Jenksismyhero Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 10:10 AM) 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. We have the 2010 Escape, non-hybrid (mr. fancy pants). I love it. Big enough for me (a "husky" guy) and not too big for my wife. We do lots of camping/road trips and while it gets just ok mileage (20-22), the space for the two of us + dog is perfect. The thing about the car seats in the back is interesting. I never thought about that before. We might run into the same problem in a few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 01:17 PM) We have the 2010 Escape, non-hybrid (mr. fancy pants). I love it. Big enough for me (a "husky" guy) and not too big for my wife. We do lots of camping/road trips and while it gets just ok mileage (20-22), the space for the two of us + dog is perfect. The thing about the car seats in the back is interesting. I never thought about that before. We might run into the same problem in a few years. I hated that thing in the test drive. The CRV was way better, which was what the wife ended up getting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 01:17 PM) We have the 2010 Escape, non-hybrid (mr. fancy pants). I love it. Big enough for me (a "husky" guy) and not too big for my wife. We do lots of camping/road trips and while it gets just ok mileage (20-22), the space for the two of us + dog is perfect. The thing about the car seats in the back is interesting. I never thought about that before. We might run into the same problem in a few years. I hadn't thought it would be an issue when we bought it - I mean, its an SUV, and it didn't look that small back there. But those baby seats, particularly the rear-facing ones used for the first year or two, really take up some space. We had to put our daughter's seat in the middle of the back bench, so that it wasn't up against the seat in front of it. And now that she is in the child seat facing forward, her legs kick the seat in front of her is she raises them at all. It was a surprise to us too. We've been very happy with the car other than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenksismyhero Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 01:34 PM) I hated that thing in the test drive. The CRV was way better, which was what the wife ended up getting. Really? What about it? We got the V6 4x4. Plenty of power, 6 speed so it's smooth. I dunno, I love it. The only other one we considered was the Kia Sorento, but Ford was offering up 5 year, 0% financing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 FWIW my "gas guzzling" SUV gets 23 MPG, not bad with a Hemi V8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 03:04 PM) FWIW my "gas guzzling" SUV gets 23 MPG, not bad with a Hemi V8. I've been driving a rental Durango for 1.5 weeks and already paid more in gas than I usually spend in my civic in a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamshack Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 02:04 PM) FWIW my "gas guzzling" SUV gets 23 MPG, not bad with a Hemi V8. Hey Rock, what do you get on your Ducati? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 02:21 PM) Hey Rock, what do you get on your Ducati? 50+ MPG My scooter gets 90-100 mpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 01:53 PM) Really? What about it? We got the V6 4x4. Plenty of power, 6 speed so it's smooth. I dunno, I love it. The only other one we considered was the Kia Sorento, but Ford was offering up 5 year, 0% financing. It felt really stiff, and it didn't handle well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 08:41 AM) I love my small car. I feel like i'm driving a go-kart. This. I don't find myself needing to transport giant boulders up mountains enough to want or need a pickup truck/SUV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 09:12 AM) 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. Yeah, smart cars just don't make sense in this market AT ALL. You can get a vehicle that actually feels like a car that gets more mileage and costs less. It's just mind boggling that someone would buy one now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamshack Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 02:26 PM) 50+ MPG My scooter gets 90-100 mpg Yeah, being in Vegas, I almost would consider getting a used truck or something for the dogs and then using a bike for my main source of transport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 03:11 PM) Yeah, being in Vegas, I almost would consider getting a used truck or something for the dogs and then using a bike for my main source of transport. I barely drive my jeep at all in the summer, almost every place I go is on my bike. You can get a nice used bike for cheap (I got mine on craigslist) and it pays off in spades. Parking is especially great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamshack Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 04:23 PM) I barely drive my jeep at all in the summer, almost every place I go is on my bike. You can get a nice used bike for cheap (I got mine on craigslist) and it pays off in spades. Parking is especially great. What did you pay if you don't mind me asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 04:24 PM) What did you pay if you don't mind me asking? I have a 2005 Ducati Monster dark (620) Only about 5k miles on it when I bought it ( I think). Pretty pristine condition, wheels are a little worn but not bad, it had a custom handlebar and headlight set up and had the tail chop done (common) Only one small ding on the gas tank from the handlebars which I fixed with touch up flat black paint. 5k cash in hand was all I paid. I fully expect to get close to that when I sell it to upgrade in a year or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigruss Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 04:38 PM) I have a 2005 Ducati Monster dark (620) Only about 5k miles on it when I bought it ( I think). Pretty pristine condition, wheels are a little worn but not bad, it had a custom handlebar and headlight set up and had the tail chop done (common) Only one small ding on the gas tank from the handlebars which I fixed with touch up flat black paint. 5k cash in hand was all I paid. I fully expect to get close to that when I sell it to upgrade in a year or two. Damn, Im doing that once I have the cash and go fulltime. Those things look badass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 04:54 PM) Damn, Im doing that once I have the cash and go fulltime. Those things look badass. It is badass. Even though its technically the baby of the monster family, I get looks and compliments everywhere I go. And at its small engine size I am still 0-60 in under 4 seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasox24 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 (edited) I can't wait until I buy a truck (Leaning towards a Silverado, though would also consider a F-150). I have little need for a truck, but I've always wanted a SVU/Truck so I'm going to treat myself to one. And a Tahoe is still in the back of my mind, but they are much more expensive. Edited November 1, 2011 by dasox24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigruss Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 04:58 PM) It is badass. Even though its technically the baby of the monster family, I get looks and compliments everywhere I go. And at its small engine size I am still 0-60 in under 4 seconds. Damn that's ridiculous, how do they handle on the highway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamshack Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 06:24 PM) Damn that's ridiculous, will it get me laid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigruss Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Hey that and save me money on my commute!? Sign me right on up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Nov 1, 2011 -> 06:24 PM) Damn that's ridiculous, how do they handle on the highway? It handles as well as any smaller sport bike would, it gets fairly stable on the highway and can travel at high speed no problem. Its definitely IMO more suited for city driving since its small and nimble like an R6. If you go alot of highway riding I think cruisers are the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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