Going from an SUV to a car
 

For those who have driven SUVs and gone to a car, was it easy to make the size transition? I've never owned a car. I've had Mountaineers, Jeep Liberty, and a Ford Edge. My lease is up soon and I'm thinking about going to a Ford Fusion. I get anxious driving in smaller cars so I'm wondering if anyone else has been through the same thing.

Also to current Fusion owners, what do you think? Is it good in the snow?

I just rented a Fusion and overall it's a good car but luckily there was no snow in Michigan at the time. I like it a lot better than the Focus and to tell you the truth the cabin is about the same size as the Edge, which I think even shares the platform with the Fusion. If you're worried about snow look for a vehicle with AWD (I think the Taurus is AWD), but you should be good with 2 wheel drive in SE MI. And about the size thing, I currently have a full size SUV and a compact hatchback and I have no problem jumping from one to the other.

My husband and I own a car and an SUV (ok, it's a crossover). The car is "mine" and the SUV is "his". Honestly, the biggest problem we have driving each other's cars is the fact that the SUV has a rear camera and the car doesn't. When I put the SUV in reverse, I automatically look over my shoulder, wonder for a moment why I can hardly see anything, and then check the camera display. When DH puts my car in reverse, he first checks the dashboard display, and wonders why there are numbers showing the time and temperature floating around behind the car. :p

I have driven a truck-based SUV. At the time, I owned a mid-size car. I won't lie to you - it was an adjustment going from one to the other. The vehicles handle differently, and you sit much higher in an SUV.

Best thing to do is take a test drive and judge for yourself.

Over the summer, my husband and I purchased a Ford Escape. The past eight years, all I had driven were 2-door hatchbacks. So this was a big jump for me! DH drives trucks at work everyday, so he was fine.

But getting used to the Escape took a bit of an effort. I use the Celica as my daily-driver, but DH and I switch cars once a week. I just had to keep taking the truck out and make myself comfortable with it. Now I have no trouble at all. I think it's worse for him, because he curses me every time he has to move the seat back!

The two vehicles handle very differently, but in all honesty, that just has to do with how often you will be driving it. The more practice, the better it will be - getting used to new blind-spots, etc. You'll be fine!

I've always had SUVs. S-10 blazer, Toyota 4Runner and now an Honda Element (I keep cars a long time). A few months back, we got my wife a new Honda Fit. Tiny little thing. I think it's great for street driving. We took it to Montana over the Summer. Cars like that are great everyday cars. If this was going to be my only car, my biggest concern would be driving in the snow. Especially in Michigan. If they're pretty good about getting the roads cleared up there, I'd say go for it. Otherwise, I'd be thinking of something with a little more ground clearance.

I had an S-10 pick-up before I traded it in for a VW Rabbit. It took a few days to get used to, but I liked having the lower center of gravity on my vehichle. Plus, there's usually not a lot of snow, etc. in Virginia.

The Taurus is pretty pricey but a really nice car. The Fusion does come in AWD. I've heard it's pretty decent in FWD in the snow. Right now my concern is my paranoia with driving in a smaller car low to the ground, and money. The Fusion would be great in keeping my montly payment down and gas also, so I'm hoping I can get over that paranoia. (I'm terrified to drive next to semis even in my Edge and the Mountaineers which I used to have)

Two points:

My mom and dad both drove SUV's for the longest time (we've had an Expedition, Explorer, and an Aviator that I can remember). A while ago, they both decided to get cars because of the fuel efficiency. It didn't last long. Neither one of them liked being so low to the ground, or the way they handled in the snow as compared to what they were used to. My mom traded back up to a Sienna, and my dad to a Rav4.

When my bf was car shopping this past summer, he test-drove the Fusion. Like you, one of his main concerns was how it handled in the snow (he goes back and forth from central PA and NE Ohio). I don't think he was too impressed by the ride to begin with, but he ultimately nixed it because the salesman couldn't give him a straight answer about how it would be in the snow. He ended up with a Corolla that he LOVES, even despite the recalls.

It's the dang snow that makes shopping for a new vehicle so hard.

I drive a Jeep Liberty, and find being in smaller cars (like a Saturn) a really freaky experience. I feel nervous on highways and next to tractor trailers. However, my husband has a Ford 500 and I feel pretty good in it as a passenger. I am really short so seeing over the wheel and dash is hard for me in all sedans.

If you are really into a particular model, try renting one for a day to see how you like it. You'll only be out $30 versus buying a car you end up hating. Sometimes, a test drive isn't long enough.

I think what the Ford 500 was, is now the Fusion. My friend's mom had the 500 and now a Fusion and said it's basically the same? I didn't think about renting a car. That's a great idea!

I'm about to make the jump since my SUV is on its last leg and I can't justify having it for fun when it's cheaper to drive a car...renting for a day never occurred to me and it's a great idea. I'll definitely be doing that before I buy.

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.

My co-worker has a Fusion and is really happy with it, even in the snow, for what it's worth.

I prefer being higher up, which is why I ended up with the crossover Saturn Vue. I still drive my other car (a Chevy Aveo) from time to time and it feels strange to be so low! But, I think you adjust over time. Cars do feel zippier.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

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.

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?

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?

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.

The Edge is very roomy, comfortable, and great for grocery shopping or traveling. It's actually not horrible on gas either. And that Vista sunroof? LOVE!

Zing! Lol I blame our economy on the fall of the auto industry (which, isn't exactly a stretch in our area). It'd be really hypocritical for me to go foreign. But I really do love Fords. Never had a bad one.

Glad to know. I'm DIEING to purchase mine already.....just not dieing to pay the monthly payments, especially with everything I want in it! lol

If (and that's a huge IF) I ever move back to San Francisco, and I'm with my fella (also a Subaru owner) we've discussed getting a Mini because it would make sense for going to the grocery store or out for dinner if public transportation wasn't the best option, but it often is.

From the newer Subarus I've seen around town, they seem higher up, and I barely recognized one as the 10 year newer model of my car. I had a Volvo and gave it to my sister in exchange for my parents buying me a Neon (wtf, but it was an awesome little car), and decided the Subaru made rural living a lot better. I got a pretty high end one used, but I don't think I'd ever buy another car that wasn't a Subaru, other than the Mini for San Francisco traffic/parking purposes.

I'm trying to think of vehicles my shorter friends, within two inches of 5'0", have owned, and there have been a majority of Hondas, both the Accord and the Civic. I have the issue of legs for days and no torso/short arms, so an adjustable steering wheel is a must.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...hort-of-it.htm

Oh look, the Subaru Forester is on there for tall and short people, and it is a borderline SUV ;) Wow all the cars for shorter people are foreign, which makes sense as Japanese people are on average shorter than Americans.

I've had that issue with trucks, and the best advice I can give you is that you should give yourself more space. If I can't see a traffic light in front or on either side, I am too close for my comfort. Lots of people don't leave enough space for any vehicle, let alone a semi, and it is one of my habits to never drive near people if at all possible so I can always have an escape route and see the road ahead. It has prevented many an accident and sure, I get cars cutting ahead of me but I'm accident free and in one piece so it is working quite well for me. Try driving with your headlights on too, it really does help people see you if you don't have daytime running lights. My car automatically turns the head lights off when the key is turned, so you may have to make an effort to turn them off to save the battery.

My mom is 5'0, and has shorter legs, so she has always had to adjust her seat to where she was practically steering with her boobs lol.My mom always has an issue with her knees hitting the dashboard b/c she's so far up.

Foreign cars have always been the best for her. She would have a Subaru anyday, everyday if she could afford it.

Look into used ones, seriously. You can get certified pre-owned ones and since my Subaru is registered I get coupons for service all the time, and it is actually cheaper than Jiffy Lube and guaranteed. Plus they wash my car and vacuum it before they hand the keys over.

She might be on the lookout for a new car, she was mentioning something about it recently, so I'll insist she looks @ the used section (although I wouldn't have to convince her much, she <3 Subaru so much).

The last Subaru she had was a legacy (it would have been mine if it wasn't totalled in a car accident my dad & I had in '03). She got it because she had a coupon for $6500 off the price of the car. lol.

That's exactly why I bought an SUV. When I moved to Georgia, I decided on my Honda CRV because practically everyone here owns a truck or an SUV. I wanted to make sure that other drivers could see me. I love my CRV. It drives like a car and it's a roomy. My husband and I have done a lot of road trips in it and it fits all our suitcases plus a very jumpy, hyper dog. :) My husband has a Mercedes C240. Whenever I've borrowed his car, I feel so...little. I can't quite explain it but it just feels so strange to be so close to the ground. I don't know if I could go back to a regular sedan after driving an SUV.

I am a Ford girl until the day I die. I’ve only owned Cougars, Thunderbirds and Contours and my parents only drive a Taurus. The only reason my daily-driver is a Celica now, is because it’s my husband’s (he bought it before we met) and my beloved Cougar with 170,000 miles died this summer. We have a 2009 Escape and it’s the new love of my life. V6, 4WD, leather, sunroof, Sirius, SYNC package, everything. It handles much more car-like than I originally thought it would and it’s a monster in the snow and ice in the NY. The Edge is beautiful as well, but we got the Escape fully loaded for what the base model of the Edge would cost.

Amazingly when I got my Edge two years ago, it was cheaper than a plain ol Escape. In my Edge? Vista sunroof, chrome-looking rims, radio on the steering wheel, Sirius ready, rear sensors. THIS is why I don't wana give it up :(

??? If you mean radio Controls on the steering wheel, I believe that it's a industry standard to have those now so it shouldnt be hard to find another car with that option. Unless you're looking for a cheap bare bones model whatever of course.