My V8 Expy gets similar city mileage to my old 98 V6 Explorer. So far with a bit over a year of ownership even with gas prices rising the money I pay in gas hasnt been too much different per month. Its been around $50-$60 more which will not bother our family budget. I also liked how well my back end stood up to a rearend accident when a guy in a Pathfinder hit me a few weeks ago. The damage was mostly done to my hitch and the left side of my bumper when the hitch pushed it out. Just needed a new bumper and hitch and good to go for our vacation. I think if I was still in the Explorer it would have been more damage to it and me. I will probably always drive a big vehicle no matter the prices.
Vince, the wife, and baby girl Lela.
New to us 2003 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L 4x4 3.73
98 V6 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 128,600 miles Gone as of 4-12-07
When can I get my trailer?
I don't think large SUVs and pickups will completely disappear, but simply go back to the volume to support core buyers that actually have use for them, like us. 3kids in car seats, strollers, diaper bags, toys, groceries all at the same time, add grandma and grandpa too. Oh and tow the TT several times a year, up the mountain to the lake. Not many vehicles fill all our needs. There will always be families like ours that actually can use one. Given that I am still appaled at how much gas the expedition uses. My daily driver is a 13 year old Ranger with 262K miles. Other than normal wear parts it is all original. It gets ok MPG, but everytime I think about replacing it with something that gets 10-12 MPG better, I remember it is paid for, and costs almost nothing in maintenance. I can buy a lot of gas for what even a used econo car would cost.
2007 Expedition EL 4x4 Tow pkg
2006 Pioneer 180CK (No more pucampin!)
Nights in 07 : 4 (But our new kitchen, is SO nice!)
Nights in 08 : 6 (Gotta change that!)
Me DW
DD 6/14/06 DS 11/27/07
OMG!! We're WHAT?! DD 11/26/08
As long as one has 4+ members of the family and the need to tow +4WD along with hauling extra passengers the full size SUV wont be going anywhere. Crossovers are fine and all but none on them and I mean none of them have a nice 3rd row seat nor a good way to get there. Most couldn't fit a child comfortably and if used the cargo ability goes down the tubes.
2008 Cougar 310SRX 5th Wheel
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 4x4 CTD
2008 Nissan Armada LE
Burp wrote: We used to own one of the best selling minivans, a Dodge Caravan. First, according to ConsumerReports the Grand Caravan gets 11/26 city/highway MPG. Our Saturn Outlook gets 10/24, both got 16 MPG overall. Not MUCH better mileage. The cost of the Grand Caravan is $21,290 - $27,140, the Outlook is $28,260 - $32,670; got me there, the Caravan is cheaper. The safety ratings are virtually identical. The Outlook is built much better (IMHO) and I would never own a Caravan again.
11 mpg city with a Caravan??!! ROTFLMAO, thats a good one! Were you dragging a house with that Caravan?! Or, were you running it without oil? I own a Caravan, and even in the worst, most abusive use (wife driving it, LOL!), all city miles, its never seen less than 19 mpg!
Anyway, you can pick specific models of each type, exaggerate here and there with some numbers and prove anything you want, as witnessed here. Interesting how you took a a not-so-good overall minivan model, and compared that to one of the latest, nicest mid-size SUVs from Saturn. I can come up with equally 'skewed' comparisons the other way as well.
Overall, though, the points I originally made still stands: The minivan will get better mileage, provide better safety, better comfort for 7 passengers, and cost considerably less to own than an SUV.
Quote: It is easy to slam the SUVs and the drivers. But there are reasons that people drive them and it is not always "image". The Outlook is not a car drivetrain with an SUV body, it is a new design from the ground up.
..No argument there, but I do question some of the 'reasons' used. In many cases, those reasons are very flawed, and their owners could be just as happy in other vehicle types that would cost considerably less to own. The fact that so many are dumping these vehicles as gas prices sky-rocket, kinda confirms that.
Like is evident with your case, though, thats not *always* the case.
rsh_757 wrote: As long as one has 4+ members of the family and the need to tow +4WD along with hauling extra passengers the full size SUV wont be going anywhere. Crossovers are fine and all but none on them and I mean none of them have a nice 3rd row seat nor a good way to get there. Most couldn't fit a child comfortably and if used the cargo ability goes down the tubes.
Please look into the Outlook/Acadia before saying "NONE" of the crossovers have a good third row seat. I can sit back there comfortably at about 200 lbs. They can also tow 4500 lbs, a good size pop up and a hi-lo.
I agree parking the Excursion may not be for everyone. But I don't feel my family has been endangered by putting them in a econobox. The Hyundai we now have has multiple air bags including side impact bags. In some ways it maybe safer than the X. There is a comment above asking how can you put a value on your family's safety. Not sure what the correct answer is. But I do know the value of a tank of diesel is $200.00 for my X.
Honestly I don't mind paying when I'm towing. I will be towing just about every weekend for the rest of the summer and 2 weekends a month through November. I will buy more than my fair share of fuel. Unless I plan to quit camping. (Which I don't) I cannot reduce my weekend fuel use. However I can make significant gains If I park the X and limit its use to towing only. The X was also my wife DD as well as our TV. I can rationalize the outrageous fuel cost when towing, however I cannot see using the X for commuting or running errands and kids around town. Safety factor considered $200.00 spent for an X fill up vs $65.00 for the Hyundai is an easy decision. I agree there are many with large paid for SUV's that like what they have and will continue on. I was once part of that camp. But as the fuel cost continue to rise I have parked the ship and set out in a econobox. Believe me I am a spare no expense full bells and whistles person, but fuel cost have made me take a closer look at transportation cost. I now see it more a a fixed expense. A luxury vehicle is no longer as luxurious because it now cost 2-3 times more $$$'s to fill the tank.
Now we have a econobox to cut fuel use. I have not saved any money to this point. My savings will come once the econobox is paid for. For now I have more than enough in reduced fuel cost to cover the small payment on the Hyundai econobox. We don't know what the future holds for fuel prices but I don't expect things to improve. Gas can easily be $2.00-$3.00 more in five years.
If this happens yes the V-8 SUV will be extinct.
rsh_757 wrote: As long as one has 4+ members of the family and the need to tow +4WD along with hauling extra passengers the full size SUV wont be going anywhere. Crossovers are fine and all but none on them and I mean none of them have a nice 3rd row seat nor a good way to get there. Most couldn't fit a child comfortably and if used the cargo ability goes down the tubes.
Please look into the Outlook/Acadia before saying "NONE" of the crossovers have a good third row seat. I can sit back there comfortably at about 200 lbs. They can also tow 4500 lbs, a good size pop up and a hi-lo.
I have sat in the back row of that Outlook. And for the most part, rsh_757's statement stands - 3rd row seats in SUVs are nowhere near as easy to get in/out, nor as comfortable as whats offered in minivans. That goes for the Outlook as well.
Not saying you can't sit back there comfortably, and not saying the Outlook isn't one of the best in the SUV class as far as that goes. Indeed, Saturn has definitely done their homework with that vehicle, and created a good 'compromise' there.
Stil, though, a minivan would be more comfortable in the back and easier to get in and out of. Its one of the things you give up with an SUV (or CUV to some extent) due to the way the floor is up a little higher.
willald, I agree that the SUV third row is not as easy to get in and out of as a minivan. Now, back to the original question. Are SUVs going extinct? No, but they are going to evolve. My dream mid sized SUV would be:
I guess some of you must make great money because i cant just run out and buy a smaller vehicle and keep the burb parked for towing only so right now the gas is still cheaper than a new car payment and higher insurance.The burb is paid for.
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