transition from SUV to car

[ilovemk76]

We're thinking about selling our Chevy Trailblazer EXT for a car. I'm a little hesitant about doing so for a couple of reasons. One, I love the 4wd, mostly to break through snow at the end of my driveway in the winter, and two for the height of the vehicle. However, with the kids in a bunch of activities, having a car with better gas mileage would be great.

I realize there are small SUV's out there, but I can't find one that gets the gas mileage of a car, that is in the price range I like.

We're contimplating a Ford Fusion (we're normally a Chevy family so this is tough ).

Just looking for others that might have had experiences they'd like to share.

It may still be a better financial decision to keep the vehicle you have. How old is your SUV. Is it paid off? Will you need a car payment to buy the new car

Thinks to consider in the total cost (all may or may not apply):

car payment vs. a possibly paid vehicle
insurance difference between the cars
how many miles you drive and how long it will take to recoup the higher costs

 

[Kathi OD]

It may still be a better financial decision to keep the vehicle you have. How old is your SUV. Is it paid off? Will you need a car payment to buy the new car

Thinks to consider in the total cost (all may or may not apply):

car payment vs. a possibly paid vehicle
insurance difference between the cars
how many miles you drive and how long it will take to recoup the higher costs

We decided to keep both our cars for these reasons.

Neither car gets what you would call good gas mileage and DH's has TERRIBLE mpg, they're both paid for, but in great condition. For the money we would have to shell out for new vehicles, we could buy a whole lot of gas.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I was unable to give up my SUV for a smaller, gas firendly car. I drove my parents car, my inlaws car and my best friends car for a couple of days as a "trial". I couldn't get over the feeling of being unsafe. i guess I've driven an SUV for so long, that I can't really drive a car anymore. (I don't even really like being a passenger in one).

 

[quagmire0]

I'll speak from the opposite side of the spectrum. We're a family of four, DD and DS are 3 and 1. We currently own an '02 Civic coupe (car I bought after college) and an '06 Prius that we bought before DD was born.

If you aren't in need of carseats or a third row, don't hesitate to go more fuel efficient. It's hard to downsize, I know, but fight the necessity to always have the BIG car. In our case, the Civic is a pain with the kids - but fortunately I rarely have them in there. Now, the Prius is pretty nice, but if we're looking at having a third kid, we won't really be able to fit a third seat in that back row.

About the only problem I have besides that is I always have the occasional situation when having an SUV or truck would be REALLY convenient. But, realistically, it's not necessary. So what you really need to do is look at it from the perspective of how much you actually use that extra room in the SUV. Are you one of those Moms with one kid in the back 90% of the time? Bottom line is that you can probably live with a car more than you think you can - and save some money to boot.

 

[JB2K]

We're thinking about selling our Chevy Trailblazer EXT for a car. I'm a little hesitant about doing so for a couple of reasons. One, I love the 4wd, mostly to break through snow at the end of my driveway in the winter, and two for the height of the vehicle. However, with the kids in a bunch of activities, having a car with better gas mileage would be great.

I realize there are small SUV's out there, but I can't find one that gets the gas mileage of a car, that is in the price range I like.

We're contimplating a Ford Fusion (we're normally a Chevy family so this is tough ).

Just looking for others that might have had experiences they'd like to share.

I'm in a similar situation -- I recently lost my SUV as it was on the receiving end of an accident which totaled it.

While I loved it, dearly, economics (and $3.50 gas) tells me it's time to downsize.

If you are a Chevy family, why not check-out the new Chevy Cruze -- it's getting great reviews as the roomiest compact, ever -- plus, it's great on gas (35-40 mpg highway).

 

[tlh0726]

Whatever car you go with make sure that you definitely check out the trunk space. If your kids are in sports, take thier equipment along.
A friend went from a minivan to a small car. She has 2 kids in soccer and once she puts all thier stuff in, there is no room for anything else. She has no clue what she is going to do when they have to do a weekend away tournament and has luggage to take along.


DH just got a chevy HHR and loves it.

 

[tonilea]

I went from a full size SUV to a car. I got the Dodge Caliber and have to say I really love it!

There were a couple of big storms here this winter (I live in Southern NH) when I missed the 4 wheel drive, but I really don't miss having to fill up at the pump every other day. I find I'm averaging about 32 mpg on the highway and about 28 mpg in town. I really like only filling up once a week.

I love my Caliber too.

 

[bluedoggy]

I know they no longer build them, but I love my Pontiac Vibe. It gets good milage, I get 28mpg. (The Toyota Matrix is basically the same car)
Maybe test drive one..
It feels like a bigger car.

 

[mrodgers]

I know they no longer build them, but I love my Pontiac Vibe. It gets good milage, I get 28mpg. (The Toyota Matrix is basically the same car)
Maybe test drive one..
It feels like a bigger car.

The Toyota isn't "basically" the same car, it is the same car. I test drove a Vibe before buying my car and almost bought it. But it wasn't the "family" car, but a work runner for myself, so I opted for more my style, which is a bit more performance oriented.

I'd love to trade in my wife's Escape for a Toyota Matrix or a Vibe if I could find one reasonable used. It wouldn't be good financial wise though because it would end up extending more payments and I'd rather have a vehicle paid off sooner to square away other financial stuff before replacing cars.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

I am thinking of making the transition from SUV to car too.

I guess I am just wanting something newer because my Explorer is like 9 years old and I feel so outdated or something. I guess mathematically it would take a very long time to pay for the difference the savings in gas no more than I drive.

 

[Darcy03231]

I am thinking of making the transition from SUV to car too.

I guess I am just wanting something newer because my Explorer is like 9 years old and I feel so outdated or something. I guess mathematically it would take a very long time to pay for the difference the savings in gas no more than I drive.

I tend to drive my cars until the wheels fall off. When I bought my Caliber it wasn't just the gas, it was the repairs. The better gas mileage has been a bonus. We have a special savings account for a new cars and deposit the amount of a car payment into it each month. When it comes time to buy, we have enough to pay in cash.

 

[klmall]

I had to give up my truly beloved completely paid-for gas-hoggin Avalanche in Dec. 2008 when someone t-boned me. We have been American car supporters for a long, long time but finally gave in to add another Honda to the family making it three in all: a 2003? Element, 2007 Accord and most recently, my 2009 CRV.

I went through a horrible adjustment moving down over the years from my Chevy Suburban then to the Avalanche and now the Honda CRV!!! I still really miss the space to haul the Scouts somewhere, to just pick up something at Home Depot or a furniture store and drive it home. I miss being able to sit up high and see those crazy people driving stupid around me BUT and there are several wonderful BUTs, I enjoy several new advantages that I never even realized I had traded away for the above such as:

-----ability to squeeze into compact car parking places in parking garages,
-----easy, quick turns in traffic,
-----modern cd and other features,
and best of all,
-----nose-snubbing at gas stations for 14 days or more!

We too, need all-wheel or 4 wheel drive for a few days each winter but are thinking that we will replace the Element with a Honda Pilot or perhaps a Suburu in a couple years.

Gas prices right now make us plenty happy that all our cars are very fuel-efficient!

 

[sullins5]

Can I just say " I LOVE my suv? I know, I know, the gas is horrible!! But it's paid for, 10years old, has heated leather seats, can seat 8, and I just love it! After reading all your posts, I really do realize gas-wise we really ought to down-size, but this has been our best car yet. Suburban, Lt, leatherseat, bose speakers...geesh, I sound like a car dealer! We owned a Toyota Camry years ago and loved it too, but now, after being so 'high-up' and feeling safer, how do you transition that?
My dh drives a Chevy truck, so I told him maybe he could just use my suv for work, let me buy a sedan or crossover, and then when we needed the suv for trips or kids, we'd still have it.
So keep your favorites coming! Some of us are taking notes, and when we go out to price and make a purchase, knowing some of you have gone from big to small and love what you bought, really helps!

 

[tonilea]

I tend to drive my cars until the wheels fall off. When I bought my Caliber it wasn't just the gas, it was the repairs. The better gas mileage has been a bonus. We have a special savings account for a new cars and deposit the amount of a car payment into it each month. When it comes time to buy, we have enough to pay in cash.

We do too! The truck we traded for our Caliber was a 1994 with over 250k miles. It was the best truck ever, but it was worn out!

Anyway, the lifetime powertrain warranty on the Caliber was a major selling point!

 

[RooRach0906]

We went from 05 Trailblazer EXT to a 04 Honda Accord. (We still have the TB EXT, just dont drive it) Ok so really the TB was mine and the Accord was my DH's but since he drives a work van... I claimed the Accord! I LOVE it!!! I went from getting 16 mpg to 31 mpg. The trunk is bigger if you never normally have the TB Ext backseat up. We live in the country, so I thought I wouldnt feel safe in a car but I feel safer! Hope this helps.

 

[corie161]

Thanks for the additional responses. We went looking a little this weekend and weren't able to check out the Fusions because the dealership was crazy busy and can you believe not a ONE salesman jumped us. We even went inside. We then went to the Chevy dealership and they did show us the Cruze which is smaller than I anticipated going. Didn't drive, but sat in it. DH loved it and the sporty feel of it. I'm just leary of the size, backseat to me was a little small on leg room. We have 2 kids 13 and 10, and they weren't with to size it out. Trunk space seemed roomy.

As far as the financial aspect, we do still owe on the TB. I'm hoping to break even and try to keep the same car payment. According to fueleconomy.gov we would save over $1200/yr on gas based on 15000 miles a year, which we drive at least. We really won't know if it's feasible until we talk to a couple dealerships, but it doesn't hurt to ask.