Why Saloon cars? – I don’t get it

V Eight

I was driving a saloon car for the last two weeks and I really missed my normal estate car!
I don’t understand this countries obsession or desire to buy saloon cars.
Saloon cars are completely impractical and in Ireland they are over 30% of the market
Hatchbacks make sense at over 40% with Estates however fewer than 10%.

In a saloon access to the boot is restricted
The designs of estates now look cool
You have no rear wiper in a saloon
In an estate you can fit bikes, kids stuff, golf bats etc.

In Europe estates are common – maybe were not really Europeans after all and to prove this we buy saloons.

Why the fe*k buy a saloon?

EPM

I read something about this not so long ago, it was the MD of one of the big makers being interviewed. He basically said that developing markets prefer saloon type cars as they look more substantial and to many have a better image than the equivalent hatch. It was certainly the case here up until recently where the saloon was the default choice. We were the only RHD market getting Corolla saloons for example.

johnos1984

Because I like them and don't have kids which influence what I buy.

In fairness the same argument could be made about estate cars vs 2 sweater convertibles

PaulKK

V Eight wrote: »

I don’t understand this countries obsession or desire to buy saloon cars.
Saloon cars are completely impractical and in Ireland they are over 30% of the market

How are they impractical? You can carry nearly anything you need for day to day stuff and quite a few can fold down seats for carrying larger items.

V Eight wrote: »

In a saloon access to the boot is restricted
The designs of estates now look cool

Its not that restricted, depends what you need to carry. I also think most estates look crap.

V Eight wrote: »

You have no rear wiper in a saloon
In an estate you can fit bikes, kids stuff, golf bats etc.

You don't need a rear wiper on a saloon, that's why you don't get one, I can also fit golf clubs and stuff in my saloon no problem.


TBH, you obviously sound like you need an estate for carrying stuff around all the time. But the majority of people do not need to carry large loads regularly, and this, along with a lot of estates looking horrendus, is why estates are not popular here.

CiniO

Through all car which I had so far (there was more that 10) all were hatchbacks.
Only my last one is saloon. It looks good, is OK for everyday use, but even though it's a quite big saloon (mazda 6) when I wanted to transport a washing machine, I had to borrow my dad's opel corsa hatchback as it didn't fit my mazda, but easily fitted his corsa.

PS - I think personally that most estates looks ugly.

For example this one:

corktina

Right back at you....


if you don't habitually carry piles of stuff around with you, why would you need a hatchback

E39MSport

V Eight wrote: »

I was driving a saloon car for the last two weeks and I really missed my normal estate car!
I don’t understand this countries obsession or desire to buy saloon cars.
Saloon cars are completely impractical and in Ireland they are over 30% of the market
Hatchbacks make sense at over 40% with Estates however fewer than 10%.

In a saloon access to the boot is restricted
The designs of estates now look cool
You have no rear wiper in a saloon
In an estate you can fit bikes, kids stuff, golf bats etc.

In Europe estates are common – maybe were not really Europeans after all and to prove this we buy saloons.

Why the fe*k buy a saloon?

Surprised I got as far as the second statement.

When one reads such statements it makes responding a waste of life. Give me these minutes back please.

BTW, have you seen a Saloon Octavia?

R.O.R

E39MSport wrote: »

BTW, have you seen a Saloon Octavia?

They make an Octavia Saloon now???????

MugMugs

Impractical? I used to fit a kayak INTO a Saloon Passat.... I've a hatchback now but had no issues fitting my abundance of gear into my Passat. As for the washing machine / large tv test.... I've got roof racks.

pburns

• The are usually stiffer than saloon/estate countrpart (better for handling, rigidity)
• You can store stuff in a sepwerate compartment withot smell wafting into the cabin (I usually put take-aways in the boot).
• Less space for cabin noise to reverberate around
• You don't look like you have 12 childers to cart around :pac:
• Actually, I have nothing against most estates or hatches and don't care much either way! Think the OP is a bit OTT in diss them tho.

What I hate are small saloons - Astra, Focus, Jetta, Mazda3 and most of all the Flatulence. They are Paddy-specials for culchies who can't stretch to a Passat. The 'developing country' thing really rings through...

Actually, what I also hate are stupid/cost-cutting manufacturers who don't put a 60/40 split in their Paddy-spec saloons:mad:!

ThisRegard

CiniO wrote: »

PS - I think personally that most estates looks ugly.

For example this one:

Why post a picture of a fairly old model ? Here's the latest one

smash

That's the thing about choice isn't it... I'd NEVER buy an estate.

Paparazzo

Simple really. Lots of people don't have young kids. Lots of people don't have golf clubs.

MugMugs

I'm male, no kids and hate VAG cars and this in MY OPINION is the best looking estate on the road right now.

mike65

Estate cars have never been big sellers in Ireland, small saloons have always done well in Ireland. Just one of those weird things.

ronan45

I assumed Estate cars where more expensive than saloon cars as they were bigger

ShadowHearth

Back from where I came everyone prefers estates over saloons. You newer know what will you need to transport so it always better to be prepared.
In ireland estates are really rare cars! In Irish defence I will say: most older estates look like crap! Only lately estates look really great and even better then saloons, new Superb for example.

I am not sure, but I hear that estate versions have worse sound isolation too.

mike65

Well estates take longer to warm up inside and they are noisier as the back end traditionally lacked a high level of trim/insulation (modern ones may well be better), they also might suggest you are a farmer.

CiniO

ThisRegard wrote: »

Why post a picture of a fairly old model ? Here's the latest one

Because I wanted to show something really ugly :P

Big Nasty

Maybe I should get me one of these to cover all bases? Can handle any terrain and also cope with the wifes trips to Ikea!:D

BostonB

Saloons look better. Thats really it I'm guessing.

I assume they are also cheaper. Probably more aerodynamic and lighter too.

Of course if you want practicality, many car based MPV's are much more practical than estates.

Big Nasty

All joking aside it's down to a combination of personal taste and what you need from a car.

I drove nothing but coupes for years just because I liked them. Feel I've grown out of them a little and have been driving saloon barges the last couple of years. Recently married, have no kids yet, rarely haul a lot around so a coupe or a two-seater would do the job just as well but I couldn't see myself in something like that as a daily.

The only estates I like are BMW's and Audi's. In fact I think Audi A4/6 Avants look better than the saloon models.

sean1141

V Eight wrote: »

The designs of estates now look cool

maybe in your opinion. in mine they all look crap. the only estate ill ever be seen dead in is a hearse:D

V Eight wrote: »

You have no rear wiper in a saloon

some saloons do have them do they are few and far between, didnt some nissan primearas have them

V Eight wrote: »

In an estate you can fit bikes, kids stuff, golf bats etc.

most people dont need to fit all this kinda stuff in their cars do

ThisRegard wrote: »

Why post a picture of a fairly old model ? Here's the latest one

god thats even more hidious than the older one

R.O.R

There has been a substantial shift away from Saloons to Hatches (well, at least with company cars) in the last few years. It always used to be Saloon's for everything with the odd hatch thrown in, and very occasionally an estate for the service engineers who had to carry the big stuff.

Of the Insignia's I've ordered this year:
11% are 4 door Saloons
61% are 5 door Hatchs
28% are Estates

Of the Mondeo's I've ordered this year:
11% are 4 door Saloons
44.5% are 5 door Hatchs
44.5% are Estates

Hopefully, we'll continue to see the growth of Estate's - more choice for Mrs. R.O.R when they come back :-)

BostonB

MCMLXXV wrote: »

...
The only estates I like are BMW's and Audi's. In fact I think Audi A4/6 Avants look better than the saloon models.

A neighbour couldn't get a piece of furniture into their A4 avant. It fit no problem in the wifes K11 Micra.

That said I think the Avants look greate. RS2 anyone? Friend has the E60 520d estate, lovely car.

RobAMerc

in Europe the %age of estates is much higher than here in Ireland and in UK the hatches outsell the saloon variants considerably where available ( Mondeo for example ) compared to here - its all just a matter of taste.

I've recently spent a few days in Southern German and was wondering if they even know the saloon A6 exists ( have to admit I wouldn't have one ).

no1beemerfan

I have two older cars that are saloons/coupe (an E28 and E30) and I drive a hatchback (Laguna) as my daily and I can say the hatch is 100 times more practical and I doubt I'd have a saloon as a daily. (Unless it was a BMW E65 7 series!)

V Eight

V Eight wrote: »

I was driving a saloon car for the last two weeks and I really missed my normal estate car!
I don’t understand this countries obsession or desire to buy saloon cars.
Saloon cars are completely impractical and in Ireland they are over 30% of the market
Hatchbacks make sense at over 40% with Estates however fewer than 10%.

In a saloon access to the boot is restricted
The designs of estates now look cool
You have no rear wiper in a saloon
In an estate you can fit bikes, kids stuff, golf bats etc.

In Europe estates are common – maybe were not really Europeans after all and to prove this we buy saloons.

Why the fe*k buy a saloon?

I have no need for an estate, "Golf bats" fit fin a saloon btw so too kids stuff, most folk don't carry bikes around, those who do often use bike racks.

With a saloon one doesn't need a rear windscreen wiper

Why the f*ck buy an estate?

I had an estate in the last two years too btw.

BostonB

I put the kids bike inside. But I've a MPV and no bike rack

dgt

Space problems, hauling stuff about? Get a van

Use the saloon for fun stuff

I had only one estate which wasn't an estate as such (Imprezza SW) it looked better than the saloon imo. Thats just me though.

Generally I prefer saloons though, prefably big saloons :pac:

Gophur

pburns wrote: »

...........
........ They are Paddy-specials for culchies who can't stretch to a Passat.

.........

Couldn't you come up with any better put-downs than that?

pburns wrote: »

.....................
Actually, what I also hate are stupid/cost-cutting manufacturers who don't put a 60/40 split in their Paddy-spec saloons:mad:!

I think you "hate" too many things. You need to chill, a bit.

whippet

actually the OPs argument is total nonsense really ... it makes no sense .. it's like saying that all mens pants should be like snickers workwear pants .. they do the job required so why bother with denims, slacks, chinos etc ...

I have had four cars in my lifetime ... all different and all for reasons that suited my lifestyle at the time.

a) small 3 door hatch back - as a novice driver, needed small engined, reliable cheap to run / insure starter car

b) old BMW coupe - as a young fella, earning a few quid more, quick, somewhat flash two door 'sports' car .. how little did I know then !!

c) MKV GTi - 5 door, small family, wanted quick, reliable car which could accommodate a young child

d) Skoda Superb Estate - larger family, dogs, more luggage, longer hours in the car, driving to south of france for holidays etc ...........


4 totally different cars that all did / do a job for me at different stages of my life. While I have the practical, boring estate now .. little does the missus know that there is a totally unpractical weekend car being planned for which will not accommodate a childseat and the dog will have to ride shotgun with me !!! just haven't decided just yet what car it will be !!

BostonB

dgt wrote: »

Space problems, hauling stuff about? Get a van

Use the saloon for fun stuff ...:

Do you buy a different car for each type of use?

dgt

BostonB wrote: »

Do you buy a different car for each type of use?

I use a van as my daily hack. 2 seats and a lot of room behind for whatever, very practical solution. The big saloons have quite a big boot if I may be honest, theyre not impractical apart from the running costs

I would have no interest in driving an estate or a hatchback. I like saloons and would happily drive a coupe if I was a bit younger (but never owned one).

I have a bike rack and my boot can easily fit two sets of golf clubs with plenty of space left over. If I'm buying a washing machine or the likes, I'll have it delivered - don't want them to be accusing me of damaging it in transit

Stark

V Eight wrote: »

In a saloon access to the boot is restricted

That would be the main selling feature for me. Don't want some scummer being able to get at stuff in my boot just by smashing the back window.

Gophur

Deleted User wrote: »

.............. If I'm buying a washing machine or the likes, I'll have it delivered - don't want them to be accusing me of damaging it in transit

That has to be the best (most original) reason for not buying a hatch/estate car, yet?

Satanta

So far I have driven:

• Isuzu Gemini (small Saloon)
• Mark 4 Escort (I think) Hatch
• Nissan Bluebird x 2
• Mazda 626 Saloon
• Mazda 323f (hatch)
• Mitsubishi FTO
• EVO 6
• Peugeot 407
• Currently E61 Estate/Touring whatever

I have only very recently switched to the estate, and my initial reaction was to rush to defend the merit of an estate car because I love mine. But... looking over my car history, I drove what I needed or could get cheaply at the time in most cases. I used to hate my hatchback cars because they were noisy as hell (something the E61 isnt). I liked my saloons because I preferred the looks (yes... even the bluebird) and they drove well.

I wouldnt have thought of an estate before really but I decided I needed one, as I do in fact carry a load of stuff around from time to time including bikes, kayaks, kids, tools and other stuff. I dont want a van because I would need a van and a car. I dont want a saloon because I had one and it didnt work.

However... it isnt every estate I would go for. The E61 obviously. I was also looking at an A6 avante. And they are too new for me but I think the Hyundai i40 looks good too.

In conclusion, there are less estate cars out there that I would be happy driving than saloon cars.

Gophur

Gophur wrote: »

That has to be the best (most original) reason for not buying a hatch/estate car, yet?

My reason should have been "I don't like them", but I don't want no broken fridge

CamperMan

if you had a blind date with this.. you can get her to ride in the boot of the saloon car.....

BostonB

CamperMan wrote: »

... you can get her to ride in the boot of the saloon car........

Was that deliberately phrased.....:eek:

conzy

I've always liked saloons I'm not sure why?

If there was a passat GTI i'd have one over a Golf GTI etc.. And they weigh in surprisingly similarly to hatches a lot of the time too, I think there is less than 100kg between a golf and an octavia for example.

conzymaher

conzymaher wrote: »

........... I think there is less than 100kg between a golf and an octavia for example.

Is there an Octavia saloon?

BostonB

conzymaher wrote: »

...If there was a passat GTI i'd have one over a Golf GTI etc.. And they weigh in surprisingly similarly to hatches a lot of the time too, I think there is less than 100kg between a golf and an octavia for example.

Theres 3.0L VR6 Passat anyway. Usually is one in Estate form though 0-60 times are reduced for the estate vs the saloon usually.

conzy

RoverJames wrote: »

Is there an Octavia saloon?

Well I didnt read the first post properly and thought this was about small vs big cars

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Estates, IMO, more often than not, are gammy looking. Not always, but usually. I'd only drive one if it was unavoidably practical for whatever reason (i.e. work, kids etc).

And they're a pain in the arse to park in tight spaces.

BostonB

As an aside, most Estates and indeed many saloons are much longer than MPV's. Obviously some MPV's are also large. But its something to consider.

V Eight

Some really sound points against Estates. However not too many reasons as to why saloons are so popular other than looks. I think the saloon concept will be history in 4 to 5 years time. Manufactures will be looking for economy, practicality, innovation and the trends in Europe will dictate the body shapes of the future; it won’t be saloons (Anyone wanna bet?)


Most of the time my estate is empty I’m not up the mountains digging turf or walking Labradors – but if I wanted too I could. I’ve been that hero cramming a saloon full of stuff and then remarking to everybody: “look how much stuff I got in there!” Once you owned an estate there’s no going back

robbie_998

i must agree with the OP that saloon cars are a bit useless.

I myself love jeeps for the sake of practiacalitly - just damn the expense !



*dreams of land rover discovery 4 HSE 3.0 turbo diesel*

andyseadog

totally horses for courses.

OP loves his estate, great for when he wants to carry a hay bale or a heifer calf of whatever else and doesn't see how the rest of the world can do without.

I on the other hand own a saloon (not a liftback) vectra. i love the big comfortable car and theres plenty of room in the boot for my schoolbag :pac: i like havig the big car for the long commute every day buy i have no use for a boot whatsoever.

that said, the boot is massive but the actual opening into the boot is rather small, so the boot could hold a lot of small items but big stuff just wouldn't go in if that makes sense.

mb1725

Some people wouldn't be caught dead in an estate..

Ooops!