Rally Discussion and Bar Talk Thread

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I get a bit fed up with hearing the 'higher driving position' excuse. Most people would be better off getting some further training (including Advanced driving), and becoming more aware of what's around them = better drivers. And they'd save money in not having to buy an overpriced SUV......

I totally agree. People seem to like it but mainly because it makes them feel safer and rather superior, not because they can drive any better.

[deephouse]

I totally agree. People seem to like it but mainly because it makes them feel safer and rather superior, not because they can drive any better.

Absolutely true, I think that cars are getting bigger, more tech inside, newer, but people become worse at driving. I'm a lot on road and see literaly everything, it doesn't surprise me anymore.

[Kras]

"Higher driving position" is for the majority of older people about getting in and out of the car easier.

Major reason for everyone wanting an SUV is automotive industry manufacturing demand for SUVs for the better part of the last 2 decades. They can sell you the same car on 2 inches higher springs for a couple thousand more. Thats why for years they intentionaly made non-SUV/non-crossover cars feel cheaper and have less options then their SUV counterparts. They'll skimp on plastic trim just make a Kona look more premium than an i20, even tho its the same fucking car.

All the talk about higher driving position, ease of getting in and out etc. are just excuses. People want SUVs because everyone has them and they are seen as the more premium option.

[mknight]

Major reason for everyone wanting an SUV is automotive industry manufacturing demand for SUVs for the better part of the last 2 decades. They can sell you the same car on 2 inches higher springs for a couple thousand more. Thats why for years they intentionaly made non-SUV/non-crossover cars feel cheaper and have less options then their SUV counterparts. They'll skimp on plastic trim just make a Kona look more premium than an i20, even tho its the same fucking car.

All the talk about higher driving position, ease of getting in and out etc. are just excuses. People want SUVs because everyone has them and they are seen as the more premium option.

I applaud your absolute truth

[/Sarcasm, in case you don't get it]

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's like with Ford scrapping the classic Fiesta hatch, including the brilliant ST, but making the Puma which is based on exactly the same platform and engines.

And specifically on the Puma ST why would you want a sporty car when it's heavier, uglier and with a higher centre of gravity ?!

[Kras]

I applaud your absolute truth

[/Sarcasm, in case you don't get it]

Like it or not, people are suckers for status and companies are more aware of it than ever. Spend 100 more Euros on fancy trim plastics for wheel arches, flashier headlights and 2 tone side mirrors, lift it by 2cm and you can now sell the car for 2k EURO more.

Added bonus for manufacturers is a lot more women around the world are driving than ever before. Women mostly dont care about cars beyond looks and are in general bigger spenders

[becher]

It's like with Ford scrapping the classic Fiesta hatch, including the brilliant ST, but making the Puma which is based on exactly the same platform and engines.

And specifically on the Puma ST why would you want a sporty car when it's heavier, uglier and with a higher centre of gravity ?!

I agree with you, and I hate the direction the automotive industry is going, but I'm sure the ship has sailed.

Sensible cars and nice cars for enthusiasts are (soon) a thing of the past.

[TypeR]

Grown-up men getting upset about people buying SUV's.. funny..

[becher]

Grown-up men getting upset about people buying SUV's.. funny..

Regardless of your mode of transport, the bigger the cars the worse it is to navigate traffic. Also if you don't want a fat box on 19 inch rims you are out of luck because soon enough you will hardly be able to buy something else even second hand.

To you it might be funny, to someone who navigates traffic for a living it is a mayor annoyance and costs me money on a daily basis as traffic would be much smoother and faster if people wouldn't block the roads because they can't fit their chelsea tractor down the narrow roads or you're unable to see oncoming traffic on a junction because people park their two meter high cars in the junction area and block your vision.

[saco0o]

did someone watched kalle's debut in the porsche cup? i wish he had won in his debut. that would have been rad. interesting but porsche cup is not my thing. not going to watch others race, no no.