Vehicle Buying Maximalism

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Dec 2023, 10:37

"Vehicle Buying Maximalism"

-- a phenomenon that leads to ownership of generally very large vehicles that cover 99% of use cases, but the edge use activities within that use case continuum represent less than 1% of actual daily driving tasks.

There. I just coined a term that you'll find in media for decades to come. You read it here first.

Post by **BlackBart** » 22 Dec 2023, 11:24

Good term. That explains most of the women driving alone in giant Suburbans.

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Dec 2023, 11:32

"Gotta fit all the family when the parents and uncle fly into town"

(which happens on Christmas)

Post by **volvolugnut** » 22 Dec 2023, 11:58

matthew1 wrote: ↑22 Dec 2023, 11:32 "Gotta fit all the family when the parents and uncle fly into town"

(which happens on Christmas)

... once per year.

volvolugnut

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Dec 2023, 12:05

Bingo.

Oddly, an exception to this rule is -- are you sitting down -- quite often soccer moms. I see them at my son's school picking up four or even five kids at a time for car pool, regularly. Now you don't need a full-length Suburban for this because an XC90 will do, but there's an example of an exception.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 22 Dec 2023, 12:15

I read a recent article on the growth of SUVs in number and weight. Of course, I can't find it now.
Roughly, in 1980's pickups and SUVs were 25% of US vehicles. They are now about 75% of US vehicles. This impacts fuel use, parking space, pollution, and safety.
A big factor was the industry lobbied to get SUVs and pickups exempted from the tougher fuel consumption laws of cars. Manufacturers also found they could make more profit on bigger vehicles. Watch the ads for SUVs and trucks - they promote offroad and hauling, but most are not used for these purposes.
volvolugnut

Post by **abscate** » 23 Dec 2023, 05:53

Roughly, in 1980's pickups and SUVs were 25% of US vehicles. They are now about 75% of US vehicles

These things need to get relegated to the truck lane so that those driving sensible cars can see around them.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 23 Dec 2023, 07:23

Who has truck lanes?

Full disclosure: I own a 1 ton rated pickup that is very heavy and has a huge V8. However, I rarely drive it without hauling or pulling something too large for a V70.

volvolugnut

Post by **abscate** » 24 Dec 2023, 13:33

We ban trucks and trailers from the left lane on most 3+ lane highways

Post by **Krons** » 28 Dec 2023, 18:13

volvolugnut wrote: ↑23 Dec 2023, 07:23 Who has truck lanes?

Full disclosure: I own a 1 ton rated pickup that is very heavy and has a huge V8. However, I rarely drive it without hauling or pulling something too large for a V70.

volvolugnut

My Nissan Frontier only got 4000 miles this year, the S60 got 15000. I was tempted to take the Frontier on the 700 mile round trip family Christmas gathering to give it some exercise. But with 700 miles to the next oil change and 28mpg on the 4-lane vs 17mpg it saved me $40 in fuel.

Not to mention the S60 is quite a bit more comfortable for a long road trip like that. Unfortunate so many manufacturers are moving away from cars.