Going from an SUV to a car

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[ZTAngel]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

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.

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.

[Scully]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

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.

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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?

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.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by Scully

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

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

radio on the steering wheel

??? 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.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

??? 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.

Seriously? That's the best news I've heard all day! I am slightly ADD and can't listen to a whole song. I'm constantly channel surfing. Awesome!

[epchick]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

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.

Stupid/wreckless drivers will still be that way regardless of what kind of car you have. Some cars, like Subaru, are much better if you were to get in a car accident, but just because an SUV sits higher or is bigger doesn't make it any safer.

The reason people don't see is because they don't look, that is something you won't be able to avoid, you can only control your driving. My dad has had more car accidents with his Ford F-150 than I have had in my Hyundai Sonata.

As for going through a red light, I've done that a few times too. Now what I do is I wait until the truck clears the light, at least enough so I can see what color the light is. The people behind me probably hate it cause I'll either go really slow or i'll stop for a second or two, but I'm not getting a ticket or getting hit just because they are impatient.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by epchick

Stupid/wreckless drivers will still be that way regardless of what kind of car you have.

If a driver is stupid and wreckless, what's the issue?