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re: SUV's
To begin with, I don't use the term "SUV" because I don't think it's
correct. These vehicles are "UV"s that for some reason are
being used as daily drivers in place of a more appropriate vehicle.
<<In my opinion, the only 'line of SUVs worth actually considering are the
Toyota 4Runner and Landcruiser. These vehicles are incredibly well-made.
The 4Runner-- albeit very pricey -- is by far the 'leader of the pack' when
it comes to handling and performance. It is -- IMHO -- the ONLY SUV out
there (beside a Jeep Wrangler or Hummer) that could actually go off-road
without doing serious damage to the vehicle.>>
I agree completely with the Landcruiser. One of the top vehicles out there.
I don't agree with the 4Runner because it's a bit too small for real work....
does your "handling and performance" mean on-road? It's good for a UV,
but any cheap car (i.e. Neon) will outperform it... on the road. So while it
may offer a decent on-road, off-road tradeoff, it really does neither well.
<<I have had to choose a second 'line -- it would be the Land Rover vehicle.
I drove 1 95 Range Rover for about 6 months -- and they are indeed the most
comfortable SUVs out there..>>
And the best stock vehicle (except for a HumVee) that I've driven off-road.
<<IMHO -- All those 'best-selling' tin-can SUVs on the market: The Explorer,
Blazer, Navigator, Expedition -- they are all just glorified station wagons
that just happen to let you see 'above the crowd.' >>>
Uh, no. Most of these are on truck frames and do reasonably off-road. The
full-size Blazer and Expedition (and older Bronco) are terrific off-road...
very
strong and limited primarily by size. Don't be misled by all the bells and
whistles. These are real trucks underneath those frills even if they're never
used as one.
The S10-based Blazer and the Explorer would not be my first choice for
off-road work....both are built pretty light and the Explorer especially lacks
sufficient ground clearance. They are little more than "glorified station
wagons" and almost fit into your next category:
<< The Subaru Outback actually has a warning sticker on the visor --
WARNING: This Vehicle is Made For ROAD and HIGHWAY Use ONLY --
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE OFF-ROAD..'>>
Here you get to the real "tin-can" vehicles. The car-based SUV's like
the Outback, CR-V, RAV-4, etc.... even the M-Class. Most are really
nothing more than an inferior copy of a Quattro with a little better
ground clearance. I wouldn't take one of these off road any more
than I would my UrQ.
One other point: What's good on-road (ie. rack and pinion steering)
is often horrible off-road.
UV's aren't _bad_, they just should be used for their intended purpose.
Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI
85 UrQ and an 88 Bronco (302, C6) currently sitting full of Corvair
parts...used for towing, camping, retrieving car parts, off-road fun,
and when the snow reaches..... body parts higher than the knees.