<p>I used to drive a mini van-
I didn’t really need all that room after awhile, and it was on its 3rd transmission.
So because I had gotten tired of dealing with the problems- I allowed H to have more say over the next car which is a Jeep.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t have been in my top 10 choices but it isn’t bad. It does sit way off the ground though- which leaves huge blind spots- which are a PITA, especially when those in tiny cars pull * right up* behind me. ( and its only a Liberty- which is one of the smaller SUVs)</p>
<p>I can’t see them at all.</p>
<p>But that is nothing compared to the risk of not seeing pedestrians behind you ( or even in front of you!) especially children.</p>
<p>I like my Durango very much … and the fact that it goes anywhere, including out my 600 foot driveway with 12% slope with a foot of snow on it … is important. I’m ready for a new vehicle – and would like something with a little better gas mileage, but I don’t want to/ can’t give up the serious 4WD.</p>
<p>I have it set up for serious hauling, including the trailering mirrors and visibility is an issue.</p>
<p>I’ve driven an SUV (actually, a few different ones!) for several years now, also switching over after my mini-van days were over. I love them and every couple of years when it’s time for a new company vehicle for my H (I get the company car), he asks if I want to switch to a sedan of some sort and I say no. I find that visibility in an SUV is much better than in a sedan, and I like the fact that they are higher. Mine has a back-up warning system but even with that, it’s a good idea to be extra careful, regardless of what type of vehicle you’re driving.</p>
<p>Hey ek4,
That guy who survived the road rash to his bicycle helmet would serve as an excellent advertisement for a great helmet manufacturer. I am currently driving a 2006 Volvo XC wagon. When I picked it up and the salesperson was taking me through the car, showing me the “features,” she showed me the feature which activates a beeping sound automatically when the car is put into reverse. It gets more and more frequent as you get closer to an object, and when you are about to strike an object behind you, it becomes one long beep. I thought this would be a pain in the *ss, since I like to parellel park in tight parking spaces (my speciality ;)) and this would become quite annoying. Well, a few weeks ago I was in a busy metro area about to back into a space and as I started to slowly back up, my reverse “alarm” started to shriek and I immediately jammed on the brakes. A young teenager had darted behind my car at the moment I started to back up. She looked rather sheepishly at me and then ran away.</p>
<p>At this point I don’t think I could drive without the use of my rear back up alarm anymore! The only problem is these work SO well that it’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security. Once in a blue moon, though, your hand will knock into the switch, turning the alarm off without your realizing it. In that case if you back up without really looking and expect to hear the beep, it could be the recipe for an accident. I just always check to make sure the system is on. It’s meant as an assistive tool, not something that takes over for a driver’s common sense or attention.</p>
<p>As for the blind spots, it’s generally a matter of getting used to them, although some cars are more that way than others. My car is known for its blind spots (ironically, due to the reinforced pillars on the side that are there for safety). It took me awhile, but I’m not even aware of any blind spots at this point - you learn to compensate by using your mirrors and by knowing where and how to look over your shoulder.</p>
<p>I have only driven mid-size SUVs for the last 10 years, and probably will continue to do so as long as I live in New England. In the summer months, I fantasy about a nice little sedan, like a Camry, but in the winter I really feel I need the AWD.</p>
<p>I’ve had SUVs since before they were fashionable - about 20 years. I’ve had a Jeep, an Exploder (that’s spelled correctly for this worst vehicle I’ve owned), and a Durango. I keep my vehicles a long time. </p>
<p>I haven’t run anyone over yet. I am very careful when backing up though and will many times back into a parking spot or do a ‘pull-thru’ so I can pull straight out just to make it easier. The backup visibility problem isn’t unique to SUVs though - it also applies to pickup trucks, vans, and many sedans. A toddler sitting behind a Buick isn’t any more visible than if they’re behind a Tahoe.</p>
<p>The backup cameras seem pretty nice but they usually want you to buy the $2-3K navigation package to get it depending on the vehicle. They’re also available aftermarket for < $200-300 I believe. I’ve also checked into the ultrasonic sensors (the beeping ones) aftermarket and they’re relatively inexpensive.</p>
<p>I know that. AWD or 4WD is just one reason we drive SUVs. With one kid in college, and another off in a year, the “station wagon” function also works for us. There’s no way we could get S1s stuff in a Suburu.</p>
<p>Me and my Civic have survived many near-misses involving big vehicles. I also have a huge disadvantage when backing out of parking spots when surrounded by them…can’t see a dang thing! My H drives a Honda CRV, which is a type of SUV but much smaller than most. I can’t imagine us needing anything bigger than that.</p>
<p>NO delusions of grandeur there!!! <strong><em>ROFL</em></strong> OMG, this made me laugh just when I needed to!! (S left back for Duke today <em>sigh</em>) STILL giggling here… :D</p>
<p>“I also have a huge disadvantage when backing out of parking spots when surrounded by them…can’t see a dang thing!”</p>
<p>I have a suggestion for that. Do a ‘slider parking’ - i.e. find a spot where you can cross over and go over to the other side of your aisle. When you have to get out, just slide forward. Of course I have to walk few hundred feet extra - end of the parking lot to get that luxury.</p>
<p>aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh berurah!!! Big {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} to you about S1 going back to Duke–such a short visit!! My sister is here for her S1’s college grad. and she saw our Duke S (she’s his Godmother!) for the first time in a year–couldn’t believe how he looks so much older (sigh!!) He already misses Duke, but loves his summer job, so…</p>
<p>Back to the topic…</p>
<p>We still have a minivan (still carpooling, driving kids to and from college, etc.), but got a Honda CRV a few years ago–small SUV, but DH does not want a large one, especially with the gas prices this high, so… But we love the CRV!</p>
<p>I often do this too. We have a mega-monster Suburban and one “newer style” (“newer” to us is 1993 ). Parking them is definitely a hassle, particularly the 1988. I do this all the time too! :)</p>
Same rear view as my old minivan.</p>
). Parking them is definitely a hassle, particularly the 1988. I do this all the time too! :)</p>