City’s Shopping For A Ford Explorer

I have an answer to the problem of snow-plow the streets!

If your car doesn't handle well in the snow, you use a different vehicle when it snows. You don't need to drive a 4WD year-round. In Southern Connecticut, there might be a half-dozen trips when you actually use the 4WD. Does one really need "more traction" in the spring, summer, and fall?

Lincoln Navigator --> Toyota Prius --> Ford Explorer

The Prius made it through last decade's biggest snow storms and was actually purchased after a 4WD (Navigator) had been used. So is it really that bad? Can NHI ask someone from Destefano's admin about this? How many times was he immobilized by the Prius? How many times did he need a lift in the snow?

We're replacing her perfectly-fine car despite needing to sell portions of the city to Yale to close budget gaps.

That would be funny if it weren't so terrible.

Sure. The Explorer only costs about $10,000 more. Try a different model Ford (cheaper and better mileage) or if you want true eco-props with all wheel drive, try a Sube.

http://www.cars.com/go/compare/modelCompare.jsp?myids=13606,13685,14159,14226

Snow tires = $500

Not that this article is a call for vehicle recommendations but I will offer one anyways. The prior CAO and I spent a couple of hours during nemo helping to push out Police Officers, Plow trucks and Explorer SUV's in the City's Eco Boost Ford Escape(I believe). We were the only vehicle on the road that I could see that was not getting stuck.

The Mayor's driver should think about testing that already City owned vehicle in today's storm. Its quite impressive and carries less environmental and (negative political impact likely to be displayed in the comment stream to follow.)

Hope she considers the Ford Escape hybrid if she's looking for an SUV

I have a Prius. It wasn't good in the snow with the tires that the car came with, but is very good with snow tires. They really make a difference.

Perhaps she ought to consider an Oshkosh Military vehicle...

HewNaven's solution to the problem is for the Mayor to have TWO different cars: one for snow, one for dry roads. Why not also have a car with air conditioning in the summer and another with only heat in the winter? How about a different car for every season?
The fact is some people would complain no matter what type of car in which the mayor is driven.
The mayor should have a vehicle commensurate to the position she holds for a city the size of New Haven. The mayor is expected to travel around the state, to Hartford, and all around the city for numerous types of events. The mayor meets and greets various visiting dignitaries from around the country and around the world. Many of us feel that the mayor as representative of the city of New Haven should not be driven around in a cheap tin can run by a rubber-band,solar power or wind power. What types of automobiles do the mayors of Hartford, Bridgeport, and Stamford use?
Maybe I am a bit old fashioned, but I remember the days when Mayors Dick Lee, Bart Guida and Ben DiLieto were driven around in Lincoln town cars (or similar type automobiles). I really recall no complaints about their mode of transportation.

If she wants an SUV, Ben hits the nail on the head- get a compact SUV with AWD. The Ecoboost Escape is the perfect vehicle. It's domestic, reliable and gets excellent fuel economy.

The price should certainly also be a consideration. While there may be a government discount, Explorers start at $30,000 and go up from there.

A base Escape is almost $7,000 cheaper.

The other thing that is likely a big factor, is that because Mayor Harp is being driven around in a car, she's likely sitting in the back seat, so she may be looking for a larger vehicle that is more comfortable.

And as many comments rightly reflect- if she gets a full-size SUV, it certainly will not look very good from a political point of view- 1 mayor drove a Prius, the new one being driven in a large SUV.

I called the mayors office (203-946-8200)and politely expressed my dissatisfaction with this decision, and the decision to take two new haven police officers off the streets to drive her around. I did so because it's become clear to me that the mayor doesn't read the NHI or NHR. I encourage fellow NHI readers to do the same. It's the only way to make certain your voice is heard.

TAP,

So the mayors rule should be "do what I say, not what I do."? Its OK for the mayor to live an extravagant lifestyle while asking fellow New Havener's to sacrifice for the common good? When exactly was that change gonna come?

Mayor Harp is making it way too easy for her critics. She just appears to be incredibly out of touch with the community at this time.

You don't need a big SUV to get around New Haven. Shoot, as many have mentioned, a Ford Escape EcoBoost is eco-friendly and is big enough to navigate the awful wintry conditions we face once every couple years.

I wouldn't have commented if not for reading an article earlier today about Uruguay's president, deemed the world's poorest president. He drives himself to work in a 1987 VW Beetle, chooses not to live in the President's mansion, and only uses 2 security guards at home because it's forced on him.

If interested, here's the clip: http://www.viralnova.com/poorest-president/

Thomas Alfred Pain,

Don't be facetious. My suggestion is that Harp uses the vehicle we have right now and not make another unnecessary purchase. IF the Prius becomes a problem, she can use one of the many other worthy vehicles in the city fleet. It seems that a certain Ford Focus is more than capable. Or, as others have suggested, suck it up and get some snow tires.

I drive a Prius with 4 snow tires and its better than my old 4x4 truck. this is needless spending of tax payer money on a gas guzzler, the driver to drive it and another purchase on my dime.

I support Mayor Harp here. The mayor shouldn't be getting stuck as she drives (or is driven) around town.

Regarding Ford Explorers vs. Ford Escapes, etc, keep in mind that there's a procurement process:

"She and Scott said they haven't yet settled on a specific model to purchase. It will have four-wheel drive, Harp said."

All Wheel Drive!
All Wheel Drive!

How about an armored H3? Good in the snow and protection from whatever it is she needs a police escort for.

Wow. Question to everyone: how many cities the size of New Haven have mayors who get new cars, plus two cops plus overtime spent on them? Then how many cities the size of New Haven with our state of finances have the same spend?

Rest of us get by fine. This is so messed up that immediate activities after taking office have been to hand out favors and take care of herself rather than address the burning house around her.

Is the deliberately TRYING to alienate people who share Elicker's values? How bloody tone-deaf can you get?????!

Or is she now going to say she didn't know about it; somebody bought the Explorer without telling her?

Give me a BREAK.

"The mayor shouldn't be getting stuck as she drives (or is driven) around town."

True enough. How many times did Mayor DeStefano get stuck in a Prius? I know that last year I was one of several people who had to help push Chief Esserman and his oversized SUV out of the snow at the corner of Orange and Willow. I have pictures to prove it. Best car I ever drove in the snow was a Subaru Outback.

I don't know what the mayors of other towns do. I know Mayor Picard of West Haven used to drive himself places. I suppose it all depends on what kind of message Mayor Harp wants to send.

What a waste of money!!! She's cost the taxpayer more money in month between police escorts and a explorer. My car drives bad in the snow too, maybe the city should buy me one.. What a Joke keep spending the taxpayer hard earned money and she's going to find herself out of a job quick!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, but there are already plenty of city owned cars for this.(as Ben mentioned) That money can be spent elsewhere for much better purposes.
If she really wants to show her dedication to the City then she should buy her own car.
Or better yet convince her family to pay the back taxes owed for the house she lives in (not owns) so we can afford to pay for this.

So much for Harp's big concern about global warming. Also, fiscal responsibility. We're in New Haven, Mrs. Harp, not Montreal. Somehow our family manages to live here winter after winter driving a Prius, with absolutely no problem.

According to the Kelly Blue Book:

http://www.kbb.com/toyota/prius/2004-toyota-prius/sedan-4d/?category=&intent=trade-in-sell&pricetype=private-party&condition;=&persistedcondition;=&quizconditions;=&options;=&path;=&vehicleid=3510&mileage=130000

A nine year old car with 130K miles in very good condition is valued at $4900, changing cars after nine years seems about right for this 2004 prius. I will point out however, that a 2004 Hybrid Prius comes with FWD standard. Harp's reasoning that this change is a required due to the need for more traction, is not creditable.

I'm sorry,

I said "Harp's reasoning that this change is a required due to the need for more traction, is not creditable".

I meant, is creditable. The 2004 Prius has Front wheel drive as standard equipment.

Wow.

Why is the traction issue suddenly a problem now? How did DeStefano deal with this? How often is Mayor Harp really venturing out in the ice and snow with the Prius?

Sure, maybe nine years is a long time to have a car, but given the city's dire financial straits, it would be nice to see the mayor making an effort to keep spending in check. And as all the other commenters have pointed out, there are lots of cheaper options here.

Ridiculous. Get a Subaru. It doesn't need to be a hybrid. She wants the city to buy her a big brand new car and she doesn't care about fuel economy.