Daily Auto News Some Buyers Regret Downsizing Their Cars
Daily Auto News
Millions of Americans have moved from large, fuel-thirsty vehicles to small, fuel-thrifty cars after watching gas prices rise to record highs in the summer of 2008. Now that prices have slid back below $3 per gallon, the Wall Street Journal reports, some buyers regret downsizing.
“While large vehicles often come with a lot of creature comforts built in, compacts tend to be basic, even stripped-down,” the Journal explains. “As fuel prices have pulled back, many are rediscovering some of the reasons they bought big cars and sport-utility vehicles in the first place.” Many miss the comfort, cargo space and room for extra passengers they enjoyed in larger vehicles.
Autoblog Green comments, “It’s easy to hate a car when pulling up to the gas pump and dumping a hundred bucks or more into the tank every week, and it’s also likely pretty easy to forget that act a few months after it’s gone.”
Several middle-ground options are available. Autoblog Green comments, “For those who occasionally need the passenger or luggage space…may we suggest a rental minivan?”
The Journal notes, “Some families with two SUVs are replacing one with a smaller car while keeping the other for trips that require a lot of space.”
Despite some buyer’s remorse, the trend toward smaller cars shows no signs of slowing down. “Sales of compact cars like the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris have risen 28% through the end of September compared with the same period last year,” the Journal notes. “Midsize cars like the top-selling Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu are flat. Nearly every other segment of the auto market is declining, with large SUVs down 36%.”
Research the best small cars, or buck the trend and look at the best SUVs, with U.S. News’ car rankings and reviews.
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