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Wagons Station Wagon vs SUV
1426 messages, Last post on Feb 21, 2007 at 8:37 AM
You are in the Wagons Forum. Your Host is kcram
| I can't believe that 3rdrow seats are legal..in case of rearend collision whatever is back there it toast...i would love to see the govt do rearend crash tests on wagons to see how cargo area survives..just a thought.,,, | |
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The Buick has about as much "usable" area behind the 3rd row as most in this size do. With this vehicle there are two things that I just can't get past. The first is the exterior proportions. The height seems to much for the horizontal two box approach. The second is the way the rear pillar slashes down to form the brake light assembly. IMO a week attempt at "style". I agree with ateixeira in that the 3rd row isn't for routine use. If you needed that you'd buy a Suburban, van or mini-van. I do think though that all vehicles that come with a third row should take into consideration the safety of those passengers. I do remember seeing a picture of a MB that had been in a rear end collision. The passenger compartment had been protected and the force of the crash had been transferred around them. MB does take into consideration rear passenger safety on their vehicles (but, you would expect them to). Unfortunately, you pay for this kind of safety and engineering. |
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I guess a row of groceries would fit. But at the dealership, the salesman went as far as to point out how small it was with the hatch closed. Guess he'd rather sell a Pontiac Montana, which shared floor space with the Buick. If you are hit from behind, either you are moving at speed, or the car that hits you isn't going that fast. There is much less energy to absorb. -juice |
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| summer and got rear ended by a Blazer doing 45 mph. Ouch. | |
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to a few new crossover (part suv part car) discussions on the Station Wagons board that you may find interesting: - Ford Fusion - What do you think? - 2002 Suzuki Aerio SX - Upcoming Infiniti FX45 Come check them out and let us know what you think. Thanks for your participation. Revka Host Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards |
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| But the new 02 ES300 went to frames around the glass I believe. Heck, even Neon did a year or two ago! | |
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True, but the previous ES was quieter than the Camry, which were not frameless. The Integra also was frameless while the Civic wasn't. It's interesting that the more expensive platform-mates had them in both those cases. Some high-end german touring coupes still use frameless doors. I'm used to mine and I like them. The doors are much lighter and no less safe. Neon: I guess Dodge could not figure out a good design. Subaru has. No surprise there. -juice |
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| I don't believe it is a Station wagon verses SUV thing at all. Everyone has predicted the fall of the SUV for years now. The resurrection of the hatchback would be any day now and all the SUV drivers would be cast into the pit where they belonged for eating all that gas. Well this year Light trucks and SUV passed the 50 percent market share mark in US car sales. They are evolving not dying. I can now look at a wagon but still there is no great gas savings for most of them. The Vue doesn't eat gas at such a astounding rate compared to the Forrester. The Difference between what a Forrester gets and what my FWD drive coupe is far greater. I have an SC-1 that gets 33 to 40 MPG. That is an average. I have seen very few wagons that can claim to be the savior of fossil fuel. Face it with the 1.8 turbo the VW wagon will suck fuel when your foot is in it. What people on the coasts think about that many are forgetting is a word not mentioned at the Subaru dealerships I have been to. Look at Edmunds new car prices and tell how much the Forrester can tow? That is what makes people cross shop. Activities other than driving to work or school. The guy that used his Subaru to go fishing had a good point and his car met his needs. What if he wanted to go out in his boat rather than floating his Subaru now and then? Most SUVs will tow more than most wagons made today. True, some of the mini SUV's would be hard pressed but at least they have a tow rating. If you camp, hunt, or fish and wish to tow a trailer, Boat, jet skis or whatever you will be tempted to cross shop. And the SUV will look better to you. Last year alone SUVs accounted for close to 25 percent of all cars sales in the US all by themselves. That does not count the increase in 4 door trucks and Vans. Do the big guys use more gas? Yes they do. Do they make a wagon that can haul your 26 foot Bayliner to the beach or Lake? Not anymore. It isn't us against them it's our lifestyle. Get what fits it the best. | |
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No offense, but this is not most of America's lifestyle. Most people who own SUV's don't tow, take them off road, or anything like that. The trend shows that people like the high seating and styling of SUV's but nothing else. That's why car-based SUV's are selling so well. Notice how true SUV's don't sell well anymore, i.e. Grand Vitara? People who buy the Forrester don't care about towing! Geez. I think your towing and fishing and L.L. Bean catalog image is completely overdone and the exception, and not the rule. People have not been predicting hatchbacks and wagons to come back until maybe the last year or two. And every new incarnation of a unibox design has done very well so far. No sales duds as far as I can see. |
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I agree that most folks that own SUVs don't tow. Look at the ones on the road...most do not even have a receiver. They are evolving not dying. You're right about sales...LTVs (which include MVs & PUs) were over 50% of sales and SUVs about 25% last year. But...over 60% of SUV sales are still truck based SUVs and that's a bit skewed by mini-utes. I can now look at a wagon but still there is no great gas savings for most of them. Wagons are generally in the mid 20s mpg while larger SUVs avg about 15 and mid ones 19. |
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