A picture is worth 1000 words: RAV4 outsells Camry for first time

[CJ]

Did they get the four cylinder or the V6?

[veeman]

Did they get the four cylinder or the V6?

4 cylinder.

[CaminoRacer]

Pickup or minivan, my ass!

Here's living proof a tumble dryer will fit into a Passat wagon.  Ask me how I know! 

How do you know?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Interesting.

Definitely seems like the US is moving away from sedans, but instead of wagons/hatches we are going toward CUVs (ie: car based "SUVS").

Some of the newer mini-CUVs pretty much look like tall hatchbacks. Not even that much lift, really. I see quite a few Buick Encore's around my neighborhood and they are actually decent looking. Mazda's CX-3 is good looking as well. Honda's HRV (I think that is what is called) and Chevy's Trax are reasonably good looking as well.

My mom traded her SLK on an AWD Encore Sport a few months ago! For most of the same reasons mentioned earlier.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Pretty much.  Large, AWD hatchbacks that can deal with giant potholes and poorly designed driveways.  For the daily grind, I totally agree too.

Yeah I feel you! I'm not a fan of CUVs but Imma need some sort of smaller SUV to compliment my next car.

[Madman]

How do you know?

See photo! 

[veeman]

Pickup or minivan, my ass!

Here's living proof a tumble dryer will fit into a Passat wagon.  Ask me how I know! 

Got me there.

[AutobahnSHO]

Pickup or minivan, my ass!

Here's living proof a tumble dryer will fit into a Passat wagon.  Ask me how I know! 

way more work than an SUV or minivan.

FYI a washer or dryer slides right in the side door of a minivan, no need to lift it over any hump or tilt it on it's side.

[Madman]

way more work than an SUV or minivan.

FYI a washer or dryer slides right in the side door of a minivan, no need to lift it over any hump or tilt it on it's side.

More work?

How is sliding a dryer into a Passat wagon "more work" than sliding one into an SUV or a minivan?  And what "hump" are you talking about?  The tailgate of my old Passat went all the way down to the bumper.  There was no "hump".  If anything, loading it into the Passat is easier because the rear bumper is lower than that of an SUV or minivan, which means less lifting and easier loading and unloading.

And who cares if the dryer is on its side?   

[AutobahnSHO]

More work?

How is sliding a dryer into a Passat wagon "more work" than sliding one into an SUV or a minivan?  And what "hump" are you talking about?  The tailgate of my old Passat went all the way down to the bumper.  There was no "hump".  If anything, loading it into the Passat is easier because the rear bumper is lower than that of an SUV or minivan, which means less lifting and easier loading and unloading.

And who cares if the dryer is on its side?   

Most station wagons have a hump.   And I can almost guarantee the tailgate of that car is not lower than the side of a minivan.   I wasn't saying there was a problem with laying a dryer/washer on it's side but I hope you can appreciate that the minivan is taller if it fits the appliance upright. I could probably fit six appliances that size in my vehicle.   


BTW FYI= "for your info", not "hey I'm arguing".   I had a Legacy wagon for 7 yrs, grew up with station wagons in my family, I love wagons and they are far superior to sedans in every way.

[Lebowski]

That greatly depends on where you are. Not only that, but most people I know like to check out large big dollar items in person, like the stuff I mentioned in the previous post. Can't do a proper compare of mowers and bbqs from a computer screen.

I don't know where you're shopping that doesn't offer delivery. Amazon has kind of forced it in all sorts of categories.


Absolutely you can shop for grills and other items online. Online reviews and YouTube reviews are more helpful than looking at something in a store and not being able to use it.

[veeman]

I don't know where you're shopping that doesn't offer delivery. Amazon has kind of forced it in all sorts of categories.


Absolutely you can shop for grills and other items online. Online reviews and YouTube reviews are more helpful than looking at something in a store and not being able to use it.

Yeah most places deliver appliances for "free" or fairly low price.  Still it usually costs about $100 for them to haul out your old broken washer/dryer/dishwasher etc.  A lot of people buy large items on Craigslist though.

[Raza]

More and more, even I can only justify a sedan for fun daily driving, and since 90% of the time, fun daily driving is better done in a real sports car, what's the point?  I like the idea of having two extremes--a sports car and an SUV--rather than one compromised mix.  One car just doesn't make sense if you can afford two.  I will always go for a sports car daily driver and an SUV for occasional use if those options are affordable to me.  I can drive a sports car daily straight up 9 months out of the year, even here, and in winter, still, it can be used probably 2/3rds of the time.  Take the SUV when it snows/pours/is way too cold for summer tires/Costco/whenever, and park it when you don't need the guzzler.  Literally the best of both worlds. 

[MrH]

More and more, even I can only justify a sedan for fun daily driving, and since 90% of the time, fun daily driving is better done in a real sports car, what's the point?  I like the idea of having two extremes--a sports car and an SUV--rather than one compromised mix.  One car just doesn't make sense if you can afford two.  I will always go for a sports car daily driver and an SUV for occasional use if those options are affordable to me.  I can drive a sports car daily straight up 9 months out of the year, even here, and in winter, still, it can be used probably 2/3rds of the time.  Take the SUV when it snows/pours/is way too cold for summer tires/Costco/whenever, and park it when you don't need the guzzler.  Literally the best of both worlds. 

You've finally seen the light

[veeman]

Well if you only can have one car, then a "sports" SUV would be the answer.  I know Hector in Mexico City has tracked a few.

[SJ_GTI]

Well if you only can have one car, then a "sports" SUV would be the answer.  I know Hector in Mexico City has tracked a few.

Eh, it depends on the person. I don't want to have another car, so having a practical car that is also fun to drive makes for sense for me, I think.

Maybe someday I'll get another sports car...just not sure I want the hassle of having another car.

[Morris Minor]

When car replacement time comes, one of them will be an CUV - Mazda CX-5 or similar.

[Byteme]

way more work than an SUV or minivan.

FYI a washer or dryer slides right in the side door of a minivan, no need to lift it over any hump or tilt it on it's side.

Over the life of the dryer how much extra work was it really?  5 minutes or less?  Does it really matter?  It's not like someone hauls a dryer home 7 days a week.   Personally If given the two choices of a Passat Wagon or a minivan, I'd take the Passat in a heartbeat and suffer the few minutes of extra work to load the occasional bulky item.  YMMV

[Byteme]

Yeah most places deliver appliances for "free" or fairly low price.  Still it usually costs about $100 for them to haul out your old broken washer/dryer/dishwasher etc.  A lot of people buy large items on Craigslist though.

Just about anywhere I've lived if you set something out that has scrap value; a water heater, range, dryer, etc., it disappears within 24 hours.   People make or supplement their living by driving around and grabbing recyclable items to take to the scrap yard. 

one time I sat some speakers out on the curb, blown cones but nice grills and wood cases.  Someone drove up and put them in their pickup while I was walking back to the house.  It was like they were parked at the corner waiting for me to set them out.   

[12,000 RPM]

Eh, it depends on the person. I don't want to have another car, so having a practical car that is also fun to drive makes for sense for me, I think.

Maybe someday I'll get another sports car...just not sure I want the hassle of having another car.

It really depends on one's situation. If things were different for me I probably would stick with 1 car and no bike. But my commute has several routes that utilize fun back roads, and my job has preferential parking for motorcycles (!!!!). Weather here is pretty awesome too. If I were in the NE with the snow and all that I'd probably do an all in one like you.

Plus I don't know about anyone else but I don't do any kind of pure pleasure driving/riding. I don't have time and I get to hit most of the good roads here on my commute. So a car just for pleasure drives seems like a huge waste of $$$$.

[12,000 RPM]

More and more, even I can only justify a car for fun daily driving, and since 90% of the time, fun daily driving is better done on a motorcycle, what's the point?  I like the idea of having two extremes-- a motorcycle and a comfortable car--rather than one compromised mix.  One vehicle just doesn't make sense if you can afford two.  I will always go for a naked standard bike and a quick luxury car for occasional use if those options are affordable to me.  I can ride daily straight up 9 months out of the year, even here, and in winter, still, it can be used probably 2/3rds of the time.  Take the car when the weather doesn't cooperate or it's too dark at both ends of my commute.  Literally the best of both worlds.

Thanks for laying that out for me

[AutobahnSHO]

Over the life of the dryer how much extra work was it really?  5 minutes or less?  Does it really matter?  It's not like someone hauls a dryer home 7 days a week.   Personally If given the two choices of a Passat Wagon or a minivan, I'd take the Passat in a heartbeat and suffer the few minutes of extra work to load the occasional bulky item.  YMMV

I haul more people than appliances so Passat would be way more desirable to me in a few years but for now seats > handling

[Madman]

More and more, even I can only justify a sedan for fun daily driving, and since 90% of the time, fun daily driving is better done in a real sports car, what's the point?  I like the idea of having two extremes--a sports car and an SUV--rather than one compromised mix.  One car just doesn't make sense if you can afford two.  I will always go for a sports car daily driver and an SUV for occasional use if those options are affordable to me.  I can drive a sports car daily straight up 9 months out of the year, even here, and in winter, still, it can be used probably 2/3rds of the time.  Take the SUV when it snows/pours/is way too cold for summer tires/Costco/whenever, and park it when you don't need the guzzler.  Literally the best of both worlds. 

Sounds to me a hot hatch is the best of both worlds.  Sports car performance plus people/cargo carrying ability.

A Golf GTI or similar should be the ideal car for most of us.

[Morris Minor]

Lot's of people, especially those who happen, through no fault of their own, to be non-height gifted, prefer the greater hip height of CUVs. Also, for a given passenger volume they have a shorter vehicle than the equivalent sedan, and they have better visibility.

[Payman]

More and more, even I can only justify a sedan for fun daily driving, and since 90% of the time, fun daily driving is better done in a real sports car, what's the point?  I like the idea of having two extremes--a sports car and an SUV--rather than one compromised mix.  One car just doesn't make sense if you can afford two.  I will always go for a sports car daily driver and an SUV for occasional use if those options are affordable to me.  I can drive a sports car daily straight up 9 months out of the year, even here, and in winter, still, it can be used probably 2/3rds of the time.  Take the SUV when it snows/pours/is way too cold for summer tires/Costco/whenever, and park it when you don't need the guzzler.  Literally the best of both worlds. 

This. But for me it's going to be nice roadster and beater pickup. Wife will keep the Focus.

[Byteme]

Also, for a given passenger volume they have a shorter vehicle than the equivalent sedan,

Ultra important when most are driven around with only the driver or at the most a driver and passenger.   

and they have better visibility.

For whom?   I'm in the Jaguar and I can't see around over or through the damned things.   

[Raza]

You've finally seen the light

If I could only have one, it'd be the sports car. And when I have both, I'd still daily drive the sports car.

(And I've been an advocate of two cars for years)

[Raza]

Well if you only can have one car, then a "sports" SUV would be the answer.  I know Hector in Mexico City has tracked a few.

Ew, no.

[Raza]

Sounds to me a hot hatch is the best of both worlds.  Sports car performance plus people/cargo carrying ability.

A Golf GTI or similar should be the ideal car for most of us.

Roof.

[Raza]

Thanks for laying that out for me

No, motorcycles are still just bicycles. Junk for children.

Either you die a child on a sports bike, or you live long enough to become a Harley rider. To paraphrase Harvey Dent.