Face it, you're getting a Pathfinder, and you'll learn to like it.

Nope. Only comes in a v6 and there aren't enough bells and whistles despite it being redesigned and supposedly less trucky. The Murano jim has now is 'ok'. Doesn't handle appreciably better than the Jeep though. More HP but it's so slow to accelerate... needs more torque. The constant velocity thing is pretty cool, but again, I'd rather be able to stomp on the pedal and pass someone.

Well I'ma lease one of them Zs. All I need is to make a little more money. OK a lot.

Is Nissan taking a beating on the new Valdez class pickups and SUVs? It seems like they picked a bad time to get into the absurdly over-size market.

People should be able to choose whatever they want to drive but I don't buy the SUV as station wagon arguement. Pete's Impreza rocks in the snow so I assume the larger AWD wagons handle well. My Nissan 4x4 is better for deep snow but the Subaru is a much more flexible vehicle. Most of my siblings and in-laws with kids have gone the van and SUV route but I've never needed to haul that much stuff with the girls. My bro-in-law gives me crap for not having a van for hauling kid stuff but what do you need that doesn't fit in a hatchback or trunk?

*edit* This sounds like sniping but I really don't know why the big vehicles are necessary or even desirable since they handle for shit. A real reply rather than a flame would be appreciated. If you live in a suburbia why a 4x4? I live where people go on the vacations they justify their 4x4 for and outside of hauling farm/construction stuff I don't need a 4x4.

griff,

The only reason I can see for having one of those BIGASS SuV's like the suburban or the Armada (drove one, hated it) is the third row of seats. Jinx's jeep is perfect for our lifestyle. I can fill it with groceries, kids, strap the kayaks to the roof, and go drive through the woods, plus it handles like a car, gets to 60mph in 7.xx seconds, and I don't have to plow my driveway when it snows.

In our opinion, minivans are safer because they sap the joy out of driving. they are infinitely useable, get good mileage, and handle decently......but most people that drive them are much more likely to stay in the slow lane and get there safely.....

many of these stats begin with what kind of drivers buy theses vehicles. minivan drivers are generally more interested in safety, so it stands to reason that they drive more carefully. sports car buyers are more likely to be good drivers that take joy in the performance, and get emotionally involved with their car......much more likely to be acutely aware of their surroundings when driving. SUV buyers tend to range from soccer moms to extreme sport yuppies. that large a slice of the populous has varrying degrees of driving skill, and therefore, a mixed bag of accident probabilities get lumped up together. I think it all comes down to the driver. If you can;t handle a 4 door sedan without banging into the gas pump, you shouldn;t be out buying an SUV because they do better in an accident, you should take a cab.

Toad, I have a 300ZX for sale if you want one, cheap!

Cars & pickups. :smack:
Is it possible to buy a one today w/out all the damn whistles & bells? I have a 78 ford pu w/over 200k miles on it. Radio & heater. A damn Dakato 99 w/a bunch of crap, also new front end w/less than 30k miles & 16 MPG. I can read a map, why do I need GPS? If I don't know where I'm going I leave early. Not that I ever go anywhere. I also know to keep gas in the damn thing, please no dings. Air in tires, change oil, just found out that's a no no.Warranty is void!
How about a plain old vehical, one that years ago you could open doors & wash the thing out?

I washed my car like that yesterday buster. Left the sunroof open and it rained buckets. It's all good today though - heated seats even still work.
The wrangler actually has a drain on the floor...

LJ, absolutely! :thumbsup: Too bad the Feds and CA state can't understand that. It's the truth but the bane of actuarial tables.

Jinx, a couple rounds through the floor should handle any water. :)

I've got a Miata (not listed) and an Outback. Despite what the table says, the outback is NOT a compact! Sheesh!

I'm guessing the Town Car is up there in driver deaths because of heart attacks and strokes rather than any quality of the vehicle.

They're thinking of after Zippy runs his F-350 into you. :eek:

I'm betting most of the Town Cars are rental cars, racking up mileage and hours.

I agree with Jinx and LJ... I have a 99 Jeep GC Limited 4x4 v8 and absolutely love it...the ONLY thing I don't love about it is the bad mileage. Love the V8 power and the GC is nibble enough that if (and this is the real issue here) *you are paying attention* to the cars moving around you, you can keep yourself out of trouble. I have avoided lots of accidents by being fairly alert, not acting like the typical driver these days who spends more time talking on the cell phone or yelling at the kids in the back than driving the car.

Used the 4x4 capabilities a lot in CT where I lived for the last 4 years and plan to use it more pulling a boat soon in FL. Also used it to pull stumps up in P'cola after hurricane Ivan for family.

Pretty funny that my only complaint is the mileage and what does Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge do? Put a HEMI in it for 2005. (and yes, I am very embarrassed to admit that I am tempted!!)

FD

found a picture of the stump pulling .... (and yes, a 4x4 truck would do just as well but it would not let me seat 4 and haul their suitcases in the back while it is raining outside ... unless it is a F-350 and gets the same mileage as my Jeep).

Yeah,I gotta admit the boat towing would be hard with C4 Plastique. :)

Pardon my ignorance about such subjects as stump pulling ...

But why does the stump appear to be leaning opposite the direction of pull? Unless you were using a big elastic band to pull the stump and when it came free, the car flipped over it and miraculously landed on it's feet like a one ton cat, I don't see how that works out like that ...