Parents want to buy sister an SUV

[cfg83]

Hello -

Back in the 1980's, my Dad offered to buy me a new car or an Apple computer. I was a sullen-teen, so I said niether. I wish I had said "1st gen CRX!!!!!!!!". He bought the computer.

CarloSW2

[Frank Lee]

Nice Dad!

[mhmitszach]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

You'd be surprised. It's a different world out there, where a lot of parents these days (though not nearly as many as there were a couple of years ago) will buy their teenage kids cars that're more expensive than what I'd think of buying for myself - and I'm not poor.

It's going to be $1500 or less. They gave me their old suv, I drove it for like a year. Sold it for $2000 and bought my escort. So they're trying to be fair and buy her a car of around the same value.

They seem to have found a 96 explorer with 68k miles, no rust, all features and they think they can get it for really cheap or barter. I can't argue with that.

[RobertSmalls]

A 96 Explorer is not an appropriate car for a new driver, or for anyone else for that matter.

[Christ]

They should get that Exploder, sell it to some other moron who enjoys having fuel tanks explode or tires randomly deflate, and buy a REAL vehicle.

SUV is a mistake, plain and simple. I get in my Father's Blazer (second vehicle) and I'm horrified by the lack of control that even I can feel in it. The vehicle is muted in every way possible, and rocks wildly through curves. Control? Nah... Not even close.

You want control, you should have driven my Civic, or my first Miata, or any of a fistful of other cars I've had that all handled like they were on rails compared to any other, larger, "safer" car on the road.

There's still the argument that less mass is safer because it's physically less likely to be in an accident altogether, as well...

Quicker steering, braking, throttle response and acceleration, better maneuverability, and the ability to make abrupt movements and have the response from the vehicle. None of those things will be found in an SUV.

I do have good things to say about some of the Chrysler minivans I've driven, though. I'd have been completely comfortable auto-x'ing my Caravan, for instance, and they can be had for a pittance compared to most SUV's.

Regarding 4x4 vehicles - I semi-agree that for most people, it's a status symbol, a crutch for lack of operational skill, etc. There are times when it's just nice to have, though. I use it in my truck when I go down into my Father's yard to drop off or retrieve a load of scrap metal. I could probably get down in there and back out w/o 4x4, but why tear up the yard first?

I do feel that many people think that AWD and 4x4 will make them safer in inclement weather, though. The fact is, 4x4 is for GOING, not STOPPING. Once you lose traction going, the other wheels help you go... if you lose traction stopping, the other wheels aren't going to kick in and help you stop!

Why else would it be called FOUR WHEEL DRIVE?

[Christ]

By the way, do NOT force the issue with your parents. It's not going to get you anywhere.

Present the evidence to your sister, who should be the one choosing her first vehicle (within reason). If your parents are convinced that she's safer in an SUV, and won't let her choose anything short of that, then it's likely that your parents are more interested in vanity and what others think than they are in how happy or comfortable their daughter will be with her first vehicle.

[Lazarus]

This is in the price range.

Be plenty safe



Seriously though. Not all SUVs are created equal. My mom has a Subaru Forester. It's a great vehicle and she gets 27 in the city and 32 highway.

[Clev]

Originally Posted by Christ

By the way, do NOT force the issue with your parents. It's not going to get you anywhere.

Present the evidence to your sister, who should be the one choosing her first vehicle (within reason). If your parents are convinced that she's safer in an SUV, and won't let her choose anything short of that, then it's likely that your parents are more interested in vanity and what others think than they are in how happy or comfortable their daughter will be with her first vehicle.

I think the issue should be forced. If they insist on an SUV, get a CRV or something. A '96 Exploder is just about the worst year of the one of the most unsafe SUVs ever made. Might as well buy her a Pinto and take off the rear bumper. Or a Sidekick and lift it 6 inches.

[Frank Lee]

I don't think Exploders are any more dangerous than anything else- certainly not as far as gas tanks and tires are concerned. Yup, I'd also roll a Pinto w/o a rear bumper. No problem!

I also agree that it is better to have a small, light, agile vehicle and avoid the collision in the first place. HOWEVER, that is predicated by the need to have a driver who's head isn't up their asss. If piling into something else is inevitable, perhaps it is a good thing to surround oneself with more mass. I mean, good for the perpetrator of the "accident"- not anyone else.

Not defending SUVs though.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I also agree that it is better to have a small, light, agile vehicle and avoid the collision in the first place. HOWEVER, that is predicated by the need to have a driver who's head isn't up their asss. If piling into something else is inevitable, perhaps it is a good thing to surround oneself with more mass. I mean, good for the perpetrator of the "accident"- not anyone else.

Well, that's the point of my comments and others, I think. Assuming SUVs ARE indeed safer for its occupants, you're just transferring the cost of your bad driving onto other people on the road. Not exactly the best way to encourage someone to learn how to drive, nor a good rule for society.

But the truth is, whatever advantage SUVs may have in two vehicle accidents is negated by the possible injuries suffered in one-vehicle or two-vehicle accidents from rollovers. The studies I've seen (especially from the HIGH AND MIGHTY book I referenced earlier,) don't indicate any overall increase in occupant safety from driving an SUV.

Sure, you could rollover any car in the right circumstances. Easier to do it in an SUV, though. Give me a small car with a sturdy suspension and good brakes any day of the week.