Going from an SUV to a car

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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

What about Kia?

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!

Originally Posted by epchick

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.

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.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

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!

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

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

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.

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.

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

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'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.

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.



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'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.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

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.

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.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by epchick

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.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

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.

[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!

[AGDee]

I think XM/Sirius is pretty standard too, as are heated seats, windshield washer fluid nozzles, side mirrors, etc. I mean, it's an option package available on just about any model of any car.

[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.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I think XM/Sirius is pretty standard too, as are heated seats, windshield washer fluid nozzles, side mirrors, etc. I mean, it's an option package available on just about any model of any car.

Not always the case. My Ford Escape Limited had all the bells and whistles other than heated leather seats. In order to get the heated seats one needed to get the Mercury Mariner, Ford just didn't offer that for Escape even though it's the same damn car

[srmom]

I went from a huge SUV (when kids were little and I was carpooling), to a smaller SUV (as kids started getting drivers licenses), to a little sports sedan last year (WOOHOO!).

I LOVE being able to zip into small parking spaces, speed through parking garages without having to worry about head clearance and hitting poles, ALSO - I only have to fill my tank once a month because my gas mileage has doubled (and I'm only driving myself around now).

I sometimes feel a little "small" next to a Suburban, but I also feel way cooler in my sports car It's taken years off me!!