People struggling to park SUV

Chestvalve

Saw it last week in the Mater hospital, do people really need these?

pippip

Chestvalve wrote: »

Saw it last week in the Mater hospital, do people really need these?

Sure I see people struggle to park Micra's.

SUV footprint is same as most standard cars.

mickdw

I think it's a terrible trend.
The car manufacturers are making a killing on these. In general it seems they are steeply priced versus saloon car equivalent while being no better quality or bigger.
To me it seems like you pay Passat money for golf experience.
Not a fan at all.

Azatadine

It has to be said though that the Mater underground car park is a disaster no matter what. Very tight.

w211

Only normal car parking spaces are the disabled parking spaces or family parking spaces. Everything else, too narrow, too short. Yes can park but hard to use the doors.

mickdw

mickdw wrote: »

I think it's a terrible trend.
The car manufacturers are making a killing on these. In general it seems they are steeply priced versus saloon car equivalent while being no better quality or bigger.
To me it seems like you pay Passat money for golf experience.
Not a fan at all.

Many people like or find the higher driving position better/easier for getting in and out. The hight is far better for those with kids dealing with baby seats. The boot level is higher again much better for loading and unloading putting less pressure on the back. Contrary to the myth they also don’t have smaller boots and even if boots are equivalent they are much more usable space with better loading openings etc.

And lots just like the look and feel or like having the reassurance of 4wd/awd etc for those who buy ones equipped with it.

colm_mcm

mickdw wrote: »

I think it's a terrible trend.
The car manufacturers are making a killing on these. In general it seems they are steeply priced versus saloon car equivalent while being no better quality or bigger.
To me it seems like you pay Passat money for golf experience.
Not a fan at all.

My 2c here is that I think the manufacturers can get away with a mediocre design, poor refinement and cheap interior with crossovers that they would never get away with in a hatchback or saloon.

Small hatchbacks are inevitably compared to the Golf for ‘build quality’, NVH, dash plastics etc. No such benchmark is used in crossovers.

See Nissan Qashqai/Ford Kuga

mickdw

That is exactly right.
I have family looking at making such a move and the money they are looking at spending on a inferior product to their current car is sickening tbh.

Voodoomelon

Several of us have commented (behind her back of course) that my mothers new Kuga makes them feel sick. I agree, there's a wallowing boaty feel to it, it feels very top heavy and there's an eerie lean to it going around corners. Quite a spongy and disconnected feeling.

TrailerBob

Is that the mk2 Kuga Voodoo? We have a mk1 at the ranch and I have to say it handles very well for a tall motor. Even likes to be driven into the bends. Will be looking to replace it maybe later this year but might look elsewhere if the new one is not as good. Only thing I don't like with it is the torque steer under exuberant accelleration

asteroids over berlin

think they are great for the kids, quite like the elevated height too.As for bland insides, maybe on cheaper makes and lower spec makes/models but our Tifuan and Tucson have great specs, particularly the Tiguan.

OldMrBrennan83

I don't get the hate for them really, though I'd put a lot of it down to aloofness on this forum. If it ain't an e-number or a VW...

They're practical and have a nice driving position. Some have very nice interiors, as with everything there are specification levels.

Benny Biscotti

Not to mention turning 90° corners like a bus.

ml100

I wouldn't mind one but they like all new cars have gotten way to expensive for what they are, plus the extra emission control equipment is really killing their life span.

TrailerBob

Benny Biscotti wrote: »

Not to mention turning 90° corners like a bus.

What suv exactly does this? It's entirely down to the driver tbh. I have a long wheelbase landcruiser and I can park it anywhere.. I also drive a bus... if someone can't park a Tucson or a quashqai then it's them, not the car.. It may astound, but there's a lot of really bad drivers out there.. and by that I mean their ability to park, spatial awareness, and anticipation

_Kaiser_

I find a lot of parking spaces in older complexes aren't wide/long enough to cope with cars like my A6 - some of these spaces were laid out 20+ years ago and haven't kept pace with the generally increasing size of cars (I saw a new-ish Micra the other day and couldn't believe the size of the thing now), so I can well believe how many people struggle .. but this isn't just limited to SUV drivers. Many people have no notion it seems of how big/wide their car is (or isn't) and manoeuvre it like a double decker.

On SUV's themselves... the only experience I've had was with a 09 Q7 while my A6 was getting a few bits looked at. Like many here I initially thought it was a stupidly oversized and awkward thing, but after a day or two I found myself getting very used to the higher driving position and visibility. The spec wasn't quite as good as my own car, but not bad either, and I had no issues with the build quality/finish in general. In the end, I was kinda sorry to see it go back to be honest.

If it wasn't for the fact that it was very thirsty and thus wouldn't suit my mileage (which is already expensive enough per month), I would consider one.

BrookieD

I have seen many drive a mini and be soo bad at space management both parking and on the move...

To be honest Mrs B wanted an IX35 last year but I convinced her we should by a BMW f10. a couple of years old than she wanted but she was blown away by the difference in interior materials and build quality.. When i had to drop it back a few weeks later for a couple bits to be done we got a loaner of a Santa Fe for a few days, same year around the same mileage.. It felt shocking bad to drive, rattled all over the place, squeaks from the dash... the difference was night and day.. She was more than pleasing to get the 520 back in the drive.

Old diesel

mickdw wrote: »

I think it's a terrible trend.
The car manufacturers are making a killing on these. In general it seems they are steeply priced versus saloon car equivalent while being no better quality or bigger.
To me it seems like you pay Passat money for golf experience.
Not a fan at all.

You are buying the look.

Think the BMW MINI from 2001 to date - no its not an SUV but you have a very similar theme going on where people buy on style and are willing to pay for it.

Youve also got this marketing crap where the car reflects "who you are".

Yes indeed - Sheila in accounts wants to send a message to the world that she's trendy, embracing life and whatever in her 1.7 diesel Sportage.

In reality she bought it because that's what her friend next to her Bridget bought last year - because it's LOVELY.

Of course lovely and 1.7 diesel tend not to go together so if it's lovely - it's all about the look.

doolox

My wife drives an 07 Nissan Note and its a great car. 1.4 petrol and you would think it is overworked and noisy at high speeds but it has lasted a lot longer than I would have thought possible. 12 years old and battered around the panels but still going well.

I drive an 09 Passat Estate and find it very comfortable and nice to drive compared to hers. I've had a few problems to get sorted so I am not impressed with the reliability. Nothing serious enough yet to scrap the car but annoying things that costs 100's to fix.

Considering that these cost in the mid 30k euro new and I got the one I have for 10k and then had about 2k worth of work put into it in 2 years its not diabolically bad.

Niggly things like timing chains, clutch, fuel injectors CV boots and the usual tyres and also a boot lock which was relative quick and cheap to rectify.

I am beginning to sound like Trigger from "Only Fools and Horses" and his legendary brush........

doolox

https://youtu.be/LAh8HryVaeY

Ginger83

Old diesel wrote: »

You are buying the look.

Think the BMW MINI from 2001 to date - no its not an SUV but you have a very similar theme going on where people buy on style and are willing to pay for it.

Youve also got this marketing crap where the car reflects "who you are".

Yes indeed - Sheila in accounts wants to send a message to the world that she's trendy, embracing life and whatever in her 1.7 diesel Sportage.

In reality she bought it because that's what her friend next to her Bridget bought last year - because it's LOVELY.

Of course lovely and 1.7 diesel tend not to go together so if it's lovely - it's all about the look.

And Sheila believes she is above people in cars looking down on them in her SUV while being barely able to afford to run it.

GMSA

Chestvalve wrote: »

Saw it last week in the Mater hospital, do people really need these?

Is this the Mater Miscordiaie in Dublin or the Mater Private in Cork OP?

V8 Interceptor

mickdw wrote: »

I think it's a terrible trend.…. versus saloon car equivalent while being no bigger.

There should be no difference in parking them so.

ShadowHearth

TrailerBob wrote: »

What suv exactly does this? It's entirely down to the driver tbh. I have a long wheelbase landcruiser and I can park it anywhere.. I also drive a bus... if someone can't park a Tucson or a quashqai then it's them, not the car.. It may astound, but there's a lot of really bad drivers out there.. and by that I mean their ability to park, spatial awareness, and anticipation

Hey, we have people who will use your car in empty car park to help then park and align their cars. There are a lot of people who are really **** at driving. Don't blame tools, blame "tools" that using them.

Leprechaun77

If someone can’t park an SUV, the chances are that they will not be able to park a standard saloon properly either. If you have an inbuilt dislike for an SUV, like some here do, it will naturally stick out when you see someone making a balls of parking one and kind of serves to validate the opinion.

From my experience, those who are a bit uncomfortable parking these bigger vehicles drive further away to more open spaces, or even avoid certain parking spots. The ones who fail to park an SUV in a standard spot are the same ones who will make a balls of it in the likes of a Ford Focus too.

meeeeh

Some parking spots are very narrow, I don't think that only SUV drivers habe an issue with them. If people want tn spend 30k plus for a new car they should also buy one with parking sensors. Buying a car without them is like buying a car with cd radio.

That being said I despise wast majority of SUVs. The bigger ones are grand for people who need them for work, smaller ones are slightly bloated version of Renault Clio.

mickdw

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

mickdw wrote: »

I think it's a terrible trend.…. versus saloon car equivalent while being no bigger.

There should be no difference in parking them so.

I didn't say there was however it would appear the type who tend to opt for them might struggle regardless of what they drive and perhaps the bit of height adds a level of bunk to it.

mickdw

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

I find a lot of parking spaces in older complexes aren't wide/long enough to cope with cars like my A6 - some of these spaces were laid out 20+ years ago and haven't kept pace with the generally increasing size of cars (I saw a new-ish Micra the other day and couldn't believe the size of the thing now), so I can well believe how many people struggle .. but this isn't just limited to SUV drivers. Many people have no notion it seems of how big/wide their car is (or isn't) and manoeuvre it like a double decker.

On SUV's themselves... the only experience I've had was with a 09 Q7 while my A6 was getting a few bits looked at. Like many here I initially thought it was a stupidly oversized and awkward thing, but after a day or two I found myself getting very used to the higher driving position and visibility. The spec wasn't quite as good as my own car, but not bad either, and I had no issues with the build quality/finish in general. In the end, I was kinda sorry to see it go back to be honest.

If it wasn't for the fact that it was very thirsty and thus wouldn't suit my mileage (which is already expensive enough per month), I would consider one.

To be honest, a Q7 is a different product altogether. The quality is there, the engine is there, the size is certainly there.
My gripe is not with big cars, it's with everyone falling for the trend and ending up with some underpowered overpriced cheaply mad diesel box that cost more than the saloon equivalent.

pippip

mickdw wrote: »

To be honest, a Q7 is a different product altogether. The quality is there, the engine is there, the size is certainly there.
My gripe is not with big cars, it's with everyone falling for the trend and ending up with some underpowered overpriced cheaply mad diesel box that cost more than the saloon equivalent.

What cars v suv price comparisons are you talking about?

I've know a few people who made the switch and seemed fairly similar

Mondeo v kuga
I40 v Tuscan
Passat v tiguan
Mazda 6 v cx5

I've been in a few and didn't notice too much of a difference in quality/spec.

mickdw

Take say a highline Passat. It's pretty good quality and spec wise and drives and has comfort of a larger car. They were circa 35 36k with the lower end diesel similar to what's in majority of suv.
Look at the entire range of suv in that kind of pricing and you will find lots more hard plastics, poorer interiors etc.
The current tiguan is decent but look at what vw were flogging as the previous tiguan. To me the interior of that was nowhere near where it needed to be.
People are spending bmw money on Korean suv. They just don't cut it at the money for me.

I'm not so much saying that the manufacturers are putting poorer materials in their suv, more that the suv pricing is taking them into price range of more high quality saloon competition.

Chestvalve

GMSA wrote: »

Is this the Mater Miscordiaie in Dublin or the Mater Private in Cork OP?

Mater private in Cork, local school is also the same. Husbands buying a Jeep type car and their wife’s not able to drive them.

Wildly Boaring

Chestvalve wrote: »

Mater private in Cork, local school is also the same. Husbands buying a Jeep type car and their wife’s not able to drive them.

The husbands buying too big a car for the little woman at home.

Jesus wept!!

beauf

pippip wrote: »

Sure I see people struggle to park Micra's.

SUV footprint is same as most standard cars.

All standard cars a lot wider now.

The spaces are too small..and many can't park.

foxy farmer

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

The husbands buying too big a car for the little woman at home.

Jesus wept!!

Think the OP wants them all on bikes or walking.

PhilOssophy

Try Carrickmines retail park if you want to see badly parked SUV's. People just don't get the concept that it is easier to reverse into a space, and then manage to take up 2 spaces because they can't park it.
I absolutely loathe SUV's in general. Nothing screams nouveau riche desperate housewife quite like some South Dublin wannabe driving around in her Range Rover to pick the kids up from hockey.
How people view them as a status symbol I've never understood and doubt I ever will.

OldMrBrennan83

PhilOssophy wrote: »

Try Carrickmines retail park if you want to see badly parked SUV's. People just don't get the concept that it is easier to reverse into a space, and then manage to take up 2 spaces because they can't park it.
I absolutely loathe SUV's in general. Nothing screams nouveau riche desperate housewife quite like some South Dublin wannabe driving around in her Range Rover to pick the kids up from hockey.
How people view them as a status symbol I've never understood and doubt I ever will.

Range Rovers are fine because they cost a lot. People are only ***** if they don't spend loads.

TrailerBob

The stereotyping and people judging is becoming laughable at this stage... This was about poor parking, now it's an 'I'm better than you' contest

Allinall

PhilOssophy wrote: »

Try Carrickmines retail park if you want to see badly parked SUV's. People just don't get the concept that it is easier to reverse into a space, and then manage to take up 2 spaces because they can't park it.
I absolutely loathe SUV's in general. Nothing screams nouveau riche desperate housewife quite like some South Dublin wannabe driving around in her Range Rover to pick the kids up from hockey.
How people view them as a status symbol I've never understood and doubt I ever will.

Sounds like you’re the one viewing them as a status symbol.

Right reek of reverse snobbery off your post.

PhilOssophy

Allinall wrote: »

PhilOssophy wrote: »

Try Carrickmines retail park if you want to see badly parked SUV's. People just don't get the concept that it is easier to reverse into a space, and then manage to take up 2 spaces because they can't park it.
I absolutely loathe SUV's in general. Nothing screams nouveau riche desperate housewife quite like some South Dublin wannabe driving around in her Range Rover to pick the kids up from hockey.
How people view them as a status symbol I've never understood and doubt I ever will.

Sounds like you’re the one viewing them as a status symbol.

Right reek of reverse snobbery off your post.

What is reverse snobbery my good man?

GMSA

TrailerBob wrote: »

The stereotyping and people judging is becoming laughable at this stage... This was about poor parking, now it's an 'I'm better than you' contest

I wouldn't get too worked up over it. OP just trolling as usual

Chestvalve

GMSA wrote: »

I wouldn't get too worked up over it. OP just trolling as usual

A suv owner yourself that couldn’t afford one with reversing sensors when you were pcp it?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

In before the lock....hows everyone doing,

Jeju

Saw a lady reversing a 191 Kuga into a spot at junction 14 stop. There was no other cars around and she had the centre of the car on the white line. She reversed a bit to the left, drove a bit out to the right, stopped. She then opened the door to see where she was and revved like mad but the car didn't move. I gave up looking at that point.

tcawley29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf4TIWECZ30

partyguinness

Yes- whatever happened to city run arounds being small and neat. That was the sales pitch 20 year ago anyway.

Now it seems every second driver is in an oversized SUV and yes I would echo the sentiments of women offenders barely able to see over the steering wheel with a scared ****less look on their face. Or else the hubby's with a mobile stuck to their face- just as bad as white van drivers at junctions.

galwaytt

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Several of us have commented (behind her back of course) that my mothers new Kuga makes them feel sick. I agree, there's a wallowing boaty feel to it, it feels very top heavy and there's an eerie lean to it going around corners. Quite a spongy and disconnected feeling.

we had a SWB Landcruiser at work once that felt like that: earned the moniker 'The Bouncy Castle' for ever more.

I used to be green getting out of it.:eek:

Effects

PhilOssophy wrote: »

How people view them as a status symbol I've never understood and doubt I ever will.

It's not that hard to understand is it?
I have more money than you so I have a bigger, more expensive car.

PhilOssophy

Effects wrote: »

PhilOssophy wrote: »

How people view them as a status symbol I've never understood and doubt I ever will.

It's not that hard to understand is it?
I have more money than you so I have a bigger, more expensive car.

But maybe it doesn't mean they have more money than you? In fact, I'd say there are people cycling bikes or driving modest cars around who have more money than any of these nouveau riche individuals?

That's not hard to understand is it?

Pythagorean

w211 wrote: »

Only normal car parking spaces are the disabled parking spaces or family parking spaces. Everything else, too narrow, too short. Yes can park but hard to use the doors.

When I lived in Jersey City, NJ, in the 1980s, there was a multi storey car park that had been built back in the 1950s. The City authorities actually reconfigured the building, by making the individual car spaces smaller !!.The theory being that cars in the '50's were so much bigger than their 1980s equivalents.

Effects

PhilOssophy wrote: »

But maybe it doesn't mean they have more money than you? In fact, I'd say there are people cycling bikes or driving modest cars around who have more money than any of these nouveau riche individuals?

That's not hard to understand is it?

You said you didn't understand how people see it as a status symbol. I explained their thinking to you. No need for you to start going on about bikes.

cbreeze

Ginger83 wrote: »

And Sheila believes she is above people in cars looking down on them in her SUV while being barely able to afford to run it.

I think i saw Sheila yesterday! A motorist indicating right to get into our local petrol station had paused to allow me to walk past the entrance when Sheila O'Bimbo (blonde like they all are!) beeped with impatience to get the considerate driver to move so that Sheila in her 4WD was not delayed by 10 seconds more