You can lead a horse to water ...( Friend buying a Jeep )

[Cd]

So my good friend in Toronto wrecked her 2005 Toyota Echo.
A guy was speeding around the corner and went into her lane.
To avoid hitting him, she swerved into his lane. he corrected, and they collided.
She was coming to a stop light and slowing, and he was doing maybe ( 50 mph / 80 kph )

She is fine, except for a broken first rib from the seat belt.
The major damage on the Echo was a totally destroyed fender, and the front wheel on that side was knocked sideways. Both airbags went off, and the door was almost able to be opened, but jammed.
She freaked.
Some guy told her that she need to get something besides that " rolling coffin ".

Soooo she emails me this : " I am also researching cars that would be acceptable to me and dad. We are thinking of buying a new jeep patriot in eco green pearl with vinyl seats. its on sale now for just over $18000. What are your thoughts on that? We want something that has safety features and size so we won't get injured or killed next time. Toronto is very bad for driving. Agressive drivers, narrow roads. Too many people for the space we share.Also, small cars do not get respect here, unless it's a civic, but they are costly to insure, we can't afford it. "

So my Canadian friends, what is this aboat* the cost of insurance being higher on a Civic vs. a Jeep ?

I find it amusing that she is choosing " Eco green " as a color, since she likes to think of herself as " eco-conscious "

I looked up the MPG numbers on this thing : 21 / 28 for the auto. versus 33 /39 for the automatic Echo.

Did I mention it's ECO GREEN though ?
Looks more like ARMY GREEN to me.

* Canadian pronunciation

[vskid3]

You might want to get your friend a physics lesson or two. The seat belt broke her rib, that could happen in any car in which the seat belt goes across her body in a similar way. Her Echo was destroyed because that's how energy gets dissipated. If the car was indestructible, she'd have been goo all over the dash.

The Patriot doesn't even have great crash test ratings. 2015 Jeep Patriot Crash-Test Ratings It isn't really that big either. I'm sure there are many small to mid-size cars that are about the same size, have better crash test ratings, and handle better to help avoid the accident in the first place. Mileage isn't too bad, but if she drives enough, a Civic might pay for the increased insurance costs with the gas savings.

[jamesqf]

Also an economics lesson. She can apparently afford $18K for a Jeep, but not the insurance on the good used Civic that could be bought for under $5K. (Hereabouts, anyway: there are currently 50+ listings on Craigslist, in a much smaller market than Toronto.)

[Cd]

So is insurance cheaper on a NEW Jeep, versus a used Civic ?

Sounds like an excuse to buy something new , versus used.

[Fat Charlie]

A small car, say a Dodge Caliber, is not acceptable. Slap a Jeep grille on it and lift it a smidgen, and suddenly it's an SUV and therefore safer and more satus-ey.

Because that's all the Compass and Patriot are.

[ME_Andy]

Originally Posted by vskid3

You might want to get your friend a physics lesson or two. The seat belt broke her rib, that could happen in any car in which the seat belt goes across her body in a similar way. Her Echo was destroyed because that's how energy gets dissipated.

Actually there are physical reasons why heavier vehicles fare better in crashes, regardless of vehicle design. See conservation of momentum.

And 20-28 for a Jeep is actually pretty decent. I would've expected like 18-26.

Although I'm still in favor of a smaller car, of course.

[ksa8907]

I would opt for the equinox if she wants suv. Or any other small crossover? Instead of chrysler. They're are some chrysler/fiat that are good, but not for less than 25000.

[Cd]

Thanks everyone.
I'm going to let her do the deciding. I think she wants something that looks less 'feminine'.
That means bulging fenders and mean grilles.

Buy used ??

Common sense doesn't work in this situation. She is currently staying with her parents as a caregiver, and they are the ones that will buy this thing.

I'm just an observer.

[Cd]

Originally Posted by ME_Andy

Actually there are physical reasons why heavier vehicles fare better in crashes, regardless of vehicle design. See conservation of momentum.

And 20-28 for a Jeep is actually pretty decent. I would've expected like 18-26.

Although I'm still in favor of a smaller car, of course.

We have discussed this topic over .
and over.
and over.
and over.

Maybe I should convince her to put bags of sand in the vehicle when she drives.
...you know, for more mass.

No offense intended. You are right - big things win.

[Frank Lee]

Been down this road. PUN!

Logic has very little to do with vehicle selection.

First and foremost, it is about stroking the ego.

They bolster their choice with made-up supporting "facts".

You will get nowhere with actual facts.

If you wish to influence her away from a stupid, illogical choice, you'll need psychological tricks.

But I don't have any.

Also you will find that yours is a very lonely voice, as I fear the vast majority of her "consultants" happily recommend the biggest, thirstiest, stupidest thing they can think of. After all, they aren't paying for it.

I'm resigned to leading by example. The logical arguments were a waste.

Sometimes they need to figure it out themselves (if they ever do). An ex-friend of mine, a flaming liberal, very vocal about anti-oil (like drilling, pipelines, etc) replaces her economical sedan with an SUV. I pointed out that in order to fuel that thing she's gonna need a lot more of that drilling and pipeline stuff. Only after enough time had elapsed for the increased costs to sink in did she go back to an economical sedan.