Going from an SUV to a car

[PM_Mama00]

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?

[PiKA2001]

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.

[aephi alum]

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.

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.

[Scully]

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!

[Kevin]

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.

[RU OX Alum]

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.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

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.

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)

[Kappamd]

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.

[ree-Xi]

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.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

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!

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

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'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.

[VandalSquirrel]

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.

[AGDee]

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.

[PeppyGPhiB]

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.

[ZTA72]

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.