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Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel (Post 1909717)

I've never been scared in a car in horrible winter weather. It is lower to the ground and less likely to flip over in the wind, and if you do get stuck it is a hell of a lot easier to get out. If people feel unsafe driving definitely check into a defensive driving course, AAA usually offers them and sometimes it lowers your insurance.

In the grand scheme of things if you're afraid on the road there isn't that big of a difference if a semi hits you in a car or an SUV. It is a semi, honestly. I've got a car with SUV qualities (Subaru Legacy Wagon) and I feel completely safe, in control, have good features for snow and rain, and the gas and insurance are quite reasonable. The cost of a new one is ridiculous, but they last forever and there are many certified re-owned ones available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB (Post 1909771)

It's worth mentioning that many small cars have better safety/crash test ratings than big cars. Honda has an all-five-star safety fleet. If you want a car that handles well in the snow, get a front wheel drive, or an all-wheel drive. But you probably know that. I feel perfectly safe in my Honda Civic, though I'll admit that the driver sits a little low which bugs me sometimes next to SUVs. And I get around in it in the snow better than many people with bigger cars and SUVs. People have a tendency to drive too cocky when they drive an SUV.

However, many cars these days position the driver up almost as high as in a crossover. I rented a new Ford Taurus the other day and I felt like I was driving a crossover - I was sitting pretty high up.

If you're looking for a compromise between a car and a four wheel drive, have you looked at Subaru? My fiance is a tall guy and wanted more room than a regular car, wanted a 4 wheel drive, but didn't want the gas hog of a truck. He is considering a Subaru Forrester.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZTA72 (Post 1909778)

Subaru Forrester for the WIN! I absolutely love mine. It gets great gas mileage and it just perfect. Oh, did I mention it has 150,000 miles with NO problems ever.

I really want a Subaru Tribeca when I reproduce. The heated side mirror & wiper defrost plus heated seats make the winter so much nicer. The newest Subarus appear to be higher and look more like an SUV than ever.

There are so many Subarus in the Pacific Northwest and into the Rockies because they just make so much sense for our lifestyle.

i drove a tahoe for many years and went to a diesel jetta, which i love. there was an adjustment to driving a car, and i really missed being higher than most people on the road, but i got used to it. now hubby and i have switched cars and i am back in the tahoe(he needed the diesel for all the driving he does for his job) and i am trying to adjust again. i do like being up high again and it sure is easier to get out of parking slots. i do feel guilty about all the fuel i am burning, though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel (Post 1909800)

I will never be without a Subaru. I also had a Mini at the same time as the Forrester. It was cute, fun to drive, and at the dealer everytime I turned around. It turned a fun experience into a major pain. I sold it just as the dealer warranty was ready to expire.
I now have a VW EOS for a fun car to drive. I love it so far. It's fun to put the top down on a whim.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel (Post 1909800)

I like Subarus! Even though they don't fit into my lifestyle AT ALL (especially since I don't have a car and don't need one at this juncture). I suspect when Wee Munchkins are in the picture, it might be a good idea.

I think there's something to be said about being higher on the road. About a year ago, my dad bought this giant pick-up truck (one of those four-wheel deals). My mother, who doesn't even drive at all, loves it because you're higher on the road. I'm like, hello, that's why I suggested an SUV for you guys like fifteen years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel (Post 1909717)

What scares me in winter weather are other people at the extremes. Either they are driving too fast for conditions and cause accidents due to losing control, or they drive too slow and cause backups so bad that cars trying to merge onto the highway have problems.

I feel unsafe as a passenger in small cars that super low to the ground because I am very used to being up higher. The last issue is that I cannot see over the wheel or dashboard in almost every sedan I have tried. Not only am I short, but my legs are stumpy too. I literally have to sit on something (yes, I sat on phone books for drivers' ed), and sit so close to the wheel that my knees touch it.

Thanks for letting me know about the defensive driving course. I will check into it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel (Post 1909717)

I think my biggest fear about driving a car is that an irresponsible SUVer or truckdriver won't see me. It's purely mental but other than that- and drunk drivers- I'm not really afraid of the road. I do hate one thing though, and that's when I'm driving behind a truck and I can't see the traffic light. I blew a red light one time because the truck in front of me blew the yellow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB (Post 1909771)

I will never stray away from Ford, GM (not my fave though) or Chrysler, mainly Ford. Besides I get the A-Plan so it'd be stupid for me to go anywhere else. I leased a Jeep which completely sucked and I wasn't happy with Chrysler's return policy. I'm definitely a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury girl.

I can't do cars...just as all others said...too low to the ground. Fusions are cool perhaps and you may have other options at cars that are sedans that could pass as SUVs. What about the Ford Escape?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid (Post 1910042)

I can't do cars...just as all others said...too low to the ground. Fusions are cool perhaps and you may have other options at cars that are sedans that could pass as SUVs. What about the Ford Escape?

That's my other option... an Escape or a Fusion. I LOOOOVE my Edge but they don't have any great deals on them right now. I got lucky with this one.

I was never particular on how the Edge looks but I hear that they are roomy!

What about Kia?

If the Fusion is the one i'm thinking of, I HATED it when I drove it (rental weekend). You sit up high, which is nice but the back window is shaped so awkwardly that I could NEVER see out of it. Looking in the rear-view mirror, turning around, etc all didn't work. Pretty scary...at least to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid (Post 1910062)

I was never particular on how the Edge looks but I hear that they are roomy!

What about Kia?

Oh no you didn't....LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiKA2001 (Post 1910095)

Oh no you didn't....LOL

Ok...so educate me...

I have 2 friends that have Kias and they haven't had any problems.

Wait, are they on the recall list too?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid (Post 1910099)

Ok...so educate me...

I have 2 friends that have Kias and they haven't had any problems.

Wait, are they on the recall list too?

I think it's more about going for the American-owned, American-made.

PM Mama and PiKa are both from Michigan. I think suggesting anything other than an American car is like blasphemous. lol.

At least that is what I ASSume.

Cool...thanks....

FORGET I SAID IT!!!!!!

uhhhh...how about a nice Chevy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick (Post 1910106)

YEP! I'm not that way, I own a VW and an ex-Ford brand but a lot of people who are from a UAW household would rather sacrifice their first born then buy foreign. There are parking lots in town with signs that say "No Foreign Vehicles", just to give you a perspective.