Justifying the cost of full sized SUVs...
#61
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I wonder if the rear suspension is like FWD/RWD, many drivers couldn't tell someone else if their vehicles have struts, shocks, FWD, RWD....
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#62
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GM has done a good job of hiding the negatives of the rear axle in the Tahoe and its ilk. I've rented a Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban many times over the past few years (probably close to 2 months total), and already know that it has a live rear axle. But in typical driving, it doesn't make itself that apparent. Maybe occasionally on a rough road. If I wasn't an enthusiast, there is no way I would know there was a solid axle back there.
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#64
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Another thing to consider is if there are options such as cooling and brakes, take them on an American SUV, just to get things up to snuff, is my suggestion. Otherwise the standard brakes are often small given the size of the vehicle (nothing like 22" rims and 12" rotors lol)
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#65
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GM has done a good job of hiding the negatives of the rear axle in the Tahoe and its ilk. I've rented a Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban many times over the past few years (probably close to 2 months total), and already know that it has a live rear axle. But in typical driving, it doesn't make itself that apparent. Maybe occasionally on a rough road. If I wasn't an enthusiast, there is no way I would know there was a solid axle back there.
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#66
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Te MDX is a great vehicle but too small.
Again take a close look at a brand new Suburban classed vehicle, and it is significantly smaller than the vehicle it replaced, on the inside, as far as cargo goes. The < 2015 had removable 3rd row seats. Before purchasing something like that, it would be advisable to park one right next to a minivan, and be sure the shoe fits, meaning the reduced cargo capacity vs. the minivan. The brand new Suburban, has about 4 cu. ft. more than the original Traverse, which is a crossover. A brand new Tahoe class, has significantly less cargo capacity than an original Traverse.
Having driven both the current Tahoe/Suburban and now the Expedition, I would choose the Expedition every time.
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#68
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So, I went and looked at a new Ford Expedition Platinum today, didnt get a chance to drive it but I really like it. Great space, great looking, nice interior with a ton of features. What stops me though, is price. Equipped the way I want it (basically fully loaded sans additional options for towing, etc) it rings in at just a hair below $76,000. Looking at a similarly loaded Explorer Platinum that rings in at about $53,000...so the Expedition is $24,000 more.
The Tahoe/Yukon are similar money optioned up.
IMHO...this is a HUGE chasm between these two classes of vehicles? Any thoughts. I like the space of the Expedition, but seeing that I don't tow anything I don't see how I could possibly justify a $24,000 premium...
The Tahoe/Yukon are similar money optioned up.
IMHO...this is a HUGE chasm between these two classes of vehicles? Any thoughts. I like the space of the Expedition, but seeing that I don't tow anything I don't see how I could possibly justify a $24,000 premium...
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#69
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I'd be curious to know if margins are huge on top level suvs? I walked past this decked out Escalade on the way to the gym today, and being interested in GM, I remarked how tiny and rather antiquated the brakes are. Contrast that to the Kia Stinger, or a european top level SUV.
Sure, part is marketing, the Stinger audience wants performance, but the price tag is reasonable. And yes, putting high performance brakes on an Escalade could go totally unnoticed by the buyer. Just thinking that since it's top of the line and very expensive, it deserves brakes to match...(to illustrate, for some GM SUVs, you can buy brand new, OE rear calipers for $50 to $55--not knock-offs, the original GM caliper)
Sure, part is marketing, the Stinger audience wants performance, but the price tag is reasonable. And yes, putting high performance brakes on an Escalade could go totally unnoticed by the buyer. Just thinking that since it's top of the line and very expensive, it deserves brakes to match...(to illustrate, for some GM SUVs, you can buy brand new, OE rear calipers for $50 to $55--not knock-offs, the original GM caliper)
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#71
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........and note that virtually all of ones sold in North America are built in North America, with U.S or Canadian labor. That blows the argument that automakers cannot afford to keep jobs here, or have to ship production overseas.
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#72
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I don't believe any trucks or body on frame SUVs are made in Canada.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 09-01-18 at 07:47 AM.
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#73
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True, but that does not discount what I posted...that American/Canadian-built vehicles can and do make money. One does not have to ship jobs to Asia or Mexico for production. That is why Trump got disgusted with the whole practice and brought out the tariffs.
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#74
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You can’t shift production of trucks overseas as there is a tariff on trucks. Trucks are protected well before Trump. There is also an absence of competition outside the big three and Toyota and Nissan for a small part. I get what you are saying but everyone has moved some production to Mexico to help with lower labor costs. You had originally said “American” and “Canadian” labor.
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#75
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You can’t shift production of trucks overseas as there is a tariff on trucks. Trucks are protected well before Trump. There is also an absence of competition outside the big three and Toyota and Nissan for a small part. I get what you are saying but everyone has moved some production to Mexico to help with lower labor costs. You had originally said “American” and “Canadian” labor.
Since the thread-topic is the cost of full-sized SUVs, I think one should note that there is an enormous difference in the pricing of many vehicles in this category. Top-end vehicles (and trim versions) can sometimes run well into six figures. A few, like the Range Rover, actually start in that category. And, correct me if I misunderstood you, but I think that you and I, in the past, both agreed that the new Navigator, with its massive improvements over the previous version, is perhaps worth 90-100K.
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