SUV Happy?
#16
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 6
Simple. Overcompensating...just like any other SUV driver.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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#18
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
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Posts: 491
If I'm with my family, I take the SUV because I need the extra room.
If I'm solo, I take the SUV because it offers the greatest survivability in a collision. As a safety engineer, I come by it honestly
If I'm solo, I take the SUV because it offers the greatest survivability in a collision. As a safety engineer, I come by it honestly
#19
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
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Posts: 16,708
+1
I like SUVs and crossovers since I just find it nicer to be higher up from the road. Also if they have 4WD/AWD that's nice especially in the winter... my friend has a house in Park City at one of the resorts and for a good portion of the winter you can't get to his house with just 2WD.
That's not to say I like huge SUVs -- I got an Acadia once just for the hell of it, and an Armada another time (this is from Hertz btw) when I needed the space. Those were okay to drive; I think a Tahoe could be fun but certainly isn't necessary most of the time.
-J.
I like SUVs and crossovers since I just find it nicer to be higher up from the road. Also if they have 4WD/AWD that's nice especially in the winter... my friend has a house in Park City at one of the resorts and for a good portion of the winter you can't get to his house with just 2WD.
That's not to say I like huge SUVs -- I got an Acadia once just for the hell of it, and an Armada another time (this is from Hertz btw) when I needed the space. Those were okay to drive; I think a Tahoe could be fun but certainly isn't necessary most of the time.
-J.
#20
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Posts: 3,883
I keep coming back to this thread as I keep ruminating on it in the back of my head for some strange reason. I've, personally, distilled it down to a few use cases I myself engage in and a few justifications that others make that I do not (right or wrong not withstanding):
My own:
1.) Grand Cherokee from ES offers more features and luxury than anything else on the row.
2.) Otherwise poor EA/ES selection so I'm stuck with some SUV that isn't a GC (depressingly frequent at TUL with ES usually being pick-your-color Captiva, though I normally book PCAR here).
3.) I have 4+ people with luggage and there aren't any minivans available or they are base trim, at which point I'll take a Tahoe or Suburban.
4.) I need 4WD (exceedingly rare for me).
Others:
1.) I drive a large truck or SUV at home and feel more comfortable in one..
2.) Safety, survivability, visibility, ride-height, etc.
3.) It makes me feel good about myself.
I guess, to me, if I can't secure a preferred PCAR (Genesis, Lacrosse, Cadenza, Azera, Taurus Limited, 300... in that order) or one of a handful of other sedans (Fusion Titanium, Mazda6, Passat, Verano) then an IFAR/IRAR or SFAR/SRAR is pretty much interchangeable with most ICAR/SCAR/FCARs.
What I don't do myself is go for a Tahoe/Suburban/etc when I'm by myself and have no specific legitimate need for one (passengers/luggage or 4WD). My boss normally will even if it's just me and him, but his daily driver is also a Suburban. Before this thread popped up I was much more critical of those who took one of these barges by themselves for no clear reason, but it seems there are some passably legitimate reasons I hadn't considered or wouldn't personally consider myself... along with a few folks still just compensating.
My own:
1.) Grand Cherokee from ES offers more features and luxury than anything else on the row.
2.) Otherwise poor EA/ES selection so I'm stuck with some SUV that isn't a GC (depressingly frequent at TUL with ES usually being pick-your-color Captiva, though I normally book PCAR here).
3.) I have 4+ people with luggage and there aren't any minivans available or they are base trim, at which point I'll take a Tahoe or Suburban.
4.) I need 4WD (exceedingly rare for me).
Others:
1.) I drive a large truck or SUV at home and feel more comfortable in one..
2.) Safety, survivability, visibility, ride-height, etc.
3.) It makes me feel good about myself.
I guess, to me, if I can't secure a preferred PCAR (Genesis, Lacrosse, Cadenza, Azera, Taurus Limited, 300... in that order) or one of a handful of other sedans (Fusion Titanium, Mazda6, Passat, Verano) then an IFAR/IRAR or SFAR/SRAR is pretty much interchangeable with most ICAR/SCAR/FCARs.
What I don't do myself is go for a Tahoe/Suburban/etc when I'm by myself and have no specific legitimate need for one (passengers/luggage or 4WD). My boss normally will even if it's just me and him, but his daily driver is also a Suburban. Before this thread popped up I was much more critical of those who took one of these barges by themselves for no clear reason, but it seems there are some passably legitimate reasons I hadn't considered or wouldn't personally consider myself... along with a few folks still just compensating.