Chatter

By Marcy

July 24, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

I drive a 2002 Saturn SL manual with many bells and whistles, and I love the car - it’s my second Saturn. I am still getting between 32-35 mpg city and 42-45 mpg highway. It’s a solid vehicle that will last me at least 10 years, as long as I maintain it properly. I think Saturn is one of the most underrated American cars in the country, coming from engineers who actually did a lot of research and had a lot of forethought before they built them.

By Robert

July 24, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

1st!!!! Fat people look funny in little cars.

By Gram

July 24, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

I would having nothing BUT a compact, especially in this day and age of $4 a gallon gas! Anyone who chooses a car that gets 8-10 mpg. is either rich, or stupid…or probably both.

I’ll take my 40mpg hybrid over your ugly, gas-guzzling SUV anyday.

By THE CATHOLIC HAMMER

July 24, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Radical Capitalism continues in America.

The car is a mechanical Jacobin, suited for America’s Protestant culture.

Conservatives don’t drive cars, they take organic forms of transportation, such as by horse or walking.

By HBC

July 24, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

I work at a domestic car new car dealership. We are facing a two fold problem. Both deal with persception by the public. First up, people for years have only thought of us when making a truck or suv purchase. When it comes to cars most times we don’t even get a look. We are not even on the shopping list. Secondly, it’s a common thought that our car products are substandard to Asian made models. The quality of our products rival or exceed that offer by the Japanese manufactors. However, after years a building dismal products in the 70’s and 80’s it’s hard to bring back customers that abandoned our products in frustration. I hope upcoming that car buyers will give the domestic manufactor’s another chance. We do have good product in the market.

By Plymouth

July 24, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Bought a used Plymouth Horizon for $1,000. Drove it 60k miles. Changed oil every 3k miles Bought 1 set of tires for less than $100 38 MPG highway/30 MPG city actual. Never brokedown or needed a repair. Sold it 5 years laterfor $1,000. Priceless!

By Neal

July 24, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

I traded my 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a 2007 Toyota Yaris a year or so ago. Not only did my gas mileage double but people stopped calling me to help them move.

By DS

July 24, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

I currently own 4 Ford Focuses, 2001, 2002, 2004 and a 2008. The 01 & 02 have around 100K on them, the 04 is at 80k and the 08 at 10k. The 01, 02 and 04 get about 21-25 mpg in the city and between 26-30 on the highway. The 08 is getting 30-35 mpg in the city and 36-40 mpg on the highway. All but the 02 are loaded (minus sunroof and leather) and have been very reliable.

At 250+ lbs, the cars are very comfortable to me, easy to get in and out of and the 08, which is a 2 door, has plenty of room for 2 adults in the backseat. The trunk is surprising large for the overall size of the car. While it won’t dislocate your neck in a jack-rabbit start, they are fairly peppy and run just fine doing 60 +++ mph. The 08 actually gets better mileage at 80 mph then it does at 65 mph. Go figure, so much for driving slower saving fuel.

Overall, I have no complaints with the cars.

I also ride a Harley and it gets 43-48 mpg in the city and 50-55 mpg on the highway. It gets better mileage than the cars and is a lot more fun to ride (drive).

Putting more motorcycles on the road will reducing our fuel usage and relieve a lot of congestions.

By Shelley

July 24, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Who will motorcycles ease congestion? Because they like to drive up the center line between cars, on the median or on the shoulder?

By Shelley

July 24, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

How will motorcycles ease congestion? Because they like to drive up the center line between cars, on the median or on the shoulder?

By *

July 24, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

I don’t have the typical small car. Although the car only weighs 200 pounds more than a corvette, it has a real backseat and trunk. It also has a 5.7 litre motor, but with a 5 speed automatic transmission, I get about 24-25mpg back and forth to work in Atlanta. The only badge that distinguishes the car are the letters AMG on the trunk lid.

By *

July 24, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

I don’t have the typical small car. Although the car only weighs 200 pounds more than a corvette, it has a real backseat and trunk. It also has a 5.7 litre motor, but with a 5 speed automatic transmission, I get about 24-25mpg back and forth to work in Atlanta. The only badge that distinguishes the car are the letters AMG on the trunk lid.

By Amanda

July 24, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

I switched my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder in for a 2008 Toyota Prius back in November. I love my Prius more than any car I’ve ever owned. It has a lot of the luxury items you wouldn’t expect (Bluetooth, rear camera for backing up, GPS, etc.).

It also has helped me to drive less aggressively. There’s a setting where it shows you what your MPG is. After seeing it fall down to 9 or 10 MPG when gunning it, I stopped gunning it as much (kind of like a game to see how high you get your MPGs - typically around 42 MPG). I drive a lot more slowly now - something a lot of Atlantans could benefit from!!

By ESR

July 24, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Best of both worlds here. I have a Ford 250 4x4 offroad for size and strength and just bought a new 350 Z Roadster for speed and getting looks from the ladies when the top is down and my perfectly handsome face is visable for the world to enjoy.

By DS

July 24, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Shelley, If you see a motorcycle riding the white line between lanes, then you should hug the white line. If they’re riding on the shoulder, open your door and empty that cup of water/coffee.

Most riders would never do that, the only ones I have seen do that are the young and very stupid riders. They give all motorcyclist a bad name.

Now, to ease congestion, they take up a lot less room on the road. When riding in a group, you will notice that we ride in a staggered formation. We can get 2-3 bikes in the space that one car needs. We also are for the most part safer riders/drivers. We have to be to avoid all the cagers (cager is someone driving a 4 wheeled vehicle IE – ‘in a cage’) who claim to never see motorcycle riders.

By jct

July 24, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

My first car was a blueberry blue 1992 Ford Fiesta. I LOVED that car. I had great arms because it did not have power steering.

It was great on gas and so much fun to drive. I miss that car…

I currently drive a 2004 Hyundai Sonata (4 cyclinder). It gets between 28 to 32 miles to the gallon. It gets me where I am going with no fuss or muss.

By Harold

July 24, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Small cars are the future. The current dip in oil will be a blip long term. The days of the SUV ruling the road are gone. Nobody needs a 8000 lbs tank to ride to starbucks. I like compact cars.

By Fireball Roberts

July 24, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

I’d always driven GM makes since I got my first car back in 1973. The quality sucked and improved only microscopically over the years. I bought my last one in 94. GM’s slavish dedication to SUV’s coupled with their determination to squash any and all stylistic appeal, were major turnoffs. The reintroduction of the Pontiac GTO was a slap in the face. Come on, a GTO imported from Australia? And the whole Cadillac makeover with SUV’s makes it clear that the inmates are running the asylum. My current car is a Honda, and I regret I didn’t buy one sooner. I still have an old Cadillac that I inherited, but it will be a cold day in June before I ever consider another GM.

By Lisa B.

July 24, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

I like small cars, but need vehicles large enough to tow a travel trailer and a boat. Even with gas prices of $4 per gallon, I can’t justify buying, insuring and maintaining a third vehicle. We carpool instead. I love our Expedition and F250, and plan to keep them both.

By GaLiberal

July 24, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

I LOVE my Miata. Easy to drop the top, it’s comfortable enough for short trips (<4 hrs), able to move through traffic, and easy to maintain. Ride is a little rough, but that the trade off. Mileage isn’t that great (only about 24 city), but it only takes 10 gals to fill up and that lasts me for a week or so.

By Gary

July 24, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Just traded our SUV in for a more fuel efficient Malibu. I also have a Z71 pickup that I use for hauling/towing. I cannot stand small cars. My parents had a Ford Festiva when I was 10 and that thing was hard to get in and out of. I don’t recommend small cars for families and that is why we don’t have one. Of course when the SUVs are fully stocked in Hybrid like the Tahoe, then I am sure we will go back to one of them. Liberals dog them for some reason, but they are really handy to have when you have a family.

By HLT

July 24, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I drive a 2008 Honda Fit and average 26 MPG in the city and 32 on long interstate drives. My previous cars were a 1996 Ford Explorer XLT and a 1999 BMW 328i sedan.

The Fit is my favorite of the bunch, hands down. I love its assertive styling, nimble handling, and suprisingly spacious interior (I’m 6’5”). I do wish the air conditioner were a little a more powerful.

Although I just moved to Atlanta from DC and haven’t owned a car for the last 5 years, it’s interesting to reflect on how my motivations have changed over time. During my young adulthood, I was impressed by flash and heft. Now, I want a small carbon footprint and to keep as many gas dollars as possible from flowing into OPEC hands.

By Spock

July 24, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

When I was a child, there was a family that lived next door that had 10 kids and 1 station wagon. They did just fine. My sister has 2 kids and “has to have” a Tahoe. Funny thing though, it’s just filled up with junk.

By J Davis

July 24, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

WE HAVE A LINCOLN NAVIGATOR (COMPANY CAR), JEEP WRANGLER AND JUST BOUGHT A NISSAN VERSA. LOVE IT, LOVE IT. IT’S GOT THE FUN AND CUTE FACTOR GOING ON, AND OF COURSE GREAT GAS MILEAGE. IT’S CUTER THAN THE HONDA FIT, AND ROOMIER THAN ALL THE OTHER CARS IN ITS LINE.(SCION, FIT, YARIS, AVEO) WHEN I NEED TO TRAVEL IN LUXURY I USE THE NAVIGATOR, OTHERWISE VERA THE VERSA ALL THE WAY.

By Matt the Brave

July 24, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

I drive a 2007 Hyundai Accent. Great styling, good radio, and I get somewhere between 32-35 miles to the gallon with mixed driving. The seats are pretty good, and it handles great! I sold my 1995 Mazda Millenia (which smoked like a chain smoker) for $1500 to put the down payment on my new car. My payments are minuscule as well (i.e.: less than $250/mo.)

By Mrs. Warren

July 24, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

I love my Scion tC. My mpg isn’t that great, around 23-25mpg but it isn’t bad. I just drive it to work and back on 400. It has a decent amount of horsepower at 161hp. I had a corolla the other day when i was getting routine maintenance. Man that think was awful.. it would not go. I almost got creamed because I’m used to my hp and torque. My husband drives a Subaru Impreza WRX with 224hp. It’s turbo charged and requires premium gasoline or it will blow up. He gets better gas mileage than me which blows my mind. His friends’ WRX gets 465hp….I don’t want to know what his mpg is.

By Dear Gary

July 24, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Having traveled across much of the world, and having seen how people (including families) from lands far and wide manage to make small cars work for them, it seems to me to be an uniquely American idea that four people need an extra-large SUV for regular transportation.

By J.C.

July 24, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

In Atlanta(the land of the car) it’s often seen as an extention of your personality. That’s why we variety of cars. Wanna be yuppies driving thirsty BMW’S while gansta rapper’s driver Hummers.Meanwhile SUV momma drivers her Tahoe w/the cell glued to her ear. What we need to drive are small economical sedans capable of at least 35 mpg. I think you we see small cars on the rise and hybrids more plentiful. Gas is no longer cheap and will most certainly go higher in the future. Futhermore, we need to utlize some type of viable mass transit. Marta is not a real option for most commuters here.

By Brad

July 24, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

I can certainly understand the appeal of the small cars for economical transport - and that’s all they’re good for, transport. If you tow utility trailers, boats, produce to the farmers’ market, whatever, I’m sorry a Prius just isn’t going to do it for you. We have a V8 Tahoe that actually gets near 20mpg, plus I can actually move things+people with it. I actually drive it for UTILITY not for prestige. If I lived in the city and only drove people plus limited cargo around, then maybe I’d own a small car. The SUV/Truck visibility and knowing I actually have something more than a beer can around me in an accident is appealing, though. No more than we travel the extra gas expense is minimal, esp. since I bought our used SUV for a fraction of the initial cost of a newer hybrid or regular small sedan. At the same time, driving a behemoth just for the hell of it is a waste.

By Mr Charlie

July 24, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

The only “small car” I could imagine living with on a daily basis is either a: Prius, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes CLK or a Jetta. The Prius I’ll take only for the hybrid factor. Otherwise, no 4 bangers for me!

By Tony Kanaan

July 24, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Hey Mr. Charlie, check out a V6 Accord. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Plus your service expenses will dry up.

By Chief Wiggum

July 24, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

I owned a 1986 Ford Escort. It was a surprisingly good car for me. It was a 4 speed manual, no air conditioning, manual crank-down windows, but the car was less than $7000 and made 30+ mpg around town and 40 mpg on the highway. That car had very few problems…it didn’t have a lot of excess electric and mechanical systems.

I currently own a 2004 Toyota Corolla, and I have 85,000 trouble-free miles on it. Good fuel mileage (33+ mpg in all types of driving), large, comfortable, plenty of nice touches. I like this car, especially with the current price of gasoline. I have owned all kinds of cars, including a 1994 Jaguar XJ6. This car isn’t as much fun, but it’s safe, comfortable, cheap, and reliable.

By AC

July 24, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

The only thing that worries me about a samll call is an accident going 55mph on a highway with a bigger car, truck or sedan.

Saving on Gas or having a better chance at surving an accident with a bigger car (for example a camry)?

What do you guys think?

By Melanie

July 24, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

J Davis, I’m with you on the Nissan Versa. We just bought an SL, and we LOVE it! We averaged 35 mpg (more than advertised) on our first two tanks of gas. It’s got all the bells and whistles (blue-tooth, keyless entry, etc.) and it’s definitely much roomier inside than you’d think. Our three kids fit nicely in the back seat, with no arguing over who’s touching whom. We kept our Town & Country to haul cargo or to take on long, luggage-intensive trips, but for around town, the Versa is our new baby.

By B2LG

July 24, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

I love my Jetta……….great on gas and plenty of room for me.

By Janice

July 24, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Back in June 1977, the day after high school graduation I bought new, a 1977 Pinto. I enjoyed the car but would get recall notice in the mail just about every week. I had the “sedan”. it had a trunk lid and after a few years of closing the truck, I use to have to keep a socket wrench with me to adjust the closing bolt cause it would be pushed out from the force of closing the lid. I was also fortuante (or stupid enough) to own a 1980 something Chevy Chevette. Shoventte was a better word for that car. The grounding cable for the alternator would fall off, so I’d go to leave for work in the morning and would have to push and clutch pop start the car. I took that car back to dealer every week for about 6 months for the same problem. The finally fixed it when I was speeding up the lot heading toward the windows of the show room. I was determined to hop the curb and just drive that car into the show room through the plate glass windows. That car also had breaks that didn’t hold. I lived on a hill and one night I was in one room of the house and my husband yelled cause my car was rolling down the street. Someone clipped the rear end and down the hill the car went. Yes, I had the emergency brake set. After the Chevette, I bought a 2-seater Ford EXP. Loved that car. After that I went inport and had a Accura Integra. Loved that car. Then a 1990 Chevy Monte Carlo after that. After the Accura I went larger because I didn’t feel safe in the smaller cars. I lived in the north and would have to deal with winter weather. I wonder about that Pinto at times.

By Janice

July 24, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Back in June 1977, the day after high school graduation I bought new, a 1977 Pinto. I enjoyed the car but would get recall notice in the mail just about every week. I had the “sedan”. it had a trunk lid and after a few years of closing the truck, I use to have to keep a socket wrench with me to adjust the closing bolt cause it would be pushed out from the force of closing the lid. I was also fortuante (or stupid enough) to own a 1980 something Chevy Chevette. Shoventte was a better word for that car. The grounding cable for the alternator would fall off, so I’d go to leave for work in the morning and would have to push and clutch pop start the car. I took that car back to dealer every week for about 6 months for the same problem. The finally fixed it when I was speeding up the lot heading toward the windows of the show room. I was determined to hop the curb and just drive that car into the show room through the plate glass windows. That car also had breaks that didn’t hold. I lived on a hill and one night I was in one room of the house and my husband yelled cause my car was rolling down the street. Someone clipped the rear end and down the hill the car went. Yes, I had the emergency brake set. After the Chevette, I bought a 2-seater Ford EXP. Loved that car. After that I went inport and had a Accura Integra. Loved that car. Then a 1994 Chevy Monte Carlo after that. After the Accura I went larger because I didn’t feel safe in the smaller cars. I lived in the north and would have to deal with winter weather. I wonder about that Pinto at times.

By Gary

July 24, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Thats great…..I can’t drive an SUV for a family of four because families across the world can do the same in much smaller cars. I am sorry, but for a moment I thought I lived in the U.S.A where I am free to choose what I want to drive and choose how much I want to spend in gas. Silly me for thinking that.

Look I said I traded in my SUV for a smaller car that also does well with the family thing. In the future if SUVs get better gas mileage or they go totally Hybrid I would consider buying one again because of the benefits you have with an SUV. Yes it can be beneficial for a family to use. My wife utilized ours very well in the 4 years we had it. The hatred for SUVs and the people who drive them is nothing more than wealth envy. I think the Prius and other tiny small cars like it are ugly as sin, but I am not going to berate those who drive them because it is their choice.

By West Cobb Dad

July 24, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

I drive a ‘98 Saturn. I get 28 city and 39 hwy. It has 168,000 miles on it. I had the transmission replaced back in January of this year. People ask why I don’t get a new one. Find me one that gets this mileage and has the room and dependability. I dare you. Of course, when GM realized how good the cars actually were, they changed they got involved and now have screwed up the brand. But what else is new.

By West Cobb Dad

July 24, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

I drive a ‘98 Saturn. I get 28 city and 39 hwy. It has 168,000 miles on it. I had the transmission replaced back in January of this year. People ask why I don’t get a new one. Find me one that gets this mileage and has the room and dependability. I dare you. Of course, when GM realized how good the cars actually were, they changed they got involved and now have screwed up the brand. But what else is new.

By Gary

July 24, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

Thats great…..I can’t drive an SUV for a family of four because families across the world can do the same in much smaller cars. I am sorry, but for a moment I thought I lived in the U.S.A where I am free to choose what I want to drive and choose how much I want to spend in gas. Silly me for thinking that.

Look I said I traded in my SUV for a smaller car that also does well with the family thing. In the future if SUVs get better gas mileage or they go totally Hybrid I would consider buying one again because of the benefits you have with an SUV. Yes it can be beneficial for a family to use. My wife utilized ours very well in the 4 years we had it. The hatred for SUVs and the people who drive them is nothing more than wealth envy. I think the Prius and other tiny small cars like it are ugly as sin, but I am not going to berate those who drive them because it is their choice.

By RS

July 24, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

I bought a Honda Civic LX a little over a year ago and LOVE IT. I had a Chrysler Sebring LXi before and that was just a gas guzzler that seemed to fall apart pretty quickly (how many people have replaced their door handles?!?!). The Civic gets at least 100-150 miles more to a tank of gas than the Sebring and the tank on the Civic is smaller, so it works out really nice…

I’ve also owned a 91 Ford Escort that was great on gas, but broke down a lot and a 93 Saturn SL that was great - hardly any mechanical issues in the 3 or 4 years I owned it.

By RS

July 24, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

I bought a Honda Civic LX a little over a year ago and LOVE IT. I had a Chrysler Sebring LXi before and that was just a gas guzzler that seemed to fall apart pretty quickly (how many people have replaced their door handles?!?!). The Civic gets at least 100-150 miles more to a tank of gas than the Sebring and the tank on the Civic is smaller, so it works out really nice…I drive up to PA to visit my family once a year and last year I made it on just 2 tanks of gas! It took me 3.5 tanks in the Sebring the year before!

I’ve also owned a 91 Ford Escort that was great on gas, but broke down a lot and a 93 Saturn SL that was great - hardly any mechanical issues in the 3 or 4 years I owned it.

By Bronc

July 24, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

The first car I owned was a 1973 Ford Pinto. It had 19,000 miles on it and I paid $900 cash for it. 3 years later I sold it for $1000 with 72,000 miles on it. And, yes it had the gas tank cover added. I loved that little car and after forking out hundreds of dollars for my larger SUV type vehicles; I am back in a gas sipper..and love it. Rock on Pinto..Ford bring it back…

By Former Atlantan

July 24, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

I drive a 2003 Mercedes E320. You would be amazed at the gas mileage. I get on average 25 city and 32 highway. I am not aggressive and I drive the speed limit. I fill the car up maximum 2 times per month.

I say this to make a point. If you slow down and drive the speed limit, you will also be amazed at the gas mileage that your car will get too, no matter the make or model.

By eric

July 24, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Let’s see..

10,000 miles driven a year (average, I’d guess)…
20 MPG (again.. AVG)…

= 500 gallons of gas.. .

Gas going from $3/gallon to $4/gallon costs you $500/year ($1.37/day)

You not being able to afford that means you need to go back to school. I don’t really pay attention to how much it costs to fill my LX570..sorry.

By GeezGuys

July 24, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Janice @ 3:18, I admire your problem-solving abilities when negotiating with car dealership services.

By no4n

July 24, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Before you go out and buy that Accord or Camry you better do some research. New Accords with VCM that is supposed to save gas is having all kinds of problems on the V6. The Camry’s are having lots of transmission issues as well. You will see many 2007’s on used lots now. With that being said I have a GM and never have any problems. Before you go buy that little small car, make sure that it can take the daily abuse of Shirley’s metal plates, and terrible roads due to the sewer projects because my car sure takes a beating in midtown daily. Plus you are helping others keep jobs!

By Spock

July 24, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

It’s easy to say that people who are down on SUV’s are just envious, and I’ll bet that yes, a lot of people are. But there are other issues why so many are against them, mainly that an SUV is a fairly irresonsible vehicle due to the fact that the governement allows them to have lower MPG requirements as well as lower emission standards. This of course is not an owner’s fault, but rather that of the government. I think the perception of those that frown on SUV’s is borne out of the notion that people have them just because they can and (some) have them as status symbols. They have no real need for a vehicle with that much room or towing capability or off road abilities when all they are going to do is drive around town. But this I also know, there’s a reason that the Big 3 continue to make them.

By val

July 24, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

I use have chevette & some other chevy, can’t remember the name. I bought a 1993 toyota corolla in 93, still have it 292000 miles, great gas miledge. I bought another one in 07, love it. Just keep up & their run almost forever.

By Look again

July 24, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

If you really are concerned about keeping jobs, look at the content sticker on the window of a new car. Furthermore, look at the final assembly plant. For example, The Hyundai sonata is manufactored in Alabama. The steel is domestic steel and pressed in Alabama. The parent company is Korean but utlizies much American labor. By contrast, the Ford Fusion and Chevrolet HHR are both manufactored in Mexico. The cars are however presented as Good old American products.If keeping Americans working is a concern, take these factors into consideration.

By Erik

August 7, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

The 72 Vega Hatchback I had in the 70’s was the best car I owned at the time.

I still have and drive a 73 Vega wagon around town!

Back when cars were affordable and easy to work on. Now they cost as much as my first house!