| # | Author | Message |
111
| gottaluvdavillains
Sat 5/10/2008 10:39a | DyG - this might help with your car choice
http://autos.yahoo.com/article...ent-cars
If you read down the article it describe the car choices based on type of commute...you know long drive or stop and go driving... |
112
| tiggertoo
Sat 5/10/2008 2:40p | DyGI, I know I'm a little late to the party, but as someone how used to drive professionally, let me add perspective on the larger vehicle vs. small vehicle safety question.
While it is true, an SUV is built much more rigid than a smaller vehicle and thus able to take more of a beating, that's only half of the equation. When I was training years ago, they drilled one thing in our head, the bigger and heavier the vehicle, the more dangerous it is to drive. The reason for that is, it is much easier to avoid accidents in a small nimble car, than a tank of an SUV. It goes back to high school physics and the study of kinetics. If you are driving 6000 lbs of steel, it's much more difficult for you to change directions or stop than if you were driving a vehicle half that weight (not to mention compact size means you can squeak out of situations an large SUV could only dream of).
That's the conundrum to the equation. Which is safer: avoidance or durability?
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113
| DyGDisney
Mon 5/12/2008 10:59a | Thanks guys. Unfortunately we decided we can't afford two car payments right now, so we have to decide if we are going to sell the truck and buy a hybrid or just keep the truck.
I'm stuck with my good ol' Saturn a little longer. Meanwhile, dh took the Saturn to work today and last Friday. At least he's saving a little gas. |
114
| beamerdog
Mon 5/12/2008 11:48a | So right, tiggertoo. I was hit on I95 outside of Philly by an 18 wheeler while I was driving my little Nissan two seater sports car. I was hit twice (left quarter panel and then broadsided, but managed to steer myself out of going under the trailer.
If I had been in my husband's SUV, I would have turned over (over the bridge) after the first hit.
DGD, my son has a 3 1/2 yr old Prius which runs great. It has an incredible amount of room on the inside for people and storage. And safe - he hit a deer on the road and had only minor damages and better yet, no injuries.
Yes, I am feeling the gas crunch. I have a little Nissan Rogue with great mileage, but I cringe when I have to fill it. I drive a lot less and plan out my trips. But the influence on the price of food and services has had a major influence on my budget.
We have no public transportation to speak of here. My commutes would be hours long to get somewhere that I can drive in 20 minutes or less. |
115
| fkurucz
Mon 5/12/2008 1:40p | ^^^That's another issue with SUVs and pickups. They handle so poorly. Anyone remember the Ford Explorers that would roll if they suffered a high speed blowout? |
116
| gottaluvdavillains
Mon 5/12/2008 6:14p | <Ford Explorers that would roll if they suffered a high speed blowout?>
Well I am glad Ford fixed that problem - I had a blowout going 80 with 6 kids in my Excursion - no rolling got to the side called AAA and off to Disneyland... I feel very save in my Excursion - and have no trouble handling it...
I saw an accident in LA - a miata and a suburban - the yellow tarp was over the miata that had drove under the suburban - I would rather be in a bigger vehicle than one than can easily slide under one... |
117
| RoadTrip
Mon 5/12/2008 8:16p | << Anyone remember the Ford Explorers that would roll if they suffered a high speed blowout?>>
If ANY vehicle suffers a high speed blowout you are in a heap of hurt. The problem there was with the tires, not the vehicle. The rap against Ford was:
1) Ford advised using a lower air pressure to improve the Explorer's ride than the tire manufacturer thought was optimal.
2) Ford was aware of the problem with the tires and had not made it known to the public.
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118
| RoadTrip
Mon 5/12/2008 8:20p | <<I would rather be in a bigger vehicle than one than can easily slide under one...>>
Me too. A vehicle being more maneuverable is worthless if the driver does not have time to react to the incident. I'll take my chances with a heavier vehicle any time. Laws of physics dictate that in a collision between a heavier vehicle and a lighter vehicle the heavier vehicle will win every time.
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119
| DyGDisney
Tue 5/13/2008 8:54a | See, this is what I've been trying to say!
DH took the Saturn to work again today. I guess he's determined to save money on gas one way or another! At least he loves his job!! |
120
| gottaluvdavillains
Tue 5/13/2008 10:07a | DyG - may not be the most popular choice for you - but my DH bought motorcycle - |
