Your suggestoin for a SUV

*Correction* (proof reader ON)

"Over the axle" means *from* the center line of the wheel on back.

Thank you.
--

Philip

"If a long train of abuses, prevarications, and artifices, all tending
the same way, make the design visible to the people . tis not to be
wondered that they should then rouse themselves."
- John Locke (1632-1704)

 

Well my small car IS a station wagon and I just went out and looked.

The rear edge of the seat is even with the front of the rear wheel.

The rearmost part of the angled seat back is of course the very top
and it is even with the centre of the wheel or IOW right over the
axle.

That puts *all* parts of the rear seat passenger in front of the rear
axle.

The distance from the centre of the rear axle to the rear bumper is
one inch short of 3 1/2 feet.

The last mini station wagon I owned was a Toyota Tercel and if I
recall it correctly (and I'm sure I do) the above description would
fit that station wagon pretty closely as well.

Over the years I have owned quite a few station wagons including Ford
and Mazda as well as Toyota. They just put a roof over the trunk area
instead of a deck lid so I'm not sure you even have to exclude station
wagons.

Of course they had the very large domestic nine passenger wagons a few
years back with three rows of seating (like the Pontiac Grand Safari)
but these were never small ones. Still I am not sure how much cargo
room was behind these rear seats either but it may have been small.

--

FJ40©

"Never again a Ford".....

Beware a govt that fears its populace (gun control)...

"I would bet that most top-posters do indeed not signal their lane-changes." - dizz

"Thank you for contacting the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) about your Ford Aerostar or Windstar.
CAS has received many complaints from consumers concerning peeling paint, ignition switch fires,
stalling and brake, transmission and head gasket failures. Ford should drop "star" from Aerostar
and Windstar because neither is a star when it comes to quality."

 

Anyone with the name "Possum" sounds like one cool dude. RIP, Possum!

 

Thank you, FJ40. ;^)
--

Philip

"If a long train of abuses, prevarications, and artifices, all tending
the same way, make the design visible to the people . tis not to be
wondered that they should then rouse themselves."
- John Locke (1632-1704)

 

He said it needed to carry 4.

 

I'll give your wife points for not giving safety as a reason for owning an
SUV, but she is caught up in peer stuff. You could be proud of your wife if
she thought independently.

Dave M.

P.S. I see suv's on their roofs up here in the north east. Some drivers have
lost their limbs and children have been thrown as much as 60 feet from the
vehicle. We can show how smart we are by spending all that money for a
sophisticated passenger car instead.

 

Actually, station wagons and minivans are making a comeback. Tighter,
faster, better center of gravity, and fuel economy.

SUVs are trucks and people are beginning to realize that. After
a SUV or two, most peope's romance with them wanes.

 

My little '92 Corolla wagon is great for anything I need to do.

It is my traveling office, carrys my kayak, gets all the groceries we
need and will carry a LOT of stuff from Home Depot.

I see no need for an SUV.

My tires are a bit cheaper...also.

Bring back a real Corolla or Camry wagon...

Scott in Florida

 

yes, SUV's are trucks... but they are luxury trucks. the romance doesn't
wane, just gets more tastier.
i bought my wife a 2003 suburban (Z71 for the looks and suspension). I must
admit, it drives much better than the previous SUV's we've own (durango,
explorer, pathfinder). we have 4 kids and 2 dogs and travel alot from ohio
to florida. the suburban is great for space and comfort. we've also owned
minivans (caravan, quest, venture) and the kids enjoyed the suburban the
most. as for cars, we've had an accord. but it was a horrible ride taking
the family on long trips.

Appearance is a high priority on my wallet. as far as i know, people buy
things that are attractive to them first. practicality is just an excuse.

I prefer motorcycles but i've compromised and drive a civic.

 

Dunno where the beginning of the thread is but, accordding to a roundup in
the press here (UK) last year, the summary was:

Best all-round performance: Merc ML
Best on-road performance: BMW X5.

DAS

 

The Matrix / Vibe is the Corolla wagon.

 

Not in my book...


Scott in Florida

 

Look at the "cute-utes", like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester or
Toyota RAV-4. They're all designed from regular passenger car
platforms but have all-wheel drive, good ground clearance, and
loads of cargo room (well, perhaps not for the RAV-4).
They also have gas mileage similar to a regular car.

"Real" SUVs, typically built on truck frames, are insanely stupid
for day to day use. Their handling is awful, they suck gas,
and they're awkward to park.

 

Falling asleep through Scott in Fla's post...

I do beleive a poster in AAToyota has been to the Corolla plant and seen
this. I recall arguing with someone over this, when he posted that info.

--
"If you can't change a tire, you're not allowed to have a beard. It's the
most basic part of a car: If you don't know that much about a car, you
really shouldn't be driving, should you?" - Jimmy Kimmel
http://www.cafeshops.com/creexul.2534632
Owner of the following: Henry Cotter - A.G.F.F., Eric Dreher AND mark
digital© - A.A.T., wiru the tired - A.F.D., and that Gino guy who keeps
chaning his nick on A.A.Acura.
http://acfsliars.0catch.com/todd

 

Would they have been thrown less far away if thrown from a non-SUV? Your
statement is stupid.

 

Actually, I look at SUV drivers and laugh. They bought into the "bigger is
better" marketing. It's funny, I hear "I need it for the snow". My AWD in my
sports car, with far more HP and torque, seems to do pretty well. If that's
the image you want to project, married with a ton of kids, a huge amount of
debt, no life, that's fine with me...

 

Thats OK, I look down at those little cars drivers and say "my 4WD is
better for getting deep ito the woods for elk hunting that his AWD car
is. SO mine works perfect for what I use it for.

Thats OK, we look at you and comment how he is either going through a
mid life crisis os is in hock to his eyeballs trying to pick up women.
Has no kids, everything he makes goes into his only investment, his car.
Probably a renter too.

Oh, and as for the debt, I like the "pay as you go" thing, it makes life
much easier. I have an empty nest too, kids all gone. But love hauling
the 3 grandkids around in the SUV. I only own 4WD's now, one truck, one
SUV. Love them both. Have no need for a car. Well, I confess, I did buy
a Corolla for $400 just to putt around to Home Depot etc.

 

You do that? I do that too!

I just can't imagine towing a bass boat with an AWD car. It just
wouldn't work. So my truck works perfectly for what I need.

That'd be my guess. OR a trailer park.

Same here. I love pink slips.



--------------------------------------------------------
"Anti-Americanism is ubiquitous, a direct consequence
of America doing her duty, the resentment of followers,
not leaders. To be sure, anti-Americanism is an ignoble
and irrational emotion. Like anti-Semitism, which in
some ways it has replaced, it is impervious to facts or
logic." - Paul Johnson

 

What's the problem with renting? The kids are grown up and moved out,
there's more free time to enjoy ourselves. We don't need to be spending our
time, on the numerous things that a house requires on a continuing basis.

 

Robert,

I would respond to your comments included above, but you've already exposed
yourself for what you are.

Good luck in your pursuit of happiness in this life!

S.T.