haul six people and their stuff, then the S-Class may replace the Avalanche...
 
YSSMAN
Just let me know when your S-Class can tow a 30 ft. boat
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The 500 upwards should have more than enough torque.

Think S65, then think "earth shattering".

YSSMAN
and haul six people and their stuff, then the S-Class may replace the Avalanche...
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Thats...two in the front, three in the back and someone in the boot.

Easy. Now the S Class can replace the Avalanche.
 
Utility vehicles will never, EVER become obsolete. I just hope the larger ones will become unnessisary soon, at least for public use. I can see the need for a large truck/SUV in the workplace but not for everyday use on the public roads.

An example would be the the recently dead Ford Excursion. I just dont understand why you would need something so incredibly large. I can understand that it comes in handy when you move furniture or other large or bulky items but why on earth would you drive one just to drive one. Smaller ute's just make more sense.

Lets take a look at Ford's SUV/Truck Lineup...
- Freestyle......essentially an overly large wagon, good for carrying your moms craft supplies. About the size of a gen2 Explorer
- Explorer....this new model is about the size of the first gen expedition model, good for carrying a good size table and chairs if need be.
- Expedition......a larger version of the Explorer, good for transporting those even larger table and chairs and all of our fat american children
- Escape....a good sized ute that even has a hybrid model available. IMO, the most sensible model ute offered by Ford.
- Ranger.....a good light duty truck for those who dont really need a cover over their table and chairs
- F150.......for those who like options like extended or crew cabs. Good for mid-range loads.


This is basically a pointless rant, after looking at their CURRENT lineup, it at least shows me that they have changed their direction at least slightly. Yeah, I do know that out FAT american asses need a large vehucle sometimes but maybe that should tell us something about our fast-food eating, cell phone talking, cancer thriving society we call the US of A.


As for the S-class, pretty cool.

The argument may have not made much sense, I just HATE large SUV's!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I hate SUV's, too, but people aren't going to pay for a $100,000+ S-Class, even if it can replace their $30,000 Avalanche.
 
I attempted to convince my father to go with the Audi Allroad Quattro instead of the Avalanche, but he didn't think the Audi was man-enough for his persona. I can see where he is comming from, his name is Thor after all, but IMO the Audi has twice the practicality of the Avalanche, plus it is fun to drive, and gets better gas mileage overall.
 
This may not be able to replace all of an SUV's capabilities, but it's more than enough to do everything an everyday american does with his/her SUV.

Hell, a Smart ForTwo can do what most everyday americans do with their SUVs, which is nothing more than just driving around town. Alone...

Okay, okay, so you might need something like a Civic to do grocery shopping. :rolleyes:
 
This has been my beef with SUVs. I'm going to try to choose my words carefully so that I don't end up in a ranting war.

I've never seen myself as an SUV lover. A reason I believe people support SUVs and such is because life is too short for minivans. In the midst of "boring minivans," people normally think an SUV is the perfect answer as you can do much more than haul groceries. I think people seem to feel to have more control and more of a better personal perspective with SUVs. I am one of the few mainstream types to believe that there's absolutely nothing wrong with minivans. I don't need image or a feeling of empowerment. I am perfectly fine any way I want because I'm a consumer and just because if I owned a Honda Odyssey in a neighborhood of mostly SUVs and trucks, then I'm perfectly fine. I wouldn't care to be hated on or dumped on simply because I don't have a vehicle that's adventurous or shows that I have character, get out of my way. There are a lot of trucks here in Texas, so what am I proving owning any type of SUV? God forbid if I became a father and had some children (I'd want to be a father someday), I'm perfectly fine with a van over an SUV. I don't care that I have a big family and a vehicle that isn't taking advantage of it all. I don't go outdoors with a lot of materials with me, so no need for an SUV to hit the great Texas outdoors. What I've gotten tired of are the Hummer H2's and H3's. I've admired only one Hummer- the H1. I got into a Hummer at last year's Houston Auto Show, and it felt pretty cramped for my 6'0" frame. I wouldn't see myself having this as a daily driver. But with the Hummer H2's and H3's, I've gotten overly sick of them. You talk about how Civics and such are getting redundant and uglier, what about the Hummer? What about all the ones pimping out H2's and H3's? I'm sorry. I'm not an adventurous person. So don't assume people my age (23) look for vehicles that have as much character as many of us young types. Ultimately, I've just never really been a truck person. Since I am not a rugged person looking for something a lot less boring, why something big and can be tough to control if not careful? Perhaps my favorite SUV of any kind is the Lexus RX series. I've always considered them as lovely models, and these are about the most beautiful SUVs I can think of.

Now on to this S-Class deal you got here, Poverty. I am very much a fan of Mercedes-Benz. They make lovely and classy automobiles. You may have to spend some money to get them, but they are (probably) worth the price. If this thing can really tow something like that Mercedes-Benz commercial pickup truck, then that's pretty cool for what it can do. The only potential argument against it would be if getting a Ute would be a better pick of car + utility as opposed to this S-Class.

That's all from me. Anyone want to take some shots at me for my earlier comments, or do you dig where I'm getting at?
 
Id say, trucks will always be trucks, and luxury sedans will always be luxury sedans. They won't change their appeal or become obsolete because the luxury sedan was fitted with all wheel drive. I always loved trucks (I was a fan of SUVs before the sports cars) and I think its better deal to get a Escalade and a Accord or such for $100,000. A S class isnt worth the money, especially if you consider the horrible workmanship and the build quality on recent M-B. It also wears electronics in huge numbers, and I don't know anyone who enjoys operating the COMAND system.

Now, for the all wheel drive on luxury sedans, I think its just there for safety, not pulling loads, boats, or taking you off road. No way. And it will be interesting to watch if M-B will bring out a pickup truck after putting the awd S class to the market. If they do, then we will all know that the awd S class was not intended for replacing trucks.
 
JohmBM: just cause the city folk us an SUV to tool around in, don't mean those of us out where the tallest building is the closest silo don't.
there's still sich a thing as farms, small farmers, and, as I'm sure you can confirm, ranches. ther'll always be a need for the utility half of an SUV untill the entire world turns into one giant streetcorner.

imagine, having to remind a man from Texas that there's still country people out there

'couse, I got an excuse for thinking bout trucks...truckers in the family, blue collar origins, and my first thing I was nuts about was a CB.
 
Okay, can it hold 8+ Cardboard boxes full of files, some Restaurant supplies, Boxes of books, a German Shepherd and a Shih-tzu, two floor lamps, two people, and pull a trailer loaded with wrought iron fencing?

And cost around 32,000 dollars? That's probably 1/3 of the price of the mercedes.

I know a Chevy Trailblazer can.

Sure the S class is cool, but it costs several times more than many small or medium sized SUVs to do the same thing. And, it probably gets as bad or worse gas mileage than the mid sized ones.

Is the S class cool? hell yes! But, it's not practical. It's just the excessive concept of a luxury SUV taken even further. "lets take an already expensive car, give it AWD, a big motor, a tow hitch, and make it even more expensive than the original!" Great idea Dieter.:dopey:
 
If I wanted a $100,000 Mercedes-Benz SUV, I would buy the new G550. Even then, the ML550 is a better deal...
 
Don't forget, if you're a millionaire, you won't pootle around in a utility truck.
 
I see it like this, people have different tastes--if people want large obtrusive gas-guzzling vehicles let them. Now if they COMPLAIN about gas prices/mileage that's where I have the problem...if you buy the car assume the responsibility and shut the hell up. I, actually, hate SUVs with a passion but respect people's opinions for choosing them. If the world was full of SUVs only I'd probably choose the Infiniti FX35 or the VW Touareg. I can also say that since hatchbacks are getting more and more popular cars like one of my Focuses (ZX5), Mazda3, Golf, and etc are selling more because you can use them for basic things and haul 4 adults...hell I can fit 4 guys 6ft tall and over 200lbs each in my Focus hatch--and run the A/C--and have enough power to pass when I need to--and *gasp* still get over 25mpg city. And on the minivan note, companies are coming around (albeit slowly) the Honda Odessey and Nissan Quest are quick, roomy, and have some seriously good amenities...I'd own one of these two and possibly 2 other minivans before I'd own an SUV. And minivans now get as good mpg as sedans--the Odessey gets practically the same as the V6 Accord.

On the S-class note, I like my German autos--and the thought of an AWD Merc of anykind makes me happy in all my "special places"--this is not a substitution for any other kind of utility vehicle because owners of this car will neither; tow things, haul things (golf clubs excluded), nor will they want 3+ snot nosed brats tearing up the interior. Just my opinions.
 
As JCE3000GT said (well, to paraphrase a bit), I don't mind SUV enthusiasts. There's also no reason to pick on someone who uses their SUV for its utility, such as carrying...all of that stuff that High-Test said. :lol:

However, one fact still remains -- many americans use their SUVs as if they were compact cars, and don't even think about pulling trailers, hauling lumber, or adventuring off of the beaten path with them. :indiff: Then, as JCE3000GT also mentioned, many of them complain about gas prices (as if we pay a lot in the states... :rolleyes: ).
 
JCE3000GT
I see it like this, people have different tastes--if people want large obtrusive gas-guzzling vehicles let them. Now if they COMPLAIN about gas prices/mileage that's where I have the problem...if you buy the car assume the responsibility and shut the hell up. I, actually, hate SUVs with a passion but respect people's opinions for choosing them. If the world was full of SUVs only I'd probably choose the Infiniti FX35 or the VW Touareg. I can also say that since hatchbacks are getting more and more popular cars like one of my Focuses (ZX5), Mazda3, Golf, and etc are selling more because you can use them for basic things and haul 4 adults...hell I can fit 4 guys 6ft tall and over 200lbs each in my Focus hatch--and run the A/C--and have enough power to pass when I need to--and *gasp* still get over 25mpg city. And on the minivan note, companies are coming around (albeit slowly) the Honda Odessey and Nissan Quest are quick, roomy, and have some seriously good amenities...I'd own one of these two and possibly 2 other minivans before I'd own an SUV. And minivans now get as good mpg as sedans--the Odessey gets practically the same as the V6 Accord.

On the S-class note, I like my German autos--and the thought of an AWD Merc of anykind makes me happy in all my "special places"--this is not a substitution for any other kind of utility vehicle because owners of this car will neither; tow things, haul things (golf clubs excluded), nor will they want 3+ snot nosed brats tearing up the interior. Just my opinions.
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Nicely said; those hatchbacks can do as much as those SUVs, not to mention the superior fuel economy. But one little thing about SUV owners complaining about fuel prices: if someone bought an Explorer 8 years back when fuel prices werent too bad, then obviously they will complain and its not their fault. If someone bought an Explorer in 2004 and is complaining about the fuel price, then they have to have a screw tightened in their head.

The S class, I think the design is plain ugly. Those flared wheelarches looks like something out of a comic. I mean, its a 100 grand luxury sedan, save the sportiness for the AMG models :rolleyes: I don't even like this whole "sport ultra-luxury sedan" concept; luxury sedans were made to please the rich with plush rides, top-of-the-line stuff and incredible safety. They werent made to accept a 603hp twin-turbo V12 and go 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. I mean, that defies the whole concept of the luxury sedan.

Edit: Ive just had a second look at the pictures. The sheetmetal is plain bland. Bland. No personality to it. Looks too much like a Maybach at the rear, too. No wonder people dont buy Maybachs - you can get a car that looks really like it for less than half the price! :lol:
 
GT4_Rule
They werent made to accept a 603hp twin-turbo V12 and go 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. I mean, that defies the whole concept of the luxury sedan.
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Rich people enjoy having bragging rights, even if they won't take advantage of the performance.
 
WTF?!? I typed up a long reply to ths thread and it all got erased, which is pissing me off!

I'm not gonna type it up again, but here's a summary:
He didn't literally mean the S-class would replace SUVs, some people took it too seriously.
The problem isn't SUVs, it's the people that buy them. Yes, they can haul lots of stuff and go offroad like other vehicles can't, but th epeople that buy them don't do that with them.
 
iceburns288
WTF?!? I typed up a long reply to ths thread and it all got erased, which is pissing me off!

I'm not gonna type it up again, but here's a summary:
He didn't literally mean the S-class would replace SUVs, some people took it too seriously.
The problem isn't SUVs, it's the people that buy them. Yes, they can haul lots of stuff and go offroad like other vehicles can't, but th epeople that buy them don't do that with them.
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Only if everyone thought like that, we wouldnt have all those Suburbans running around town carrying one person. Time for rest of the world to start realizing that we have limited resources, not just the Japanese people!
 
SUVs may be "abused" by most of their owners, but there are plenty of owners who use them for legitimate reasons. We use ours constantly, hauling car pieces for our Camaro restoration, carrying the dog, building supplies for our house and barn, or hauling the family across town. We may be in a minority these days, but there are also plenty of people like us who have SUVs for a reason.
 
I can see myself buying an SUV and never taking it offroad or towing anything.

If I need to seat 7 (occasionally), what else should I buy? (no, minivan is not an option)
 
YSSMAN
SUVs may be "abused" by most of their owners, but there are plenty of owners who use them for legitimate reasons. We use ours constantly, hauling car pieces for our Camaro restoration, carrying the dog, building supplies for our house and barn, or hauling the family across town. We may be in a minority these days, but there are also plenty of people like us who have SUVs for a reason.
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Yeah I know, didnt mean it in a way that denounced all SUV owners. Just that I see WAYY too many SUV/Pickup owners in my neighborhood that doesn't even carry a single brick in their pickup box or carry 5 people in a SUV. Most of the time, its just a single occupant in the vehilce. Talk about the worst way to waste fuel! Legitimate owners are good, I don't argue. Theyre exploring at least some of the vehicles potential, doing things like you said (carrying parts, moving things, etc) but for those who buy a ML55 AMG and never carry a single muddy item or carry no more than 2 people at a time, shame on them. I know its just bragging "Ohh look at me, I got a super-gas guzzling ML55 AMG with 26 inchers and I carry no more than 2 people at a time!" but still, makes me mad to see all those wasted SUVs out there.
 
Some actually don't use it for legit reasons. Some like to have the big autos just to have a sense of control or empowerment. I'd go with a minivan if I had a lot of people or something. I don't have a job which requires me to haul things around. My house has a 1960s Cadillac, TWO trucks, and one van. I usually go along with my parents, and we normally have to haul around groceries and extra stuff. My mom loves the Infiniti QX56 despite the fact we have a mid-1990s Safari. So with the vehicles we have, we actually have purpose to the two trucks and one minivan (actually one truck and one van since the other truck needs work and is rarely used). I'd still want a van when I get married and become a father. I'd still want a van and don't want the extra grunt of an SUV. Why? Just my personal preference. I'm in charge of my own decisions, right? You can't MAKE me get an SUV if I choose not to get one. Yeah, I may be in Texas (didn't appreciate that cheap shot earlier in this thread), but it doesn't mean I have to be just like everyone else.

I guess vans seem to be more boring compared to SUVs to most people. Both offer utility for as many people or cargo as possible. I don't care about having the biggest-possible vehicle on the road. Big is meaningless if it can't perform on the utilitarian and functional fronts. How do you actually choose between an SUV and a van? What makes the difference between getting either one over the other? With Google's help, I looked at this deal for myself and got these results:

http://forums.twinstore.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/30660829/m/73610985131
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=101278/pageNumber=1
http://www.citizen.org/autosafety/faq/

-for vans, against SUVs-
http://groups.teenhelp.org/archive/index.php/t-7358.html

-for SUVs, against vans-
http://www.madogre.com/Automotive/FarmBoy_Hates_SUVs.htm

This is basically a case of Luxury sedans vs. minivans vs. SUVs the way this is all set up. Any comments?
 
Well, typically SUV/van supporters love sitting up high and being able to see over other cars. Well, guess what? Us car-driving folk can't see through your big, tall, SUVs/vans, especially with those tinted rear windows! If visibility is so good, why do you feel the need to pull all the way out over the crosswalk when I'm sitting on your right, trying to look down the road and make a right turn?? :indiff:

They also feel more safe and secure -- I guess that means all of us car-driving folk are S.O.L., and have to settle with being killed or injured by SUV drivers who think they're invincible in bad weather, because their big, heavy SUV has a 4WD system. (A friend of mine even witnessed some chick in a GMC Yukon kill a guy in a Civic who was making a right-hand turn onto a main road. The speed limit is 35mph, it was snowing heavily, and the chick was going at least 45mph before completely locking her brakes and smashing into the driver's-side door of the Civic)

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If you need to haul heavy loads and do serious work, get a truck. If you need to do those things, but comfortably, and while carrying more than 1-2 passengers, get an SUV. If you want to drive off-road, get either one.

If you just need to haul people and stuff comfortably, get a wagon. Subaru and the Europeans offer plenty of great wagons. The only reason why you would ever need a minivan is if you constantly need to haul 6-7 people comfortably.



Sorry for the ranting, but I positively cannot stand SUV/van drivers out on the road. They drive me crazy.
 
YOU didn't stuff 8 people, all of them pushing 200lbs/90 kilos of muscle, in a Utility Vehicle rated for a max of a grand in lbs, not only with all those people, but with a full load of logging equipment, fuels, etc...

Wolfe2x7: i'm not in a full size based SUV like a lot of these yuttzes...i can actually see smaller vehicles...and NOT thinking that I can just drive ove top of them...I HATE jacked up to the ceiling vehicles.

they bou those monsters FOR the fact that they can survuve (or look like they can) the hardest bump. there's an american country star who's lyrics involving a monster SUV run that he won't compromise his family's safety just to save a little gas.

i know what you mean by the overtint. i have to put up with it in my own vehicle right now...and it;'s only handy in a sunny climate :P
 
Hm. Perhaps we just need to forget this whole "luxury SUV" thing and take them back to being Jeeps, Broncos, Defender 90s, FJ40s, Unimogs, and HMMVVs.

and let Pickups be pickups, too.

Also, do these yuppies realize that they don't have a rollcage? their feelings of safety are nixed by the higher CG. (Even worse in a lifted truck....MUCH less safe.) If I were a stunt driver, I wouldn't drive one of these in a basic, handbrake-drift stunt scene without some sort of roll protection.

One more thing...if we want to break this Esuvee (Love that word!) addiction, perhaps the carmakers need to step up and give us what we really want. Fullsize car. Front-Engine, Rear-drive. V8. that's what American buyers are looking for, and the underlying reason why we've settled for trucks since the '70s.

No wonder the 300C and Charger are so popular.
 

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