Saying goodbye to my SUV
- Thread starter DakotaGuy
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DakotaGuy
macrumors 601
ok. so you're a mac user, you drive a truck too?
do you hunt too?
So are you saying that Mac users don't drive trucks or hunt? I would think Mac users have all different kinds of interests and vehicles. I own 2 guns and I am a Mac user.
yojitani
macrumors 68000
I have a 2006 RAV4 and one of the reasons I agreed to get it (my wife wanted the SUV) is that it gets the same milage as most cars. That said, this gas prices the way they are now, I'd much rather have a prius or some other hybrid car... the problem is, my wife feels 'safer' in an SUV. sigh.
Gas mileage on American cars especially is disgraceful. I hope that changes soon.
. sigh.Gas mileage on American cars especially is disgraceful. I hope that changes soon.
twoodcc
macrumors P6
glad to see you made a change. i did something kinda similar: i had a 2003 Nissan Xterra. it said 17/20 MPG on the sticker, but i think i only saw 20 MPG once. and i calculated it everytime at the pump.
So after 2.5 years, and gas prices more than doubled, i decided to lose it. i still wanted a truck though, so i got a 2006 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner. I got the 4 cylinder, and it says 20/27 MPG.
the good thing about my truck is that i can get 28 MPG when i want to - i just have to drive like grandma, but i can do it. now in the xterra, it didn't matter how i drove.
did i make the right decision? who knows? i think so, considering gas pricing will probably be hitting $4 around here.
So after 2.5 years, and gas prices more than doubled, i decided to lose it. i still wanted a truck though, so i got a 2006 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner. I got the 4 cylinder, and it says 20/27 MPG.
the good thing about my truck is that i can get 28 MPG when i want to - i just have to drive like grandma, but i can do it. now in the xterra, it didn't matter how i drove.
did i make the right decision? who knows? i think so, considering gas pricing will probably be hitting $4 around here.
notjustjay
macrumors 603
I have a 2006 RAV4 and one of the reasons I agreed to get it (my wife wanted the SUV) is that it gets the same milage as most cars. That said, this gas prices the way they are now, I'd much rather have a prius or some other hybrid car... the problem is, my wife feels 'safer' in an SUV
I leased a 2004 RAV4 and when it came time to end the lease last November, I was really stuck on what to do. Keep it? Get a smaller car? In the end I returned the RAV4 and bought a used 2005 Toyota Matrix. The theory was that the Matrix is only one step down from the size of the RAV4, and should get considerably better mileage numbers.
The reality is that the Matrix feels a bit underpowered compared to the RAV (despite only being a 4-cyl, not like the V6 RAV4's you can get today), and as a result I think the engine struggles more and so the fuel economy is only slightly better than the RAV4. Or maybe I have a dud car. My Matrix has been getting between 8.8 to 11.8 liters / 100km (mostly city driving) over the winter with snow tires. I'm hoping these numbers improve considerably in the summer. My RAV4 got very similar mileage, maybe 9 to 13 liters / 100km.
I am, however, saving a lot on insurance (hatchback vs SUV).
A few weeks after I gave up the 4x4 RAV4, we had the snowiest winter of my life. I bought snow tires for the Matrix, but I still wonder if I shouldn't have just kept the RAV4 and paid a couple extra bucks in gas for the extra power and utility.
NightFlight
macrumors 6502
Congratulations! I really like the Fusion!
I have a 2006 RAV4 and one of the reasons I agreed to get it (my wife wanted the SUV) is that it gets the same milage as most cars. That said, this gas prices the way they are now, I'd much rather have a prius or some other hybrid car... the problem is, my wife feels 'safer' in an SUV
Gas mileage on American cars especially is disgraceful. I hope that changes soon.
The SUV is only "safer" to the people driving the SUV, to the rest of us(esp. cyclists like me) they are death machines, roaming the countryside looking for victims.
I almost got killed AGAIN the other day by an idiot in an SUV. I have had several near misses, and it has always, ALWAYS ALWAYS been with SUV drivers. They either don't see me or don't think my life is worth anything because I'm not driving in an SUV.
The sooner SUVs are banned from the road, the sooner everyone else will be safe.
Why lease?
Nice car, but why did you lease? Leasing is probably the most profitable thing you can do for the dealer. In most cases, it makes no financial sense at all.
ref:
http://www1.daveramsey.com/radio/davesclub/index.cfm?intContentID=396
I would of gone for a 1-2 year old certified Fusion, and paid cash or gotten a 0% deal, that way the first owner takes the depreciation hit.
Nice car, but why did you lease? Leasing is probably the most profitable thing you can do for the dealer. In most cases, it makes no financial sense at all.
ref:
http://www1.daveramsey.com/radio/davesclub/index.cfm?intContentID=396
I would of gone for a 1-2 year old certified Fusion, and paid cash or gotten a 0% deal, that way the first owner takes the depreciation hit.
Fair play to you for getting rid of the SUV - a responsible and commendable thing to do.
But it speaks volumes about the state of cars in the US that you considered 25 mpg a big improvement.
As for the guys talking about Smarts. The Smart City car is not particularly good. The Smart Roadster, however, is the same sort of running gear ( thus similar efficiency ) but in a great, funky, great handling package. But a small diesel ( the VW Lupo for example ) would return treble that 25 mpg figure. Personally, Im fairly convinced that the US crash and emission tests are intentionally pitched to make it difficult for VERY safe and VERY efficient European cars to pass.
Doug
Les Kern
macrumors 68040
I couldn't disagree more actually. I ordered mine the day they became available online and picked it up in March, and I have to say that the tech in this car is astounding. It's not like a first-year model; 10 years went into this car to give us the 2008 model. The design features are stunning and you can tell some serious though went into it. From the reversible wipers to front fluid access, I am still being surprised by little things here and there. As for fuel, my last tank was 47mpg, considerably better than my 16mpg truck and 20mpg car. I am averaging well into the 40's. Annualized this thing is incredibly inexpensive to operate. And at 6'7" I have more headroom than my other cars, and about the same leg room. The same day I brought it home my buddy ordered one, and even my very conservative wife said we should get another one. Possibly the best vehicle I've ever bought in my 35 years of buying cars.
Crash ratings are in as well: 5 stars side-impact, 4 stars driver, so it's as safe as it can be. The engine is a Mitsubishi in-line 12 valve 3 cylinder, and while acceleration is as expected, it cruises with no problems at 60, 70 or 80mph. But I didn't buy it because it was the best deal on the planet or got the best mileage of any car (actually it's the best in America gas-only): I got it becasue I just didn't want another Korean tin box that sits in the drive way and the best thing said about it is "nice color". No, it's a damn cool car.
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LizKat
macrumors 604
congrats on the new vehicle.
I think the biggest consumption of gas has to do with a certain little war in Iraq. The amount of fuel being used by vehicles and aircraft...man, I don't even want to think about it. Plus, they destroyed an oil line a few weeks back.
I think if we just drove smarter, we'd be alright too. I own a toyota tacoma and there's no way i'm giving it up. I love my Tac! I might have bought a smaller car b/c there are some neat options out there, but i don't find them safe driving my kids around. Too many big SUVs which could crush smaller cars. Plus, I love my Tac for hunting season
I drive smarter - no 'one off' trips out. I've been doing this for a few years now - when I go out, I maximize my trips and hit all the stores I need to visit. I'm the stay at home Dad so I have the advantage of making my schedule. Or, I'll have my wife stop on her way home from work.
I also drive smarter than I used to and think it has saved me big bucks on gas even in the little Prizm I've been driving the past few years. You did touch on my one concern which is the outcome if I'm hit head-on by an SUV or a pickup. Everyone drives towards the middle on rural county roads because of the deep ditches and the chance of walkers or vehicles on the shoulder. And everyone drives much faster now, when some of these roads were basically built for agricultural equipment or cars doing 35mph. So one of these days I fully expect to have just the glimpse of some SUV topping a rise or rounding a curve and trying to get back over where it belongs right before it a) causes my airbag to deploy (one can hope) and b) crushes my legs, not so fine. So far I haven't decided to beat this scenario by going back to a truck, but I'm VERY often tempted until I think about the gas.
hotzenplotz
macrumors regular
Congrats on your Smart...a smart choice.
I simply cannot understand why they would not build a car with at least four seats. As much as I would like one, this is sadly not a family car.
maxrobertson
macrumors 6502a
So how did you feel knowing that you were destroying the world every time you drove it?
I don't drive, but I'm assuming he felt the same way you do whenever you power up your car, turn on your lights, TV, oven, etc.
I watched the video, the Sync system looks very cool. I just have a couple questions that the Ford website did not answer.
Where is the USB connection for it? I saw on Ford's website that there is a mini audio input in the center console, does Sync connect there too? Is there a cable provided or do you need to buy one? Does it power the iPod also?
I am car shopping right now and while I am not quite sure I am ready to give up an SUV I am looking at the Ford Explorer with Sync.
Congrats on your Smart...a smart choice.
I simply cannot understand why they would not build a car with at least four seats. As much as I would like one, this is sadly not a family car.
They do - it's called the Smart For Four - and it's basically a Mitsubishi Colt with a shiny plasticy body on top - and it's not particularly good, and it's rather expensive.
The whole REASON of the Smart City Car is that it's so very small. It's efficient because it's small and light, and it's small and light because it's only got room for 2.
Make it big enough for 4 and you've basically got a Toyota Yaris, a Honda Jazz, a VW Lupo. The Lupo, with a diesel engine, will give you 50% more mileage than the Smart City Car, and twice the mileage of the Smart For Four.
Doug
iJohnHenry
macrumors P6
benmrii
macrumors 65816
I'd love to grab a Smart Car... regrettably they are still out of my price range. Got a Nissan Versa, though, getting just over 30 mpg.
Thought some of you might enjoy this video from Real Time a few weeks ago.
Thought some of you might enjoy this video from Real Time a few weeks ago.
crazytom
macrumors 6502a
Congratulations on the more gas friendly car!!! I'm glad that there's something good coming out of high gas prices!
I was going to buy a Smart, but the estimated mpg came in at 40 (2008 EPA figure) and I was completely disappointed and asked for my reservation $ back. I'm currently driving a POS Geo Metro that gets 45 and is 200 lbs lighter than a Smart and can carry 4 people (uncomfortably) plus cargo (though not as safe as a Smart). I had high hopes for a Smart that got closer to 60-70 mpg...but they messed up by not bringing over a diesel version.
I figure I'll drive the Metro till it pukes. I'll hold out for the 60mpg VW TDI Rabbit or, if I can hold out that long, whatever comes out of the Automotive X Prize.
I was going to buy a Smart, but the estimated mpg came in at 40 (2008 EPA figure) and I was completely disappointed and asked for my reservation $ back. I'm currently driving a POS Geo Metro that gets 45 and is 200 lbs lighter than a Smart and can carry 4 people (uncomfortably) plus cargo (though not as safe as a Smart). I had high hopes for a Smart that got closer to 60-70 mpg...but they messed up by not bringing over a diesel version.
I figure I'll drive the Metro till it pukes. I'll hold out for the 60mpg VW TDI Rabbit or, if I can hold out that long, whatever comes out of the Automotive X Prize.
yojitani
macrumors 68000
I agree that they are only 'safer' for those in them... though some would argue that is the point. I personally don't see the need for them. i'd much rather have a hybrid, but like I said in my earlier post, most regular cars don't get better mileage than my rav4. If people are concerned about the environmental impact, I don't know why minivans aren't the target. Those things are guzzlers.
I think though that your a little misdirected about blaming SUVs for bad or reckless drivers. I personally treat cyclists as if they were another car so I don't go around until I can clear the opposing lane. I see drivers of all sorts go around cyclists with very little space.