Comments on The Big Piece of Cake: Why I Hate Being a Truck Driver

We have a Yukon XL and when we first purchased it ...

2008-08-17T20:00:00.000-04:00

We have a Yukon XL and when we first purchased it we thought it would be perfect for our family. It was until gas prices went through the roof and now we curse every time we fill up. It is great for hauling everything and everyone around but it is a kicker in the pocketbook. Oh well we did it to ourselves.

My first car was a mustard colored Renault Alliance. It was a great little car till I totaled it.

Just found your blog, love it!So, on the other end...

2008-08-06T10:25:00.000-04:00

Just found your blog, love it!

So, on the other end of the spectrum, our good friends just had their third baby (3 kids under 5). My spouse and I were talking about how they'd have another additional expense, since they'd have to get a new car in order to fit all 3 car seats.

They came to visit this weekend, and to our shock, they showed up in their old car--a Prius!!--with 3 car seats in the back. We also have a Prius (don't worry, I'm not some smug eco-activist who is going to look down on you for your car. My husband is in sales, and puts 50,000 miles on his minivan in a year, so we can't talk!), and I have NO idea how they did that. They did say something about losing skin when they were trying to adjust them....so maybe not the choice for you.

Uh, topic. Could a smaller SUV (not the Liberty, I hear those are kind of smallish inside) fit your car seats, like a CR-V? Everyone I know who has one of those loves them.

Oh, the car drama. Glad I'm not alone. We just b...

2008-07-26T13:29:00.000-04:00

Oh, the car drama. Glad I'm not alone. We just bought a minivan. I know, I know...a whole different group of haters. Honestly, it was the smartest thing we've ever done. (So SUVs for me...I don't trust myself driving anything that large.)

We're kind of the same situation with car seats...if you're interested in my humble opinion, you know where to find me. :)

I guess the part I don't understand is the argumen...

2008-07-24T14:35:00.000-04:00

I guess the part I don't understand is the argument that it's for the kids. I'm one of three kids. My parents never needed anything that huge. We had a godawful red volare station wagon that refused to die so was around to embarrass the bejesus out of us all the way through high school. It was plenty big enough for all the stuff we did. A minivan would have worked or even a smaller SUV. (Seriously? You let your husband pick a car for you? I think I'd be more pissed at not having any input on the decision than whatever he showed up with.)

Just do me a favor: when you're sitting at a red light waiting to make a left, please don't keep edging up so that me in my cute little car now can't see to make a right. That's got to be the most freaking annoying thing for me when it comes to SUV drivers. You're already sitting 5 feet up in the air. Why do you need to edge up and block my line of sight when I'm practically sitting on the ground??

It's just not the car I pictured you to drive--it ...

2008-07-23T21:05:00.000-04:00

It's just not the car I pictured you to drive--it does not suit you at all.

I have bad luck with cars. They are always explodi...

2008-07-23T20:17:00.000-04:00

I have bad luck with cars. They are always exploding or crashing or breaking in the weirdest places. I've decided I just need a driver.

Et Tu Christine? I'd like to point out to the hate...

2008-07-23T19:32:00.000-04:00

Et Tu Christine?

I'd like to point out to the haters (not aimed at you Christine - I love you) - AGAIN - this car was not my choice. This post was about how I don't like the truck...

When Matthew drove your car to pick me up at the D...

2008-07-23T19:20:00.000-04:00

When Matthew drove your car to pick me up at the DC airport in December, the first thing he said was, "Guess what kind of car I'm driving". I guessed everything except that mammoth of a car. My jaw dropped when I saw it in the parking garage.
Should have gone with the minivan...

The first car I purchased myself is a black honda...

2008-07-23T16:34:00.000-04:00

The first car I purchased myself is a black honda civic (96) and yes I still own it but it is rarely driven. In fact I had to use jumper cables for the very first time just last night to start it since it's rarely driven. The second car I purchased is a 2006 Subaru Outback - both cars were purchased new because I prefer not to deal with car troubles and would be much happier not having to own a car at all. My husband and I were living in CO when we purchased our car and felt the need to own a new/safe car since the birth of our twins. Yes, we used our 4 wheel drive in the mountains. Prior to the purchase, we test drove the Highlander hybrid and decided it wasn't much of a "hybrid" and way more money than we could stomach spending on a car. We considered the Prius but w/2 kids and a dog it really isn't realistic. Unfortunately there are NO great options for those of us w/children - not only do we have to fit our children and their "seats" but we need room for a stroller too and going away for a week or extended weekend requires a piece of luggage for the top of my car. So ANONYMOUS, it's great that you are really good at name calling but if you paid attention to what Cake said you would realize that she did NOT purchase the SUV and had no input b/c if she could have her way she'd be taking public transportation. And for the record, she carpools w/her husband and drives less than 15 miles round each day trip during the week. Until you have a husband/wife and 3 children STOP throwing stones.

SO funny!Thanks for visiting me :-) And this post ...

2008-07-23T14:08:00.000-04:00

SO funny!

Thanks for visiting me :-) And this post is hilarious! My first car was a nice little Dodge Shadow. It was red. I loved it!

We've got a mid-size sedan now, but with another baby on the way (and who knows what the future holds?) I constantly tell my husband that we'll probably have to get a minivan, but I want it pimped out. For real.

As a compact car driver, I have to admit feeling a...

2008-07-23T14:00:00.000-04:00

As a compact car driver, I have to admit feeling annoyance at SUV drivers steering their oversize vehicles through narrow DC streets with cars parked on both sides (like in Adams Morgan or Georgetown), but then again I have never had to fit three car seats and two adults in one vehicle. Just how big are car seats? I thought as long as there was a seatbelt for each one, they would fit? Apparently, they must be wider than the average person's bum. :-)

I'm not a big fan of ginormous SUVs mostly for one...

2008-07-23T13:53:00.000-04:00

I'm not a big fan of ginormous SUVs mostly for one of the reasons you mention: they're hard to maneuver. They do, however, have a great line of sight. Still, it's hard to justify the gas-guzzling characteristics of these behemoths, especially in this economy and with current environmental concerns. If automakers would produce these cars with a hybrid option, more of us might not worry as much about their carbon footprint.

I have to agree with Mr. T: Honda and Toyota both make very comfortable, roomy mini-vans that are economical and make sense.

Thanks for your honesty in this posting. While I don't curse the drivers of most standard SUVs, I do curse and hex the drivers of Hummers. Talk about conspicuous consumption gone wrong.

Thanks for the kind words! Agreed, the comment by ...

2008-07-23T13:34:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the kind words! Agreed, the comment by anonymous was a bit harsh. I prefer constructive comments because I've certainly had a few bits of hate mail over the years on my blog.

That said., I'm definitely a small-car person. I've had a Toyota Celica, a Corolla, a Honda CRX, a Hyundai Excel, and now a Mazda 3. With the 5-door hatchback you could fit 2 car seats in back, not 3, but if you have fewer than 3 kids it's a good compromise of sportiness, fuel efficiency, and practicality. Plus, it generally attracts smiles on the road.
Good luck if you decide to change vehicles!

LMAO - yes, Mr. T is PC in DC, and I do appreciate...

2008-07-23T13:33:00.000-04:00

LMAO - yes, Mr. T is PC in DC, and I do appreciate people that are kind when they state their opinions and I'm always up for different ones.

Truefully, seeing that this is your HUSBAND'S fault, maybe you should just divorce him for buying it. (TOTALLY kidding).

But seriously (snicker), you could have the house and he could LIVE IN THE CAR - seeing that you don't like cars - like you said (snicker)

Maybe THAT could make those "anoy"-o-monster commenters happy, and then they could stop leaving comments like that. (giggle)

wfbdoglover - You are right. If you're going to cr...

2008-07-23T13:22:00.000-04:00

wfbdoglover - You are right. If you're going to criticize, don't hide behind "anonymous". That's the coward's way out. Mr. T in DC was honest AND provided his name (or nom de plume) AND was also polite about what he had to say. There aren't enough Mr. T in DC's out there....

I love it that people can say what's on their mind...

2008-07-23T13:11:00.000-04:00

I love it that people can say what's on their minds, but they can't say who they are.

Well, my first car was an '67 Madador and if some people on here think your car is a gas guzzler, they should drive this one.

Then I had a Mazda 323 - I bought sometime in the late '80's and then I bought a Neisan Pulzar with T-Tops (don't recommend those) but a nice car.

Then an '87 Volvo, a '93 volvo and now I have a 2001 Volvo. The last two were wagons and neither had that flip seat - 'cause my husband doesn't like them. He thinks of you are in an accident - things wouldnt be good for that set of passengers.

So there we are... we only have one child and I can't imagine having three and all those car seats. I'd say a mini van or what you are driving.... poor thing.

Yeah! My first piece of hate mail! That's what I g...

2008-07-23T12:39:00.000-04:00

Yeah! My first piece of hate mail! That's what I get for being featured at DC blogs...

Anonymous - you must have been one of the many friendly DC residents that I used to stand in line with at the DMV...You haven't changed a bit. Great to hear from you - let's catch up soon!

That car is unecessary... a stationwagon or a van ...

2008-07-23T12:25:00.000-04:00

That car is unecessary... a stationwagon or a van or even a sedan would'vt been fine. the reason we are mean to you on the road is because you are ridiculous. you're not going to the trek Sierra Nevada mountains, you're driving on the freeway. SUV's are retarded, wasteful, and prototypical of suburban overconsumption and douchebaggery. enjoy your $120 fill up!

I am not much of a car person either. I drive a m...

2008-07-23T11:38:00.000-04:00

I am not much of a car person either. I drive a minivan, so obviously I am not trying to be cool. Fortunately, I do know how to park it:)

I am going to be like anymommy and address all of ...

2008-07-23T10:07:00.000-04:00

I am going to be like anymommy and address all of these excellent comments:

Paris Apartment - I love your blog and live vicariously through you as you fix up your new house. I'm glad to know that we share the Red Renault Alliance experience.

Matthew (my brother - ominotigre) - As usual, I'm so happy that you read my blog. I didn't have the highest of expectations when you saw me posting something and said, "that's really long Kate." Sadly - if I'm not a big car person, I'm even less of a bike person - don't think I've been on one since age 12.

Cyndy - You play the bass? That is very cool. I envy people who actually do what they love for a living. Will have to check out your blog.

Ainsley - You're right - I'm not really a car person (although I have to drive EVERYWHERE). I do think vintage suits me - in that it harkens back (that's a real word right?) to a time when women didn't really drive. Maybe I'm a "chauffer person." Yeah - that sounds good.

Anastasia - As usual we are of one mind. But I bet you are much better at parking...

Mr. T in DC - Is this really my brother hiding behind a different identity? While I agree with you wholeheartedly, I pity the fool that...nope - I've got nothing. And I SO wanted to say "I pity the fool...'

Suzie - love your blog. Especially the pictoral today. And I like how you're calling me "Cake" - it's almost the same as my actual name, "Kate." In fact - I think it's what I called myself when I was two...

Renee - you just made me laugh. "My sould died a little" - hilarious.

My first car was a 78 two door Chevy Caprice Class...

2008-07-23T09:41:00.000-04:00

My first car was a 78 two door Chevy Caprice Classic that could hold 18 people. Needless to say I always had to drive.

I bought a smaller SUV and wish that I had gotten the minivan. And then my soul died a little when I made that realization.

I dont drive but when we rent a car we always have...

2008-07-23T09:35:00.000-04:00

I dont drive but when we rent a car we always have to get the big monsters to fit the kids inside. Thats just how it people so stop being mean to Cake!

A minivan with an economical 4-cylinder engine wou...

2008-07-23T09:29:00.000-04:00

A minivan with an economical 4-cylinder engine would have been perfect. How about a Honda Element? With an SUV, you're pushing around bigger wheels, tires, and 4WD components you do not need. The off-road capabilities of an SUV are completely wasted in this application, and I think that's one of the things that gets us small-car drivers blood boiling. Ninety nine percent of large SUVs with off-road capability never leave the pavement, and are just a huge rolling waste of resources we can't see around when stuck behind, when in front we are blinded by your high-mounted lights, and in an accident, your unnecessarily high bumper (for clearing ditches in the woods?) rides over ours, inflicting deadly damage.

I felt the same way when we got our SUV but now I ...

2008-07-23T08:52:00.000-04:00

I felt the same way when we got our SUV but now I cannot imagine how we could do all the stuff we need to do with the kids, their activities and equipment (hello, the double stroller alone takes up half the car!) with this monster.

You're right... the big SUV doesn't look like you,...

2008-07-23T08:39:00.000-04:00

You're right... the big SUV doesn't look like you, but for the life of me I can't put you with a particular car. Hmmmm... maybe you're not a car person. Although, I think I could see you driving a vintage car, like a '58 MG Roadster.