Small cars...

[shipps]

There are so many small eco friendly cars on the market now. 5-10 years ago a lot of us guys would not even think of buying a car as small as the Fiat, Leaf, and Volt. But now I think a lot of us guys look at those cars like they are pretty cool.

 

Have any of you guys given into this trend or do you still drive your gas guzzling SUV'S and sports cars? It is pretty ridiculous to even think about buying a car with a Hemi engine or that has 14mpg this day and age no matter how cool the vehicle looks or sounds.

 

 

[Balta1701]

Have civic. Civic is currently in shop for hail damage repairs. Driving rental Durango. hate the thing. Miss civic.

 

Want Volt. Really want Volt.

[Y2HH]

I don't think it has anything to do with having a "man card". As far as I'm concerned, you should have the car/vehicle that suits your needs, to get from point a to point b. If you don't have a need for something bigger to carry cargo, etc...than this is all you need, and in that case, it's the SMART thing to have.

 

I have 2 cars -- a 07 4 door Chrysler Sebring (gets about 30mpg highway), and a 07 4 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, (which gets about 19-20mpg highway). I love both and use both for different reasons.

Edited November 1, 2011 by Y2HH

[Balta1701]

If you watch any car commercials during football ads, they definitely try to sell there being a "Man card" on having a big engine in a pickup truck or SUV.

 

Personally though, I always feel more excited about an exceptional turning radius or various other technologies. One thing I learned about the Nissan Leaf, for example, is that while it's plugged in, you can either set it on a schedule or use a smartphone to have it turn on the heater/air conditioner, so that the car is already warmed/cooled 10 minutes before you get into it, and you don't burn the battery doing so. Still one of the most intelligent things I've heard of in a car, that would make every day easier for me.

[iamshack]

If you watch any car commercials during football ads, they definitely try to sell there being a "Man card" on having a big engine in a pickup truck or SUV.

 

Personally though, I always feel more excited about an exceptional turning radius or various other technologies. One thing I learned about the Nissan Leaf, for example, is that while it's plugged in, you can either set it on a schedule or use a smartphone to have it turn on the heater/air conditioner, so that the car is already warmed/cooled 10 minutes before you get into it, and you don't burn the battery doing so. Still one of the most intelligent things I've heard of in a car, that would make every day easier for me.

I would absolutely love to get a Leaf as rarely do I ever make trips exceeding 10-20 miles at a time, and I did finally move out of the condo I was leasing and bought my own home, so I could get the charger installed. Unfortunately, I have a huge dog with another coming in a few months that I take to the park almost every day, and so I need something bigger. Been struggling to find the perfect dogmobile for a few months now.

 

It's amazing that SUV's and trucks are back so quickly. It wasn't more than 3-4 years ago that auto industry analysts were saying the SUV would be extinct and would never be a mainstream automobile again, due to fuel costs. I remember going with my friend to buy his pickup truck and they were practically giving them away...he got like $10k off MSRP or something ridiculous.

 

How short the memories of Americans can be.

[Balta1701]

I would absolutely love to get a Leaf as rarely do I ever make trips exceeding 10-20 miles at a time, and I did finally move out of the condo I was leasing and bought my own home, so I could get the charger installed. Unfortunately, I have a huge dog with another coming in a few months that I take to the park almost every day, and so I need something bigger. Been struggling to find the perfect dogmobile for a few months now.

 

It's amazing that SUV's and trucks are back so quickly. It wasn't more than 3-4 years ago that auto industry analysts were saying the SUV would be extinct and would never be a mainstream automobile again, due to fuel costs. I remember going with my friend to buy his pickup truck and they were practically giving them away...he got like $10k off MSRP or something ridiculous.

 

How short the memories of Americans can be.

If the Volt/Spark/Electric Prius/Leaf really take off, it won't be more than a couple years until larger plug-in vehicles are available to do things like haul a large dog.

 

I still like having the turning radius though.

[JorgeFabregas]

I have a 2003 Honda Insight that I drive to work. It pushes 60 MPG in the summer.

 

It's a two-seater Hybrid, but is much sturdier than something like a Smart Car or a Miata. Our family car is a 1999 Civic (four door).

[Balta1701]

I have a 2003 Honda Insight that I drive to work. It pushes 60 MPG in the summer.

 

It's a two-seater Hybrid, but is much sturdier than something like a Smart Car or a Miata. Our family car is a 1999 Civic (four door).

At least based on my experiences, I think the post-05 Civics are a lot roomier as a "Family car" than the previous generations. Probably the same for other vehicles in that class also.

[southsider2k5]

There are so many small eco friendly cars on the market now. 5-10 years ago a lot of us guys would not even think of buying a car as small as the Fiat, Leaf, and Volt. But now I think a lot of us guys look at those cars like they are pretty cool.

 

Have any of you guys given into this trend or do you still drive your gas guzzling SUV'S and sports cars? It is pretty ridiculous to even think about buying a car with a Hemi engine or that has 14mpg this day and age no matter how cool the vehicle looks or sounds.

 

Wait, you still have a man card?

[GoSox05]

I love my small car. I feel like i'm driving a go-kart.

[bmags]

In the city, I see no benefit to having a big SUV. My gf has a toyota yaris, I'm always amazed at the spaces we can fit ourselves into.

[iamshack]

In the city, I see no benefit to having a big SUV. My gf has a toyota yaris, I'm always amazed at the spaces we can fit ourselves into.

Yeah, I have a little Audi TT that I love for the same reasons...still agonizing whether I can justify keeping it as my daily driver when I get my dogmobile or whether I should be responsible and trade it in.

[Kyyle23]

Those smart cars freak me out when I am driving next to them. They look like golf carts in the road that could swerve in front of me at any time. I saw one on 90 on the way to my softball game and moved two lanes over because I didnt want to be anywhere near it.

[NorthSideSox72]

Like Y2HH said, get the car you need.

 

If you are looking small and fuel efficient, remember, you have a kid now. You need the space in the back seat, as those car seats take up amazing amounts of it for such a small child. Some small cars have excellent rear leg room for that - the Prius for example, is surprisingly roomy inside. Others not. So whatever you buy, take the baby seat with you and stick it in the back, to make sure it works, with the front seats in the spots you will have them.

 

We drive a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid - it is an SUV, but a smallish one, and gets around 30 mpg. We like it, but are trading it in, because oddly enough, the rear leg room is really not enough for kid seats if there are two (if one, you can put it in the middle, and it isn't so bad). Some of the cars we are looking at that have MORE leg room in the back than our SUV include the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion (Hybrid, but the regular one should be the same or even bigger), Honda Civic (Hybrid, but again, same as regular), and Toyota Camry (hybrid or not).

 

As for fuel efficient, how much that matters depends on your driving. If you put 100 miles a month on it, honestly, a few points of MPG don't matter much. If you put a thousand a month on it, it starts to matter a lot.

 

Hybrids are a nice choice, but keep in mind that for many models, the tax rebates no longer apply. Price difference for hybrid vs non-hybrid varies, so your payback period varies. Could be a year, could be five years. Just look at the cost and the fuel savings, do some math, see what makes sense.

[RockRaines]

In the city, I see no benefit to having a big SUV. My gf has a toyota yaris, I'm always amazed at the spaces we can fit ourselves into.

 

 

Those smart cars freak me out when I am driving next to them. They look like golf carts in the road that could swerve in front of me at any time. I saw one on 90 on the way to my softball game and moved two lanes over because I didnt want to be anywhere near it.

I have a big ass Jeep (with a hemi), and the main reason is getting into a bad accident with my little infiniti and literally being inches away from it killing me since it crumbled so easily. Theres just something more comforting about being in a 5k+ lb SUV. Plus the storage space has been really nice and during last years snow storm it completely owned that s***.

Edited November 1, 2011 by RockRaines

[NorthSideSox72]

Those smart cars freak me out when I am driving next to them. They look like golf carts in the road that could swerve in front of me at any time. I saw one on 90 on the way to my softball game and moved two lanes over because I didnt want to be anywhere near it.

The smart car, as marketed in the US, is one of the biggest fails in recent automotive history. You rarely see them even in Chicago, and not at all outside of big cities. The concept was smart - small, fuel efficient, inexpensive grocery-getter and commuter car. But in reality, it doesn't make sense to buy. If gets 20 less MPG than the Prius, 10 less than many other hybrids, and costs MORE than many of them. All for a less safe car.

 

[bigruss]

Yeah, I have a little Audi TT that I love for the same reasons...still agonizing whether I can justify keeping it as my daily driver when I get my dogmobile or whether I should be responsible and trade it in.

Sooo jealous, I've been in love with those since my neighbor had one as a kid.

 

Hyundai Veloster is a new car that I will be watching in terms of reviews the next few years, looks really cool and MPG is 28/40.

[southsider2k5]

In the city, I see no benefit to having a big SUV. My gf has a toyota yaris, I'm always amazed at the spaces we can fit ourselves into.

 

 

Those smart cars freak me out when I am driving next to them. They look like golf carts in the road that could swerve in front of me at any time. I saw one on 90 on the way to my softball game and moved two lanes over because I didnt want to be anywhere near it.

 

I'm in the middle. I feel exposed in anything that tiny, and hate driving anything big. I love my Impala. It is big enough to feel safe in, V6 so it has the punch I like on the interstate, and I can maneuver it just fine.

[StrangeSox]

What Y2HH said. Get what fits your needs best, ignore dumb advertising.

[Y2HH]

I have a big ass Jeep (with a hemi), and the main reason is getting into a bad accident with my little infiniti and literally being inches away from it killing me since it crumbled so easily. Theres just something more comforting about being in a 5k+ lb SUV. Plus the storage space has been really nice and during last years snow storm it completely owned that s***.

 

Accidents happen -- including ones you'd never foresee. And yes, having a big ass Jeep can matter if/when they happen.

 

My accident this past summer:

 

 

Jeep full of cargo, 1 passenger, 2 and 3/4 rolls down a hill that started off as a clean drop. Slid into it, and down we went.

 

Not a scratch on either passenger. No mechanical damage. Tipped that b**** back onto it's wheels and drove it out.

 

Yes, it was what they'd call a "harrowing" experience not knowing where you are rolling or when/if you will stop, or what you're going to hit on the way down.

[bmags]

I have a big ass Jeep (with a hemi), and the main reason is getting into a bad accident with my little infiniti and literally being inches away from it killing me since it crumbled so easily. Theres just something more comforting about being in a 5k+ lb SUV. Plus the storage space has been really nice and during last years snow storm it completely owned that s***.

 

that's why i support slower speed limits.

 

edit: also, a yaris isn't a smart car.

Edited November 1, 2011 by bmags

[MexSoxFan#1]

I own a 2011 Nissan Tiida, nice car with enough leg room in front and back and it 's really a nicely built car...

I never liked big cars or trucks.Mid-sized is the way to go for me.

[Balta1701]

Those smart cars freak me out when I am driving next to them. They look like golf carts in the road that could swerve in front of me at any time. I saw one on 90 on the way to my softball game and moved two lanes over because I didnt want to be anywhere near it.

I move lanes to avoid other cars also.

 

Usually SUV's.

[Rex Kickass]

I went from a 2005 Scion xB to a 2011 Kia Soul this year. Loved both cars, because they are both small but have an amazingly large amount of space inside them. Performance wise - they're small engined and sluggish. But my speakers light up and that's a plus.

[Chisoxfn]

There are so many small eco friendly cars on the market now. 5-10 years ago a lot of us guys would not even think of buying a car as small as the Fiat, Leaf, and Volt. But now I think a lot of us guys look at those cars like they are pretty cool.

 

Have any of you guys given into this trend or do you still drive your gas guzzling SUV'S and sports cars? It is pretty ridiculous to even think about buying a car with a Hemi engine or that has 14mpg this day and age no matter how cool the vehicle looks or sounds.

I personally think you should be another liberty. It definitely fits with your more "feminine" side.

 

In all seriousness, I'm a fan of gas mileage but I'm also a fan of what my vehicle can do for me and personally, I have no use for one of those fiats. I carry a lot of stuff in my car for work (normally paperwork, but regardless, I tend to have file cabinets locked in my trunk from time to time) so those small cars wouldn't really be an option. I also like a lot of sports that require me to transport my equipment and I need room for that.

 

Basically put, those small cars are great if they fit into your lifestyle, but if they don't, there is nothing wrong with going another route. For example, the Civics get incredibly good mileage. Heck, most cards in the Accord/Camry class also get really good mileage, are safe, affordable, and provide you with plenty of room as well.