Mercedes SUV Bashing: In Awe of Dan Neil

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

If you drive an SUV, the terrorists win!

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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’***** 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.

 

You can say that about anything. I hate semi trucks because everytime they hit someone they destroy the other car. I would think yours is a better argument to drive a bigger vehicle. Obviously it is a bad situation when someone gets hurt but it happens no matter what people drive.

 

2007 Escalade, best.

 

I enthusiastically agree. The 07 Escalade is an amazing vehicle. I thought I would never find an SUV better than the Range Rover, but this is it. Incredible machine.

 

Does it have equal driving dyamics? I drove the (now) last gen and wanted to shot myself it was so bad. (Feel/feedback/etc)

 

So once everyone else is driving vehicles as tall as yours I suppose that you will get in line to buy this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Other-Pickups-FORD-F650-F350-4x4-XLT-PICKUP_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6221QQitemZ4626072630QQrdZ1

RH