SUVs IN FL

[Marseeya]

And katekat, I'm sure there are minivans that are as bad or worse than SUV's, but I believe (and I could be wrong) that there are ones that are better too. A lot depends on the model and the type of engine, I believe.

And SUV, minivan, or sedan, we need to push the automakers for better fuel economy, all the way around! Detroit is getting their butts kicked by Asian car makers because they've been really pushing the hybreds, and their regular cars get better gas mileage too!

I recently bought a compact SUV and the gas mileage in it is the same or a little better than my Grand Am, surprisingly. The SUV is heavier, but is actually a foot shorter than the Grand Am. The main things I was interested in were the extra leg room in the back seat (for my teenage son) and the folding seats for extra cargo space.

When I bought it, fuel economy was a big consideration, that's for sure. I kept going round and round with my conscience between getting a small car with great gas mileage and the compact SUV with more room. I'm extremely happy with the size and fuel economy. I couldn't see me getting anything bigger.

 

[inaminute]

I just scratch my head and wonder why people buy them is all!

That's easy! I bought mine simply because I liked it, I could afford it, it's a solid car, and it feels safe. No other reasons!

 

[skiwee1]

That's easy! I bought mine simply because I liked it, I could afford it, it's a solid car, and it feels safe. No other reasons!

Same here! I just bought an Acura MDX last week and love it! I actually downsized from my huge Odyssey minivan. The only thing I've got against my new MDX is it doesn't have an antenna for my Mickey heads!

 

[brerrabbit]

What difference does it make why people drive what they drive? As long as manufacturers sell them and the government doesn' ban them then I say more power to you drive what you want to drive. As far as the saftey issues go, if you have an accident at 70 mph no matter what you are driving you stand a good chance of being severly injured or killed, spare me the statistics, you will get hurt or killed, and if you don't you were lucky, period. As far as conservation of fuel goes, I like to think of Arianna Huffington who all but said anyone who drives anything other than a hybrid is supporting Middle Eastern terrorists. This is typical of a lady who lives alone in a seven thousand square foot house in California, flys on friends private jets and take limos to her social events, but by god she owns a hybrid and that makes it all okay. She uses more energy in a week than I use driving my Jeep, my wifes full size pick up and heating and cooling my house for a month. However, I am the one supporting terrorists because I don't drive a hybrid. Well to bad, I will continue to drive the vehicles I have or get as long as I have cattle, hunt, fish and continue to do the things I do. That is my right as an American and I will not feel bad, ashamed or be disgraced for my choice of vehicles.

 

[F1Julie]

I get driving an SUV if you live somewhere with lots of snow or you haul something regularly. That makes sense. I see them all over in Georgia here too and the weather certainly doesn't justify the need. People drive SUV's because they think they are cool. I find SUV's to be the antithesis of cool. I'm practically the only mom at my kids school who doesn't drive an SUV. I don't want to be yet another soccer mom with an SUV that only goes off-roading when it goes through the grass next to the driveway.

 

[coolmom99]

I have a BIG SUV and I will never buy another car or minivan again. I check my mileage all the time and the mileage that I get now is virtually the same as it was with my minivan. I don't need to justify it to myself or to anyone else. DH drives a truck, too, so I guess that makes our family doubly bad. When DD gets her license she will be getting my SUV and I will get ANOTHER SUV so that must just make us evil!

 

[skiwee1]

I get driving an SUV if you live somewhere with lots of snow or you haul something regularly. That makes sense. I see them all over in Georgia here too and the weather certainly doesn't justify the need. People drive SUV's because they think they are cool. I find SUV's to be the antithesis of cool. I'm practically the only mom at my kids school who doesn't drive an SUV. I don't want to be yet another soccer mom with an SUV that only goes off-roading when it goes through the grass next to the driveway.

All the soccer moms around here drive minivans. I was tired of driving that van but still wanted something sizeable but cute. Yes, I base my car buying on cuteness. I don't care how much fuel it takes. I just have to like the color! LOL!

 

[arminnie]

But a tv would fit in a minivan, so would a small couch. For items that still can't fit in a minivan (like a large couch or construction equipment), you could rent a trailer for the day. In fact I remember comercials for minivan's showing off their towing capabilities before SUV's became the end-all-be-all of versital transportation.

I have a Honda Odyssey - one of the old ones - first generation, it's at least 10-12 inches shorter than the current Ody. With the second row of seat out I was able to transport two twin mattresses, two twin box springs, and 2 bedframes. The 2006 Ody could probably carry a couch.

I would NEVER rent a trailer for the day. I don't know how to drive one, and I would be a danger to others on the road.

Most SUVs here in my state (AR) are not 4 wheel drive. I don't want one because of how they drive. My dad has an Explorer (not 4 wheel drive).

Frankly I don't really see what the difference is between a regular size 2 wheel drive SUV and a minivan. They both are about the same size and get about the same mileage. The compact SUVs will beat a minivan in size and mileage.

Now those great big huge giagantic SUVs are something else, but I don't know why people use the term SUV like it was something horrible when they really should only talking about the big monsters.

If you need seating for 6 or 8 particularly with several children you really do need an SUV or a minivan. I think it's just a personal preference as to which you get. Some people just despise minivans because they feel it makes them "uncool" - old fogey parents.

I just think it's funny that minivans are considered more politically correct than all SUVs.

I just bought a new car on Saturday - it's a Pontiac Vibe (basically the same as a Toyota Matrix). It's a hatchback wagon, and it really cute. It gets great gas mileage, but I've already had to use my Ody for several things that won't fit in it. No more seating for six either.

 

[disneylizzy]

BIG Honkin' Suburban driver here. I love my car. I have four kids, three of whom are big boys. Two of those boys play ice hockey. We carpool to practices, so that can mean three (or more) hockey bags in the back. (the smell makes me glad I'm up front!) They never cancel hockey games because of weather, either. I have driven thru blizzards with nary a slip or a spin, I have driven into rink parking lots that weren't even plowed yet. My Suburban has never let me down. We also have a shepherd and DD in college. When she moved in, I was one of the few parents who just needed one car to transport the dorm stuff.

Like I said - I love my SUV, hope I have justified myself and my choice of vehicle sufficiently.

 

[dzneprincess]

Quote:
I just scratch my head and wonder why people buy them is all!


Because I have 4 children and refuse to drive a minivan..simple enough

 

[dcgrumpy]

We have an Expedition, we need the room for 3 kids, double stroller, DH's softball equipment... We "need" 4WD because we drive on the beach a lot. We haven't been to the regular beach in years.

 

[MoniqueU]

I live in California, same theory. We use our SUV to tow our Waverunners and we also carpool and need the passenger space. I hate mini vans.

 

[Marseeya]

I just bought a new car on Saturday - it's a Pontiac Vibe (basically the same as a Toyota Matrix). It's a hatchback wagon, and it really cute. It gets great gas mileage, but I've already had to use my Ody for several things that won't fit in it. No more seating for six either.

How does the Vibe drive? I thought they were really cute, but I was kind of worried it might be a step down from my Grand Am, in leg room in the back seat and engine size. If I hadn't needed something bigger, that would have definitely been my first choice.

Maybe when the kids are out of the house... if they're still making them.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If I had the money I would get one for towing capacity and passenger capacity.

At present--I have a new minivan. We just bought a camper as we were told that it would tow 3500 pounds. Ordering the parts for it and now being told it only tows 2000 pounds. Um, gee, thanks Mr. Sales guy!

With an SUV--there would be no question what so ever that we could easily tow what we bought.

I know a familiy with 6 kids and they need an 8-passenger vehicle. Mini-vans only go up to 7. And then by the time you get a full size passenger van--don't those big bad boys use lots of gas as well?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

They were hit by a car , a Saturn, I believe. The driver fell asleep and instead of swerving off the road, he swerved at the last minute into her. The engine came up into her and crushed her to death. It's the way the mini van's are made. I got rid of my Caravan two days later, it affected me so bad. My youngest baby was two weeks old at the time and I will never forget the wailing that could be heard coming from the house. That being said, I am happy to drive my SUV and will, as long as there are big, big cars(trucks) out there.

My new Saturn Relay--has a release on the engine. In a head on--the engine will drop out and not come into the driver area.

However--my mom didn't like to be told what I thought was a fascinating piece of information--while we were cruising down I-95 yesterday.

And as far as protecting other drivers with what we drive. Ummm...know, I don't think so.

I will drive offensively--but with my vehicle ownership, I will take the defensive route thank you very much.

My vehicle choice should not be influenced b/c someone chooses to drive a less sturdy vehicle.

So sorry about your friend. I won't drive any compact car--though I did not have that kind of traumatic event occur to a loved one. I just won't put my babies at risk in a roller skate. (what my former geo metro was non-affectionately referred to as).

 

[GeorgeG]

I really didn't mean to start any arguments. I just wondered about all the SUVs in a warm climate.

Lots of good answers, though:

- Towing
- Flooding
- Safety
- Trendy
- Just because

Sorry I caused such a stir...

 

[lillygator]

We live in Florida and have a Ford Explorer and my next car will be an Expedition. I drive it because my husband is 6'4' and fits well in it and we are hauling 2 children all their accessories as well as softball equip etc. WE DON'T NEED IT FOR SNOW.... They provide with a lot of storage and I can see great out of a high up large window SUV....my Mustang on the other hand is horrible to see out of and has many blind spots.

But really who cares what everyone drives. I will drive what I want and what fits my family best.

and Anne, not all Home Depot's have a rental truck...it is determined by the county. Sarasota county's HD is not allowed one.

 

[coolmom99]

I really didn't mean to start any arguments. I just wondered about all the SUVs in a warm climate.

Lots of good answers, though:

- Towing
- Flooding
- Safety
- Trendy
- Just because

Sorry I caused such a stir...

Don't be sorry, that's what discussion boards are for! It's funny how what you think is a harmless question can turn into such a debate sometimes!

 

[ducklite]

We live in Florida and have a Ford Explorer and my next car will be an Expedition. I drive it because my husband is 6'4' and fits well in it and we are hauling 2 children all their accessories as well as softball equip etc. WE DON'T NEED IT FOR SNOW.... They provide with a lot of storage and I can see great out of a high up large window SUV....my Mustang on the other hand is horrible to see out of and has many blind spots.

But really who cares what everyone drives. I will drive what I want and what fits my family best.

and Anne, not all Home Depot's have a rental truck...it is determined by the county. Sarasota county's HD is not allowed one.

Just an FYI, plywood doesn't fit inside the back of the average SUV. We needed to return eight sheets and it wouldn't fit in three different SUV's we tried.

Anne

 

[sharbear]

I know a familiy with 6 kids and they need an 8-passenger vehicle. Mini-vans only go up to 7. And then by the time you get a full size passenger van--don't those big bad boys use lots of gas as well?

I've been looking for a new car. The Toyota Sienna has room for 8, the Honda Odyssey also has a seat for an eighth but the seat is not full size and wouldn't be comfortable for a long time but for short jaunts it would be ok.

I've really gone back and forth if I should buy a smaller SUV or another minivan. I've drove vans for 10 years now and thought that I would like something different. Even though I have only 2 kids, I still have the need to haul more than 3 on occasion.

We test drove the Honda Pilot. It was nice and you can get a good deal on them right now, SUV's are not selling. But it seemed a little under powered compared to the Odyssey. It was not as roomy as the Odyssey and I have two teenagers who are not comfortable riding in the back on my MPV. I really want something with more room in the 2nd seat. But the clincher on the Pilot is the trunk space. There is none! The minivan just meets our needs better.

I've resigned myself to I'm going to be that old person still driving the minivan because its just more comfortable.

Anne, we looked at the Highlander Hybrid. It is $3500 more than the gas Highlander. The government has a deduction for a hybrid but my tax savings would only be $600. I wouldn't be able to recoupe my investment for 4 years as the Highlander gas gets good gas milage, and I hear that the Hybrid's gas milage is not what is advertised. I do look at gas milage and refuse to buy a car that gets 14mpg. But on my soap box now, the government needs to find incentives for me to buy the hybrid. Until they do, people will still buy those big SUV's.