Would you give up your SUV?

[AllyandJack]

You can have my SUV....when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.

No complaints about gas prices. I made my bed and all that.

Seriously though, my SUV gets the same mileage as a minivan and better mileage than most pick-up trucks.

Let's compare:

I drive all highway (except for about 15 minutes when it's a rural route with no lights and no traffic, but the speed limit is 35) and I get about 21mpg. I can get 23mpg for about a week or two after a good fluid change.

Honda Odyssey: 19mpg highway
Toyota Sienna: 2WD: 19mpg highway; AWD: 17mpg highway
Audi A4: The model that gets the best mileage gets 24mpg highway
Mercedes: S600 Sedan: 19mpg highway; S550 Sedan: 16mpg highway; SLR McLaren Roadster: 13mpg highway

So, when you pass those tiny little cars and commend them for being enviro-friendly, think again. Let's get those tiny little gas guzzlers off the roads, while we're eliminated SUVs. A Mini-Cooper takes premium gas and only gets a max of 28mpg highway and some models get less. Having to stick premium in there isn't saving anyone money and it's only further fattening the wallets of the dreaded oil companies. It probably costs me less to fill up my SUV than it would cost me to fill up a Mini-Cooper. I should start a thread to see if people are giving up their Mini-Coopers and Toyota Siennas.

Caradana: How do you like your Santa Fe? It's on the long list of SUVs I've been looking at. Did you get the 3.5L V6 4WD model?

 

[wdw4us2]

No.

We mainly use our Avalanche for trips or when all four of us are going somewhere together, so the gas isn't that big a factor. Besides, I don't think the kids would let us! They love the DVD player and DD (14) likes being able to listen to the radio w/headphones while DS (11) watches a movie and DH and I listen to XM.

The Avalanche is the most comfortable vehicle DH and I have ever driven and the only one the kids don't complain about lack of space. It's worth the extra gas $$ just to stop the whining!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I think SUVs are ugly. But I drive one in the winter because DH insisted. Honestly, they are so much better on the snow that I don't think I'd go back. The safe feeling is worth a few extra bucks at the pump.

 

[hydster]

Nope! Just bought a Nissan Armada in Jan with higher gas prices. I'm a SAHM and I only fill up every 3 weeks or so because I don't go very far. Dh has an Infiniti G35 and he goes through more gas than I do. He has a 4 mile commute each way and that's about it where his car goes. I had a Tahoe that we traded in to get the Armada and while the Armada doesn't get quite the same gas mileage as the Tahoe due to a bigger engine it still does ok. We get about 20 mpg with it and honestly we had a Grand Caravan and it got worse gas mileage than my Armada. If I had to drive a long way every day or weekly I would seriously reconsider such a big SUV but living where it snows it's a nice feeling to know I'm safer with 4wd.

 

[kerrynic78]

I am actually about to buy another SUV. Selling my Escape and getting the Murano, I don't have a huge commute to work and my DH and I are always hauling stuff so it makes sense for us. DH has a Honda Accord so we take that on long trips.

 

[Pooh67_68]

My dh bought a car when the gas prices went up the first time. Than he decided that we needed a pick-up so he traded in our suv for a pick-up.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Though around here, the biggest reason is the "unsaid" one - status. In my area, many people just wouldn't ever be seen in anything but a large SUV. To be seen as part of "the upper class" and the "in crowd", you HAVE to have a large luxury SUV (whether you can afford it or not!). Just the way it is.

That's really interesting. Where I live (SoCal) the new status is to get rid of your big SUV and buy a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus car. True, we don't need 4wd here and that may have something to do with it. Each Monday you see fewer and fewer SUVs on the freeway and more cars.

For the original question, I got rid of my SUV and bought a compact car (not a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus). I'm now saving money, even with the larger car payment.

 

[HOGFAN]

no way, I love my Tribute too much and waited for it too long. Gas mileage is not great but better than some cars. I feel safe in it. Now, if I had a bigger SUV like an Explorer or Yukon I would trade in.

 

[Planogirl]

That's really interesting. Where I live (SoCal) the new status is to get rid of your big SUV and buy a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus car. True, we don't need 4wd here and that may have something to do with it. Each Monday you see fewer and fewer SUVs on the freeway and more cars.

For the original question, I got rid of my SUV and bought a compact car (not a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus). I'm now saving money, even with the larger car payment.

Around here SUV's are everywhere with a few mini-vans tossed in for variety. One thing I like about having a car is that it stands out in our generic SUV crowd.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

That's really interesting. Where I live (SoCal) the new status is to get rid of your big SUV and buy a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus car. True, we don't need 4wd here and that may have something to do with it. Each Monday you see fewer and fewer SUVs on the freeway and more cars.

For the original question, I got rid of my SUV and bought a compact car (not a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus). I'm now saving money, even with the larger car payment.

Wow! Around here, I haven't seen that trend at all. The large SUV still is king. I don't know a single person who traded down to smaller vehicle. And many families I know have two SUVs - his and hers. People love them and won't part with them because of gas. They don't think twice - they just pay for the gas, no matter what it costs. Though I do know some families where the mom has the SUV and the father has a luxury car (BMW, Mercedes, etc), so I guess that is still OK for status!

This thread surprises me, as I can't believe anyone would trade in an SUV for a smaller car! Especially in Southern California!

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

This thread surprises me, as I can't believe anyone would trade in an SUV for a smaller car! Especially in Southern California!

You can't have a convertible SUV. Summer is comming, gotta be able to put that top down. Two of my friends went from SUV to compact cars in the last 3 weeks.

Don't get me wrong. There are still a ton of SUVs on the road, and today I saw two brand Land Rovers and an H3 with dealer plates, but they don't hold a candle to the brand new BMWs, Mercedes or Lexuses that are around.

 

[disneyfan67]

I traded in my 1999 Suburban that I used for my janitorial business, last year around this time. I bought an extended cab Ford Ranger with a cap and I really like the truck, but miss the room of the Suburban. I got a 4 thousand dollar rebate from Ford for buying the truck and it just made sense at the time. The Suburban was costing me way too much in gas and I couldn't pass along the added cost to my customers. There's a small margin of proffit in my line of business and while I make a good living, you just can't keep raising the prices, due to the competition out there. It was a no brainer for me, the Suburban had to go.

I was really disapointed in the quality of the Suburban and the truck was getting out of warranty and had already had two transmission rebuilds and a ton of other stuff as well. When it ran, it was a smooth ride but the quality just wasn't there. I would love to have a new 4 door Dodge Ram or F150 but the prices of them in my area are out of sight. I would be back in the same boat concerning gas mileage though, and that ain't going to happen.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

You can't have a convertible SUV. Summer is comming, gotta be able to put that top down. Two of my friends went from SUV to compact cars in the last 3 weeks.

Don't get me wrong. There are still a ton of SUVs on the road, and today I saw two brand Land Rovers and an H3 with dealer plates, but they don't hold a candle to the brand new BMWs, Mercedes or Lexuses that are around.

No convertible SUVs!! So that's the reason!

Maybe the trend you are seeing will spread here, too! I can hope!!

 

[ZachnElli]

My dh traded his SUV in last summer. I don't think he ever liked it, just used gas prices as an excuse. He had it less than 2 years, it was a Toyota Land Cruiser. He got an Audi S-4 convertible, that is one sweet ride!! I know others who have traded in their SUV's for cars, my best girlfriend's dh did too and we are in Nebraska!

 

[DisneyFix321]

Like the idea of a convertible SUV. They may increase SUV sales here in Michigan. Ya know we are the Motor City .

 

[momof2inPA]

Costs me about $6 in gas, about $3 on the toll each way, wear and tear ... tack on another $10 for lunch ... $100/week ...

I thought you lived in Manhattan. What happened to the Sex and the City fantasy lifestyle?

 

[poohlover]

well...if I could find a car to fit 8 people...2 adults, 2 teen DD's, a 15 yr old 6 ft 2 inch still growing DS, 2 more DS's & the "little" 8 yr old princess...never mind the soon to be 5 dogs!

sorry...the suburban fits our family, kids dogs & all. I would never go back now!

 

[mom2rb]

I traded in the minivan for an Accord almost three years ago. I am so glad I did. The gas mileage is great and it is a lot more reliable. My mother traded in her Suburban about the same time. My dad still drives a truck and he will never give that up. My DH drives a Miata. My Accord get better mileage than the Miata but DH only drives to the park and ride so he fills up about once a month.

 

[ead79]

No, I would not trade my SUV for a car. I prefer sitting up higher since I have a better view and feel more in control of the vehicle. That being said, I drive a Honda CRV (compact SUV), so it gets similar gas mileage to our car.

 

[WIcruizer]

We will be trading in the SUV for a Porsche Boxter. Gas mileage is a small part of it, my decision is based more on the kids getting older. No need to cart around 10 of their friends. But the real reason is that this will be my mid-life crisis car.