Compact cars:
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Revision as of 16:29, June 7, 2014
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===Compact cars===
===Compact cars===
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Larger than the subcompacts, but still rather small, compact cars trade a bit of their fuel economy (around 40mpg/17kpl) for a slightly increased cargo capacity and crash protection. Examples include the Honda Civic, the Ford Focus and Escort, the Chevrolet Cobalt and Trax, the Hyundai Elantra, the Toyota Corolla, the Peugeot 308, the Citroen C4, Volkswagen Beetle, Jetta and Golf (also known as the Rabbit), the Mini Cooper, the Mazda 3, the Ford Focus, the Dodge Dart, and a Honda CR-X
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Larger than the subcompacts, but still rather small, compact cars trade a bit of their fuel economy (around 40mpg/17kpl) for a slightly increased cargo capacity and crash protection. Examples include the Honda Civic, the Ford Focus and Escort, the Chevrolet Cobalt and Trax, the Hyundai Elantra, the Toyota Corolla, the Peugeot 308, the Citroen C4, Volkswagen Beetle, Jetta and Golf (also known as the Rabbit), the Mini Hatch, the Mazda 3, the Ford Focus, the Dodge Dart, and a Honda CR-X
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CR-X] Honda CR-X
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CR-X] Honda CR-X
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===Sports cars===
===Sports cars===
[[File:Last_of_the_V8_interceptors.jpg|thumb|"The Last of the V-8 Interceptors"]]
[[File:Last_of_the_V8_interceptors.jpg|thumb|"The Last of the V-8 Interceptors"]]
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Some say they're usless, but you can use them in some ways. The main attribute of the sports car is its speed, something that won't be very important in a zombie apocalypse. In addition, they gulp down lots of gas, they are complicated to maintain, they're usually not very reliable, and due to their large engines and small bodies, they have little room for cargo. Don't use them for road blocks and scrap. Examples include the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Corvette(although these are have lower fuel affiancey and top speeds than better non amarican ones like Mclarens), the Dodge Viper,and anything made by Ferrari or Lamborghini. If desired, carry one in a 18wheeler if you can. Stashing one of these cars as a last ditch escape plan from a fotrified area in case of being overrun by zombies or Marauders might save your life.If you live in a very low populated area, and you can carry lots of fuel in passenger seats, than you might be able to use one, such as a reliable, durable sportscar such as a BMW M3 . Some exceptions are any high preformance and or luxury cars.
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Some say they're usless, but you can use them in some ways. The main attribute of the sports car is its speed, something that won't be very important in a zombie apocalypse. In addition, they gulp down lots of gas, they are complicated to maintain, they're usually not very reliable, and due to their large engines and small bodies, they have little room for cargo. Don't use them for road blocks and scrap. Examples include the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Corvette(although these are have lower fuel affiancey and top speeds than better non amarican ones like Mclarens), the Dodge Viper, and anything made by Ferrari or Lamborghini. If desired, carry one in a 18wheeler if you can. Stashing one of these cars as a last ditch escape plan from a fotrified area in case of being overrun by zombies or Marauders might save your life.If you live in a very low populated area, and you can carry lots of fuel in passenger seats, than you might be able to use one, such as a reliable, durable sportscar such as a BMW M3 . Some exceptions are any high preformance and or luxury cars.
===Convertibles===
===Convertibles===
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===Electric Vehicles===
===Electric Vehicles===
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Electric vehicles are good for a one time use, but other than that, forget about them. Other than exceptionally good mileage (over 100 mpgE) and being virtually silent on the road (no engine noise), they are pretty much going to be better off as scrap once the apocalypse hits. They take over five hours to charge, and that's if you have the electricity to spare, or any at all. Unlike gasoline, which can last up to two years unattended in gas stations and car gas tanks and still be useable, once electricity is gone, it's gone.Some of them also need a specialized plug in order to charge them, which might not be available, and thanks to the fact that they are battery powered, they have less passanger and cargo room than conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles. Parts are also a major concern, because if you break down in one of those, good luck finding a replacement part, or something even rarer, somebody who actually knows how to repair an electric car (there are specialists, and they are few and far between even before the apocalypse). Unless you happen to have one on hand and charged fully when the apocalypse hits, then don't even bother.
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Electric vehicles are good for a one time use, but other than that, forget about them. Other than exceptionally good mileage (over 100 mpgE) and being virtually silent on the road (no engine noise), they are pretty much going to be better off as scrap once the apocalypse hits. They take over five hours to charge, and that's if you have the electricity to spare, or any at all. Unlike gasoline, which can last up to two years unattended in gas stations and car gas tanks and still be useable, once electricity is gone, it's gone.Some of them also need a specialized plug in order to charge them, which might not be available, and thanks to the fact that they are battery powered, they have less passanger and cargo room than conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles. Parts are also a major concern, because if you break down in one of those, good luck finding a replacement part, or something even rarer, somebody who actually knows how to repair an electric car (there are specialists, and they are few and far between even before the apocalypse). Unless you happen to have one on hand and charged fully when the apocalypse hits, then don't even bother. Examples include the Chevrolet Volt.
[[Category:Transportation]]
[[Category:Transportation]]
[[Category:Zombie physiology]]
[[Category:Zombie physiology]]
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===Full-size vans===
===Full-size vans===
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Many different types of vans fall into this category - cargo vans, commuter vans, conversion vans, short buses, delivery vans etc. Since they are all built on the same platforms, they will be described together. Full-size vans are larger than minivans, and are often built on truck platforms (minivans, meanwhile, are usually[[File:Ford.jpg|thumb|202px|The very common Ford Econoline van.]] car-based). They are usually more bare-bones than their smaller counterparts, although some vans, known as conversion vans, have been customized with myriad luxuries. Two major problems come up with full-size vans. The first is poor fuel economy, which is typically in the mid-teens to low twenties. Another big issue with these vehicles is their tendency to roll over easily, owing to their increased height as opposed to the pickup trucks whose platforms they are built on. A tight turn taken to fast, or even a large zombie swarm on one side of the van, could cause a nasty rollover. With these problems in mind, it may be a better idea to use a pickup truck for transporting large amounts of supplies or an SUV for people that can't be moved with a minivan. However, it is also due to the truck platform they are based on that they have a high amount of durability. Examples include the Chevrolet Express/ GMC Savannah, the Ford E-Series (also known as the Club Wagon and Econoline), and the old VW Microbus. There are two vans that fall in between the catagory's of full-sized and minivan. The Chevy Astro/ GMC Safari and the Ford Aerostar are basically full-sized minivans. They have a unibody frame (like a minivan) with a front subframe (Like a full sized van/ truck). They get around the same gas mileage as other full size vans, but won't flip near as easily and can hold the same amount of people as a minivan while still retaining most of the off road and towing ability's as full sized vans. Due to the fact that full sized vans are based off of their truck counterparts, they also have the ground clearance and durability to drive off road if needed. Although keep in mind not all these are completely off roaders. AWD (All Wheel Drive) or 4x4 (Can change from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive) is recommended. They also (depending on the engine) have the towing ability and capacity of their truck counterparts, making them very suitable for trailer hauling.
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Many different types of vans fall into this category - cargo vans, commuter vans, conversion vans, short buses, delivery vans etc. Since they are all built on the same platforms, they will be described together. Full-size vans are larger than minivans, and are often built on truck platforms (minivans, meanwhile, are usually[[File:Ford.jpg|thumb|202px|The very common Ford Econoline van.]] car-based). They are usually more bare-bones than their smaller counterparts, although some vans, known as conversion vans, have been customized with myriad luxuries. Two major problems come up with full-size vans. The first is poor fuel economy, which is typically in the mid-teens to low twenties. Another big issue with these vehicles is their tendency to roll over easily, owing to their increased height as opposed to the pickup trucks whose platforms they are built on. A tight turn taken to fast, or even a large zombie swarm on one side of the van, could cause a nasty rollover. With these problems in mind, it may be a better idea to use a pickup truck for transporting large amounts of supplies or an SUV for people that can't be moved with a minivan. However, it is also due to the truck platform they are based on that they have a high amount of durability. Examples include the Chevrolet Express/ GMC Savanna, the Ford E-Series (also known as the Club Wagon and Econoline), and the old VW Microbus. There are two vans that fall in between the catagory's of full-sized and minivan. The Chevy Astro/ GMC Safari and the Ford Aerostar are basically full-sized minivans. They have a unibody frame (like a minivan) with a front subframe (Like a full sized van/ truck). They get around the same gas mileage as other full size vans, but won't flip near as easily and can hold the same amount of people as a minivan while still retaining most of the off road and towing ability's as full sized vans. Due to the fact that full sized vans are based off of their truck counterparts, they also have the ground clearance and durability to drive off road if needed. Although keep in mind not all these are completely off roaders. AWD (All Wheel Drive) or 4x4 (Can change from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive) is recommended. They also (depending on the engine) have the towing ability and capacity of their truck counterparts, making them very suitable for trailer hauling.
==Light trucks (pickups and SUVs)==
==Light trucks (pickups and SUVs)==
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===Mid-size and full-size SUVs===
===Mid-size and full-size SUVs===
[[File:2013_sequoia.jpg|thumb|2014 Toyota Sequoia (13 city/ 17 hwy MPG) that's the same as a mid 90's Suburban. Sad ]]
[[File:2013_sequoia.jpg|thumb|2014 Toyota Sequoia (13 city/ 17 hwy MPG) that's the same as a mid 90's Suburban. Sad ]]
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The only reason that these vehicles ever became popular was because they held more people than their pickup brethren and gas used to be cheap. Thanks to the spike in prices over the years, few people are buying them anymore. This should tell you something about the gas mileage of these things. Fuel economy is more or less the same as their pickup truck counterparts, possibly worse due to the weight of the extended roof and interior. Most of these vehicles are absolutely gargantuan (same as the pickups). Finally, some of the larger examples, even those sold under entry-level marquees like Ford and Chevrolet, can be filled with the same kind of high-maintenance electronics that luxury cars have. Bottom line: If you're going to use one of these, make sure you choose ''very, very'' wisely. Don't go for luxury like big engines or low profile tire tread. Looks for utility such as 4X4 systems, interior space, towing, ground clearance, etc. A suggestion would be a Jeep Commander or Z71 (A.K.A offroad) edition Chevrolet Tahoe. Examples include the Chevrolet Suburban/ GMC Yukon XL (15/ 22 RWD, 15/21 4WD), the Ford Excursion and Expedition (13/ 18 4X4, 14/ 20 RWD), the Lincon Navigator (13/18 AWD, 14/20 RWD) the Hummer H2 (12/17) and H3 (14/ 18), the Cadillac Escalade (15/ 21, AWD), the Nissian Armada (12/ 18), the GMC Yukon/ Chevrolet Tahoe (16/23,RWD, 15/ 22 4WD), the GMC Yukon Denali (15/21), the Toyota Landcruiser (13/ 17) and perhaps the Dodge
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The only reason that these vehicles ever became popular was because they held more people than their pickup brethren and gas used to be cheap. Thanks to the spike in prices over the years, few people are buying them anymore. This should tell you something about the gas mileage of these things. Fuel economy is more or less the same as their pickup truck counterparts, possibly worse due to the weight of the extended roof and interior. Most of these vehicles are absolutely gargantuan (same as the pickups). Finally, some of the larger examples, even those sold under entry-level marquees like Ford and Chevrolet, can be filled with the same kind of high-maintenance electronics that luxury cars have. Bottom line: If you're going to use one of these, make sure you choose ''very, very'' wisely. Don't go for luxury like big engines or low profile tire tread. Looks for utility such as 4X4 systems, interior space, towing, ground clearance, etc. A suggestion would be a Jeep Commander or Z71 (A.K.A offroad) edition Chevrolet Tahoe. Examples include the Chevrolet Suburban/ GMC Yukon XL (15/ 22 RWD, 15/21 4WD), the Ford Excursion and Expedition (13/ 18 4X4, 14/ 20 RWD), the Lincon Navigator (13/18 AWD, 14/20 RWD) the Hummer H2 (12/17) and H3 (14/ 18), the Cadillac Escalade (15/ 21, AWD), the Nissan Armada (12/ 18), the GMC Yukon/ Chevrolet Tahoe (16/23,RWD, 15/ 22 4WD), the GMC Yukon Denali (15/21), the Toyota Landcruiser (13/ 17) and perhaps the Dodge
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===Large Crossovers ===
===Large Crossovers ===
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Larger Crossovers, such as the Nissan Pathfinder, the Honda Pilot, the Dodge Journey, the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Toyota Highlander, the Buick Enclave, the Mazda CX-9, the Subaru Tribeca, and the Ford Explorer, resemble larger SUVs. Many compact SUVs such as the Nissian Xterra, the Toyota 4Runner, and Jeep Wrangler/ Grand Cherokee are also lumped in on occasion, although these are true RWD/ 4X4, body-on frame (Grand Cherokee excluded) compact SUV's and not FWD/ AWD unibody Crossovers. Larger crossovers however, are trickier and much less versitile when compared to other vehicles, and should largely be avoided because of this. Because they are a unibody car platform that has been made the size of an SUV, they lack much, if not all of the off-road capability as well as most of the towing ability of the SUVs (average towing ability of a larger crossover is 0-3500 lb, although there are definitely some crossovers with higher tow ratings). They can seat up to 5-7 people, but sacrifice most of, if not all their usable storage space to achive this. They have slightly superior fuel economy (typically in the 20-25 mpg range) when compared to body-on-frame compact and full-sized SUV's. However, you will get more space, seats, and usually better gas mileage from a minivan
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Larger Crossovers, such as the Nissan Pathfinder, the Honda Pilot, the Dodge Journey, the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Toyota Highlander, the Buick Enclave, the Mazda CX-9, the Subaru Tribeca, and the new Ford Explorers, resemble larger SUVs. Many compact SUVs such as the Nissian Xterra, the Toyota 4Runner, and Jeep Wrangler/ Grand Cherokee are also lumped in on occasion, although these are true RWD/ 4X4, body-on frame (Grand Cherokee excluded) compact SUV's and not FWD/ AWD unibody Crossovers. Larger crossovers however, are trickier and much less versitile when compared to other vehicles, and should largely be avoided because of this. Because they are a unibody car platform that has been made the size of an SUV, they lack much, if not all of the off-road capability as well as most of the towing ability of the SUVs (average towing ability of a larger crossover is 0-3500 lb, although there are definitely some crossovers with higher tow ratings). They can seat up to 5-7 people, but sacrifice most of, if not all their usable storage space to achive this. They have slightly superior fuel economy (typically in the 20-25 mpg range) when compared to body-on-frame compact and full-sized SUV's. However, you will get more space, seats, and usually better gas mileage from a minivan
Example 1: A Dodge Journey (Crossover) seats 5 people (7 optional with loss of cargo space), has either a 3.6 litre V6 or 2.4 Inline 4 engine, a max cargo capacity of 67.6 ft, an optional pavement oriented AWD system, 17/ 25 FWD, 16/24 AWD, and 19/26 FWD I4 mpg figures, and a max towing capacity of either 2500 (V6) or 1000 (I4) lb. A Dodge Grand Caravan (Minivan) seats 7-8 people, has a 3.6 litre V6 engine, a max cargo capacity of 143.8 ft, is FWD, gets 17/25 mpg, and has a max tow rating of 3600 lb. The Grand Caravan has more seats, more room, more towing ability, and has all this while getting the same gas mileage as Journey when equipped with the same engine. The Journey does have better gas mileage when equipped with the I4 engine, as well as, due to it's 7.2 inches of ground clearance and optional AWD system, can probably handle rough roads better than the Minivan. Having said that, the cons still outweigh the pros.
Example 1: A Dodge Journey (Crossover) seats 5 people (7 optional with loss of cargo space), has either a 3.6 litre V6 or 2.4 Inline 4 engine, a max cargo capacity of 67.6 ft, an optional pavement oriented AWD system, 17/ 25 FWD, 16/24 AWD, and 19/26 FWD I4 mpg figures, and a max towing capacity of either 2500 (V6) or 1000 (I4) lb. A Dodge Grand Caravan (Minivan) seats 7-8 people, has a 3.6 litre V6 engine, a max cargo capacity of 143.8 ft, is FWD, gets 17/25 mpg, and has a max tow rating of 3600 lb. The Grand Caravan has more seats, more room, more towing ability, and has all this while getting the same gas mileage as Journey when equipped with the same engine. The Journey does have better gas mileage when equipped with the I4 engine, as well as, due to it's 7.2 inches of ground clearance and optional AWD system, can probably handle rough roads better than the Minivan. Having said that, the cons still outweigh the pros.