Saying goodbye to my SUV

[rhsgolfer33]

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.

More people need to respect cyclists like that when they drive. But the same is true of most cyclists, they need to actual ride like they are a car (some signals when they want to turn would be nice, as would stopping at stop signs, and riding single file). I always give cyclists plenty of space, so it always pisses me off when they don't obey the same laws I'm supposed to.

Personally, I like SUVs. There are good uses for them, lots easier to travel in and haul a family around in. Plus, whether people are willing to admit it or not, they are safer in a crash with other larger vehicles. As long as people have the need for them and have the money to pay for gas and maintenance, I'm sure they'll be around. Next SUV however, will probably be a Ford Escape Hybrid.

 

[Victor ch]

Nice man, congrats! My mom did something similar, she changed her Ford Explorer to a new Mazda CX-7, she likes the fact that is smaller (therefore a tad easier to drive) and loves that she can fill a tank and get almost as twice mileage compared to the Explorer (that one really consumed gas)

Smart move, not only for your wallet but also for the environment and you'll enjoy the fact that the car is smaller in most occasions, I learned to drive years ago and now when someone lends me their sedans or drive my dads Mini the difference is really noticeable and its much more easier to drive. Good luck with your car (that looks sweet BTW)

Victor

 

[ceiph]

was the explorer really that bad? / is the v6 awd fusion really that much better? i drive a i4 5 spd fusion and the gas milage is ok. i mean nothing special and if i was buying a car to save money on fuel i wouldnt went elsewhere.

also as a road cyclist i hate when people assume we need so much room and than get pissed they dont pass. 3 feet iis really all the space i need it makes it safe for us both and gives me room if i need to avoid a rock or something.... ok end of that

 

[yojitani]

also as a road cyclist i hate when people assume we need so much room and than get pissed they dont pass. 3 feet iis really all the space i need it makes it safe for us both and gives me room if i need to avoid a rock or something.... ok end of that

Well, when I'm on my bike, I prefer to have a bit more than 3ft... drivers need to have more patience. I get irritated when I'm running late by anyone going slower than I want them too, but there is this thing called perspective. Roads are to be shared, so waiting for cyclists, old people, tractors etc. is just part of the experience..

 

[DakotaGuy]

was the explorer really that bad? / is the v6 awd fusion really that much better? i drive a i4 5 spd fusion and the gas milage is ok. i mean nothing special and if i was buying a car to save money on fuel i wouldnt went elsewhere.

also as a road cyclist i hate when people assume we need so much room and than get pissed they dont pass. 3 feet iis really all the space i need it makes it safe for us both and gives me room if i need to avoid a rock or something.... ok end of that

Well I just took a longer trip in the Fusion and averaged 25 MPG. The same trip in my Explorer would figure in at 17 MPG. That is an 8 MPG gain in similar driving conditions. Unless my math is wrong that is about a 30% increase in fuel economy. City driving might not be as significant, but I spend most of my time on the open road.

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.

If you still want an SUV type vehicle you might want to consider the Edge over the Explorer unless you do anything that might take you off-road or need to pull a fairly heavy trailer.

The USB connection on my car is inside the console between the seats. There is actually 3 connections inside the console. A USB port, a line-in stereo jack and a 12v power point. The USB port not only connects, but also charges your iPod. I think on some of the older iPods (Photo models for example) you have to connect the Line-in and the USB, but all newer iPods only require the USB connection. The USB cord that you use to sync the iPod to the computer is the cord you use to connect to the car.

You can also use most other MP3 players and USB Jump Drives. The SYNC system is upgradable by downloading the new software to a jump drive and then doing the upgrade in the vehicle. New applications are being developed and can be added. I believe later this summer or early fall there will be a 911 program added. Basically it automatically dials 911 on your cellphone if the airbags deploy. If you do not respond with voice after so long it will play a pre-recorded message to the 911 operator and then they can track the phone via GPS. It is basically a simpler version of OnStar, but it is free.

I know the processor in the system is made by Freescale and the software is from Microsoft. I was a little worried how it would work considering my luck with some Microsoft products, but so far I am very satisfied with the speed and voice recognition accuracy of the system.

 

[jzieske]

...
If you still want an SUV type vehicle you might want to consider the Edge over the Explorer unless you do anything that might take you off-road or need to pull a fairly heavy trailer.
...

I have looked at the Edge also, time for test drives I think. Thanks for info on Sync. It looked like a good system, glad to here it works as advertised.

 

[Smallville]

I've got a 2005 Sport Trac, but I never felt guilty about having it until gas went over $3 per gallon. I live out in the sticks in a part of the country that gets a good deal of snow every winter.

But now it's summer and I bike to work a few times per week. I'm not that worried about destroying the environment, but I need to save a few bucks.

I'd like to get rid of it, but if it holds up as well as it has the past few years, it'll be paid off and I'll be able to afford the gas. Who knows if I'll even be able to sell in once gas hits $4 or 5 per gallon. Might as well keep it and drive it until it falls apart.

 

[bgd]

So are we going to see more of this, Americans trading down for better fuel economy? Or will people just get used to higher prices at the pump and carry on as before?

In Singapore fuel is over $8 a gallon, cars have a hefty sales tax levied and you have to buy a certificate of entitlement before you can drive. In the '90s a COE could cost up to $60k but they are a more reasonable $20k now. A COE only lasts 10 years and stays with the car, so each time you buy a car you pay again. People here moan about the cost of fuel and the cost of cars but they continue to buy and drive. I suppose there will come a point where it all gets just too expensive for many and people will revert to public transport. After all, unlike most of the US, a car here is not a necessity just a status symbol.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I've got a 2005 Sport Trac, but I never felt guilty about having it until gas went over $3 per gallon. I live out in the sticks in a part of the country that gets a good deal of snow every winter.

I live in a rural area that gets quite a bit of snow in the winter so that is why I decided to go with the AWD version. One of the main reasons I went with the Explorer a few years back is for better traction, but now it seems like an all wheel drive passenger car is a better choice for me.

 

[slick316]

When I got my license, my dad gave me his 1992 Mazda 929 to drive. It sucked. I never looked at gas then, but I bet the POS got 10mpg, it was a heap. It broke down and my parents bought me a new Civic (love my parents btw). I loved the car, I was in college then, and did a lot of commuting from school and home.
Well, all my friends had some sort of sporty car (camaro, mustang), truck with V8, or SUV. I had the econo box with no mods to it. Even though they were joking, I would get teased because I had the slow car.
Sometimes I thought about it, and even looked into getting a quicker car, but I didn't need it. The car wasn't going to win me any races, but I don't race. I need to get to school, back home, to work, and where ever else, safely, and efficiently.
Then my friends all started complaining. Gas cost me this much, I'm spending X amount on gas a month, why is gas so high? They asked me, what kind of mileage do you get? I didn't know, I never looked into it. I really had no idea what my friends payed for gas. So I started calculating mileage. Next time my friends asked, I had an answer. I was averaging 32mpg in my 01 Civic EX coupe auto. The look on their faces was priceless, its like I told them I was Batman. I asked them what they got, I got answers in the low 20's, and mostly in the teens. I was shocked, I never realized that I got "great" mileage. I was sold on the Civic at that point (also had a little fun with my friends, "hey, how much did that last tank cost you? hehehe").
I now have a 2005 Accord EX sedan 4cyl auto (was my parents, they took the Civic and traded it for an Odyssey and gave me the Accord, I love my parents). I took a road trip in 06, drove 4200 miles in 8 days. Only had to fill up the tank 10 times (not counting the initial full tank I started the trip with). Most of the miles were highway, I was say a 70 highway/30 city split. I averaged $35 a tank or so, maybe a little less.
Point I'm trying to make is, if you don't need the truck or SUV or V8 sedan or whatever, think about something more economical next time. Why waste money on gas if you don't have to?