Any big car drivers? (Saloons)

Joe_Horner

LandyAndy wrote: »

I see you also have the ultimate reversing sensor fitted under the bumper.:cool:

Got to make sure the other guy comes off worse

LandyAndy

Joe_Horner wrote: »

Got to make sure the other guy comes off worse

I miss having a towbar.

Joe_Horner

LandyAndy wrote: »

I miss having a towbar.

Got 'em on all of ours - even the 746cc Daf.

Towing a 350kg trailer up Crickley hill in a 640kg car with 32 horses under the bonnet is one of those unforgettable motoring experiences that everyone should try in their lives :rotfl:

Gloomendoom

IanMSpencer wrote: »

The other week we were walking around somewhere, and we played spot the saloon, there are not many left. Everyone now wants flexibility, even those who buy large cars, and those who used to buy luxury saloons often are buying SUVs, so you can't really discount them. So while the absolute top of the range may not have a non-saloon variant, most marques' large cars (e.g. E CLass, 5 Series, A6) are extremely popular in estate form.

But you still can't deny that, when you get to this class of car, the saloon variant is still more popular than the estate or even the odd hatchback

Herzlos

There are still a lot of people that view the saloon as the way to go. It gives better separation of people and luggage for instance.

Personally, I'm sticking with estates as they make tip runs and DIY easier

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

Gloomendoom wrote: »

But you still can't deny that, when you get to this class of car, the saloon variant is still more popular than the estate or even the odd hatchback

I think that is not the right way of looking at it, it is a bit like saying that in the high end saloon market, saloons are the most popular. I guess the variant that proves your point is the XF shooting brake which has not been a success, but then clearly the Merc E Class estate is common and operates in about the same sector.

If you look at it in terms of "What do people buy in the £40k+ market?" then you'll find that the saloon is niche. There is a road near me which is a bit of a millionaires row. If I walk down there I will see Q7s, M Class, X5s as the main car, then quite a few XFs, or Audi A5s, a smattering of Porsches, lots of Range Rovers and some Evoques. Even the Bentleys will be be the coupe. No A8s, no S classes, no BMW 7 series, no Rollers. In Solihull, which part of JLR is driving volume and profitability - it is the Land Rover segment, and Jaguar is still struggling along.

InsideInsurance

For the purposes of reversing/ manovering, is a coupe materially different from a saloon? Certainly the size of the vehicle is the same and both have a protruding boot at the rear end.

Certainly where we are estate cars are exceptionally rare. A fair amount of SUVs, a fair amount of convertibles/ roadsters and the majority are coupes and saloons. The Fiat 500 and Mini are pretty much the only hatchbacks you see other than the 1 token VW Golf that I thought was abandoned in the station carpark until I saw someone drive it - notable as the only one and the fact the paint is pealing.


As to the OP's question, its no different to any other car. Even with the smallest car you can find yourself in a tight spot and have to be aware of both ends, it just happens more often with a bigger car. Also some small cars are terrible for being able to "see" the ends of the car from the seat whereas some big cars you can see the end of the bonnet etc.

CHR15

I drive a 5 Series (E60) and find the Parking Sensors pretty essential.
The boot is high so even parking a nice distance in front of a car, I cannot see the bonnet of it at all, all I can see is the windscreen of the car behind.

Forwards doesn't pose so much of a problem but bear in mind if you are really close in a tight spot, the sensors just beep like crazy, so much so you turn them off and simply do it the old fashioned way.

GwylimT

If you put your lights on highbeam (if appropriate) the light on the car/bumper next to you is a very good guide as to how close you are.

wapow

Thanks for the replys guys!
I will update you on how it goes