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?

Nevermind, LadyBrian.

Personally, I'd find it hard to be insulted by a Thatcher quote

I wouldn't have an SUV in London. YANBU.

Rofl PoppyAmex I'm not insulted.

Would take far more than criticising my choice of car

I have always disliked SUVs, I think they are stupid/ugly/impractical and driven by people who probably have a secret desire to invade Poland.

I like hatchbacks, and a few months ago sat down to work out what car I would buy if price were no limit. I came to the conclusion that the most desirable luxury "hatchback" was a Range Rover Evoque. I cannot justify it rationally. I think what I previously overlooked was that invading Poland might be fun.

Hopefully I will come to my senses and buy a Golf, which for a third less money has more useful technology, such as adaptive cruise control.

I did drive my sister's Freelander for a day. After pulling into a supermarket car park, I realised none of the assorted child and adult passengers I was ferrying were likely to get out without banging doors against neighbouring cars, so moved to a spot where there were spaces either side. So I think SUV width would be a real drawback in London. (Tip from my research: Toyota Prius is one of the narrowest new cars you can buy. Just a pity for me that a new one with adaptive cruise control costs a lot more than a Golf.)

I wonder if I deserve a prize for the least politically correct argument ever made in support of SUVs.

"I have always disliked SUVs, I think they are stupid/ugly/impractical and driven by people who probably have a secret desire to invade Poland."

People who drive 4X4s are Nazis?

London you lost me when you declared your love by the Evoque (quite possibly the ugliest car known to man)

and they eat babies.

For dessert

hahahaha oh lordy Arthur is great comedy value

oh but YES the Evoque is one of the oddest looking cars ever - like some body dropped an ACME 10 ton weight on the back of it

In the interests of fairness, I also own an ancient hilux ute as well as an imiev.
It gets used by DP for his business, and because a billy bookcase simply does not fit in an imiev. Not even diagonally.

I wonder if one could invade Poland from Perth in a rusty ute? New Zealand is closer...

Like response about needing a 4x4 because of a couple of weeks a year of snow. Winter tyres on a normal car are better than a 4x4 on summer tyres. A bit of driving skill helps too, driving on snow is not difficult.

We are eventually getting an xc90 as they are just about to under go an overhaul and if the mpg is anywhere near the claims its going to be surprisingly economical. However we have 5 children and 2 dogs, regularly travel to the arse end of nowhere and transport odd sized things.

We have a corolla verso which although a winner on the mpg doesn't quite cut it for our other needs.

those commenting on "a couple of weeks of snow" clearly don't live in my part of the country. We had months of it this year. And then more at Easter time too.

I grew up in rural Scotland, where people who drove SUVs (unless you're a farmer and it's a battered Land Rover) were seen as pretentious wankers. My mum still lives there and spends the day digging her Clio out of her drive, then whizzes the ten mile commute through country lanes to her work.

I love the 'oh but we're country types so need it' argument

I love them, I really do, but I just don't get the people who claim it's a need. If you like it, get one. If you don't, don't.

"We are eventually getting an xc90 as they are just about to under go an overhaul and if the mpg is anywhere near the claims its going to be surprisingly economical."

My XC90 is 8 years old and I'll drive this model for as long as it exists.

DH is always surprised with my mpg; it's pretty kickass for such a large car. It's also like driving sitting on an armchair - very comfy

"My mum still lives there and spends the day digging her Clio out of her drive" (...) "I just don't get the people who claim it's a need."

Amazingg I think you answered your own question there

SUVs are NOT safer.
You might think so simply because they are bigger, but the official tests show that they do not protect occupants better than small or medium saloons - in fact they offer less protection than many conventional cars.
And they roll over more easily in emergency situations.
If you want an excuse to buy an SUV you will have to find a better one than safety.

Wow, at the remarks that if you want one buy one and sod everyone else, it's none of their business.
Yes, it is other people's business if they make life more difficult for other drivers. They serve no purpose whatsoever for city driving and needlessly block other people's views when reversing out of parking spaces which is dangerous. They also cause obstructions on narrow roads.
Fine if you do a lot of driving in remote country areas. But buying one because they 'look nice' even though they're bloody dangerous in a road accident or could cause someone to hit a pedestrian as they try to back out of a parking space in a shopping centre is selfish.

To answer the OP, of course you don't NEED one. We live in London, too, with one DC and one due imminently, and two jobs with long irregular hours. We don't own a car full stop, let alone an SUV.

arabesque - can I point out I said I had a 4x4 - that isn't always an SUV. My 4x4 is no wider than a people carrier/large estate.

Oops posted too soon.

And I always reverse into parking spaces so I can drive out - far safer to do that than reverse out in ANY type of car

2 adults and a baby...worried about safety...and want lots of space for prams and suchlike?

Tell him he wants a transit

Ooh, yes. DP had a transit which he used to bring home from work sometimes. Brilliant with a baby, and you don't need to fold the pram down to get it in the back.

Deal done