One person per car, alone.

[MACKTEXAS]

Here where I live a 4WD is best in the winter.

Yes, I guess so in Kansas. We don't get much winter accumulation in Texas, but if anything is on the road, just a thin coat, I don't drive. One good thing about retirement, it's never too important for me to go out on a particular day, unless I had a health emergency - in which case, I'd call 911.

 

[jujube]

The town I live in allows golf carts to be driven on the streets within a certain boundary (the historic district). I live outside that boundary, but you can be assured I'd have a golf cart if I could drive it on the streets.

I know up in the The Villages, golf carts are used more than cars.

 

[Michael Z]

Driving one of those cartoon cars would save gas, but I would not be able to fit my grocery coolers and other things (like 8 ft long items) in my once a week trips into town. Also, winter driving would be terrifying should an accident occur.

But I manage well with my old Toyotas, getting over 30 mpg and still getting 8 ft long trim or 2x4’s (a few of them) to fit within.

If I lived in the city, I would go with a 3 wheel e-bike for my shopping.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I agree that some of the SUVs are mammoth. One of those small two seat cars parked next to me at the grocery store, and they didn't have room for their groceries. There was a big fight. The driver had to pile on the passenger with grocery bags, and she was not happy about it.

 

[squatting dog]

No such thing as one size fit's all. Doubt any 2 seater will do any of this.

I have now or have had a plethora of vehicles based on our many needs.

4 wheel drive dodge diesel pickup for the farm work. (cattle trailer, a several flatbed haulers, (backhoe, tractor, implements, etc)
Suzuki Vitara for quick trips... also pulled a 4x8 trailer for lumber, fuel tanks, compost etc.
A trailblazer ext for pulling the larger 8.5x20 and 8x12 enclosed trailer and family including grandkids.

The 57 because we've had it for so long. (1977)
A Z-28 Camaro... Ok... this one is for fun and really didn't need it.
And of course, the motor home for relaxation times.

I should mention that my vehicles range from 18 to 26 years old. (excluding the 57 chevy of course)

 

[Nathan]

I don't want a subcompact car; that's just too small.

I drive a Corolla. I thought it was mid-size, but just checked and no, it's classified as a compact. When I park, 50% of the time, a couple of monstrosities - vans - SUVs, - whatever - are parked on either side of me, making it impossible for me to back out safely. I don't know what their transportation needs are, but I'm willing to bet a big percentage of them just prefer the current trend of driving big SUVs and trucks.

Found this from 2023: "A recent report stated that 80% of new cars sold in the US are SUVs and trucks, compared to just 52% in 2011."

And found this for 2025: "Approximately 64.8% of vehicles sold in the United States were SUVs and trucks, based on data available for the first half of 2025."

I loved my Corrola, was great when I was commuting. When I finally quit working I traded it in for a 2019 Tacoma, then sold my '99 F-150.

 

[papa tiger]

Warm states & summer time 50 states need to push "Three Wheelers"
vehicles for commuters. Make life fun again.

SUV's need outlawed. 4X4 Pickups and Jeeps only.
4 cyl Honda need exhaust entrance into buttox.
EV 3 wheelers only.

 

[chic]

I don't want a subcompact car; that's just too small.

I drive a Corolla. I thought it was mid-size, but just checked and no, it's classified as a compact. When I park, 50% of the time, a couple of monstrosities - vans - SUVs, - whatever - are parked on either side of me, making it impossible for me to back out safely. I don't know what their transportation needs are, but I'm willing to bet a big percentage of them just prefer the current trend of driving big SUVs and trucks.

Found this from 2023: "A recent report stated that 80% of new cars sold in the US are SUVs and trucks, compared to just 52% in rucks and Jeeps 2011."

And found this for 2025: "Approximately 64.8% of vehicles sold in the United States were SUVs and trucks, based on data available for the first half of 2025."

In the Northern U.S. where there's lots of snow. SUVs trucks and jeeps are very popular choices. Those vehicles can back out over anything easily. No wasting hours shoveling heavy snow.

 

[Disgustedman]

I don't want a subcompact car; that's just too small.

I drive a Corolla. I thought it was mid-size, but just checked and no, it's classified as a compact. When I park, 50% of the time, a couple of monstrosities - vans - SUVs, - whatever - are parked on either side of me, making it impossible for me to back out safely. I don't know what their transportation needs are, but I'm willing to bet a big percentage of them just prefer the current trend of driving big SUVs and trucks.

Found this from 2023: "A recent report stated that 80% of new cars sold in the US are SUVs and trucks, compared to just 52% in 2011."

And found this for 2025: "Approximately 64.8% of vehicles sold in the United States were SUVs and trucks, based on data available for the first half of 2025."

And the reason SUVs are such hot sellers is because of the EPA rules on gas mileage. SUVs, particularly light trucks, have benefited from regulatory loopholes in the past, primarily through a distinction in EPA regulations that treats them differently from passenger cars. This distinction, rooted in the 1970s, allowed manufacturers to produce larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles without facing the same stringent fuel economy and emissions standards applied to passenger cars.

 

[Packerjohn]

A lot of men are car crazy but I'm not. Ok, maybe when I was 16 but that was 63 years ago. Now, I know better.

 

[Babs2u]

I had a Mazda Tribute SUV until some guy ran a red light and totaled it (I was just bruised). Then I realized I no longer needed so much space. Since then I have had hatchbacks which work for me. First a Toyota Matrix and now a Honda Fit Sport, each purchased second hand, You can fold down all or part of the rear seats for extra hauling space. The Honda is small and great for someone with my parking skills

 

[MACKTEXAS]

And the reason SUVs are such hot sellers is because of the EPA rules on gas mileage. SUVs, particularly light trucks, have benefited from regulatory loopholes in the past, primarily through a distinction in EPA regulations that treats them differently from passenger cars. This distinction, rooted in the 1970s, allowed manufacturers to produce larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles without facing the same stringent fuel economy and emissions standards applied to passenger cars.

All that, plus people like to drive what's "in," including some single people. That generally comes at certain higher costs for maintenance, tires and brakes, certain replacement parts, greater fuel consumption, and insurance. I can't afford to own one.

 

[horseless carriage]

Do you ever think that driving a car big enough for 6-7 passengers is ridiculous when it’s only you going wherever you need to be? Roadways/highways over-flowing with only a driver, in most of the vehicles. How ‘bout one or 2 seater cars built for just those situations?

Two seater cars? Yes please.

 

[Lilac]

Nope, it's not ridiculous to be in a full-size or large vehicle by yourself. Personally I wouldn't buy one of the Smart-car type vehicles let alone ride ride in one whose wheel-base isn't any longer than my riding mower. I don't see them very often on the road anymore & I've heard they're not sold in the US now. If I'm in an accident, I want a chance to be able to survive that accident.

I was alone when a teenager broadsided my F-150 pick up after he blasted through a 4-way stop. He centered his mom's Jeep Cherokee directly in my drivers side door causing it to pop open bending the frame in that spot totaling it out. If I had been in my '04 Buick Regal, which was a solid mid-size/large car, I would have been hurt worse than I was.

We had to replace the Buick from age/mileage this year & bought a Ford Explorer. Besides where are you going to put your groceries or anything else you need to buy & take home?

 

[Lilac]

 

[Ruthanne]

I had a great luxury car once for about 10 years and I loved it! I was often riding alone but at times with my dear departed doggie . You couldn't see her in there as we drove because she would lie down.

Sometimes she would stand up to see where we were going though.

When I first got the car I was nervous about maneuvering it but soon was handling and driving it like a pro! I loved the wide leather seats and all the extras that came with the car. I'd much rather have a large luxury car rather than the small kind I've had and driven.

 

[GP44]

Yes! I know what you mean!
I see these busses running around town all of the time with only one or two passengers.
What a waste when they could actually get more people than that in any minivan or extended suv.
Don’t know why a few old people need to take a giant bus around when they could all fit in a Buick sedan.
But usually all you see in the Buick sedan is one old lady.
You would think she could arrange for her whole bridge club to see the doctor at the same time or get their groceries together.
Maybe instead of a smaller car we need people who don’t mind sharing rides with friends and neighbors.

 

[Fritz]

Yes, I guess so in Kansas. We don't get much winter accumulation in Texas, but if anything is on the road, just a thin coat, I don't drive. One good thing about retirement, it's never too important for me to go out on a particular day, unless I had a health emergency - in which case, I'd call 911.

We get lots snow days where we have 5-8 inches of snow or more in winter.

 

[Warrigal]

I loved my Corrola, was great when I was commuting. When I finally quit working I traded it in for a 2019 Tacoma, then sold my '99 F-150.

I have moved from a Corolla to a Yaris. Perfect for a LOL to drive to church and the shops but also nippy enough to drive on the motorways. A bit small for comfort if you are lanky legged.

 

[David777]

Well for rural people, such is not an issue. It is ridiculous, especially given global warming, that urban masses when traveling locally are travelling individually in vastly heavier machines that require greatly more energy to do so. But expected, given the several decades rise of automobiles, decades of infrastructure built for car transportation, and consequent way urban areas have been greatly spread out far beyond human walking distances. So change at best, can be a slow transition.

That noted, there are many people driving heavy machines that only do so because of social status, their psychology preference for largeness, and or safety of traveling on lethally dangerous roads dominated if hit by other large mass machines. Personally, as not a car enthusiast, I'm fine in small ugly but functional, individual transportation vehicles. In the future, people in large urban areas could own/rent far smaller machines for local urban transportation and rent larger vehicles for occasional longer trips and vacations.

 

[Ted01]

 

[Naturally]

I have two vehicles and I'm the only driver. There are very seldom any passengers. One vehicle is a 4X4 Jeep and the other a four door sedan. Both are powered by V6 gas engines. The combined age of both vehicles is 35yrs. Almost half my age. In retirement, neither gets much exercise but both love to stretch their legs and ready to do so any moment. I could take the back seat out of either one and make it a two seater. Bonus, with lots of storage space. I guess I could make a killing as a one-man carpool, but then again, I’d have to charge myself for the ride … and I don’t think I’d give myself a very good tip.

 

[Nathan]

Well for rural people, such is not an issue. It is ridiculous, especially given global warming, that urban masses when traveling locally are travelling individually in vastly heavier machines that require greatly more energy to do so. But expected, given the several decades rise of automobiles, decades of infrastructure built for car transportation, and consequent way urban areas have been greatly spread out far beyond human walking distances. So change at best, can be a slow transition.

That noted, there are many people driving heavy machines that only do so because of social status, their psychology preference for largeness, and or safety of traveling on lethally dangerous roads dominated if hit by other large mass machines. Personally, as not a car enthusiast, I'm fine in small ugly but functional, individual transportation vehicles. In the future, people in large urban areas could own/rent far smaller machines for local urban transportation and rent larger vehicles for occasional longer trips and vacations.

9 of 10 vehicles here in this rural town are trucks, but my god<!> some of these Ford-Dodge-Chevy trucks are e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s. Granted, some are towing horse trailers or large dump trailers for fire wood, but most are purely for ego-self-gratification.

 

[Lawrence00]

 

[GP44]

What happened to the VW bugs?
Don’t see them around any more.
Maybe they have been replaced by the Kia’s. I see a lot of them.