I know minivans have dropped off in popularity in favor of SUVs because Americans are dumb but what I want is an electric or hybrid minivan. We currently have a 2009 Mazda5, which is basically a mini-minivan. It has sliding doors and three row seating (though the third row is only useful for kids or short trips for adults), and with the third (and sometimes second) row folded down you can get surprisingly large things in there, just not always large enough. It's getting up there in years, and despite it being based on a compact car platform, it only averages about 22 MPG or so which is minivan territory, so replacing it with something with more space as our kids are approaching teenage years, and with more cargo space for long family trips as well as hauling stuff, is pretty attractive.

I find it weird that Toyota with their expertise in hybrids hasn't made a hybrid version of the Sienna. Kia also has several hybrid models, but not the Sedona. The Chrysler Pacifica hybrid is pretty attractive except for one key issue -- because of packaging of the batteries, you lose the flip-n-fuck (I think that's what they call them?) middle row seats. The reason this is important to us is that we have some construction projects coming up and the Chrysler is capable of carrying 4x8 sheet goods flat on its floor with both back and middle seats down, but in the hybrid they would have to be manually removed, assuming this is possible at all. Also I'm pretty skeptical of Chryslers overall.

Minivans are the perfect vehicle if they up the towing capacity.

the president and ceo of subaru america lives in my hood. in a normal suburban mid-50s post-war house in a fairly dense neighborhood.

huh

We're going to buy a used car. We've been using my niece's car because she couldn't use it and my brother has extra vehicles due to his business. But she is working again and needs the car back, so we're looking for something <$3k. We'll probably keep it for the next 1-3 months and then sell it before we return to China. It's cheaper than a rental.

You’re caught in between... not a good position. Won’t have an issue buying a vehicle, but if you have to sell it quick... might be a sizable loss, might be a pain the ass. Renting would be expensive. I’d say 600 a month. If it wasn’t for the pandemic and with you not working, I’d say rent a car through lyft or Uber and you can work it off and give you a little something to do and would make for some good stories. Tell her you’ll buy her scooter or something.

Bucky wrote:the president and ceo of subaru america lives in my hood. in a normal suburban mid-50s post-war house in a fairly dense neighborhood.

huh

Which neighborhood

lafayette hill

Bucky wrote:lafayette hill

Better than a McMansion in cherry hill.

Bucky wrote:the president and ceo of subaru america lives in my hood. in a normal suburban mid-50s post-war house in a fairly dense neighborhood.

huh

Would suck to get promoted fast enough that people judge you for NOT moving!

Bucky wrote:the president and ceo of subaru america lives in my hood. in a normal suburban mid-50s post-war house in a fairly dense neighborhood.

huh

was just looking at some subarus last night. i'll take this as a sign.

Think I just tracked his house. Zillow has it at $487K estimate. Seems modest for a guy like that. Subaru was in the driveway on Street View too!

ReadingPhilly wrote:

Bucky wrote:the president and ceo of subaru america lives in my hood. in a normal suburban mid-50s post-war house in a fairly dense neighborhood.

huh

was just looking at some subarus last night. i'll take this as a sign.

Good cars... recommend.

Werthless wrote:

Bucky wrote:the president and ceo of subaru america lives in my hood. in a normal suburban mid-50s post-war house in a fairly dense neighborhood.

huh

Would suck to get promoted fast enough that people judge you for NOT moving!

Everyone made fun of Jeff van gundy because he drove a Honda Accord. Used to be stories of new security guards calling him out for using the players/coaches lot thinking he was just some random dude, not the head coach.

forget about your sad 4x4

I've driven over a million miles and bought a LOT of tires. I regard tires as the 2nd most important feature, after brakes.

I just want to share that 30k miles ago, I bought SUMITOMO tires (HTR A/S P02 XL) for my sedan. I was seeking a balance of tread life, low road noise, price, and (emphasis) on wet weather handling. You can do better in any single category but this tire promised "good" or better in all of them.

Well I just needed new meats for my wife's SUV and the Sumitomo tires on the sedan have been so good that now they are on both cars. I expect to get another 20k out of the first set.

Never cared for my sumutumos. I miss my continentals badly.

Even after my years working for Bridgestone I have little brand loyalty since all manufacturers make high and low end products. For me it's completely application specific which tire is best for any vehicle.

i vowed not to get another combustible engine vehicle...

this shit is straight up sexy as fuck.



i got the deposit on the cybertruck, but i don't know. if this bronco makes it out first, it's going to be a tough decision.

I don't even like trucks or SUVs as a rule but I agree

Loved them until I looked at the prices.