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From Giant to Economy Size - Couples Choosing

94 messages,  Last post on Sep 02, 2008 at 10:40 AM

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#1 of 94 From Giant to Economy Size - Couples Choosing by KarenS HOST

Jun 19, 2008 (8:28 am)

In today's economy many families are seeking to downsize from the SUV/Minivan to a more economical ride. Are you and your spouse/SO considering a smaller vehicle? What do you want? What does he/she want? And after the final decision, will you still be speaking to each other?

#2 of 94 Re: From Giant to Economy Size - Couples Choosing [KarenS] by euphonium

Jun 19, 2008 (9:18 am)

Replying to: KarenS (Jun 19, 2008 8:28 am)
Mostly interested in a new body design Lincoln Town Car with the 5.4L engine followed by a 6 speed transmission weighing at least 4,000 pounds and able to transport 6 in comfort. MPG is not as important as comfort and safety.
 
I refuse to be feared into such tin cans as the Pious from Toyota as they are not as comfortable and safe. Among our friends, only the Academia nuts are falling for the "Green" cars, but not the friends in the financial business i.e. stock brokers, small manufactuers, & profitable business owners.

#3 of 94 Re: From Giant to Economy Size - Couples Choosing [euphonium] by KarenS HOST

Jun 19, 2008 (9:34 am)

Replying to: euphonium (Jun 19, 2008 9:18 am)
Okay, that's you, but what about your spouse, assuming you have one? Has she expressed an interest in a smaller vehicle?

#4 of 94 Downsizing by michaell

Jun 19, 2008 (9:36 am)

In the (almost) 11 years my wife and I have been married, we've gone through some downsizing ....
 
'98 Ford Expedition to
'02 Ford Explorer to
'04 Saturn VUE to
'08 Saturn VUE
 
The wife still likes the view from a vehicle that sits higher, so it's not likely that she'll ever go back to driving a 'regular' car. As our kids have gotten older we find that we don't need as much room for passengers and cargo.
 
The new VUE gets about 19-21 MPG in a combination of city and semi-rural driving. On the highway we have gotten up to 24 MPG. This is the XR model with the 3.6L V6, 6-speed automatic and AWD (EPA estimates are 16 city and 22 hwy).
 
As for me, I've stuck with cars for the most part:
 
'98 VW New Beetle
'03 Saturn L300
'03 Ford Focus
 
The Saturn is now my daily driver, but since I work from home 90% of the time, the Saturn doesn't get too many miles put on it -- about 4,000 since January. I've been getting 23-25 MPG from it.
 
Since it's paid for, it doesn't make sense for me to downsize into something smaller or more fuel efficient.

#5 of 94 Re: From Giant to Economy Size - Couples Choosing [KarenS] by euphonium

Jun 19, 2008 (9:54 am)

Replying to: KarenS (Jun 19, 2008 9:34 am)
She continues to be content with the '95 T Bird I bought for her as it was what she wanted at the time. It is interesting to me that only a year earlier she wanted the new 94 Town Car. So, we bought that, but then she wanted the T Bird, so there you go.
 
We are retired and she was a pharmacist who used to drive a Chevrolet Luv 4 speed stick shift to work. On weekends, it hauled her gardening needs. She prefers I make the transportation decisions & I prefer she make the dwelling choices.

#6 of 94 I'd imagine... by andre1969

Jun 19, 2008 (10:04 am)

that with most couples, if they can afford it, it's probably best to just get two vehicles. That way each can get what they really want. My grandparents on my Mom's side of the family always had a car and a truck. Granddad would usually pick out the truck, and Grandmom would usually pick out the car, and they'd both be happy. On my Dad's side, they always made do with one car, but luckily their tastes were both similar. Plus, Granddad would usually get Grandmom whatever she wanted. Thankfully she didn't have extravagant tastes, or she could have bankrupted him!
 
My Mom and stepdad bought an '08 Altima together a couple months ago, and the process got so long and dragged out that Mom was ready to strangle him. My stepdad is the type to research the hell out of something and second-guess himself every step of the way, whereas Mom just wants to buy the thing and be done with it. Well first they went back and forth between an Altima and an Accord, which took forever. Finally they decided on the Altima, but then my stepdad went into mental lockdown when it came to choosing between leather or cloth. They were all set to get the car one Saturday and my stepdad suddenly wanted to hold off and think it over some more. Mom was ready to kill him. My stepdad called me on the phone and asked my opinion. I think the model they got was a 2.5 SL...leather, sunroof, alloys, abs, etc. Pretty well loaded. They were getting it for something like $24K out the door. I told him I thought that was a steal at that price, and they finally broke down and got it.
 
And now, that they have this nice new car? Well I have yet to see it. They still drive their old '99 Altima back and forth to work. Every time they've come up here, they'd always bring the old one. I think the '08 just sits, mostly. Great use of financial resources, there.

#7 of 94 Re: From Giant to Economy Size - Couples Choosing [KarenS] by gagrice

Jun 19, 2008 (11:48 am)

Replying to: KarenS (Jun 19, 2008 9:34 am)
but what about your spouse, assuming you have one? Has she expressed an interest in a smaller vehicle?
 
You must be kidding. My wife does not like being in anything smaller than her LS400. The Sequoia is just about right.

#8 of 94 Karen: I learned this a long, long time ago. by euphonium

Jun 19, 2008 (12:27 pm)

"Buy her whatever she wants for in the long run it is much cheaper than a divorce".
 
Will you be married for over 53 years?

#9 of 94 Our story, so far by mattandi

Jun 19, 2008 (1:27 pm)

We began looking back mid-winter. Really would have bought something by now, but got side tracked looking at houses as well. Figured we'll complete the house thingy first. We're not in a big hurry.
 
Life details
2 young kids - 3 and 5 yo
she works full time, teacher
I stay home mostly with the 3 yo, work very part time
currently have one car, 2000 Saturn LW2 wagon
take regular road trips throughout the year to visit family, mine scattered around NC and hers in MD
go tent camping 3 or 4 times every summer, often with large groups with lots of equipment and supplies, even just the four of us fill up the wagon
my mom lives near us, she is getting older and doesn't like to drive much anymore, we are her taxi, she often tags along on trips
there is a fair chance of another kid in the future
often have a friend tagging along with our girls, guessing that will become more common
eventually I'll most likely go back to work more full time
 
It just screams minivan, huh? They really don't bother me so much, but she just does not like them. We did look at them, the Sienna and the Sedona were the favorites.My wife just could not get her heart into a box on wheels.
 
I like SUV's. Love the space and utility, but don't like feeding them. She really does not like how they drive. The big just gets to her. Took an Acadia for a test. Her immediate reaction was, "It just feels so big." My heart sank.
 
She does like wagons a lot, but there aren't any new that offer more than five seats. That's one of our deal breakers. So we moved on to mid CUV's.
 
Drove a Veracruz. She liked it. I was impressed as well. It remains on our short list. A little more cargo capacity would be nice though. So next up was the Taurus X. Liked that on as well. Now money becomes an issue. North of $30k is right at the top of what we figure fits in the budget, but not real comfortable pushing the limit. Things get much more comfortable at mid 20's or so. Seems dealer inventories are heavy on the more optioned vehicles. Gizmos and gadgetry are not priorities for us. We're content with more basic.
 
Go for a second look at something we initially wrote off, a Kia Rondo. One drive and my wife is hooked. It's roomy, drives the way she likes, and it just felt right to her. The top trim is quite comfortable and decently appointed. I'm wary of it for some irrational, image driven rationale, but it remains in contention.
 
Waiting to closely check out the Journey and the Flex.
 
Since we're not in a big hurry, we're also curious what may start to turn up used.
 
We are still on speaking terms through it all.

#10 of 94 Re: Our story, so far [mattandi] by fezo

Jun 19, 2008 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: mattandi (Jun 19, 2008 1:27 pm)
We are still on speaking terms through it all.
 
That would certainly help if you are thinking about a third kid....
 
Other than the minivan phobia you're looking in the right places.
 
Of course minivans were great by me until I became the primary driver on one of them. An SUV wouldn't cure that issue. I like cars - they are more responsive.

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