Saab: SAAB SUV

Sorry to ask this silly question ... but ... even in german magazines I read
in a regularly manner "SUV".
I know what it stands for but what is the full text version? I cannot find
anything anywhere.

Greets and a good slide into the new year ;-)

"Hale" <com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:Z9NHb.683389$.. 

Huibuh wrote: 

I just can't understand why city people buy SUVs? What are they for? I just can't,
I don't get it, I juts can't get it into my little head.

One of the typical answers from SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) owners is that
they can't get the car seats (required by law) for their 3 (or more)
children into anything smaller. In the US, an SUV is considered to be a
truck, which allows it to have more relaxed fuel economy laws. These fuel
economy laws (and the taxes imposed on cars that violate the law) are the
primary reason that there is little availability in (what we consider to be)
large cars. The only thing left that meets some people's needs is a truck -
which in most cases is overkill. More vehicle choices are now again being
made available by the manufacturers, but years without much choice have
gotten people into the bad habit of buying the same thing they bought
before. They also enjoy a vehicle that lets them be higher than they would
be in a car (and block the view for the rest of us).

Other reasons why people buy SUV's:
1) 4 wheel drive. Not available in many cars (no US made cars that I can
think of) and people think they need it, not realizing that ABS is probably
more valuable than 4 wheel drive.
2) Towing capacity. Many cars are not rated for towing. The ones that can
are only rated for the lightest duty - typically 1/2 ton. If you want to
tow your boat or trailer, you need a truck.

I'm not saying that they are good reasons, but they are reasons just the
same. Just my opinion.

As a side note on the fuel economy taxes, GM's Pontiac division will be
importing a Holden as their new GTO model. The fuel economy from this
Australian car is so bad, that the automatic transmission model has a
disclaimer stating that there will be a $1,000 "Gas Guzzler" tax on it. The
tax is deserved because it gets poorer fuel economy than all but the most
gigantic SUV's.

Walt Kienzle
1991 9000T

"Johannes H Andersen" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
read 
find 
just can't, 

Walt Kienzle wrote: 

I see quite a few high value SUVs around here; BWM X5, Mercs, Porche cayennes.
These cars don't really offer much space, say a 9-5 estate would be just as
good. But it may have something to do with image and status. Suppose that you
want to show off that you're in the 40-50k+ car status set. Then if you buy a
merc or other prestige limo, you have to worry a lot about keeping it nice and
clean and free of sundry scratches, whereas such are more tolerable on a SUV
as it's seen as more rugged. Hence easier ownership. Petrol (gas) consumption
is heavy, but probably less important in this category for people with this
kind of income. But I find the waste of energy disturbing, even if I could
afford it. My 9000 CSE with 2.0 LPT is beutifully efficient for such a large
car.

Happy New Year.
Johannes

I agree with you completely. The models you mention are not the ones we
typically see here, and are usually owned by someone wants to flaunt their
wealth. The BMW and Mercedes have been in the US for awhile, but I believe
the Porsche model was just recently introduced here. I don't believe I have
seen any on the road yet. But then again, I might not have noticed, since
all those big hulking things look alike to me. Of the advantages I
mentioned, the only one these models offer is 4 wheel drive, at the expense
of handling and fun (IMHO). Exactly as you say: a status symbol.

I also think my 9000 is the perfect car, but with mine being 12 years old
and with 140K miles on it, I am in a quandary as to what a comparable
replacement would be from the list of new car offerings. My choices are
limited as I am excluding any cars that offer only automatic transmission,
cannot comfortably seat 4 people, or has less than about 200hp. Oops, I
think I just excluded every US model currently being offered. The
requirement for manual transmission eliminated about 90% of the US models,
the remaining models being cheap, small, and underpowered deathtraps, or the
Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette (another example of excess). The
Mustang isn't exactly comfortable for 4 people, and I believe that my Saab
gets better fuel economy.

Happy New Year to you also.

Walt Kienzle

"Johannes H Andersen" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
that 
fuel 
the 
be) 
truck - 
being 
would 
can 
probably 
can 
to 
The 
most 
cayennes. 
as 
you 
buy a 
and 
SUV 
consumption 
this 
large 

> Suppose that you 

I see a lot of 4-wheel drive luxury SUVs and others around East Tennessee.
It's justifiable here. Add some rain or snow to the twisty steep hills and it
comes in handy. Also have a lot of unpaved and gravel roads and long driveways.
The usual luxury cars are rear wheel drive and not good under those conditions.

The 9000 CS suits them perfectly, though. Really pleased with how it has
handled this winter in snow and ice. Also like the way the heater warms up so
fast.



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Sport Utility Vehicle

Kevin Brewer wrote: 

Then explain "Sport" please?