Car Shopping - Small Crossovers

[surgtech1956]

My reason for needing 4x4 or AWD is that I live in Michigan, our road isn't plowed, I work in surgery and need to be able to get into work at anytime day or night.

[zoom-zoom]

My reason for needing 4x4 or AWD is that I live in Michigan, our road isn't plowed, I work in surgery and need to be able to get into work at anytime day or night.

Just to play Devil's advocate, we also live in MI...in the snowbelt right on Lake MI (av. seasonal snowfall here is 96º). Hubby has had a 30 mile commute for 10+ years and has never once not been able to get to work due to snow. He just has a FWD sedan with all-seasons. My small FWD car has Blizzaks in the Winter (no traction control, just killer awesome tires). He will take my car when things are especially bad. But we've never once needed AWD/4WD. We also live up in the sticks (northern Muskegon county--he works in n. Ottawa cty). As the economy has worsened they plow less. For the past 3 Winters we have been lucky to be plowed more than once/week.

As we talk about rising gas prices I have a hard time understanding how SUVs and heavy, gas-guzzling AWD/4WD systems are still selling. I don't think I'd want one even if the selling price were cheaper. The cost of ownership and maintenance is just too high. Heck, I won't even drive automatic after having to shell out to replace the transmission on my first car (just 6 months after buying it, no less).

[Kitsune06]

I was looking for basically the same sort of vehicle and found it in my 1999 Chevy Tracker. They made 'em 'til 2003, but many are 4WD and the convertible ones are a LOT of fun to drive with the top down. No room inside for a bike, but a Thule spare tire rack fixes that just fine. 25ish mpg isn't GREAT but it's not TERRIBLE, especially for a 4x4. Handled the snow this winter just fine. only thing to be aware of is that it's a bit underpowered with a 1.6l engine, but if you're not looking to tow a camper or road race, it fits the bill.

[Crankin]

Well, I disagree about the AWD/4WD. Maybe because I learned to drive in the snow at age 36?
Our streets are well plowed, but I could not deal with the snow without AWD. You can't get up my street or my driveway, especially, without it. My driveway is a 15% grade and although it is plowed, it ices over and some of the snow just can't be removed. When my son comes to visit (He has a Hyundai), he parks on the street and we come down to get him, after the time he slid backwards down the driveway. I also have Blizzaks on my small AWD sedan. I even had issues sliding around without snow tires with the AWD, actually 4WD on my previous car, which was an SUV.
I'd say about 75% of the drivers here have AWD, but not necessarily SUVs. The town I live in supposedly has the highest percentage of Prius' in the world...

[VeganBikeChick]

I also require AWD (when I finally get another car!) because of my job/where I live. Granted, it doesn't snow much here, but when it does, the city is a disaster, and built on hills. Snow plows are few and far between, rock salt is not used (save the environment!) and being at my job is a requirement, no matter what.

I grew up learning how to drive in the snow and never had anything other than front wheel drive, but living here I find AWD a necessity due to the reasons above.

[Eden]

I also require AWD (when I finally get another car!) because of my job/where I live. Granted, it doesn't snow much here, but when it does, the city is a disaster, and built on hills. Snow plows are few and far between, rock salt is not used (save the environment!) and being at my job is a requirement, no matter what.

I grew up learning how to drive in the snow and never had anything other than front wheel drive, but living here I find AWD a necessity due to the reasons above.

Best thing to do when it snows in Seattle is leave your car home and ride your bike..... I don't care if you do have AWD, if you can't get around all the other schmoes who are stuck, you are stuck too....

I live on Capitol Hill and work at a hospital, and though I don't have a vital job, they still expect me to be there unless the world is pretty much coming to an end - I dress warmly and pull out the cross bike (someday I swear I'm going to outfit it with studs) when there's snow on the ground here and laugh at all the people who are lined up stuck on 23rd/Montlake.....

[Xrayted]

I'm so very fond of the Subaru Outback but since any car in our household has to be union and American made, the Subaru is out. I'm looking at the 2011 Ford Explorer right now. Very, very, nice and good gas mileage.

Hmmmm. There is no such thing as a totally "american made" car. There hasn't been for decades. Although, if you want as close to it as you can get, buy a Ford Econoline van. It's at 95%. Your Explorer... 80% american. The tipping point to be considered "american made" is only 75% and can be from Canada as well. Many "american" cars don't qualify and they are outsourcing more and more products each year. My Harley baaaarrrrrrely qualifies, actually.

Your Ford Explorer comes in way low on the totem pole overall, and the gas mileage is not really that good at an average of 14/19, even compared to other SUV's. You might want to check out a Ford Escape hybrid which is 90% "american" and gets 31/34 mpg. Or a Mercury Mariner hybrid or a Mazda Tribute hybrid. They come in at 90% "american" as well, with 31/34 mpg. Of course even though the Mazda is a Japan owned and built vehicle, it is still more "american" than the Explorer overall. As we all know, under it all, it's a Ford in disguise anyway. The nameplate on the front just doesn't say "Ford". The money is still sent to Japan though. Ford figured out a long time ago to put their hands in the pockets of foreign automakers to diversify. Did they partake of the bailout? I can't recall.

Well, you could look at Chevy's. Let's see... The Tahoe hybrid is the best mpg they have to offer at a measly 21/22 mpg but it's not an "american made" car either. Just has the nameplate. I guess you can forget that one afterall. Hmmm... "american made" SUV's with decent mpg... uh, hmmmm. Gimme a minute here. I know there's another one out there.


Well, most of them are coming in at about where the gas guzzling Tahoe does on mpg. Sorry. I tried.

As we all know, Dodge's are German with an "american" nameplate, Isuzu is Japanese (GM actually), Chrysler is German with an "american" nameplate, Mitsubishi is a Dodge but a "Japanese Dodge". (Apparently, the Germans don't like them either.) Jeeps are German with an "american" nameplate as well. Of course, I already mentioned that Mazda is Japanese but actually a Ford.

In the end, think we should all just stick to bikes. At least we know where those come from. Right?


(FWIW, I love my Subaru Impreza Outback Sport.)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMO8Pyi3UpY

[Crankin]

I can't imagine the setting where I live, my neighbors, or anyone dictating what kind of car I can drive. We still have "freedom" of choice, which we supposedly love so dearly? For years, my grandparents always were spouting the mantra of "don't buy German cars" ( the Holocaust) and "don't buy Japanese cars" ("what they did to our boys..."). One time when I came to visit, my grandfather was ranting on me about this, until finally I told him *I* was the one with a neutral car... at the time I had a Volvo and DH had a Saab, but it was my mom who had the evil Mazda. He shut up after that.

[Fredwina]

x
Bikes can be just as confusing
Take my two Bacchetta Recumbents
The Frame is made and Painted in Taiwan. It's then shipped to Tampa, Fl, where the components ( Including an American made seat and Chinese Handlebars). so is this American or Chinese? and which Chinese?

[Catrin]

I love my 100% Japanese made Mitsubishi Lancer... and I love my 100% American made Gunnar (at least the frame is), and I love my (probably) made-in-Taiwan-or-China LHT and Jamis. Thankfully we still have freedom of choice!

[zoom-zoom]

I already mentioned that Mazda is Japanese but actually a Ford.

Hmmm...yes and no. Mazdas are still Mazdas if we're talking cars. My 3 was shipped from Japan, but I think the 6s are made in the US. I think Mazda trucks are actually Fords, but they all share parts here and there. My '87 626 and '97 Ford Escort had the same dome light.

And don't forget Volvo. A whole bunch of vehicles from these 3 manufacturers share(d) the same platform.

[zoom-zoom]

I love my 100% Japanese made Mitsubishi Lancer... and I love my 100% American made Gunnar (at least the frame is), and I love my (probably) made-in-Taiwan-or-China LHT and Jamis. Thankfully we still have freedom of choice!

That reminds me...my '10 Cannondale Synapse was made in the US, but not my '11 SuperSix. I seem to recall reading that as of this model year there are very few Cdales made in the US, now.

[Xrayted]

Well, in case you were wondering...


Shimano - Japan and Taiwan
SRAM - Taiwan
Campy - Italy but some now made in Taiwan. Assembly is in Romania apparently
Trek - Wisconsin makes highest end frames but now rest made in China and Taiwan
LeMond - owned by Trek, made in Taiwan but the highest end is still made in WI, USA
Waterford (owns Gunnar)- all USA
Specialized - made in Taiwan
Seven - made in USA
Raleigh - originally UK but now owned by a Wa, USA company and made in Asia
Orbea -Spain concept, frames made in Asia, painted in Spain.
Motobecane - made in Taiwan
Kona - California owned but made in Taiwan
Jamis - US design, made in Asia
Giant - Taiwan (make many frames for many manufacturers including many on this list that say they are from US)
Bianchi - Italy originally. now many asian markets.
Cervelo - Canadian but made in Asia and just assembled in canada
Fuji - Made in Taiwan
Colnago - made in Italy except the lower range ones, they are made in Asia
Ducati - Licensed through Bianchi, but made in Asia
Felt - Asian made
Fisher - made in Asia but owned by Trek

[Xrayted]

Hmmm...yes and no. Mazdas are still Mazdas if we're talking cars. My 3 was shipped from Japan, but I think the 6s are made in the US. I think Mazda trucks are actually Fords, but they all share parts here and there. My '87 626 and '97 Ford Escort had the same dome light.

And don't forget Volvo. A whole bunch of vehicles from these 3 manufacturers share(d) the same platform.

Did you know that Mazda designed most of the Ford Explorer? It became one of the biggest sellers for Ford for years. Ford started dropping it's holding on Mazda when the recession started to hit. Up until then, they were the majority holder. Your Mazda was owned by Ford. Btw, many Fords are not made in the US either. Like I said, 80% to be considered made here in the USA. Doesn't matter where the parent company is located.

[Koronin]

Ford did not take any bailout money. The Mazda trucks are basically Fords, no idea about the other vehicles.
I've actually just started looking at vehicles as I'm going to be getting a new work vehicle at some point, just need to get debt paid down first. The biggest thing I'm looking for are fuel effient as possible (and better than my current car), a good bit of easy to use and get to storage space and I really want radio controls on the steering wheel. Yes, my current car has spoiled me. No we are not getting rid of any of our vehicles for the new one. I've basically decided it needs to be a hatchback car. We have two pick up trucks and do NOT need an SUV (nor do I want one). We're looking at the Mazda 2 and 3, the Nissan Versa, and the Ford Focus. Actually just saw the Focus yesterday and that is a nice looking car. Also may consider the Nissan Lief and the Toyota Yaris.