Mercedes SUV Bashing: In Awe of Dan Neil

**Bullfighter** · #1 03-20-2006, 06:19 PM

http://www.latimes.com/classified/au...-home-highway1

Brilliantly written excoriation of the new supertanker Mercedes GL. Maybe it's brilliant because I agree with it, but at any rate Dan Neil's an amazing automotive writer.

**Rifledriver** · #2 03-20-2006, 06:28 PM

Couldn't agree more,,,,,,but

The 2 local Benz dealers can quit selling cars. They will be pedaling so many of those they won't have time to write sales contracts for cars

DMOORE · #3 03-20-2006, 09:34 PM

Even though I don't really care for the styling, they will sell like hotcakes. Not everyone who buys one( in fact probably a small percentage) will need all the space and towing capacity, but same goes for a 500hp sedan. Does anyone REALLY need 500hp in a car? I for one do need a large towing capacity, hence I own a Navigator. Thankfully these vehicles are available. Remember, Merc has been in the delivery truck business for 50 years. It's just a new face in the US.

Darrell.

**Auraraptor** · #4 03-20-2006, 09:46 PM

I hate how much people knock on SUVs.

My Range Rover actually was/is more practicle a daily driver then my SL600, which manages 7mpg city if I am really gentle, more like 5-6 normally.

Not to mention, the Range Rover's higher ground clearance made driving easy on Baltimore's wavy, potholed sad excuse for streets. Even now, there are parts of the city I would NEVER go because those roads.

Also, the higher driving position lets me see over parked cars. Why is this important? Well they park to the extreme edge, so if I want see if any oncoming traffic is coming...well I can't in any of my cars. I slowly crawl out and crank my head.

The list goes on and on.

**Bullfighter** · #5 03-20-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auraraptor

I hate how much people knock on SUVs.

My Range Rover actually was/is more practicle a daily driver then my SL600, which manages 7mpg city if I am really gentle, more like 5-6 normally.

Not to mention, the Range Rover's higher ground clearance made driving easy on Baltimore's wavy, potholed sad excuse for streets. Even now, there are parts of the city I would NEVER go because those roads.

Also, the higher driving position lets me see over parked cars. Why is this important? Well they park to the extreme edge, so if I want see if any oncoming traffic is coming...well I can't in any of my cars. I slowly crawl out and crank my head.

The list goes on and on.

Actually, I have a Jeep Liberty (until it comes off lease in '07) - tons of ground clearance, great over bad roads, nice driving position, ultra reliable so far.

I think it's harder to argue with Neil's point about the Exxon-Valdez-sized SUVs that exist mostly to take lone drivers to Blockbuster and back. These things even look ludicrous -- there's no "sport" left in them. I just think we're going to look back at all the Tahoe/Expedition/Excursions in 10 years like we look back at disco balls and leisure suits.

I was especially amazed when I moved back out to California in '95 - I thought everyone would be driving sports cars. Ridiculous.

**Auraraptor** · #6 03-20-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullfighter

Actually, I have a Jeep Liberty (until it comes off lease in '07) - tons of ground clearance, great over bad roads, nice driving position, ultra reliable so far.

I think it's harder to argue with Neil's point about the Exxon-Valdez-sized SUVs that exist mostly to take lone drivers to Blockbuster and back. These things even look ludicrous -- there's no "sport" left in them. I just think we're going to look back at all the Tahoe/Expedition/Excursions in 10 years like we look back at disco balls and leisure suits.

I was especially amazed when I moved back out to California in '95 - I thought everyone would be driving sports cars. Ridiculous.

Funny you say that. In terms of driving dynamics (steering feel, ease of control of on pedal oversteer/off pedal understeer, steering feedback, etc) My Range Rover trumps my SL. (Got to love BMW design) It obviously doesn't have the grip or speed though. Remember, the RR is the length of a S class/7 series and nearly the width of testarossa (Only weighs 500 lb more then my 7 series though due to extensive Al use)

I have to agree with most SUVs though. I drove a new 05 explorer and it was a POS in terms of sporty feel.

BUT concerning this SUV (GL), it will probably drive like a ML class. My mother and later sister have been driving them since they came out, and they are getting better and are actually very "sporting" to drive...more so then many cars I have driven. They were, and still are, built horridly, but we are talking about driving here, not reliability.

Turb0flat4 · #7 03-20-2006, 10:09 PM

As much as I personally dislike SUVs I would never bash them in public, let alone try to get them oulawed or something. Because every criticism that can be levelled at an SUV (they're uneconomical, unnecessary and unsafe) can also be directed at the sports cars that we all love. From a strictly utilitarian perspective, we need neither SUVs nor sports cars on public roads, all we need are safe boxy 4-door passenger sedans with 5 star crash ratings and high pedestrian safety ratings, that get 30 miles to the gallon and max out at 60 mph (which they take all of 12 seconds to get to).

Do not rejoice the day legislation is drawn up to outlaw SUVs. Because the day after that, sports cars will be outlawed as well.

Mr Payne · #8 03-20-2006, 10:28 PM

I don't understand how people can bash SUVs for fuel efficiency. If people are willing to pay $3.00/gallon while driving a low mileage vehicle, let them.

Vang · #9 03-20-2006, 10:36 PM

If we start restricting SUVs because they are "wasteful," I have a good idea about what's next.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Payne

I don't understand how people can bash SUVs for fuel efficiency. If people are willing to pay $3.00/gallon while driving a low mileage vehicle, let them.

It's the Point A-to-Point B crowd who wouldn't mind legislating the cars we all like so much to death.

Turb0flat4 · #10 03-20-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vang

If we start restricting SUVs because they are "wasteful," I have a good idea about what's next.It's the Point A-to-Point B crowd who wouldn't mind legislating the cars we all like so much to death.

Exactly my point. Be careful what you wish for. The general public thinks more highly of SUVs than they do of sportscars.

**Juice It** · #11 03-21-2006, 12:07 AM

This guy and his left wing paper are a joke. How is an SUV any less relevant than anything else on the road? If you buy it with your own money, its your business. Many sports cars and sedans get far worse mileage than many suv's. Some people actually need the space and for the people that don't, maybe they feel safer driving something larger. Big deal, there are far worse things to worry about than people driving around in SUV's.

**Auraraptor** · #12 03-21-2006, 12:09 AM

If you drive an SUV, the terrorists win!

**Bullfighter** · #13 03-21-2006, 01:00 AM

Well, his point is that public sentiment is turning against the monster-truck-as-daily-driver -- not that anyone would/could legislate against them. In fact he mentions the tax breaks for the Hummer H2 and presumably the big Benz truck, so the fact is that legislation favors them. What's encouraging is that people are moving back to more sensible vehicles because perception has turned against stupidly large SUVs for everyday use.

If people used their Mercedes GL or Ford Excursion as much as Ferrari owners use their cars, I think it would be a non-issue. And, having worked on a horse farm when I was younger, I know there are very valid reasons for trucks that can tow 9000 lbs., etc.

**henryr** · #14 03-21-2006, 01:32 AM

another "from each his own, to each his need" article.

secondly, all legitimate business expenses are tax deductible. i go out and buy another "virtually free" stapler for my business today.

third, the business motive is profit.

DMOORE · #15 03-21-2006, 01:43 AM

Isn't America great. If I want to drive a large powerful vehicle I can. If I want to drive a hybrid, I can. Just amasing how the few feel they should dictate to everyone else the way we should live our lives. Everyone has a choice, and they make it with thier pocket books. I feel that since I only have a 2 mi commute to work, I should denounce all those that commute 20-30mi or more each way to work every day. Shame on them using all that fuel. They should buy a home closer to work. Just nuts. Have to love socialists.

**Juice It** · #16 03-21-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMOORE

Isn't America great. If I want to drive a large powerful vehicle I can. If I want to drive a hybrid, I can. Just amasing how the few feel they should dictate to everyone else the way we should live our lives. Everyone has a choice, and they make it with thier pocket books. I feel that since I only have a 2 mi commute to work, I should denounce all those that commute 20-30mi or more each way to work every day. Shame on them using all that fuel. They should buy a home closer to work. Just nuts. Have to love socialists.

Ha! Good point. Everyone complaining should move closer to work and shut up!

**Korr** · #17 03-21-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auraraptor

I hate how much people knock on SUVs.

It's hip. It's cool. It's the in thing to do for all the epileptic tongue-waggling dildos; it lets them feel superior as they stretch their pink bungees with gleeful abandon while steering their tax-payer fueled hybrid fadmobiles.

chaserolls · #18 03-21-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auraraptor

I hate how much people knock on SUVs.

My 06 RR gets 20mpg hwy and like 17-18 mpg city. It's the most fuel efficient car I've ever owned.

I wish my other car was a plane, that's a great line

**Rickenbach** · #19 03-21-2006, 06:51 PM

What about all of the gas taxes the hybrid-hippies avoid paying. They should be glad somebody is willing to pay for their roads. My H2 gets 13mpg, and I still have dumbass hippies in 20 year old Bimmers flipping me off because I am killing the planet.

308dino · #20 03-22-2006, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff_m

This guy and his left wing paper are a joke. How is an SUV any less relevant than anything else on the road? If you buy it with your own money, its your business. Many sports cars and sedans get far worse mileage than many suv's. Some people actually need the space and for the people that don't, maybe they feel safer driving something larger. Big deal, there are far worse things to worry about than people driving around in SUV's.

I hate SUV’s! Not because they get bad gas mileage but because they are unsafe for people who drive small cars.

A friend of mine was killed and several other friends have been seriously injured because SUV’s hit them head on. I use to have a sports car as my daily driver. After that I decided to buy a luxury car for a daily driver and use the Ferrari on weekends.