Driving passed one of the dealers, they have a used side and a new car side of their lot. Not one new car is out on the lot, only SUV and truck inventory on display. Similar to the next one down the street, there looks like maybe half a dozen cars and maybe a hundred SUV and trucks.
People don't buy cars anymore. That's why Ford is stopping production of all cars except Mustang soon.
There's a whole sea of people nowadays that make large purchases (like a car) just by looking at a picture on their phone.?ÿ Why waste lot space??ÿ Have Amazondotcom deliver it.....
Personally I have to kick the tires before I write a check.
Wife and I have been chatting a little about replacing her CRV. The only cars I like now are the new Accord and the Bullitt Mustang. Of course the Bullitt Mustang is the practical one, at least that's what I tell her. ?
It has to be the green one.
I like the Ford Fusions; I've heard that they're going to stop making them, at least for the US market. We have a 2012 - last year of the old body style - I guess I should look into trading it in for a new one while I still can. Both of my sons have new Focus hatchbacks - those are great little cars but hard for me to get in and out of. I had surgery for a ruptured L4/L5 12 years ago and have since a) aged 12 years and b) gained a lot of weight, so trucks and SUVs are just a lot easier and more comfortable for me.
My brother retired from Ford and we can buy on his plan; which makes it very easy - you get a good price without need for negotiation and they treat you great.
The small suvs are really no bigger than a sedan. They are basically the same length, if not shorter than some. We bought an escape in 2016, and the price difference in it and a comparable sedan was really close to the same.
Totyota Tacoma
Ford Escape or Edge are roomy.
You almost have to go to the Asian and German brands to find sedans and coupes.
Personally we have bought quite a number of Nissans through the years and have no complaints whatsoever, aside from my wife recently getting rear ended and it being totaled but that was not her fault or the cars fault.
Cars are far more comfortable and get much better mileage for a lower cost and handle better in most all cases than an SUV of any stripe and it is illogical for people to turn up their nose at a nice car.?ÿ
Our Sentra got 23 mpg, our escape gets 21 and is four wheel drive. The escape is twice the vehicle when you start talking ride quality. The cheapest set of quality tires for the Nissan was over five hundred, I just put a little over three in the set on the escape.
Getting into most cars is painful for me. Titanium doesn't flex very well....
I think I mentioned elsewhere on this site that I am shocked at the poor MPG even smaller vehicles get these days short of the hybrids. Low 20's was achievable 50 years ago and try to tow something with one and it drops to single digits, my old dodge truck with 300K is looking pretty good as I can get almost that empty and better towing and it is paid for.
SHG
I have to admit, my V8 Mustang gets pretty good mileage, considering what it is. The combined MPG is 17 right now and I mostly drive it around town. My F-150 has the same basic motor, albeit not suped up to the Mustang's level, and it shows 16.1 MPG. Go figure.
That said, the F-150 is easily the most comfortable vehicle I've ever experienced. The seats are phenomenal, road noise is nearly nil, and the suspension is smooth and "fluffy". It's not a 4x4. When my lower back is bugging me, there is no place more comfortable than that truck.
My wife's Honda CR-V gets something like 33 MPG. But man, that thing is bouncy, noisy and uncomfortable. The seats are like sitting on concrete benches. You feel like someone just beat the living crap out of you after driving around for just a couple of hours.
My Ford Expedition was by far the most comfortable vehicle I've ever owned. It's basically the same chassis and drivetrain as an F-150, but I had the Eddie Bauer package and the seats were phenomenally comfortable. Back then I was racking up over 30K miles per year, so comfort mattered. It was also easy to get in and out of and had a ton of cargo space, and could ride 8 people when necessary. It got about 18 highway and 16 city. I love the F-150 we have now but I can't wait until I can get another Expedition.
I have three cars for my use, a towing vehicle, a daily and a hyper sports car. Not really much of a truck guy, so, when I needed a towing vehicle for the car and travel trailer I choose a VW Touareg V10 diesel because it really doesn't drive like a truck and it has massive torque. 20mpg around town and 30 mpg on the highway with 14mpg towing (weight 6000lb.) I tend to fit in German vehicles better anyway as I am a big guy. My daily is a Audi S4 Cab with the 4.2 V8 and it is a thirsty one, around town 14 mpg and 20 mpg highway, but, fun to drive (4011 lb.) Then I have a Ariel Atom for when you just want to be different or drive something that has ridiculous potential or always has more potential than I can use (1450lb.) It is 4 mpg track and 27 mpg highway / around town, but, my foot gets heavy at times. The Audi will soon be replaced as it is getting old and the wife just got a new one, so, I have to walk out and see her new car every day.
Safety and MPG are kind of mutually exclusive, I remember cars that were less than 2000lb not being that hard to find (70's), now that number is around 3300lb. My S4 is a small car, but, 4011lb??? All wheel drive is part of that, but, it is porky regardless.
Comfort ..., actually the Atom is the most comfortable, but, you get wind and bugs in your face, so, let's just say it isn't the wife's favorite.?ÿ She hates the five point harness as well, LOL.?ÿ A mechanic friend of mine call it "an assault on your senses" and I think he hit it. I have towed across the country with the Treg and it is very comfortable as is the Audi, but, I never drive it far.
My Daughter just bought an Audi Q 5 that thing is sweet.
I have to admit, my V8 Mustang gets pretty good mileage, considering what it is. The combined MPG is 17 right now and I mostly drive it around town. My F-150 has the same basic motor, albeit not suped up to the Mustang's level, and it shows 16.1 MPG. Go figure.
That said, the F-150 is easily the most comfortable vehicle I've ever experienced. The seats are phenomenal, road noise is nearly nil, and the suspension is smooth and "fluffy". It's not a 4x4. When my lower back is bugging me, there is no place more comfortable than that truck.
My wife's Honda CR-V gets something like 33 MPG. But man, that thing is bouncy, noisy and uncomfortable. The seats are like sitting on concrete benches. You feel like someone just beat the living crap out of you after driving around for just a couple of hours.
When I was 18?ÿI was looking for a car to replace my 55 ford sedan, three speed on the tree and air-conditioning was provided through the driver side floorboard. So I saved up?ÿand?ÿpicked up a 67 mustang that a young couple traded in for a Buick. It turned out to be a great car, not really a hot rod with the 289 and three speed, but I drove it though college. Should have kept it and kept it cherry.
Anyway, I never had an urge to get another one till I watch a video of the new Bullitt-the dark green one. That one I really like.
Surprised the BWM X5 hasn't been mentioned. They're made in USA too. Here's my RHD 2006 E53 (the best shape of all), 4.4L v8, 14L/100km, 7s zero to 60mph, 6 speed auto. Regardless of the thirst, all that power has the reverse effect and it gets driven nice and slow - enjoy the ride. The new models have 8 speed, and options for stonking engines, but also options for stonking plus economical (8L/100km) diesels.
We still have a 1990 Suzuki Vitara 4x4, and I've always said that the family member that bought it, clearly didn't test drive it, but also that the manufacturer clearly didn't test drive it either - it rides like the wheels are square.
My wife's Honda CR-V gets something like 33 MPG. But man, that thing is bouncy, noisy and uncomfortable. The seats are like sitting on concrete benches. You feel like someone just beat the living crap out of you after driving around for just a couple of hours.
Quit picking on Figgie!!! ??ÿ
Hey, she got us back to Oregon through four states, and through snow, heat, sleet and ice. Gotta give her some credit. ??ÿ
My wife's Honda CR-V gets something like 33 MPG. But man, that thing is bouncy, noisy and uncomfortable. The seats are like sitting on concrete benches. You feel like someone just beat the living crap out of you after driving around for just a couple of hours.
Quit picking on Figgie!!! ??ÿ
Hey, she got us back to Oregon through four states, and through snow, heat, sleet and ice. Gotta give her some credit. ??ÿ
hahaha yes she did. But you agreed with me...
... also options for stonking plus economical (8L/100km) diesels.
Sadly, we don't get most of the diesels here in the States.?ÿ We have the domestic products which are great at towing, but, lack the driving experience of a BMW.?ÿ In fairness though, they are much better than 15 years ago.?ÿ I searched for 6 months to find the V10 Treg as they were ridiculously expensive here, so, very few were sold.?ÿ SUV diesels in the US were just the VW's and Porsches last I checked and they are currently gone do to dieselgate.?ÿ Most of them were too small to tow much.