(no subject)

[austin_tycho]

So we discovered that there is such a thing as a Honda Accord wagon, but there aren't a lot of them around. There is this gap around the time when I want to buy a car from (1995 or so) where they stopped making wagons, and they replaced them with big, honking SUVs. There are a few car-frame-based SUVs out there, and a few new wagons coming out, but nothing in my price range.

Anyway, we found an Accord wagon at a local Honda dealership down in the south part of town and went to check it out. It looked like it was in good shape (though the engine was kind of loud) so I put it to the ultimate test: I put the seats down and crawled into it. My heels hung out over the tailgate by about 2 inches. Flarn!!!!! And it wasn't very wide; even if it were long enough it wouldn't have slept both of us lying side-by-side comfortably. There was also a Suzuki Esteem wagon, but it was even shorter in the back. I'm running out of options, now. I suspect the car I want doesn't exist. Here's my requirements, if you care to prove me wrong:
*has enough room (folding or removing seats, however it works) to accommodate my 5'8" frame, hub's 5'7" frame lying down side by side
*is not a truck or built on a truck frame
*gets at least 20 mpg
*is of Japanese make, preferably Honda or Toyota
*can be had, used presumably, for around $10k
*has a 4-cyl engine
Corolla and Camry both come in wagon form, so I will need to check those out if I can find one- but I suspect I'll run into the same size problems. Mechanic also suggested 4-Runners, which appear to be built on car frames, I'm not sure. I may need to just give up this line of searching and go for an economical sedan type. I'm trying really hard not to be tempted by Dad's Explorer. I know that sounds silly, because it's like 'free car!' but I have my principles, dammit!

And by the way, just so I don't appear too picky, I don't give a flying fuck how many cup holders it has. It seems like half the consumer reviews focus on cup holder locations, configurations, and so on. It's absurd; who cares? I mean, I can see where they're nice but how about telling us about the engine performance or something? Sheesh.

Comments

[scorpionis.livejournal.com]

Subaru Outbacks?? We almost got one of those, because we also wanted a wagon since we like to travel, but it was a wee bit out of our price range. According to my research, they ought to fit most if not all of your criteria (dunno about the truck frame: they don't look like it to my eyes).

[scorpionis.livejournal.com]

Ack, just saw the post about Subs being fragile. Is there *any* vehicle that makes your mechanic happy? He seems awfully picky.

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

He's making these recommendations assuming I plan to drive the thing for 200,000 miles- many of these cars are great up to 100,000 miles, which is all a lot of people worry about, then they get another car. Heck, I have a friend who trades his van in every other year, it seems, and for a brand-new one. But po folks like me with an over-developed sense of loyalty and stubborness (my friend is an Aries, I'm a Scorpio, which also tells you somethin') want a car we can drive for 20 years. If I'd had Old Blue from day one, I would have gotten that, but it cost me! I replaced everything in that car except the frame. Hopefully this next time around, I won't have to do that. I'm still going to miss Old Blue though.

Re:

[scorpionis.livejournal.com]

Heh, I'm a Scorpio about to have an Aries baby! I understand your loyalty: I like to use all of my material things until they're falling apart. I have to force myself to get rid of things sometimes.