Why Saloon cars? – I don’t get it

whippet

actually the OPs argument is total nonsense really ... it makes no sense .. it's like saying that all mens pants should be like snickers workwear pants .. they do the job required so why bother with denims, slacks, chinos etc ...

I have had four cars in my lifetime ... all different and all for reasons that suited my lifestyle at the time.

a) small 3 door hatch back - as a novice driver, needed small engined, reliable cheap to run / insure starter car

b) old BMW coupe - as a young fella, earning a few quid more, quick, somewhat flash two door 'sports' car .. how little did I know then !!

c) MKV GTi - 5 door, small family, wanted quick, reliable car which could accommodate a young child

d) Skoda Superb Estate - larger family, dogs, more luggage, longer hours in the car, driving to south of france for holidays etc ...........


4 totally different cars that all did / do a job for me at different stages of my life. While I have the practical, boring estate now .. little does the missus know that there is a totally unpractical weekend car being planned for which will not accommodate a childseat and the dog will have to ride shotgun with me !!! just haven't decided just yet what car it will be !!

BostonB

dgt wrote: »

Space problems, hauling stuff about? Get a van

Use the saloon for fun stuff ...:

Do you buy a different car for each type of use?

dgt

BostonB wrote: »

Do you buy a different car for each type of use?

I use a van as my daily hack. 2 seats and a lot of room behind for whatever, very practical solution. The big saloons have quite a big boot if I may be honest, theyre not impractical apart from the running costs

I would have no interest in driving an estate or a hatchback. I like saloons and would happily drive a coupe if I was a bit younger (but never owned one).

I have a bike rack and my boot can easily fit two sets of golf clubs with plenty of space left over. If I'm buying a washing machine or the likes, I'll have it delivered - don't want them to be accusing me of damaging it in transit

Stark

V Eight wrote: »

In a saloon access to the boot is restricted

That would be the main selling feature for me. Don't want some scummer being able to get at stuff in my boot just by smashing the back window.

Gophur

Deleted User wrote: »

.............. If I'm buying a washing machine or the likes, I'll have it delivered - don't want them to be accusing me of damaging it in transit

That has to be the best (most original) reason for not buying a hatch/estate car, yet?

Satanta

So far I have driven:

• Isuzu Gemini (small Saloon)
• Mark 4 Escort (I think) Hatch
• Nissan Bluebird x 2
• Mazda 626 Saloon
• Mazda 323f (hatch)
• Mitsubishi FTO
• EVO 6
• Peugeot 407
• Currently E61 Estate/Touring whatever

I have only very recently switched to the estate, and my initial reaction was to rush to defend the merit of an estate car because I love mine. But... looking over my car history, I drove what I needed or could get cheaply at the time in most cases. I used to hate my hatchback cars because they were noisy as hell (something the E61 isnt). I liked my saloons because I preferred the looks (yes... even the bluebird) and they drove well.

I wouldnt have thought of an estate before really but I decided I needed one, as I do in fact carry a load of stuff around from time to time including bikes, kayaks, kids, tools and other stuff. I dont want a van because I would need a van and a car. I dont want a saloon because I had one and it didnt work.

However... it isnt every estate I would go for. The E61 obviously. I was also looking at an A6 avante. And they are too new for me but I think the Hyundai i40 looks good too.

In conclusion, there are less estate cars out there that I would be happy driving than saloon cars.

Gophur

Gophur wrote: »

That has to be the best (most original) reason for not buying a hatch/estate car, yet?

My reason should have been "I don't like them", but I don't want no broken fridge

CamperMan

if you had a blind date with this.. you can get her to ride in the boot of the saloon car.....

BostonB

CamperMan wrote: »

... you can get her to ride in the boot of the saloon car........

Was that deliberately phrased.....:eek:

conzy

I've always liked saloons I'm not sure why?

If there was a passat GTI i'd have one over a Golf GTI etc.. And they weigh in surprisingly similarly to hatches a lot of the time too, I think there is less than 100kg between a golf and an octavia for example.

conzymaher

conzymaher wrote: »

........... I think there is less than 100kg between a golf and an octavia for example.

Is there an Octavia saloon?

BostonB

conzymaher wrote: »

...If there was a passat GTI i'd have one over a Golf GTI etc.. And they weigh in surprisingly similarly to hatches a lot of the time too, I think there is less than 100kg between a golf and an octavia for example.

Theres 3.0L VR6 Passat anyway. Usually is one in Estate form though 0-60 times are reduced for the estate vs the saloon usually.

conzy

RoverJames wrote: »

Is there an Octavia saloon?

Well I didnt read the first post properly and thought this was about small vs big cars

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Estates, IMO, more often than not, are gammy looking. Not always, but usually. I'd only drive one if it was unavoidably practical for whatever reason (i.e. work, kids etc).

And they're a pain in the arse to park in tight spaces.

BostonB

As an aside, most Estates and indeed many saloons are much longer than MPV's. Obviously some MPV's are also large. But its something to consider.

V Eight

Some really sound points against Estates. However not too many reasons as to why saloons are so popular other than looks. I think the saloon concept will be history in 4 to 5 years time. Manufactures will be looking for economy, practicality, innovation and the trends in Europe will dictate the body shapes of the future; it won’t be saloons (Anyone wanna bet?)


Most of the time my estate is empty I’m not up the mountains digging turf or walking Labradors – but if I wanted too I could. I’ve been that hero cramming a saloon full of stuff and then remarking to everybody: “look how much stuff I got in there!” Once you owned an estate there’s no going back

robbie_998

i must agree with the OP that saloon cars are a bit useless.

I myself love jeeps for the sake of practiacalitly - just damn the expense !



*dreams of land rover discovery 4 HSE 3.0 turbo diesel*

andyseadog

totally horses for courses.

OP loves his estate, great for when he wants to carry a hay bale or a heifer calf of whatever else and doesn't see how the rest of the world can do without.

I on the other hand own a saloon (not a liftback) vectra. i love the big comfortable car and theres plenty of room in the boot for my schoolbag :pac: i like havig the big car for the long commute every day buy i have no use for a boot whatsoever.

that said, the boot is massive but the actual opening into the boot is rather small, so the boot could hold a lot of small items but big stuff just wouldn't go in if that makes sense.

mb1725

Some people wouldn't be caught dead in an estate..

Ooops!

copacetic

I'd agree with OP, never saw the point in saloons. Have never had one and would never buy one. Always had either a coupe for the looks and not far off the practicality of a saloon, or an estate/hatchback/4x4 for the practicality.

166man

MugMugs wrote: »

I'm male, no kids and hate VAG cars and this in MY OPINION is the best looking estate on the road right now.

You are kidding right? I don't know what to say other then, have you ever SEEN a Alfa 159 estate in TI spec?:o

EPM

166man wrote: »

You are kidding right? I don't know what to say other then, have you ever SEEN a Alfa 159 estate in TI spec?:o

Yeah, they're making a lot of them right now:p

colm_mcm

EPM wrote: »

We were the only RHD market getting Corolla saloons for example.

What about Japan or Australia or India? We're the only rhd market in Europe to get them. I.e they aren't sold in the uk

Poulgorm

I am hatchback convert: if you are into DIY, a hatchback is a must.

I would like to get an estate (more carrying capacity), but I have a thing about roof rails: I would feel I was driving a hearse! I just could not bring myself to do it. Illogical, I know...

I am not aware of any estate that comes without those damn roof rails.

EPM

colm_mcm wrote: »

What about Japan or Australia or India? We're the only rhd market in Europe to get them. I.e they aren't sold in the uk

That's what I meant by that. It was an article interviewing one of the big European makers headman, can't remember who. But the basic jist was that developing markets prefer saloon cars based on perceived status.

mb1725

:eek::eek:

EPM

mb1725 wrote: »

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4063/4328228244_047355cfbc_z.jpg?zz=1

:eek::eek:

I would have that in a heartbeat! *



*in diesel

V Eight

That's got to be one of the most shocking and tragic things I have ever seen!
Ever!!!!!!:eek:

Dutchie

I think the majority of Saloons look better than their estate stablemates.
Having said that I think the A4 avant looks much better than the saloon.

[IMG][/img]

PS It's mine!