NationStates Jolt Archive

I am a 16 year old moderate liberal, and I am 6'3", how am I supposed to fit in a hybrid, or small car, what about when I go to college, how am I supposed to fit all my stuff in a car. How about when I go hunting, and bring an ATV, should I tow the deer on a trailer with my ATV, or stuff them into the back of my Prius?

I plan on getting a Ford Expedition in 2 years for college, it has the towing capacity and space for all my stuff, plus the space for 5 people and its comfortable in the back. They get 15 MPG average, but I'll be able to afford it, I'll be in college and wint be driving very much. They will also be affordable as in a few thousand dollars used.

http://www.bettercarbuy.com/expedition.jpg
A Ford Expedition

I am a 16 year old moderate liberal, and I am 6'3", how am I supposed to fit in a hybrid, or small car, what about when I go to college, how am I supposed to fit all my stuff in a car. How about when I go hunting, and bring an ATV, should I tow the deer on a trailer with my ATV, or stuff them into the back of my Prius?

I plan on getting a Ford Expedition in 2 years for college, it has the towing capacity and space for all my stuff, plus the space for 5 people and its comfortable in the back. They get 15 MPG average, but I'll be able to afford it, I'll be in college and wint be driving very much. They will also be affordable as in a few thousand dollars used.

http://www.bettercarbuy.com/expedition.jpg
A Ford Expedition
Lexus is coming out with a hybrid SUV in 2006. And GM plans to release a hybrid pick-up sometime next year. It's not as big of a hybrid as the other cars, but GM says it's 10-15% more efficient than most pickup trucks.

"Do you find something Amusing about the way I drive my Automobile?"

most cars with 4WD only use it in the first 2 weeks of ownership then never again

you may THINK you need an expedition but why would you need a big-ass car that sits in the college parking lot 99% of the time? have your parents drive you up to college and bring a bicycle. its all a serious student needs

if you really need something with cargo capacity and towing capability, get thee to a minivan. better gas mileage than an suv, little chance of being attacked by the elves, and not explicitly evil.

but you don't need even a minivan. you may need access to one, but you don't need your own.

i have yet to meet a car that a tall person can't drive. riding in them is more of an issue, but if you're the driver you get to adjust the seat.

I just got a pannier rack attached to my bike. When I go to college I'll just use my bike to get almost everywhere; it'll save me money on gas and i'll have fewer tuneups (i'd still have a car just in case)

youre gonna be dirt poor when you are in college and every penny will count. you should consider that minivan things. they are way safer to drive too. SUVs are death traps

"Do you find something Amusing about the way I drive my Automobile?"http://headworks.net/simpsons/photo/Images/Pictures/nelson1a.jpg
HA HA!

Civic hybrids can fit anyone, carry all the crap you'll need, and you only move for a day. You're in high school, in college your dad is still likely to have whatever it is that hauls your ATV and fetches your deer and frankly your not going to be able to do those things without him anyway.

I've been to college three times now (this time for sure.....) and have never needed a big ass SUV, shockingly enough-millions of students have managed to pull off college without gas-guzzling, pedestrian and other car on the road endangering SUVs. Why, a good portion of people manage college with no car at all......

Look, I have the same (real) dilema you do, you want to be responsable, but you also want some badass wheels (your definition and mine differ, but the problem is the same). Just be careful to be truthful with yourself about why you're making that comprimise.

My brother sports an Expodition, and it is way more trouble than it's worth. He started using my motorcycle because the gas was killing him, and he only lived a few miles from his job.

I'm 6' 3" as well, and I can fit into those cars just fine. They look smaller than they are.

I know the damn things are so small hell any car is. To be comfortable or get any work done or fit many people you need: an suv or pickup. Now if detroit would just make suvs that got 27-40 miles a gallon or something like that

Either way I'll probably always drive a pickup or suv

It's been said before, but just to confirm, I'm also 6'3" and can fit in my sedan just fine. It's an old Buick, so it's not exactly small...but I'm also able to fit into an '83 BMW 2-door coupe I'm refinishing, so it can be done.

BUT, if you just HAVE to have an SUV, consider a diesel. They get way better mileage and currently diesel is cheaper than gas, though their emissions are a bit of drawback--they've been linked to cancer.

Also, if you're going to get an SUV, don't get an excessively large one (like the ford expedition).

My dad bought a jeep cherokee sport a few years back, we're both very tall, and my dad did a lot of work at state parks and had to carry a lot of equipment, and we never had any problem with it.

Plus, it was light enough that it didn't get stuck like the heavier ones do.

It's been said before, but just to confirm, I'm also 6'3" and can fit in my sedan just fine. It's an old Buick, so it's not exactly small...but I'm also able to fit into an '83 BMW 2-door coupe I'm refinishing, so it can be done.

BUT, if you just HAVE to have an SUV, consider a diesel. They get way better mileage and currently diesel is cheaper than gas, though their emissions are a bit of drawback--they've been linked to cancer.
If you're in the right place, you can run it on bio-diesel. The shuttles at my campus us bio-diesel.

Hybrid cars: What's the point?

I mean, why not just make a completely environmentally-friendly car and get over it instead of subjecting people to casually get used to the idea...

The environmentalists out there are going to love my idea.

It's been said before, but just to confirm, I'm also 6'3" and can fit in my sedan just fine. It's an old Buick, so it's not exactly small...but I'm also able to fit into an '83 BMW 2-door coupe I'm refinishing, so it can be done.

BUT, if you just HAVE to have an SUV, consider a diesel. They get way better mileage and currently diesel is cheaper than gas, though their emissions are a bit of drawback--they've been linked to cancer.
To bad my family isn't like that. We have a Cadilac Escalade. As much as we love it, I feel guilty riding in it.

Lexus is coming out with a hybrid SUV in 2006. And GM plans to release a hybrid pick-up sometime next year. It's not as big of a hybrid as the other cars, but GM says it's 10-15% more efficient than most pickup trucks.

I'll be in college in the fall of 2006, they are coming out with one this year, but its a Lexus, and I'm middle class, therefore I can't afford one.

Lexus is coming out with a hybrid SUV in 2006. And GM plans to release a hybrid pick-up sometime next year. It's not as big of a hybrid as the other cars, but GM says it's 10-15% more efficient than most pickup trucks.

I'll be in college in the fall of 2006, they are coming out with one this year, but its a Lexus, and I'm middle class, therefore I can't afford one.
Bet your grandparents can. From what I've found out, quite a few elderly people are rolling in pots of gold. They just don't want to spend it.

To bad my family isn't like that. We have a Cadilac Escalade. As much as we love it, I feel guilty riding in it.

I'd never ride in one, I'd look too greedy in my eyes.

I strongly dislike SUV's. They make me want to scream. I like the idea of a hybrid. A bike is even better if where you live is practical for biking.

The best idea--take a bus!

I strongly dislike SUV's. They make me want to scream. I like the idea of a hybrid. A bike is even better if where you live is practical for biking.

The best idea--take a bus!Heh, that reminds me of a really funny bus advert from St. Catharines, Ont.

http://www.mybus.com/intro.swf

most cars with 4WD only use it in the first 2 weeks of ownership then never again

you may THINK you need an expedition but why would you need a big-ass car that sits in the college parking lot 99% of the time? have your parents drive you up to college and bring a bicycle. its all a serious student needs

My dad uses his 4-Wheel drive all the time in the winter. My mom doesnt know how to use it:oops:.

I dont see myself riding a bike with my laptop and books all crammed into a little box on the front. Besides, any [physical]shock going into a laptop will render it inserviceable until I get a replacement for it. If I live a few thousand miles away, than them driving to get me wont be an option every few months.

if you really need something with cargo capacity and towing capability, get thee to a minivan. better gas mileage than an suv, little chance of being attacked by the elves, and not explicitly evil.

but you don't need even a minivan. you may need access to one, but you don't need your own.

i have yet to meet a car that a tall person can't drive. riding in them is more of an issue, but if you're the driver you get to adjust the seat.

I would never drive a soccer momish minivan. Its also dangerous to have a little car and a large frame, they are more dangerous.

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/pics/crash24.jpg
Compact car crash.

Look, its tough enough fitting into a sedan for me.

I dont see myself riding a bike with my laptop and books all crammed into a little box on the front. Besides, any [physical]shock going into a laptop will render it inserviceable until I get a replacement for it. If I live a few thousand miles away, than them driving to get me wont be an option every few months.

have you heard of a backpack? your laptop would be safe in there.

what i don't get is if you're going to university, how the hell can you afford an suv?

you should consider that minivan things. they are way safer to drive too. SUVs are death traps

Too soccer momish, and SUV's are safer at low speeds. I always wear a seatbelt, so in a rollover I would most likley live.

Either way I'll probably always drive a pickup or suv

Same here

you should consider that minivan things. they are way safer to drive too. SUVs are death traps

Too soccer momish, and SUV's are safer at low speeds. I always wear a seatbelt, so in a rollover I would most likley live.Oh quit looking at stereotypes and be practical. If I ever get into your situation, I would drive a minivan if I had to.

BUT, if you just HAVE to have an SUV, consider a diesel. They get way better mileage and currently diesel is cheaper than gas, though their emissions are a bit of drawback--they've been linked to cancer.

Diesel is worse for the enviroment because it is basically unrefined oil, and it emits awful clouds of toxins, and causes cancer, meaning I have to back it out of my garage every morning, not just open the garage door and leave it idling. Diesel also sounds obnoxious.

I'll drive a Toyota Prius or take the bus. I might drive a terribly old car. . .I don't want a "rich people's" car.

BUT, if you just HAVE to have an SUV, consider a diesel. They get way better mileage and currently diesel is cheaper than gas, though their emissions are a bit of drawback--they've been linked to cancer.

Diesel is worse for the enviroment because it is basically unrefined oil, and it emits awful clouds of toxins, and causes cancer, meaning I have to back it out of my garage every morning, not just open the garage door and leave it idling. Diesel also sounds obnoxious.Sounds obnoxious, eh? Ever been to Europe? European cars mostly run on diesel. And they aren't any more obnoxious than petrol-powered automobiles. But I guess most Americans still live by the myth that all diesel-powered autos run like semi-trailers.

Hey man, drive what you want. I'm not as tall as you, but I'm plenty big and I fit into all manner of cars without a lot of effort, but I was most comfortable in my Jeep.

Most of the cars you're complaining about actually have plenty of room, even for big people, but I'm not going to try to convince you to change your mind. You seem to have decent, long-term reasons for the vehicle you want--towing capacity is something that compacts will never match up in.

Just don't bitch about high gas prices and how expensive it is to drive your beast. You're walking into this one with eyes wide open.

Also, if you're going to get an SUV, don't get an excessively large one (like the ford expedition).

My dad bought a jeep cherokee sport a few years back, we're both very tall, and my dad did a lot of work at state parks and had to carry a lot of equipment, and we never had any problem with it.

Plus, it was light enough that it didn't get stuck like the heavier ones do.

My dad has an explorer, and he is 6 feet tall. We go on fishing trips all the time. Its got 150,000 miles on it though, so in 2 years it'll have near 200,000 on it.

I dont see myself riding a bike with my laptop and books all crammed into a little box on the front. Besides, any [physical]shock going into a laptop will render it inserviceable until I get a replacement for it. If I live a few thousand miles away, than them driving to get me wont be an option every few months.

have you heard of a backpack? your laptop would be safe in there.

what i don't get is if you're going to university, how the hell can you afford an suv?

Its only a few thousand, I think my dad or step-mom can give me a car, or I could save up a little bit from my summer job over the next 3 years.

Am I the only one who likes the bus?

Am I the only one who likes the bus?
if you lived in this city, you wouldn't like the bus. the service sucks hardcore and they keep jacking up the fare without improving it.
i usually walk or ride my bike unless i have to go very far.
hopefully soon i'll have my lisence so i can drive myself places rather than taking the bus in the mornings.

Am I the only one who likes the bus?I don't mind the bus, but currently it's not an option. Hardly anything is anyway.

Am I the only one who likes the bus?Not at all--I love it. But San Francisco is one of the exceptions. Most US cities have pathetic mass transit systems, if they have one at all.

Maybe that's true. I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and whenever I have to take the bus, I find it reasonable. Except when strangers sit beside me. . .

if you really need something with cargo capacity and towing capability, get thee to a minivan. better gas mileage than an suv, little chance of being attacked by the elves, and not explicitly evil.

but you don't need even a minivan. you may need access to one, but you don't need your own.

i have yet to meet a car that a tall person can't drive. riding in them is more of an issue, but if you're the driver you get to adjust the seat.

Sure..it's no problem driving..if you want your knees to do the driving, and your seat, not only moved back but tilted back far enough so you have head room.....my neighbor is 6'5", there is not one car he can drive comfortably or one in which he doesn't have to contort into a pretzel to get into....when such a vehicle can be made I'm sure he'll give it consideration on getting rid of his Chevy 2500.

The bus doesn't work in moderately sized cities in America. The places you want to get to are too far away and the bus is either always late doesn't have a stop you want.

Why get a average looking SUV when you can buy a chromed beastly sedan from the 50's? My dad has a '51 Hudson Hornet and people almost jump in front of the thing just to look at it. It has just as shity gas mileage (8 miles a gal.) and LOTS of space inside its massive trunk and back seat. A decent looking and running vehicle from this era will price at about $5,000 to $10,000 dollars. I don't know if its just me or what but I'd rather drive a cheaply priced, gas hog of a thing that will catch the eye than some classist over priced thing that more than half of America sees everyday.
but I'd rather have a old Citroen more than anything else; they're cheap, a great style, and good on gas.....

Why get a average looking SUV when you can buy a chromed beastly sedan from the 50's? My dad has a '51 Hudson Hornet and people almost jump in front of the thing just to look at it. It has just as shity gas mileage (8 miles a gal.) and LOTS of space inside its massive trunk and back seat. A decent looking and running vehicle from this era will price at about $5,000 to $10,000 dollars. I don't know if its just me or what but I'd rather drive a cheaply priced, gas hog of a thing that will catch the eye than some classist over priced thing that more than half of America sees everyday.
but I'd rather have a old Citroen more than anything else; they're cheap, a great style, and good on gas.....Heh. My dad had an old Buick, '56 IIRC, but that thing didn't do too well :( . Also, we had a '68 Plymouth Fury. We didn't notice any gas problems back then, but that was when it wasn't a dollar for the gallon even. Huge trunk, too, it's a bit of an exaggeration but I could fit a Civic in that thing.

I would never drive a soccer momish minivan.

so it comes down to fashion then, eh?

well Freesoviets it can be about fashion. when you have a car like my dads '51 Hudson Hornet 8)
as i said before its like an SUV with chrome bumpers.
SUVs are more ego building than anything; besides a yuppie in a gigantic Dodge ram pickup. Don't need it but it helps make their dicks feel bigger :P

Why get a average looking SUV when you can buy a chromed beastly sedan from the 50's? My dad has a '51 Hudson Hornet and people almost jump in front of the thing just to look at it. It has just as shity gas mileage (8 miles a gal.) and LOTS of space inside its massive trunk and back seat. A decent looking and running vehicle from this era will price at about $5,000 to $10,000 dollars. I don't know if its just me or what but I'd rather drive a cheaply priced, gas hog of a thing that will catch the eye than some classist over priced thing that more than half of America sees everyday.
but I'd rather have a old Citroen more than anything else; they're cheap, a great style, and good on gas.....
I drive a '67 bus, which used to get a lot of looks until I moved to the 'land of VW bus'' I get around 30mph, though that too is worse cause now I climb hills all the time. And I can carry equipment which I need to do now and then. BUT-going to college in a vintage car is like saying that college isn't quite enough of a hassle, I should add a financial time bomb to the mix....Nothing like having something break that you didn't even know was on the car. (fortunately, you really can fix a bus with tape and a shoe string-I got home once using those.)

Still, guy's kidding himself. He doesn't need that truck by a long shot. He wants it and is justifying it.

And who is anybody kidding that an Expodition isn't a soccer-mom ride? That is SUCH a soccer mom ride, it could barely even qualify for a soccer-mom in denial ride. Do you really think that things got any off-road, rough and tumble cred? C'mon....

I would never drive a soccer momish minivan.

so it comes down to fashion then, eh?

Yes, most men that drive mini-vans are not very masculine, something that I am.

well Freesoviets it can be about fashion. when you have a car like my dads '51 Hudson Hornet 8)
as i said before its like an SUV with chrome bumpers.
SUVs are more ego building than anything; besides a yuppie in a gigantic Dodge ram pickup. Don't need it but it helps make their dicks feel bigger :P

I'd love a classic like that.

And who is anybody kidding that an Expodition isn't a soccer-mom ride? That is SUCH a soccer mom ride, it could barely even qualify for a soccer-mom in denial ride. Do you really think that things got any off-road, rough and tumble cred? C'mon....

They can sort of go off-road.
http://www.rockcrawler.com/trailreports/torc2000/obstacle/expedition.jpg

http://www.off-road.com/ford/bajaexpedition/exp_glamis2_800x525.jpg

An explorer would go off road too.... But i need towing capacity and space for a deer.

Yeah man, this:
http://www.rockcrawler.com/trailreports/torc2000/obstacle/expedition.jpg
Isn't this:
http://www.bettercarbuy.com/expedition.jpg

And both are a far cry from this:
http://www.zananas-martinique.com/_images/loisirs-terrestres/safari-land-rover.jpg

Yes, most men that drive mini-vans are not very masculine, something that I am.

haha. man, you do realize that the actual message of driving around in a huge vehicle is more one of compensation than manlyness, right?

I drive a '67 bus, which used to get a lot of looks until I moved to the 'land of VW bus'' I get around 30mph, though that too is worse cause now I climb hills all the time. And I can carry equipment which I need to do now and then. BUT-going to college in a vintage car is like saying that college isn't quite enough of a hassle, I should add a financial time bomb to the mix....Nothing like having something break that you didn't even know was on the car. (fortunately, you really can fix a bus with tape and a shoe string-I got home once using those.)

Still, guy's kidding himself. He doesn't need that truck by a long shot. He wants it and is justifying it.

from what i can see college doesn't require much driving so driving around like some kind of embargoed cuban shouldn't be much of a problem, don't have to be perfect but will certainly be a cheaper alternative to an SUV. sure things can go wrong but let the fans of the "lead sled" help. it aint that expensive to maintain an old car that has had some TLC over the years so you'd have to be very picky of your purchases. Im not talking about a piece of crap that has sat in some hillbilly's barn for 40 + years.

Yes, most men that drive mini-vans are not very masculine, something that I am.

haha. man, you do realize that the actual message of driving around in a huge vehicle is more one of compensation than manlyness, right?

Thats one of those stupid far-left statements. Of course, if its true, why do a lot of african americans drive large SUVs?

Yes, most men that drive mini-vans are not very masculine, something that I am.

haha. man, you do realize that the actual message of driving around in a huge vehicle is more one of compensation than manlyness, right?

Thats one of those stupid far-left statements. Of course, if its true, why do a lot of african americans drive large SUVs?

Taken in context, that is probably one of the most amusing statements ever to cross the nationstates general forum.

Keep livin' the bad life, mate.

First off I'd like to mention a few things before I address one specific quote...

Height:
At just 6 foot even I have a problem fitting into certain cars, whether or not people have problems with this largely relies on whether or not they maintain a proper seating position. If you are the type to slouch you will not have a problem, but if you maintian the proper full and upright position used by racers and most people who spend long hours behind the wheel you will find the roof a problem, for instance in my current vehicle I have about .5 in of clearance between the top of my head and the roof.

Manlyness Factor:
I've owned 2 sport-coupes, 1 compact sedan, and 1 Mini-van... let me say that the van had the most versatility. While it was embarassing to drive sometimes, that never mattered when heading to a concert with 7+ passengers... I'm a sport coupe person, but it's not an image thing(I couldn't care less what other drivers think), I could never soar through turns in a family car, minivan, compact or Suv

on to the big one
Hybrid cars: What's the point?

I mean, why not just make a completely environmentally-friendly car and get over it instead of subjecting people to casually get used to the idea...

The environmentalists out there are going to love my idea.
I'm an engineering student, and one thing I have studied extensively is the environmentally friendly thing, a totally clean car is still about 20 years off...

Dont even start about fuel cells (they aren't ready yet)

Short range electrics, while these sound like a good idea most people forget that in many places fossil fuel burning plants supply electricity, and therefor would need to increase output, thus contributing to pollution.

Alcohol fuels, althogh pretty clean, have serious production issues, and if I remember were implemented in Brazil(?) just to flop several years later

One poster mentioned biodiesel, from my research this is the best alternative fuel source at the moment as it is usually made from soybeans which grow quickly thus requireing minimal land investment, further more biodiesel can be run as a blend in conventional diesel engines with little to no modifications in most cases.

Although unpopular with environmentalists, the improving the gasoline engine is likely the best course of action at the moment...

From my humble expierence (by engineer's terms) in studying the subject the most promising outlook is the "fully variable engine" in which compression ratio, valve timing and duration, and intake runner length are "constantly" variable... all of the above technology EXISTS but has never to my knowledge been used all on one engine. If it were all combined with a new type of continuosly variable transmission that's currently being developed, smaller engines with remarkable gas mileage and impressive acceleration at the same time could be had (mind you they would likely not even need to utalize current hybrid technology to achieve similar gas mileage)

Edit: fixed some grammer/spelling

Hey, get whatever car you want, but don't make up BS reasons for it. I moved between three cities once per semester throughout most of 5 years of college - and I moved everything I needed to (except furniture - most of which you couldn't get into an SUV either) in a little Saturn SL.

Also, a good compromise might be something like a Honda CRV. They get much better gas mileage than your usual SUV, look good, and have plenty of room for up to 5 people. I don't know about towing because my mom doesn't do much towing, but I think they would probably be fine.


Sure..it's no problem driving..if you want your knees to do the driving, and your seat, not only moved back but tilted back far enough so you have head room.....my neighbor is 6'5", there is not one car he can drive comfortably or one in which he doesn't have to contort into a pretzel to get into....when such a vehicle can be made I'm sure he'll give it consideration on getting rid of his Chevy 2500.

He should try a VW bug. I think they're ugly as sin, but I got into one when I was car-shopping and they have a freaking crazy amount of headroom.