situman

When did I say go full SUV?

BippuLexus

As of right now, I agree SUV/CUV sales aren't slowing because gas prices are as bad as they were in 2008. I remember in 2008, all gas tiers were over 4 dollars; not just premium. I believe you'll see a slow down in SUV/CUV sales once gas cost 4 dollars plus across the board.

While its true that on average SUV/CUV are getting more efficient, it doesn't mean its actually fuel-efficient though. When gas gets expensive, people might reverse back to sedans to save gas money. The SUV/CUV is a trend and like most trends - there is a tipping point.

I didn't say you said "go full SUV".

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

Assuming estimated fuel economy is accurate, a CR-V gets 26/32 vs the Accord's 30/38. An RX gets 20/27 vs 21/30 in the ES. Sedans aren't really giving a whole lot of extra MPG given the extra utility in the SUVs

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

post of the day.

as you know, i recently switched from an suv to a sedan, but wouldn't hesitate to go back to a ute if one floats my boat next time around.

Toys4RJill

Toys4RJill

mmarshall

One would think so, but, in reality, often, that often isn't the case. I don't know about Canada or Toronto, but, here in the U.S., a lot of people will cut back on almost anything else to keep driving when the price of gas goes up LOL.

mmarshall

You don't necessarily need an SUV for that.

BippuLexus

Civic: 28 City / 40 Hwy ;;;; HR-V: 25 City / 33 Hwy.
As you stated CR-V: 26/32 ;;;;;; Accord 30/38 and for $900 base price more than the CR-V you get a Accord Hybrid with 47/47.
For the price of a loaded RX, you can get a loaded ES-hybrid and save some extra cash.

Your RX and ES example should include the 7G Lexus ES EPA numbers to make it more fair judgement since the 7G Lexus ES is in bound and will be the car sold in the future. Since EPA aren't out for it, lets assume Camry XSE V6 EPAs which is at 22/32.

Sedans, based on just some of the examples here, the average difference in MPG between sedans and SUVs are about 5-9 hwy. If you are saving 5-9 hwy miles per gallon with fuel costing at 4 dollars to 4.50 dollars, you'll be saving quite a bit of money per week/month, especially if you are a long distance commutator to work.

At the end of the day, people will trade up their car if its too much to handle the cost of it. Of course - people who needs an insane amount of cargo room (IE: someone that has 3-4 kids and need the space) will continue to stomach the cost. But - there are SUV/CUV owners with 1-2 kids that doesn't really need a SUV but has one <--- these are the people most likely to trade up.

Jill wasn't talking about people giving up their vehicles and stop driving. She was saying people will trade up for something more efficient.

Yes. US has a car culture where we like to drive and our public transportation is awful (IE: no electric trains like Asia or Europe). So yes, people will do anything to keep driving but people will not do anything to keep driving something that's inefficient.

mmarshall

I've seen it both ways. A lot of Baby Boomers, for example, who grew up in the Muscle-car era, are running around in R/T / SRT/ Hellcat Challengers and Chargers, painted the 1970s-pastel colors, simply to re-live their youth, despite the price of gas and/or commuting conditions. The younger guys, of course, are in Mustang GTs and Cobras.

mmarshall

OK, don't want to get too far off-topic...the GS and its availability. Personally, I'd give it a (slightly) better than 50/50 chance of also being dropped in the American market...but I've been wrong before.

peteharvey

What did Carmaker1 actually say last week - I couldn't understand his post 100%.
Is GS only being dropped in Europe, or is GS being dropped globally??

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

Going off topic but a CR-V with the 1.5L turbo gets a combined 30 MPG (29 w/ AWD). The Accord with the 1.5 gets a combined 33 MPG. To Jill's point, the CR-V is built on the Civic platform, but interior space is similar to the Accord and cargo space is far superior so lets run with it If a 3 MPG difference kills you because gas goes up a buck, there are probably bigger issues to deal with and one of them probably isn't finding the $850 to buy a base Accord hybrid.

We aren't talking about an Escalade of a Expedition sized vehicle. Small CUVs (aside from the HR-V/CH-R abominations) offer close enough MPG with a ton more utility. Those that need the space (e.g. people with kids) will continue to buy them regardless of the gas prices. I think the trunk in my GS is a pretty decent size. But if I put two strollers in there, I can't even fit groceries unless I take them out of the bag and find space.

Getting back on topic. The 4GS really just feels like a heavily refreshed 3GS kind of like the later years of the 4LS. The interior was much better and the handling was sharper, but it just felt old from the start. I've enjoyed it since I've had it, but kind of regret not getting an A6 instead

Vladi

Try driving RX8 at those speeds and you will feel the lift too cause its so light. Reason why you feel confidence during high speeds in premium cars is the premium way of building them from the ground up Lexus LS is really notorious when it comes to doing a 100 while you feel like you are doing 60. SC was like that too and due to lack of bodyroll you would attack those corners like in a go cart.

RNM GS3