"Super-Ute Shootout" (or) "If you could never drive a sports car again..."

2454 Views 40 Replies 31 Participants Last post by StormChaser, Feb 12, 2002

Mach22

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2002

3

Okay, so if you were stuck giving up your dreams of M3s, 911 Turbos, and F360 Modenas, and instead were forced to drive a V8, race-track tuned, high-performance SUV, which would it be?
Here are the contenders:
BMW X5 4.6is
Weight: 4824 lbs.
Engine: 4.6L V8, 340 HP @ 5700 / 350 lb-ft @ 3700
Performance: 0-60 in 6.2 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG
Weight: 5,073 lbs.
Engine: 5.4L V8, 342 HP @ 5500 / 376 lb-ft @ 2800-4500
Performance: 0-60 in 6.4 seconds.

Porsche Cayenne
Weight: N/A
Engine: V8, 337 HP and 310 lb-ft (Est.) (Note: There is also speculation about a 450HP Twin-Turbo V8, but we'll assume it's the NA version for this comparison...)
Performance: 0-60 in 6.4 seconds (Est.)

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1 - 20 of 41 Posts

Rob

· #2 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (or) "If you could never drive a sports car again..." (Mach22)

Well, these things are hardly my favorite type of vehicle, but if I had to choose one, it'd be the Porsche - turbocharged. This thing looks like it is going to kick all kinds of ass.

megadome

· #3 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (or) "If you could never drive a sports car again..." (Mach22)

Well.. I would buy a Lightning and save bout 50k

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jaydub

· #4 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (megadome)

i'd take the porsche too. i've always liked the look of the BMW more than the MB, but the porsche now beats them both.

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Elwood

· #5 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (megadome)

quote:[HR][/HR]Well.. I would buy a Lightning and save bout 50k

[HR][/HR]

Given the choice of three expensive German paragons, you pick a cheap Ford. I'll never understand this forum.

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jaydub

· #6 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (VWhombre)

yeah exactly. it's like, you're buying a car and the guy says, "which color would you like, blue, white, or black." and you say, "orange."

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MEIN_VW

· #7 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (or) "If you could never drive a sports car again..." (Mach22)

quote:[HR][/HR] a V8, race-track tuned, high-performance SUV
[HR][/HR]

That's the most oxymoronic statement ever.

Reflex5.5

· #8 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (MEIN_VW)

Cayenne -> ML55 -> X5

Mach22

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (MEIN_VW)

quote:[HR][/HR] a V8, race-track tuned, high-performance SUV
That's the most oxymoronic statement ever.[HR][/HR]

You want a real oxymoronic statement? How about "Microsoft Works"?

You're completely right though... the whole idea of a High-Performance SUV, where the "high-performance" part refers to achieving faster lap times at Willow Springs rather than tearing up the desert around Palm Springs, is a huge technical oxymoron.
It just goes to show you that, with enough consumer demand and engineering tallent, you can make a vehicle of almost any configuration "sporty". I think it's fascinating that these companies can turn huge lumbering hulks into amazingly fun vehicles to drive. And it's equally amazing to me that someone would buy any of these things when they could get something that performs just as well or better(albiet with less ground clearance) for half the cost.

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grue

· #10 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (Mach22)

I'll walk. SUVs suck my will to live. I'm saddened that BMW, MB, and Porsche(and soon VW) aren't taking the high ground and making people realise how stupid SUVs are.

Obin Robinson

· #11 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (or) "If you could never drive a sports car again..." (Mach22)

you can search as far back as you want to and you'll NEVER see my going on record as being against the Cayenne like many others are. i've seen it as the one Porsche made within the past 40 years that could be used to tow another Porsche race car... problem is the Porsche tractors aren't exactly "practical" for towing race cars down the road, though they could do it.
would i buy a Cayenne? not really. but if i HAD to buy an SUV to tow a race car, or be used as the "grocery getter" for the other Porsches... i'd have no problems with it. it would never be used as a daily driver as i despise being that high up off the ground, and i'd rather my grocery-getter gas money went into something small, lightweight, and $80,000 or so less.
the only other SUV i'd buy (and it isn't on your list) is a Lamborghini LM002. i've always thought those were cool from the beginning.
obin

GeoffD

· #12 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (or) "If you could never drive a sports car again..." (Mach22)

You seem to have forgotten the Aztek on your list?

Personally, I'd rather own a turbodiesel Toyota Land Cruiser. That's the work truck of Asia. They'll tow 7500 pounds. The engine will easily handle 250,000 miles of abuse and deliver better than 20 mpg while doing it. It's intended for applications where the daily commute is more off-road than most US SUVs ever see in their lives. It's really too bad they don't import that variant of the Land Cruiser into the US.

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Jeff Andrews

· #13 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (Obin Robinson)

The real question here is does the Audi Allroad count?

VWDriver

· #14 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (VWhombre)

quote:[HR][/HR]Given the choice of three expensive German paragons, you pick a cheap Ford. I'll never understand this forum.[HR][/HR]

I'm gonna guess that it has something to do with the Lightning (and lots of $$$ left over) obliterating all three of these SUV's.

Oh, my choice would be the Porsche.

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megadome

· #15 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (VWDriver)

Well the topic is "if you could never drive a sports car again.." Personally I would never buy one of these overpriced, German SUV's. Thats just me. I would buy a year old Lightning, and use the rest of the money for a down payment for a house or boat

Just because its German doesent mean its good, or fast!

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1BADSUV

· #16 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (or) "If you could never drive a sports car again..." (Mach22)

Look at my signature. Those SUV's are all slow in comparison to even a stock GMC Typhoon.

alphaDUB

· #17 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (Obin Robinson)

quote:[HR][/HR]
the only other SUV i'd buy (and it isn't on your list) is a Lamborghini LM002. i've always thought those were cool from the beginning.
obin[HR][/HR]

I saw a lamborghini suv on a freeway near where i live a couple years ago. Those are REAL cool. how much are they? anyone have a pic

A4Jetta

· #18 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (or) "If you could never drive a sports car again..." (Mach22)

No way I would choose a garden-variety X5 or M-Class over a Cayenne. Its a Porsche: "There's no substitute".

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Snowdog

· #19 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (Rob)

None of them are SUV's. They're 4 wheel drive station wagons.

When I see a Porsche or BMW covered in mud inside and out, rock scrapes along both sides from narrow trails with decent off road tires, and a winch then i'll consider it an SUV

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SpeedRicer

· #20 · Feb 10, 2002

Re: "Super-Ute Shootout" (Snowdog)

I'd go with the Cayenne -- it will surely have outstanding performance, and unlike the X5, it will probably have more useable cargo space anyway.

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