Why Small Cars Are a Smart Buy

Built Rock Solid tough.

I only know of 1 person that uses a Chevy Suburban 2500 3/4 ton SUV like it was designed for: Towing a 10,000 lb boat, hauling 4x8 sheets of lumber and other things, pulling trailers whent the interior capacity cannot hold everything and it is used off-road 20% of the time in 4x4 mode going through fields, etc to the gas wells and such. He is a rare SUV owner that uses the Chevy Suburban for what it was designed to do. Almost everyone else uses them for people transporters and other things that a van could easily do. Yes we were in an accident with the previous Suburban -- Hit broadside while turning by a car going 55mph. The car smashed itself right into the Suburnban and demolished the car just to the car's drivers door. The Suburban frame never even bent and none of the glass even broke. No airbags went off. It just took the hit, although the sheet metal was "rippled" and the read axle was tore off by the car's impact. Amazingly strong vehicle. We walked away with no injuries. The car's occupants were saved by air bags and the cars safety features that all worked to save the cars passengers. Thank God everyone was wearing seat belts. We had some items in the Suburban that were destroyed by the impact forces. Plastic toolbox cases just "shattered" apart. Wooden gun stocks simply split apart from the impact forces of a car doing 55 hitting a Suburban turning at 5 mph broadside. But we and the car's occupants were ok.

Michael of OH @ Jun 16, 2008 13:15:13 PM

Reality

Have you people been to Japan, Scotland, France or Hong Kong?

These countries could all fit in Texas and CA combined. Things are bigger here because we are a bigger country. We have space, we spread out.

I would venture to say the miles of mass transit in the US, cover the same distance as the mass transit in these countries combined.....they just don't get you everywhere you want go in the US because its BIGGER!

of CA @ Jun 16, 2008 11:14:04 AM

American Cars now better value

It makes me angry that the media has been ignoring the fact that American midsize sedans like the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan get great fuel economy, are rated best in class, get up to 32 miles per gallon, and cost less than their foreign make competitors.

Aaron of OH @ Jun 16, 2008 10:50:14 AM

RE: Getting 35-38 mpg on my Saturn S-Series

Umm, i dont think so my friend. I believe the mid 30's highway part, but COMBINED getting 38? No sir. I dont think your calculating your mpg correctly. If you were really getting that, i think GM would be at your house asking what you did to your car to get that fuel economy. The early Saturns, 1991-1995 were the best and with the SOHC and manual trans did go over 200,000 easy with few repairs. However, 1996 on begain having more problems, mostly electrical and auto trans problems. It is rare for a 1998 to go that many miles on the original trans and engine, if its an auto trans. Including the original power windows, air conditioning, power locks, sunroof, alarm, and the very unpredictable intermittent check engine lights, i am forced to conclude that your car has had some electrical problems that you have omitted from your story.

Im not saying its not possible, just highly unlikely. All Saturn alternators die between 70,000 and 90,000 and are very expensive to replace. Thats as far as they are designed to go. The cars also suffered from motor mount failures and power window track jumping issues. I have also seen pistons crack on S series cars for no apparent reason. Enjoy your rare, miracle Saturn.

Paul of IN @ Jun 16, 2008 09:32:33 AM

debate on kids and cars

well, what a blast to read all these ''nice''suggestions. You know what???

It is still our responsibility how many children we are raising or if we can affort to drive a suv or a small car, whether we stuff our families in a small car or haul them around in a family-limo.So why don't we all focus on the fact that every one of us has a different lifestyle and different responsibilities. we can't get anywhere if we try to outsmart the other one by telling them , to have more or lesser children, or go to china , or use a smaller car- we are all in the same boat- but we are all different -

let's not forget our own responsibilities.

markie of CA @ Jun 16, 2008 02:37:27 AM

Still another thought...

In January I bought a Chevrolet Aveo...5 speed hatch. The vehicle was rated at 34 mpg on the highway. I had been getting that and more in a 60/40 split (highway/city) on my daily 120 mile commute. Recently, I had a day trip which was all interstate...where I got over 42 mpg, after driving 60 mph the entire way. We have begun driving this little gem EVERYWHERE and have parked my wife's BMW 8 CYLINDER X5.

Yea, it's an ugly car...but heck, at just over $10,000, and those kind of results...might well be worth considering! I was able to get rebates of $2000, which are offered fairly often!

Oh yea...I am 6' 3", and there is plenty of room in this car for me.

Mike of KY @ Jun 16, 2008 00:07:39 AM

Going Electric

Here's are thought...each car/truck/SUV has at least 4 things spinning at all times while going down a road...the wheels!!! Is there a reason that a generator can't be connected to the driveshaft of the vehicle to generate electricity to charge a battery pack to run an electric motor? I'm not talking about the regenerative braking system on many hybrids but an actual generator that recharges the battery pack that powers the electric motor and accessories. When the wheels are spinning, electricity is being made. A self sufficient, low maintenance vehicle. Thoughts??? Comments???

Henry of NJ @ Jun 15, 2008 23:14:58 PM

To all parents . . .

Regardless of how high gas prices become, putting your children in a Smart Car is probably the worst mistake you could ever make. The car is a death box. I'd much rather pay more at the pump for my mid-size car and feel confident that in the event of an accident, my survival rate, and that of my children, is relatively high than to pat myself on the back for buying a more fuel-efficient car that would get squashed like a bug if any other car - small or large - even tapped it! Even if you think it's a safe car for yourself, please think about your children's safety and do NOT put them in this car!

of CA @ Jun 15, 2008 22:56:57 PM