to think we don't need an SUV

[vintageclock]

We are getting a new car and DH wants to get an SUV. Apart from the fact that they're really expensive (although we would not be buying a brand new one) we don't need one. We have one child, live in London and don't spend regular weekends in the country.

I just don't see the point of buying a big bulky car for suburban driving. Not only will it be awkward to park, but it will eat petrol and anyway I just don't like them.

AIBU to think he's being ridiculous, you should only buy these off road type vehicles if you really need them and we should buy a smaller and cheaper car that will suit our needs?

I have an SUV but I live in the country, where I am every third or fourth car is an SUV. Much as I love it, I would never get one if I lived in a city. It is too large to get along roads with cars parked on both sides, finding somewhere to park is bloody awful, you don't need that amount of space with one child and you cannot nip around in it. Really bad idea. Urban petrol consumption is shit.

We've got a Land Rover which is fab but expensive to run and we don't live in a city. However, nor do we go off-roading so we don't really need it. Just love it. Just as I love my nice handbag but a carrier bag would probably suffice.

depends - I live in an urban area and use my SUV for the daily commute - I have 3 kids and could arguably get round in a smaller car BUT we camp ... a lot - and I need a big car for all the stuff!

Just to be clear, it is not a penis extension, I'm not a man. I bought it outright - no finance, I've had it for about 8 years now and it was not new at the time.
Hardly a status symbol here, they are ten a penny.

If I was ever to change I would have another similar or a twin cab type. It is just the style of car that I like. When we lived in UK we had a Landrover but we did live on a farm.

Why is there this myth about SUVs having lots of space compared to other cars? My SIL had an X-5. I can fit more in my car. The Fiat Multipla was huge inside. Citroen Berlingos are pretty big.

I think you should get whatever you want and no one should tell you what to do with your money.

I have a Volvo XC90 but I live in rural Scotland and wouldn't be able to leave the house in the winter otherwise.

The Fiat Multipla IS an SUV, isn't it? And also very ugly.

Arthur I don't know what you drive but when the 7th seat row of my XC90 is down I could probably fit a small car in the boot

well my S-Max was massive - I now have a Kuga and the boot is big - not quiet as mig as the S-max but much bigger than a Focus

I have a 4x4, but we live in the countryside, on the top of a hill and have been snowed in twice w small DC. No way I'd have one in any city. And even though mine has an eco setting, it guzzles diesel, far more than my old Passat, which I loved (and which had a much bigger boot).

An X5 isn't a functional SUV its a debt mobile for the serially inadequate.

loveisagirlnameddaisy A Multipla is an MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) not an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) Not sure why what it looks like is any relevance. You can't see it from inside.

PoppyAmex a Xsara Picasso at the moment. A potato on wheels, but it's very practical and was bought with loose change.

It's the running costs that make them ridiculous for London living! Just pointless.

My favourites are the locals who drive defenders for the rough terrain of city streets.

Just for tan interesting fact:

It takes a Pryus something like 7 years to be as ecologically friendly as the Porsche Cayenne (the ugly big 4x4).

This is because the Porsche is all manufactured in the same place, unlike the Pryus.

I have a big, old 4x4 and love it. I live semi rural, we use it to pull our twin wheel caravan and dh's hobby takes him off road, so I can justify having one but would still have it even if I couldn't because I happen to like big cars. Don't see why people get so het up over what car other people drive.

PoppyAmex I guess it depends a huge amount on how much you drive them, though?

Was there not a problem with the first batch of Prius', the battery eventually not recharging or something, and basically the whole car ceased to work after several hundred thousand miles? I may be imagining this.

Many cars fail to proceed after "several hundred thousand miles" without major components being replaced, CraicDealer

Arthur that's true but if the stereotype is true, only mums doing school runs drive Cayennes :)

That you for pointing that out Arthur, but I was referring to a certain flaw in the USP of the car, ie. the battery pack failing after a while.

Yeah, SUVs are safer..unless you happen to be the 9 year old child passing behind one who can't be seen in the rear view mirror because the damn car is so humungously tall.
That's what I hate about them. Safe for the precious kiddies who are driven about in the, not so safe for everyone elses kids.
When I lived in London with a baby I had a Mclaren.vroooom!

Oh dear....I have one child and drive her to school in a 4x4

But we live on the moors, and there is not other way of getting her to school. So shoot me

I bought it because I like it - last car I had was a Focus and I liked that. Buy what you're comfortable with and sod everyone else!

It seems Mrs Thatcher was right, LadyBryan, there is no such thing as society. Who cares if it makes it harder for everyone else to park, and the roads wear out faster, and more of the finite fuel is used than necessary, and that you will crush smaller cars if you hit them, and that your car is much less safe for pedestrians? You like it, so sod 'em.

CraicDealer most cars have things fail though - nothing lasts forever, USP or not. What's your point? I haven't seen any reports of major incidents though - Honest John doesn't mention anything at all about the battery on the original model- www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/prius-2000/?section=bad

and notes one known failure on the later model "Just one report of a failed battery, at 60,000 miles, replaced without quibble together with associated ECU. These failures are very rare." www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/prius-2003/?section=bad

I'd be interested to know where you've heard otherwise.

ArthurSixpence - interesting character assisination.

Factually there is no other way to get her to school. No public transport, too far for a 6 year old to walk.

I need a car to deal with the weather - we had snow up here for 4 weeks over Easter.

Not sure how my vehicle makes it difficult for others to park - I park within spaces, close to pavements etc. My parking is perfectly ok. Fuel wise? One of the top three most economical 4x4s - proven to be more economical than a good number of smaller cars.

And yes, I like it and I drive carefully.

I would love an xc90 however I recognise it would be a nightmare doing the school run, parking a Zafira is bad enough. Also I couldn't bring myself to buy one unless I could realistically afford it without sacrifices.

I do think they are gorgeous cars though.