Aibu to hope that this is the start of a major backlash against SUVs?

[gingganggooleywotsit]

Just seen this on the BBC news website.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56647128
It’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone in motoring speak out publicly against suvs. I pray this is the start of a major backlash and rightly so! Before anyone says..”you’re jealous” as I usually see on these threads, I would just like to say-I could afford one myself but I wouldn’t be seen dead in one!
Also I am only talking about city suvs. In the countryside/farming it’s of course a different matter.

I have a BMW 118D and as much as I love the hp to mass ratio it’s fucking tiny inside i mean obviously it’s a sport hatchback

There’s nothing sporty about a 118d. It’s a heavy hatchback with a low power output.

@user123456778

We have an SUV and a hatchback, footprint wise the SUV is only a couple of mm wider/longer so the only main difference is the height which affects literally no-one on the road - I don't understand why so many people get their knickers in a twist if I'm honest.

If it’s a 4wd it’s heavier so has more impact on tyres, brakes, roads, uses more fuel. If everyone’s cars are just a few mm bigger it goes on and on doesn’t it.

A lot of these cars aren’t designed for British roads. E.g Audi Q8 won’t fit through a 6ft 6 width restriction

SwedishK It's usually cheaper to live in the countryside than in the cities, so I don't know how you could afford the city but not the countryside. The reason people in the city shouldn't have these massive cars is because they don't need them. If they need to drive off-road once a year on their holiday then they can rent a car for that. The rest of the year they should choose more environmentally friendly options. This country is not built for these huge cars. Our roads are not like in the US, neither are our car parks. The less of them around, the better for everyone.

As I pointed out, not everyone lives in the south of England. Its actually more expensive to live in the countryside within reasonable driving distance where I live because the property market in the city centre has collapsed. Really disappointing, considering your username, that you think the entire UK is like the south of England.

The lifespan of the car is to do with mileage, not age. There are well built small cars and well built large cars. I have an 11 year old Mini which is still running fine and I have no reason to replace as it's still got plenty of life left in it. Not sure why you think small cars have to be destroyed after 5 years. If you don't drive much, they last much longer.

Both are relevant. My 4 x 4 has done 180,000 miles and passed its MOT with no faults a couple of months ago. I don't "think small cars have to be destroyed after 5 years", however it is a fact that they don't last so long and are scrapped earlier than luxury models, because they have resale value and are designed to cover less mileage in their lifetimes. Small cars are not environmentally friendly, not driving when you can walk or cycle is.

I've tried and failed to post a photo of the snow drifts here today. I will point out, yet again, because it clearly hasn't sunk in, that not everyone lives in the south of England.

@doubleshotespresso is a car cheaper to run than public transport? Trying to ascertain where the privelledge lies.

@Macncheeseballs

You don't need a car in a city like London, let alone an suv

Maybe you don’t, but a lot of us actually do 🙄

Your assumption that everyone works in an office doing a 9-5, so are therefore able to use public transport, is nonsensical, to say the least. I run a business which requires my being able to deliver goods, and also be able to buy supplies in bulk, regularly, that can’t be delivered. My electric SUV is perfect for that.

@mustlovegin

These threads are usually filled with people coming on to justify why their SUV ecologically sound or fits their particular lifestyle, family or health requirement

People should grow a backbone and stop apologising for their choices TBH.

Agreed. Especially to weird people who think their one (or two) popular choice makes them better people, more "environmentally-friendly" and harp on endlessly about it; yet refuse to look at their other less popular choices.

@GreenlandTheMovie

SwedishK It's usually cheaper to live in the countryside than in the cities, so I don't know how you could afford the city but not the countryside. The reason people in the city shouldn't have these massive cars is because they don't need them. If they need to drive off-road once a year on their holiday then they can rent a car for that. The rest of the year they should choose more environmentally friendly options. This country is not built for these huge cars. Our roads are not like in the US, neither are our car parks. The less of them around, the better for everyone.

As I pointed out, not everyone lives in the south of England. Its actually more expensive to live in the countryside within reasonable driving distance where I live because the property market in the city centre has collapsed. Really disappointing, considering your username, that you think the entire UK is like the south of England.

The lifespan of the car is to do with mileage, not age. There are well built small cars and well built large cars. I have an 11 year old Mini which is still running fine and I have no reason to replace as it's still got plenty of life left in it. Not sure why you think small cars have to be destroyed after 5 years. If you don't drive much, they last much longer.

Both are relevant. My 4 x 4 has done 180,000 miles and passed its MOT with no faults a couple of months ago. I don't "think small cars have to be destroyed after 5 years", however it is a fact that they don't last so long and are scrapped earlier than luxury models, because they have resale value and are designed to cover less mileage in their lifetimes. Small cars are not environmentally friendly, not driving when you can walk or cycle is.

I've tried and failed to post a photo of the snow drifts here today. I will point out, yet again, because it clearly hasn't sunk in, that not everyone lives in the south of England.

Well, actually I live in the north west of England, so I am well aware that the UK is more than the south of England. I don't know how me being Swedish is relevant in this case but I am sorry you are disappointed in my nationality. I guess.

It's not a fact that small cars don't last as long as large cars, and it's also not a fact that large car equals luxury and small car doesn't. There are luxury and non-luxury models in both categories. Smaller cars tend to weigh less and use less fuel, so in that way they are more environmentally friendly than let's say a Range Rover Sport. I don't think I ever said that small cars emissions are comparable to walking or cycling. That would be insane.

I think people should choose cars to suit circumstances better but I think the argument is more nuanced than we should ban this or that.

Oh no! Please don't make sense. Please don't make sense. Please don't start talking some nuanced sense! It's either - or, always. Let's keep to the script.

SwedishK Well, actually I live in the north west of England, so I am well aware that the UK is more than the south of England. I don't know how me being Swedish is relevant in this case but I am sorry you are disappointed in my nationality. I guess.

I'm not "disappointed in your nationality" (could you please stop paraphrasing me and making things up that you think I have said that I haven't), its just that I'm surprised that someone from a country so far north with such bad winters as Sweden hasn't realised that plenty of us in the UK also live more than 55 degrees north. Its a lot colder here (58 degrees north) with a lot more snow than the north west of England, I can assure you. Surely you must realise the difference in climate between say Gävle and Gothenborg?

It's not a fact that small cars don't last as long as large cars, and it's also not a fact that large car equals luxury and small car doesn't. There are luxury and non-luxury models in both categories. Smaller cars tend to weigh less and use less fuel, so in that way they are more environmentally friendly than let's say a Range Rover Sport. I don't think I ever said that small cars emissions are comparable to walking or cycling. That would be insane.

Small cheap cars (not Toyota Yaris, obvs!) are designed with cheaper parts which wear out more quickly. They become progressively more expensive to repair and therefore there comes a point when its futile and easier to buy another small, cheap car.

I will point out again that my 4 x 4 (which I also need legally to tow in this country) is 21 years old and has covered 180,000 miles.

Roads today here.

YABU. I don’t like them as a car as I think they’re ugly, but I don’t see the need to ban them.

But what would the drug dealers drive then

@Elai1978

I have a BMW 118D and as much as I love the hp to mass ratio it’s fucking tiny inside i mean obviously it’s a sport hatchback

There’s nothing sporty about a 118d. It’s a heavy hatchback with a low power output.

You certainly can’t easily get three in the back. But it’s a medium sized vehicle so should.

You can in a golf though.

A lot of the smaller cars now only have two seats in the back. So if your a family of three or four and occasionally take granny or one of the kids friends out your stuck without that flexibility.

Well my local drug dealer drives a Vauxhall vectra. In fact, most drug dealers I know drive saloon shaped cars! (Grew up in a rough area!)

I kind of wnat this. Sizewise it's like bigger suv😂😂😂

tanks-alot.co.uk/product/alvis-saladin/
What class would that make me😂

I think the future for proper inner city living is probably the zip car idea. Where you need a small car you use one, need a van, you use it, need a 7 seater, use one.

I know some manufacturers are now doing flexible pcp for that reason as well

@GreenlandTheMovie

SwedishK Well, actually I live in the north west of England, so I am well aware that the UK is more than the south of England. I don't know how me being Swedish is relevant in this case but I am sorry you are disappointed in my nationality. I guess.

I'm not "disappointed in your nationality" (could you please stop paraphrasing me and making things up that you think I have said that I haven't), its just that I'm surprised that someone from a country so far north with such bad winters as Sweden hasn't realised that plenty of us in the UK also live more than 55 degrees north. Its a lot colder here (58 degrees north) with a lot more snow than the north west of England, I can assure you. Surely you must realise the difference in climate between say Gävle and Gothenborg?

It's not a fact that small cars don't last as long as large cars, and it's also not a fact that large car equals luxury and small car doesn't. There are luxury and non-luxury models in both categories. Smaller cars tend to weigh less and use less fuel, so in that way they are more environmentally friendly than let's say a Range Rover Sport. I don't think I ever said that small cars emissions are comparable to walking or cycling. That would be insane.

Small cheap cars (not Toyota Yaris, obvs!) are designed with cheaper parts which wear out more quickly. They become progressively more expensive to repair and therefore there comes a point when its futile and easier to buy another small, cheap car.

I will point out again that my 4 x 4 (which I also need legally to tow in this country) is 21 years old and has covered 180,000 miles.

Yes, but the point the OP made was that this thread is about people in large SUV's who live in cities and don't need them. You clearly do need one, and that's fine. Other's need them too, also fine.

Josh, 21 years old, single, living in Chelsea driving his Range Rover from Sloane's Square to Battersea to go to the gym probably doesn't need one. Or Sue, mother of one, living in London zone 1, working part-time in an office a mile from home home, dropping her child off at school in her huge Jaguar on her way to work, she probably doesn't need one either.

Nobody has said that these cars are not needed anywhere, ever, by anyone. It's just that not all who drives them need them and they are becoming a problem.

Yes, cheap cars are made with cheap parts, regardless of the size of the car.

SUV covers such a wide range of cars.

The smaller ones such as Nissan Juke and Seat Arona have smaller engines are are city run arounds.

They are also the cars most likely to be used by disabled people and frequently the cars leased via motability.

So I hope they don't start making them inaccessible to all.

@ShutUpAlex

Well my local drug dealer drives a Vauxhall vectra. In fact, most drug dealers I know drive saloon shaped cars! (Grew up in a rough area!)

You don't want to show people you're shining / made it in any way. Cheap cars can stay below the radar - black SUV might as well scream to the police "Please stop and search. I distribute". And if you're a low level dealer chances are the Vectra or the old E Class is all you can afford anyway. Or you don't even drive and you're posted up on the corner, or in country (county).

@Sidewalksue

Well seeing as most people can’t park in them that would be a good idea.

Most SUVs are no wider or longer than a large estate or wagon. Do you see people struggling to manoeuvre these also?

I don't argue for a ban, just a driving test specifically for them. Which I expect would reduce their number to those who would be really inconvenienced without one.

@peak2021

I don't argue for a ban, just a driving test specifically for them. Which I expect would reduce their number to those who would be really inconvenienced without one.

Would it be driving tests specifically for any car that size or just suv?

SwedishK Yes, but the point the OP made was that this thread is about people in large SUV's who live in cities and don't need them. You clearly do need one, and that's fine. Other's need them too, also fine.

I actually live within my city's boundaries, although its a 6 mile drive into the centre, often in bad winter weather.

Can you please try to be more accurate instead of making these sweeping statements?

These threads always are full of people who think that because they see a parent driving 1 or 2 dcs to school or a woman on her own in the middle of the day at the supermarket carpark driving one of these, that that constitutes evidence that the people driving them (usually female), dont "need" them.

The fact that on a weekend they might need to transport more children, or have hobbies that require a big car 1 day a week, or they might have family who live somewhere unaccessable isn't deemed worthy of consideration.

Few people own a fleet of cars. Most households have either 1 or 2 cars. If you are going to buy only 1 car for a family car, then it needs to work for all situations you regularly require a car for.

Some people could cope with a smaller car at all times. Many people who have bought an SUV have done so as they need a car that large / powerful regularly enough to make the extra money worth it.

We don't have an SUV, we do have a large estate car and a small fiesta. This year has made it clear we really don't need 2 cars so will be getting rid of one. But it will be the smaller, less powerful car that goes. It might he fine for supermarket runs or taking one of the dcs to a weekend activity, but we need to load up the car regularly enough (in normal times!), to make it worth it.

@GreenlandTheMovie

SwedishK Yes, but the point the OP made was that this thread is about people in large SUV's who live in cities and don't need them. You clearly do need one, and that's fine. Other's need them too, also fine.

I actually live within my city's boundaries, although its a 6 mile drive into the centre, often in bad winter weather.

Can you please try to be more accurate instead of making these sweeping statements?

Try to be more accurate? Well, I don't know exactly how every city in the UK is built, who lives where and what their needs are. You kind of have to make sweeping statements in these discussions as we are talking about the majority of the people in the cities, although there are always exceptions.