The Search for the Perfect Eco-Car

Posted on December 10th, 2007 in automobiles, energy efficient products by Green Talk

prius wolfiewolf

Photo by permission of Herry Lawford

Are you in the market for a new car? Lease is up or your car is just had it? My lease expires this week. I have stalled and stalled hoping that a hybrid minivan would some how pop onto the scene. I now have a Toyota Sienna all-wheel drive car to carry my brood around.

I have been scouring the road lately as to what is my next step. Am I ready to give up the minivan for a smaller car? Although many of you may think this is a snap decision, this decision is equivalent to making a new career choice. I have been driving a minivan for fifteen years filling up the seats in that time period. Over the years, some of my children have reached the age and weight requirement to move to the all mighty front seat.

Decisions I had to make. Were we ready for the family to have only one big car that could fit all 6 of us? Could I get away with a smaller car since my husband wanted to keep his large car? Would I be able to car pool with a smaller car? Would I fit three growing boys in my back seat that I would not want to trade in a couple of years from now when they approached teenagehood? (The fourth one would have to sit up front.)This was an agonizing decision for me.

 I drove a myriad of cars to see what I like. Bear in mind, I don’t feel I am one of the best drivers. I need all the help I can get. Plus, safety is a huge issue for me. Was I safer in a larger car with my children? So, I drove or looked at the Prius, Odyssey (Honda minivan), Camry (with an eye for the hybrid), and Toyota RAV-4 SUV, and the Honda CRV. I had previously driven the Nissan Altima.

Here is my own take on these cars from the perspective of an overly cautious driver, mom, and smaller sized person. So, it is slightly skewed towards comfort, does it work for my family and my budget, and can I drive it. Kind of basic, don’t you think?

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