Mercedes AMG Suv's- I simply do not understand it

G

GoonOnfire

New member
Whats up everybody. Right now I'm doing some work at a car wash and just as detailers do, I see a lot of cool/expensive cars coming through.



From time to time you'll get a mercedes/lexus you haven't seen before. It's usually nothing too special, but you just know its not very common, then when you go to looking it up its in the 100K price range for a car that isn't even that special!



But what really bothers me is this - Mercedes-AMG Official Global Website



The over priced Mercedes/Lexus', fine....but that is just plain stupid. Maybe if I had the money to buy a car like that I'd understand? I don't know.



There is just nothing special about that car, and while you could say "what about the engine?"....It is useless! Who needs 500+ HP in an SUV! Let alone a sedan!



For 100K on a car, you could buy SO MANY other nice toys, but an over powered SUV with an AMG badge? I just do not understand it.



Oh and I have nothing against lexus' or mercedes, I just think that some of these AMG cars are plain dumb.
 
I'm also not a huge fan of SUVs, but there definitely a market. Some people only want one vehicle and this is one that is roomy and fill the need for speed. I'd certainly take one of those instead of a Lexus Jelly Bean driving coma on wheels SUV.
 
As someone who has owned a "performance oriented" SUV, I can say that if you don't understand it, it's just not for you and that's fine. Don't however put down the people who enjoy those types of vehicles for what they are.
 
Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it stupid. I had the chance to drive a 500hp Cayenne Turbo S and would gladly take it over any POS built in America.
 
As the ad says "performance is the ultimate luxury". Most of today's better vehicles are nicer to drive, even at the same/legal speeds, when equipped with the better engine/suspension/brakes/etc. at least for certain types of drivers. I like my S8 better than my wife's A8, even when I'm just going to the grocery store at 40mph.



And lets face it, just like the white-belt-and-shoes people driving 'vettes and Porsches and [whatever] to the golf course, some foilks buy "the expensive one" to impress other people. Yeah, it's silly, but it sells a lot of fancy vehicles. I bet the AMG/M series/Cayenne Turbo/etc. SUVs really help with the manufacturers' bottom lines.



As for the cost, it's not about what else you could do with the money instead, those vehicles are marketed to people for whom $100K is pocket money. One nice income fund distribution takes care of the monthly lease payment, or something like that. People who buy 100K cars don't need to worry about the cost (or at least that's how it's supposed to go).



Heh heh, who needs 500 hp in a sedan? Well, I do...the engine being built for my Crown Vic will make around that. Nice little upgrade for my beater car (just as the current 360 rwhp was a nice little upgrade over stock). Sure, for the money I have in that oh-so-plain car I could have a few really popular rides, but I want what I want and it's not like anybody else's opinion enters into it.
 
Ok so I was putting them down, and I know my opinion came off strong, but it is an opinion after all. I guess I meant why would you mix that much power with an SUV? There doesn't seem to be a point to it.
 
GoonOnfire said:
..I guess I meant why would you mix that much power with an SUV? There doesn't seem to be a point to it.
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Eh, I kinda knee-jerk my responses to threads like this, perhaps because I've often been criticized for how I spend my money. Please don't take it personally, I didn't mean to come across like a [jerk].



The added power in SUVs is, IMO, nice in a surprisingly sensible way. When my wife and I testdrove the Cayennes of various levels we both really liked the Turbo ones better, and we weren't being aggressive or anything.



The Trailblazer SS I had didn't even feel like some "high performance vehicle" to us, just felt like "the way all SUVs oughta be".



A lot of power in a big vehicle just makes them feel...well, lighter. More responsive, but it's not like having a big-block Chevy in a Vega or anything crazy like that. Things just happen when/how you want them to, with no waiting. And the really big deal for me was the diff in suspensions, and to a lesser extent the brakes. They just feel less "truck like", more like the station wagons I wish they were building instead....just get me going on high performance station wagons!
 
Accumulator said:
The Trailblazer SS I had didn't even feel like some "high performance vehicle" to us, just felt like "the way all SUVs oughta be".
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:werd: When I looked into what it would take to make my TBSS into the "high performance vehicle" I wanted (or rather, a high performance vehicle that could still haul more than just @ss), that's when I sold it and decided to focus on having an ultimate utility vehicle (pickup) and eventually I will probably add a pure performance vehicle to the stable that makes no excuses or compromises as well.



Even at that, I've been toying with the idea of throwing a supercharger on top of my truck's fairly pedestrian 5.3L V8. Even with a performance tune there are times it can't seem to get out of its own way, and that's a big problem for me.
 
GoonOnfire said:
Ok so I was putting them down, and I know my opinion came off strong, but it is an opinion after all. I guess I meant why would you mix that much power with an SUV? There doesn't seem to be a point to it.
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.....especially when they could buy a 556 HP Cadillac CTS-V wagon for about 1/2 that!



Mike
 
An ML63, X5M/X6M, Cayenne Turbo, and Jeep SRT8 all seemed like vehicles that were pointless. As Clarkson said, they dont make sense. If you want to drive a fast car, you do not buy an SUV.



With that being said, a close friend just traded his C2S and bought an X5 M. I asked him, "Why?". His response made sense. "Dude, we live in Boston. Driving an M5 or E63 is pointless, I cant realistically drive it year round, or even close to its potential around here, the city will ruin it, it'll ride like crap, and I will have a flat from a pothole all the time. With this, I have a beast in the winter with snow tires, MORE than enough power to have fun with, and I don't need to be careful everywhere I go, worried that the next pothole is going to ruin my wheel or fracture a bone in my body. Plus, I can throw all my **** in it, and 5 people comfortably. Trust me, it makes sense."



To which I respond with a nod of approval. I guess it does kind of make sense. It is true though, a lot of people do drive them to look like a "baller"
 
I used to think the same way, and then I got a chance to ride the AMG G55 of a friend, and now... well, I'm a convert :D



In all honesty though, the G55 does make sense for her (she's a girl). She takes it on long provincial trips for business purposes, and the look is very unassuming (important when you're a lone girl riding to an unfamiliar location), but it has the power to go through the expressways quickly, as well as the suspension and ride height to handle the rough provincial roads that a sedan or coupe would struggle on.
 
umi000 said:
G55...the look is very unassuming
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Sorry, but I wouldn't ever think to call any G-wagon "unassuming" -- though you're right that the difference between a regular G and the AMG-G is minimal.
 
Yeah, if I were on speaking terms with a Benz dealer I might very well have a G55 for the dog-hauler. Or an R63. Debadged, of course ;)



Heh heh, there's a certain demographic that buys up *all* the white and black ones my pal can find, they pay him a huge premium over market but will only take those two colors. It's a Russian thing....
 
Wow. Been a dog's age since I posted here.



As an owner of an ISF Lexus.. for me it's about treating myself (don't smoke, don't drink, dont do drugs) and I spend a large part of my day in the car (probably 2-3 hrs). I look at as mental health. Much better for you then taking prozac ;-) When you mention other toys, like what??



A boat? yeah, how many times you gonna use that one.

Motorcycle, top of the line one are cheap compared to a luxury vehicle. I have a 2008 GSXR 600 btw.

What's left.. cesna plane, helicopter..



Once you've gotten used to driving a luxury vehicle, gotta admit that it's like a drug and very very hard to go back to driving a lesser vehicle. In my business, I also have an BMW X6 (talk about overpriced) and a G37 Infinity. The G37 almost seems like a toy compared to the ISF and BMW quality.



No one needs a Cayenne S, AMG ML, X6 etc. But you gotta spend your money somewhere.. I'd rather have a nice house and nice car vs. a very nice house and an average car. The difference between a nice house and a very nice house easily eclipses the cost of a luxury vehicle.



What I don't get are the people living in 750,00+ homes and driving a Camry etc. I'd rather have a 680,000 house and drive a 70,000 vehicle then live in a 750,000 house and drive a 25,000 vehicle.



As for deprication, properity taxes and maintenance easily offset the cost of cars depreciation and maintenance so even steven.



Also, for people of moderate to high net worth. They need to spend their money somewhere. And in business whether we like to believe or not there is a psychological factor that is important as well. If a client pulls up in a Civic, I immediately have a certain opinion vs. a client that pulls up in a bmw or merc. I know for a fact.. that I would not have gotten certain contracts if I didn't have a nice car.



No one needs a 500hp engine (unless it's a truck for the farm)... then again,

no one needs a $1,500 suit...

no one needs a $1,000 purse...

no one needs a $800 pair of red soled shoes...



But if you can.. why not??? If you feel extra special and good about yourself in a $1,500 suit and gives you confidence in a meeting.. you might end up getting a promotion just because of the way you carry yourself or land a job if you're feel that much more confident.



As for quality of car and displacement of engines etc. You don't need the AMG500 monster.. but it's solidly built and when you drive the car it just feels safe and dependible. Not like you're winding up a 2.0l 1.8 honda just to get to highway speed and the feels like its about to thrown off the road.



As for 100K not that special. Really... i bet many here would think an AMG ML is pretty special. Its 2012.. to get a special car you would need spending in the 200,000+ range unless your into a 911s. Unfortunately, special cars come at a very premium price point. average good car is 25,000.. nice car well appointed in the 40s.. kick arse car in the 60-80s then luxury starts in the 90+ with uber special in the 150,000+ range. Think your benchmark of a 100,000 is just too low for getting a special car.



Even one of the incredible benchmark deals is a Corvette ZR1 and thats over 100,000. Guess thats been replaced by the GTR but is a bit too weird for mainstreamers wanting a daily driver. Very few options of special cars in the sub 100,000 range unless you go used.



Doesnt help their are really no special cars made in North America anymore other then the Z06-ZR1. Caddy hasnt ever been the same, for Lincoln are not special and Chrysler well.. never really did luxury so cant fault them for that. As for the muscle cars, maybe the exception of Ford and the mustang cobra editions nothing really interesting there and the retros (camero and challengers) will die of soon. Fortunately, the Europeans are still making some good cars and the Asians are coming back (Acura NSX looks awesome, Lexus LFA etc)
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
Sorry, but I wouldn't ever think to call any G-wagon "unassuming" -- though you're right that the difference between a regular G and the AMG-G is minimal.
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Perhaps in the US - but to place things in our cultural perspective, the most common form of automobile in the country is what we call owner-type jeeps - basically, WW2-style "jeeps" made from stainless steel and fitted with surplus engines from Japan (pictured below).



1276402923_99767147_1-Pictures-of--Pure-Stainless-Owner-Type-Jeep-Malabon-Jewels-1276402923.jpg




Additionally, we have a smattering of very old Land Cruisers and Mitsubishi Pajeros that have been in use for over thirty-plus years, still toiling away for their owners. The AMG G55 isn't that radically different in looks from these vehicles (at least with a quick look), and couple that with a populace that has little exposure to European cars (these are usually found only in the main metropolitan areas), and you have a car that most Filipinos wouldn't really give a second glance at. Heck, even the badge wouldn't be a giveway - lots of "re-badged" jeeps and other cars over here, such that people would just assume that they were seeing more of the same thing.
 
It *is* kinda funny how $100K doesn't really buy something all that "special" (well, depending how you define that) and how pricey "merely nice" cars like my S8 have become. You can buy a fairlly expensive car, like "house-expensive", debadge it, and *nobody* will give it secone glace.



umi000 said:
Perhaps in the US - but to place things in our cultural perspective, the most common form of automobile in the country is what we call owner-type jeeps - basically, WW2-style "jeeps" made from stainless steel and fitted with surplus engines from Japan (pictured below)..
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Huh, never knew about those, that's kinda neat!
 
Why do people buy hiigh powered luxuy SUVs?



Because they can.



Look... there are far more ludicrous, ridiculous and garish automotive statements.. like Mustangs and Camaros on 32" chromed spinner wheels and Hondas and Toyotas with fart can exhausts and more wings than a squadron of F16 fighter jets...

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
Accumulator said:
It *is* kinda funny how $100K doesn't really buy something all that "special" (well, depending how you define that) and how pricey "merely nice" cars like my S8 have become. You can buy a fairlly expensive car, like "house-expensive", debadge it, and *nobody* will give it secone glace.









Huh, never knew about those, that's kinda neat!
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Yeah, they're remnants of our old colonial heritage :) - if I remember my history classes correctly, you guys left a bunch of them with us after World War 2, and people have just continued making them since (pretty cheap and easy to do, though I'd not want to get into an accident riding one). Pain to be following one though - shiny stainless steel and chrome in the afternoon sun means a bit of a headache, and underpowered surplus engines means everyone in the other lanes zooming past you.



Oh, we also have public transport versions of these - they're called jeepneys, and they're usually painted in bright, clashing colors, with anime characters, basketball players, and/or the driver's wife and children painted on :D:



jeepney.jpg
 
umi000- And yeah, I can see how shiny metals can make for some literal headaches!



I bet those Jeepneys are a real source of pride for their owners.
 
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