Why do I want a suv

[T2urtle]

I have no need for a SUV. Maybe in my whole so far maybe 4 times would one come in handy. But why am I so interested in getting one. I don't intend on doing anything then driving it from point a to b. Maybe throw on some off road gear and act like a poser.

I like the wrangler and FJ cruiser mainly but hell I even look at yukons.

I'm a single male. Rather own a fast car but I keep looking and wanting one of these. I know mpg is horrible but I just think their neat. Cost of tires would more then rape my wallet.

Realistically I think I'll end up with a Subaru turbo wagon as the next car I buy but I always end up looking at the wranglers and FJ. Anyone have this problem? The FJ is my nice median, somewhat wrangler-like but 19mpg and Toyota cheap.

Thread closed because of a necro-post from a noob.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[Eureka]

Meh, guys like big and brawny. It's natural. Thing is, can you convince yourself that you have no need for it? It's heavy, it's expensive for what you get. For the mileage you could be burning up that gas pulling down the quarter mile at 100. For the money and mileage, I'd rather get an AWD rally car that can handle off-road/sticky situations well enough but also be able to out-pull most other cars, and can handle well enough to use that power.

Trucks are fun, but is it your kind of fun?

 

[jaha2000]

I love my FJ....
MPG sucks, the interior is plain... but
The thing is built like a tank, and i can work on it without too much fuss. Its also great for the kiddo, rubber floors and stain/waterproof seats are great for the little one.

5000lb tow cap was a big one for me. Little pop up camper with a dritbike on it pulls quite nice..

 

[Throckmorton]

Why don't you just buy one and take up offroading? You wouldn't buy a sports car and then drive it like a granny, so why buy an SUV and not use it for its purpose?

 

[Insomniator]

I have no idea.

I hate SUVs, hate being high above the road, hate heavy cars. I also hate that they are so popular over wagons which are a better choice for so many people that end up with a SUV.

 

[pauldun170]

Plenty people buy Exepditions\Yukons\Suburbans\FJ's\Wrangler to go to the mall.

Maybe if they get a little snow they can convince themselves that they needed a big ole truck to drive on the plowed roads every other 2wd car drives on with all season tires.

Some folks like to convince themselves that they need full size SUV to tow....something that they don't own or will ever own. they just like to say that if they had to they could.

Some folks like to convince themselves that they need full size SUV to for safety because supersize is better than normal size just so they can piss off hippies.

However for every douchebag in a big ole SUV there is another one who demands "A BMW because of the fine handling" as they drive on straight highways and on a grid pattern of straight traffic light infused suburbia.

You want the SUV.
Get the damn SUV
Enjoy pouring money into the gas tank and enjoy the first visit to the tire shop.
At the very least you can tail gait sissy mobiles like a boss.

 

[JackBurton]

My brother just bought a Yukon and loves it. It's just him and his girlfriend, but he is a big guy and likes the room he has in a big SUV. He also likes how the SUV sits (high) and the smooth ride on the highway.

I'd definitely take a full size SUV over a wagon though. I can't stand wagons.

 

[JackBurton]

Plenty people buy Exepditions\Yukons\Suburbans\FJ's\Wrangler to go to the mall.

Maybe if they get a little snow they can convince themselves that they needed a big ole truck to drive on the plowed roads every other 2wd car drives on with all season tires.

Some folks like to convince themselves that they need full size SUV to tow....something that they don't own or will ever own. they just like to say that if they had to they could.

Some folks like to convince themselves that they need full size SUV to for safety because supersize is better than normal size just so they can piss off hippies.

However for every douchebag in a big ole SUV there is another one who demands "A BMW because of the fine handling" as they drive on straight highways and on a grid pattern of straight traffic light infused suburbia.

You want the SUV.
Get the damn SUV
Enjoy pouring money into the gas tank and enjoy the first visit to the tire shop.
At the very least you can tail gait sissy mobiles like a boss.

My wife drives a Mustang GT which gets similar gas mileage as his SUV (Yukon), and the tires are slightly more expensive (~$1500-$1600 for the set). The difference is, he doesn't have to pull over as often to refuel. She can get to the gas station faster though.

I always find it funny when people point at SUV's as these big gas guzzlers, when sports cars can get just as bad gas mileage.

 

[halik]

Compensating?

 

[CA19100]

Why not rent one for a week and get it out of your system?

 

[T2urtle]

Plenty people buy Exepditions\Yukons\Suburbans\FJ's\Wrangler to go to the mall.

Maybe if they get a little snow they can convince themselves that they needed a big ole truck to drive on the plowed roads every other 2wd car drives on with all season tires.

Some folks like to convince themselves that they need full size SUV to tow....something that they don't own or will ever own. they just like to say that if they had to they could.

Some folks like to convince themselves that they need full size SUV to for safety because supersize is better than normal size just so they can piss off hippies.

However for every douchebag in a big ole SUV there is another one who demands "A BMW because of the fine handling" as they drive on straight highways and on a grid pattern of straight traffic light infused suburbia.

You want the SUV.
Get the damn SUV
Enjoy pouring money into the gas tank and enjoy the first visit to the tire shop.
At the very least you can tail gait sissy mobiles like a boss.

Good points.

I'm in Chicago so we do get snow. I own a motorcycle so that might need a tow once in a while. I'm a skinny guy that can fit in a miata.

I want one but don't think I'll pull the trigger.

 

[LTC8K6]

I have an SUV with a HEMI!

I can get to the gas station pretty fast.

 

[Kadarin]

I have an SUV with a HEMI!

I can get to the gas station pretty fast.

So do I!

 

[unokitty]

I have no need for a SUV. Maybe in my whole so far maybe 4 times would one come in handy. But why am I so interested in getting one. I don't intend on doing anything then driving it from point a to b. Maybe throw on some off road gear and act like a poser.

I like the wrangler and FJ cruiser mainly but hell I even look at yukons.

I'm a single male. Rather own a fast car but I keep looking and wanting one of these. I know mpg is horrible but I just think their neat. Cost of tires would more then rape my wallet.

Realistically I think I'll end up with a Subaru turbo wagon as the next car I buy but I always end up looking at the wranglers and FJ. Anyone have this problem? The FJ is my nice median, somewhat wrangler-like but 19mpg and Toyota cheap.

"We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like." Dude, its the American Way!

Considered a Unimog?

 

[RedRooster]

Would rather have a RAM SRT10 or Jeep SRT8 than an offroad vehicle.
A man vehicle with balls would be way funner.

 

[CraigRT]

Don't do it. I'd like a Yukon or something too but there is just no reason to, for a single guy.
You should just get something more economical and be happy with your choice. I don't really love my Civic as a fun car or anything like that, but it allows me to go places and not worry as much about fuel because its so good on gas. It really is a much more sensible choice. I think that is an even larger point to make in Canada, not as much in the States (gas prices here are much higher)

 

[Raizinman]

Because of my work, and living in the midwest, I need to be able to get through the snow and ice to work, therefore I need an AWD. I purchased a Honda Crosstour. This is a unique blend of peformance, handling, and AWD. My wife on the other hand is at a job that pretty much closes when the weather is bad. She does not need an SUV and therefore does not have one.

 

[pauldun170]

My wife drives a Mustang GT which gets similar gas mileage as his SUV (Yukon), and the tires are slightly more expensive (~$1500-$1600 for the set). The difference is, he doesn't have to pull over as often to refuel. She can get to the gas station faster though.

I always find it funny when people point at SUV's as these big gas guzzlers, when sports cars can get just as bad gas mileage.

Mustang GT eh,
She's off to the track on a regular basis?
What's her 1/4 mile time? she do any track days with it?

Its not like she can legally use the V8 power on the street with speed limits and drag racing is illegal.

Does it matter?
Nope
(Not really talking about you or your wife...its just a general comment)

Which brings me back to my point.
If you want a SUV, or a Mustang GT or BMW or wooden go cart that runs off deer farts...just get it.
I would think a fairly small % folks actually need the capability offered by any of these vehicles but its not about needs.
Its about wants.

OP wants an SUV.
If you want it...just buy one already.
That's the nice thing about being single.
Buy what you damn well want.

I miss my Bronco
I can think of a bajillion excuses why I should get another one and put a proper drivetrain in it.
Do I need it?
Nope.
do I want it?
Yup
Can I get it?
Nope
Wives tend to screw you game plan up on stuff like that.

that bitterness on carries on to me having total intolerance for folks who come up with an excuse list to justify something they want.

 

[Mandres]

I picked a Grand Cherokee so that I can tow a trailer the 9-10 times a year I need to. It's a lot more comfortable than a pickup, and I don't need to haul often enough to really warrant a truck.

I hit the lumberyard pretty often (woodworking), and there's always a friend needing a hand moving or picking up furniture. The trailer really comes in handy.

 

[pauldun170]

My desire for "SUV's" ended once it became impossible to get one with a stick.
Now that all the good used one are being chopped up by off roader wanna-be's the only things left will be probably be old Land Rovers that no one wants to touch because "electrical system designed and made in England"

 

[apac]

I thought about this for a long fine before pulling the trigger. My Subaru legacy sedan is amazing, but it just doesn't cut it for anything more than commuting. 4 people skiing = not enough trunk space. More than 2 people camping = not enough space for gear. Moving = barely enough space for large boxes, no space for furniture. Home depot = I trashed my subaru's rear suspension hauling bags of rock and sand.

For a long time I thought about selling it and buying an SUV. Maybe a Ford escape hybrid to offset the mpg cost of a larger vehicle.

I'd also always been jealous of my friends Wranglers. Totally impractical for any of my needs, but super fun to drive and offroad. I just couldn't stomach buying one, so I didn't think much of it until this year when I got a cherokee real cheap to work on. It was in awful shape, and needed way more time and money than it was worth, which meant I spent lots of time and money learning to work on it. I sold it in the fall.

I kinda fell in love with cherokees though. They are dirt cheap to buy, easy to work on, have a bulletproof engine, and are the perfect size - small yet versatile. Tons of space with the back seat folded down, and a rack on top. I bought another one recently because, for $150/year in liability insurance, it's way too convenient to have one around.

 

[apac]

I picked a Grand Cherokee so that I can tow a trailer the 9-10 times a year I need to. It's a lot more comfortable than a pickup, and I don't need to haul often enough to really warrant a truck.

I hit the lumberyard pretty often (woodworking), and there's always a friend needing a hand moving or picking up furniture. The trailer really comes in handy.

Great minds... something something...

 

[jaha2000]

My desire for "SUV's" ended once it became impossible to get one with a stick.
Now that all the good used one are being chopped up by off roader wanna-be's the only things left will be probably be old Land Rovers that no one wants to touch because "electrical system designed and made in England"

You can still get the FJ with a stick...

 

[pauldun170]

You can still get the FJ with a stick...

Holy crap...totally forgot that you can order that with a 6spd.
Wonder how much longer that will last

 

[T2urtle]

I'd also always been jealous of my friends Wranglers. Totally impractical for any of my needs, but super fun to drive and offroad. I just couldn't stomach buying one, so I didn't think much of it until this year when I got a cherokee real cheap to work on. It was in awful shape, and needed way more time and money than it was worth, which meant I spent lots of time and money learning to work on it. I sold it in the fall.

I kinda fell in love with cherokees though. They are dirt cheap to buy, easy to work on, have a bulletproof engine, and are the perfect size - small yet versatile. Tons of space with the back seat folded down, and a rack on top. I bought another one recently because, for $150/year in liability insurance, it's way too convenient to have one around.

Which year/model/engine you speak of? Its like Legos when it comes to Jeeps and i dont know crap about Dana 35/44 and w/e else

I kinda like those box-y type.

Getting a used beater type SUV would work for me as well, i guess.

Dont they rust super easy?

I wanna target 1995 or older.