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Choosing
the Right Car. the Key to Fall Adventure |
by:
ARA |
(ARA)
- Driving, across the country or merely
a state line or two, is the quintessential
sport. Our cars transport us to destinations
like family reunions, vacations and honeymoons.
You won't find it on the front page of the
sports section, but driving, windows down,
music blaring and sunshine hot on your face
has become a tradition that's getting more
popular every year.
Like lemonade stands and drive-in movies
replaced by today's mega-theatres and air-conditioned
malls, cruising has evolved to include not
only today's safer convertibles, but other
vehicles that lend themselves to the particular
tastes of the driver.
"They say getting there is half the fun,
and if you're driving one of this year's
newer vehicles to your vacation destination
that really will be the case," says John
Davis, host and executive producer of MotorWeek,
a weekly automotive magazine show produced
by Maryland Public Television.
Davis says you'll be seeing a lot of pickups,
SUVs and convertibles out there; and unlike
in past years when people might rent "fun"
cars specifically to drive on vacation,
"the latest trend is for people to travel
in their own vehicles. It's a comfort thing
as well as being more economical," says
Davis.
"Besides, you can almost customize what
you drive these days. People are buying
vehicles that are good for more than just
getting to and from work and running errands,
they're buying cars that have a lot of storage
space and are also fun to drive, " says
Davis, whose show tracks trends in the automotive
industry.
So-called cross over vehicles, which combine
the features of a car with those of a sedan,
minivan or sport utility vehicle, are really
gaining in popularity. "They are the widest,
most imaginative group of vehicles to enjoy
in the history of the industry," says Davis.
Vehicles that fall into this category include
the Pontiac Vibe, Subaru Baja, Honda Element,
Scion xB, Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Matrix,
and Chevrolet Avalanche. They cover a broad
range of prices from under $15,000 to well
over $40,000.
*Safety Issues
"They are very versatile, there's no doubt
about that," says Davis. "But like the traditional
SUV, they tend to be tall, and taller vehicles
by their very nature can roll over easier,
so you still need to be extra careful when
taking corners."
Rollovers can also be a worry for another
popular summertime car: convertibles. They
tend to be slower to respond to driver inputs
because they are heavier than your average
sedan, but Davis points out, they have come
a long way. "Convertibles used to be flimsily
made and clumsy to drive, and really rattled
over rough roads. Now they are better built,
with better suspensions, and are much safer.
Along with front airbags, many convertibles
can be ordered with side impact airbags,
while a few have pop-up roll-over bars that
automatically provide extra protection for
occupants. Most also offer electronic driving
aids like anti-lock brakes and electronic
stability systems.
Cruising still has the devotion of the American
driver as it has for years, but with some
210 million registered drivers on the road,
it does require us to be more conscious.
Not just about safety, but other drivers,
and local laws as they relate to aggressive
driving and cell phone use. So, toss the
cell phone in the glove compartment, strap
on your seat belt and enjoy your next road
trip.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Bandoni
Media
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