First the station wagon, then the SUV. What next?
05-19-18, 06:49 AM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Not quite, the RX has an upright seating position like GX and Land Cruiser. I would prefer a wagon body shape and car-like seating with higher ground clearance.
It's also possible to go the other way and have an SUV/crossover body with low ground clearance, like a Lincoln MKT or Cayenne GTS. The MKT looks plain weird.
It's also possible to go the other way and have an SUV/crossover body with low ground clearance, like a Lincoln MKT or Cayenne GTS. The MKT looks plain weird.
05-19-18, 06:52 AM
#17
Advanced
In my opinion. The capitalistic system and our inability to bring it under control (#elite-corruption) will kill around 75% of the population in the coming 50 years. I presume it will be provoked by a war, but an ecologic meltdown or a social breakdown isn't far fetched too. What I'm trying to say is, that nobody will have money for a car in the coming future.
05-19-18, 07:36 AM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
05-19-18, 07:41 AM
#19
05-19-18, 07:42 AM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
You have proved what I have been saying. People will downsize at the time of a new purchase to a vehicle that is more fuel efficient and one that is cheaper to buy.
05-19-18, 07:54 AM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Remember when it was fashionable to buy a house with leverage, in LA, Miami, etc., because it was like shooting fish in a barrel? I was too young and broke and just starting out, but old people (like the 30 y.o. waitress) would say how they have 2 investment properties and are getting a 3rd. A bus driver would have a real estate empire. Yet, some rich people were taking profits circa 2004-2006....this exodus imho is happening with cars. Common folk still blow tons of money on cars, but not necessarily the wealthy.
It would seem to me that rich people are less focused on cars today. Young rich milennials are less interested in cars. So to answer the OP, we might be driving 10 yrs. from now, but less than today. It's no longer a status symbol to have a car because anyone knows they can, and often are, leased. Seems to me that rich people like impressive residences today. You come up in that brand spanking new S550, at some point someone is going to ask you what the lease payment is. If you purchased, with cash, you just smile and nod.
It would seem to me that rich people are less focused on cars today. Young rich milennials are less interested in cars. So to answer the OP, we might be driving 10 yrs. from now, but less than today. It's no longer a status symbol to have a car because anyone knows they can, and often are, leased. Seems to me that rich people like impressive residences today. You come up in that brand spanking new S550, at some point someone is going to ask you what the lease payment is. If you purchased, with cash, you just smile and nod.
05-19-18, 07:55 AM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
You have not been reading what I was posting. I said higher gas prices AND a major world event such as a recession or middle east conflict.
You have proved what I have been saying. People will downsize at the time of a new purchase to a vehicle that is more fuel efficient and one that is cheaper to buy.
You have proved what I have been saying. People will downsize at the time of a new purchase to a vehicle that is more fuel efficient and one that is cheaper to buy.
Unless you drive some very long distances each year, it's usually a lot cheaper to pay a few cents more for a gallon of gas (or if the price of electricity, to charge an electric or hybrid, goes up) than it is to spend thousands of dollars to downsize to a new vehicle, even sometimes when buying used instead of new.
05-19-18, 08:32 AM
#23
Lexus Champion
I recently developed an interest in possibly getting a wagon as my next vehicle. I'd prefer an actual wagon vs. a wagon that's raised up with some cladding to make it look more like a CUV. Here in the U.S. the choices are limited but the BMW 330i Sports Wagon and Volvo V90 (non Cross Country) are of interest.
05-19-18, 09:08 AM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
In some cases it does not makes sense to downsize if you already own the car or are making money payments. In some cases it does make sense.
05-19-18, 12:00 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
In my opinion. The capitalistic system and our inability to bring it under control (#elite-corruption) will kill around 75% of the population in the coming 50 years. I presume it will be provoked by a war, but an ecologic meltdown or a social breakdown isn't far fetched too. What I'm trying to say is, that nobody will have money for a car in the coming future.
i think vehicles will, like they have always done, be more comfortable, functional, reliable, and efficient. a majority have clearly chosen easy ingress/egress and easy loading/unloading, espcially for larger stuff. that seems likely to continue, even with small vehicles.
05-19-18, 01:00 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
I recently developed an interest in possibly getting a wagon as my next vehicle. I'd prefer an actual wagon vs. a wagon that's raised up with some cladding to make it look more like a CUV. Here in the U.S. the choices are limited but the BMW 330i Sports Wagon and Volvo V90 (non Cross Country) are of interest.
Also take a look at the Buick Regal Tour-X Wagon. It comes with standard AWD, but doesn't sit as high as what you find in the Outback and similar raised-wagons. I did a full-review of a Tour-X not long ago.
05-19-18, 01:49 PM
#29
Lexus Champion
Unfortunately, the Tour X has the dreaded lower cladding similar to the Outback, Allroad etc. The cladding isn't a total deal breaker but I do prefer a lower stance without the cladding.
05-19-18, 05:37 PM
#30
Lexus Champion
The actual fuel-economy numbers from EPA testing do support much of what I said. You can look them up for yourself, if you want, for specific vehicles.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/make.shtml
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/make.shtml
Fuel economy of crossovers will always be lower than comparable cars, for the very reason that they are heavier, sit higher off the ground, and usually are quite upright and tall, presenting a larger face to the oncoming wind.
You must be careful to compare equivalent size-classified cars and crossovers. Comparing an Accord to a CR-V, a Camry to a RAV4, or an ES 350 to a NX 300 are not equivalent comparisons; the Accord, Camry and ES are mid-sized cars while the CR-V, RAV4 and NX are compact crossovers, and the passenger room in the crossovers (especially rear-seat hiproom and legroom) are less than the sedans. They look like equivalent comparisons because the crossovers are very heavy (some 300kg / 600lb) heavier than the equivalent compact cars Civic and Corolla that they are based off of.
If you compare the ES 350 to an equivalently-sized RX 350 FWD model, the RX is 300kg / 600lb (3 large adult men) heavier than the ES with about 10% greater fuel consumption.
I too would like to see an ES station wagon, that is about 100kg / 200lb more than the ES (like the difference between an Infiniti Q30 and QX30). I would prefer a straightforward station wagon without the pseudo-butch styling cues of black cladding and raised suspension but if such a model only comes with the de rigueur crossover / sport utility vehicle styling cues, so be it.