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.
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
Visperud Autosalg
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