Classic Fords

[Slenver]

I read a very interesting review recently of an 'SUV' that is exactly the reason they're killing the Fiesta. It was one of the more sporting car mags (evo I suspect) and the guy was reviewing his long-term Puma ST – ie. the SUV variant of the Fiesta, in hot hatch guise. I assumed that he'd take the usual car journo angle and say it was fine, quite practical, but not as good as the Fiesta, cos of weight/size/physics etc. What he actually said was he far preferred it over the Fiesta as it 95% as good to drive and with way more everyday practicality.

Reading that I realised that SUVs have won – if a hot SUV is 'better' than its sibling hot hatch then it's all over.

And that's why the Fiesta is being killed off. The Puma far outsells it.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Outsells it at a much higher margin.

Real reason!

[Mr. Dazzle]

I don't know about SUVs in general but big 4x4s are just better cars to drive on UK roads, they generally cope with potholes better and you sit higher up so you can see over other cars. I'm not sure I'll ever drive anything else unless priced out of them.

IME that's not the case, or if it is the case, it's largely psychological.

OK - being higher up, yeah, definitely the case. That one's pretty undeniable

But dealing with pot holes etc. better? SUVs are now built just as stiff and strong as saloons (as above, they're usually the same basic structure underneath). They have similar suspension now to make them drive like 'normal' cars. They have the same sort of wheels, the same ride set up - in every sense, they're built to drive like a saloon. So why would they be any better on broken road surfaces?

'Proper' off road cars, yeah I can see it. But X5s, Cayennes et al?

FWIW the best car I've ever been in (sadly not driven) for dealing with UK roads was my other old Boss' Impreza rally car. That was a saloon of course, but it had really well set up long travel suspension which makes way more difference than being 4x4 shaped.

[Slenver]

Outsells it at a much higher margin.

Real reason!

Well, a combo I guess. A high margin wouldn't be any benefit if nobody bought them

[Mr. Dazzle]

For the longest time the Fiesta was the UK's top selling car, or very close to it. The problem is/was, Ford only make about 50p on each one

The Puma costs basically the same to make, but they sell if for more. So what would any sensible business owner do?

[Cousin Jack]

I dislike SUVs. Boxy body means weight is higher, so everything else being equal, it will roll more and overturn more easily. Lower is safer IMO.

I always remember pictures of a RR (IIRC) that had hit a m'way barrier at high speed. Wheels stayed on right side, body (and occupants) went over the top into oncoming traffic.

[Ditchfinder]

SUV's and pedestrians aren't a great mix - bonnet more likely to be above a child's head and they are usually heavier for the same usable internal space.

Headlights tend to be higher too so if you meet one on an unlit road or get one up your chuff the mega lumen bright white stars from a minor galaxy they have for headlights are likely to blind you.

Most of the Faux by 4's in this neck of the woods seem to be incapable of fitting between the kerb and the centreline on anything narrower than an a-road.

So, great for the driver and passengers but shit for everyone else.

[gremlin]

OK - being higher up, yeah, definitely the case. That one's pretty undeniable

Which is great, but then every other bugger around you is sat in a car that's just as high these days.

[Mr. Dazzle]

So, great for the driver and passenger

TO be fair, they're the people I'm primarily worried about. I'm a right wing driver.

[mangocrazy]

I don't know about SUVs in general but big 4x4s are just better cars to drive on UK roads, you sit higher up so you can see over other cars.

Except that everyone else thinks/does the same and any advantage is negated.

[Cousin Jack]

Most of the Faux by 4's in this neck of the woods seem to be incapable of fitting between the kerb and the centreline on anything narrower than an a-road.

Same here, and a strong negative correlation between the size of the SUV and the competence of the driver. Most seem to believe that a 15 degree turn of the steering wheel is full lock, so cutting corners is rampant.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I take a particularly petty and small minded joy in pulling up right on the dashed double white lines at give way near my house, thus forcing other drivers to actually stay on their side of the road.

[Count Steer]

I dislike SUVs. Boxy body means weight is higher, so everything else being equal, it will roll more and overturn more easily. Lower is safer IMO.

I always remember pictures of a RR (IIRC) that had hit a m'way barrier at high speed. Wheels stayed on right side, body (and occupants) went over the top into oncoming traffic.

A couple of people I worked with were transporting several large chunks of cast iron pipe up to Newcastle from Fulham. A Range Rover was hired for the purpose and they were both well pleased. Swapped driving duties half way. Shortly after, she changed lanes a little briskly and the rear end just carried on going, spinning the car so it pirouetted across the lanes and went back end first through one of the gaps they leave between the crash barriers, stopping before it went onto the other carriageway. Incredibly lucky to find the gap but not carry on into the fast lane southbound.

Probably down to the rear end overhang behind the rear axle. Not ideal for load carrying.

[Cousin Jack]

I take a particularly petty and small minded joy in pulling up right on the dashed double white lines at give way near my house, thus forcing other drivers to actually stay on their side of the road.

Be careful with that. I have a local give way junction where doing it would lead to a colision sooner than later. The buggers come steaming along and cut the blind corner at close to 30mph

[cheb]

I take a particularly petty and small minded joy in pulling up right on the dashed double white lines at give way near my house, thus forcing other drivers to actually stay on their side of the road.

There's a small tee junction near the old primary school in Marchwood that I used almost daily. 'Twas fun to position the vehicle right on the lines at the point of the junction and watch other drivers struggle unless they had the wit to let me out. The glares I got made it so much fun.

Yep, I've been a dick since the early 1980s.

[Count Steer]

I take a particularly petty and small minded joy in pulling up right on the dashed double white lines at give way near my house, thus forcing other drivers to actually stay on their side of the road.

Works both ways. If someone looks like they'll hold back at a junction like that and cut me some slack I may be inclined to stop and let them out. If they scoot up to the white line like they're in a hurry, I'll delight in a 'petty and small minded' way in not letting them out and taking my time negotiating the, now 90°, corner.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I take a particularly petty and small minded joy in pulling up right on the dashed double white lines at give way near my house, thus forcing other drivers to actually stay on their side of the road.

Works both ways. If someone looks like they'll hold back at a junction like that and cut me some slack I may be inclined to stop and let them out. If they scoot up to the white line like they're in a hurry, I'll delight in a 'petty and small minded' way in not letting them out and taking my time negotiating the, now 90°, corner.

I'm all up for a bit of road based one-upmanship, shows the other guy is paying attention.

[Cousin Jack]

I'm all up for a bit of road based one-upmanship, shows the other guy is paying attention.

Right up to the time he isnt.

[slowsider]

I take a particularly petty and small minded joy in pulling up right on the dashed double white lines at give way near my house, thus forcing other drivers to actually stay on their side of the road.

Works both ways. If someone looks like they'll hold back at a junction like that and cut me some slack I may be inclined to stop and let them out. If they scoot up to the white line like they're in a hurry, I'll delight in a 'petty and small minded' way in not letting them out and taking my time negotiating the, now 90°, corner.

I'm all up for a bit of road based one-upmanship, shows the other guy is paying attention.

FFS, I can do without the delay and ensuing paperwork if he isn't. There's enough dicks on the road as it is without two more from here
(not you, Count)

[MrLongbeard]

https://www.revcomps.com/product/1978-f ... 1999-tkts/