My Honda CRV isnt. It has more height than a standard estate which has helped hundreds of times fitting things in which would struggle in an estate, its 219g CO2 which is the same as many comparable non 4x4 cars. It is genuinely useful for its extra shape. The four wheel drive wont be used going up the side of mountains but it will AND HAS been used saving me from slipping in snow no end of times.
So the SUV is a good idea in some instances perhaps not all.
I was never sold on the SUV thing - until I bought a Nissan X-Trail. It is a Ronseal car - it does exactly what it says on the tin.
It says Diesel - it is - and proper diesel - clattery when cold and plenty of torque
It says it will tow 2000kg - it bloody well will - even on 12% wet hill it will pull 1800kg from standstill - with 4wd engaged and an unsympathetic technique.
It says 4wd - and it means it - OK it doesn't have a low-ratio box - but it is pretty nifty in the snow (with great tyres on it) - and hasn't let us down.
It isn't uber-basic - but it does the basics and more. It has been fantastic for me - but I treat it as disposable and abuse the hell out of it.
This is the 2nd or 3rd time you refer to the Phaeton on the EF. I believe that it's a brainfart idea as it's like an Audi A8..just not quite and it doesn't possess the status of an S Class Benz nor the technicalities of the Lexus LS....basically, the Phaeton idea has been done before by BMW with the 7 series only that it's even harder to distinguish a Phaeton from a Passat.
Why can't they be exempt? How about just minding one's own business?
The current model might be better, but the last generation CR-V pretty much drives like a tractor. Certainly not something one could compare with the Cayenne.
...you know that wouldn't work, you'd have to close the forum, the town, the country, the whole world. No moral judgment busybodying, no projecting, no prejudicial orgies, no illusions of being the center of the universe. The populace would be lost, have nothing to do. Next thing you know they'd be killing each other, committing suicide, taking drugs and things to keep themselves entertained, I mean just imagine. Better take that one back before you get groaned and feathered and run out of town on a rail.
And finally the real reason why they are so cheap:
it is because the economy crashed, many paycuts etc etc. Many companies used these as lease cars for directors, managers and what have you not. as times got tougher they dropped the company car idea or switched to VW or whatver was cheaper. Hence the big dump in cayennes on the market. Thats the only reason why you find so many at the moment.
I love SUV s and will never drive something different. I got a Jeep Grand Cherokee which I love and will drive for many years to come.
The Porsche Cayenne indeed shares the same platform with the VW Toureg. This has been very common with manfuacturers in recent years.
Another good example is that VW Phaeton mentioned above, which shares the same platform as the Bentley Continental GT and the Bentley Silver Spur sedan.
It sounds expensive to me. Try and get 5K off. Unless tyres, brakes (pads and discs) are totally new, and there are no signs at all of oil anywhere on the car, and it is totally pristine inside and out. Really I think you need to go and see at least 15 of these, starting with the oldest, roughest. Check every single one on autoscout near you and asking under 50K. You are talking nearly 40K chf. You will likely loose half of that in the next 2 or 3 years. Look for a higher mileage one, ex lease car, that has freshly done brakes, suspension, for around 20K after haggling. That could be a better proposition, even with 200ks. Older Audi V8s are doing up to 350ks.
Spend the rest on an RHD Lotus Elise runaround for 8K gbp from the UK and self import. You can park it in any space, it uses less fuel, and get it on the same tax/insurance/plates. 2 cars=More fun, less overall depreciation, plus you are more likely to be in the most appropriate vehicle. This reduces the mileage on the Porsche, which could save a lot in maintenance and fuel.
They must do a Tractor model you tried out. I have an old generation CRV and it drives smoothly and not like a tractor at all - and I know, because my brother in law is a farmer.