I know one thing though... I'll never own an SUV. They're the biggest waste of money. People drive SUV's like they're a Mercedes Benz, where they never drive it like it's meant to be driven. They suck down way too much gas. They flip over easily. Just because they're big in size, doesn't mean they're going to save your life if you get into an accident.
Actually, it's kind of funny. we drive a Pathfinder. By all rights an SUV and we take grief over it.
1. It's a six cylinder, gas consumption not much worse than a Maxima. And better than most mini-vans that no one ever complains about. Further, we maintain it very well, so it runs much more cleanly and efficiently than some older Volkswagen that no takes care of and is spewing blue smoke out the exhaust pipe.
2. They don't flip that easily. Consumer reports cited that a long time ago. They were sued and lost for falsifying the report last year. That is essentially an urban myth, the media chose not to bother reporting the verdict, it didn't scare enough people or fit with their world view. SUVs do indeed have a higher center of gravity, but if you expect it to do what is done in the commercials, you deserve to roll for lack of brains.
3. We drive it in the city. Yup, lots, we can't afford a third vehicle to sit insured in the driveway so we don't offend someone by having the gall to drive it in the city. We also use it for pulling trailers and going picking berries and mushrooms on roads where something like my Altima or your Jetta would end costing about $1500 in repairs and towing just to get it running again. Just because you see them in the city, don't think they aren't used elsewhere.
4. Nope, not going to save your life. But the downsizing of cars has had a corrolary effect on mortality. Remember the old Mercury Meteor? What do you think that would do to a crappy little echo or sprint? I completely disagree with anyone that suggests they are a danger to the road because you drive a small car. Ban the minivans first, then talk to me about these. Excessively small cars like a sprint or other 3 cylinder cars are at least equally dangerous. While it's never said, being able to accelerate out of a potentially dangerous situation is just as critical as being able to brake to avoid it.
How many 8 cylinder cars are made anymore? What would you propose to use for towing or in areas where ground clearance is necessary? Just cuz you don't go out anywhere from the city limits doesn't mean the rest of us are shackled to the neighbourhood. (said facetiously) And not everybody just drives on smooth tarmac.
Sorry if that seemed harsh, but think a little beyond the fact you can't see past the car in front of you. Yes, I know lots of people don't do what I do with my vehicle, but how do you know what anyone out there is doing? You don't.
