[W126 Coupe] Off Topic: Opinions

[Alexander Hochhausl]

I and a few people I know have Jeep Grand Cherokee. I need mine to tow
my boat in the summer. They drive excellent, great motor, great interior
& very comfortable, are great in snow, except, um, the tranny goes to
crap by 50K miles. So if you don't mind spending $3K every 50K miles to
replace the tranny, and 12 MPG if you are lucky - it's a great car.

On the foreign side, Subaru has been making excellent 4WD cars and
wagons for decades - extremely reliable, relatively affordable, and get
good milage (25-30+ is normal). 

But I have to be honest, I don't understand our generation's need for
SUVs. I live on Long Island NY, the yuppie capital of the world as far
as I am concerned. Everyone has to have the biggest SUV, go drive to the
diner and to the mall. The most off-road they see is a puddle in the
road, and most swerve around those as well. The only reason I have it is
for my boat.

I have 2 kids, and we drove them around from birth, first in my Mustang,
then in a Cougar. Yes, it is a little inconvenient, but with the price
of gas, and I don't care what SUV you buy (even 4 or 6 cyl), you are not
going to get more than 20 MPG if you are lucky - it is simply a matter
of aerodynamics - they have a large profile, and that is what you are
pushing through the wind. Personally I feel than unless you are a
doctor, police, firefighter, or other critical - on demand person, or
you live in a real remote location, most roads are cleared within hours
of a snow-fall. Actually I enjoy sliding my SEC around on a snowy road -
I think it makes you a better driver as you learn how to get yourself
out of trouble. Most people in SUVs have no clue and think the car is
invincible until they are upside down in a snow bank, and then feel it's
the car maker's fault.

So my long-winded answer is I've had good experience with Subaru wagon.
You may want to look at 4wd wagons for the best compromise in MPG &
utility. Hope it helps.

Thank You,

Alexander Hochhausl, PE
Tel: 516-909-3794


-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of David Fatovic
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 5:37 PM
To: MBCOUPES
Subject: [W126 Coupe] Off Topic: Opinions

Now that we are expecting our first little rug rat, it is time to get my
wife a new car.  We were thinking a small SUV, being in Colorado AWD can
have its benefits.  I was wondering if anybody has any opinions, likes
or dislikes about small SUV models or other ideas.  Since my 1 drivable
SEC is in the garage being torn apart, and my other SEC had the ass end
of it ripped out, those are out.  Plus it is a pain in the ass trying to
get a baby seat in the back!  

Thanks,

David
The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Mailing List
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.