[mulletman]

Originally Posted by gtrdave

Honestly, by your way of thinking you don't really need a car at all, but an Amish horse and buggy would suffice just fine.
Or you could just flat foot your way, too.

So, you're incorrect in trying to define what is a want and a need and especially so in terms of carrying small children with you. If you don't have any small children that you're responsible for 24/7 then I'll excuse your ignorance as to what children might NEED on a short trip.
A stroller could well be a NEED, a portable crib could be a NEED, all the other baby accessories could well be a NEED, too.
Aside from that, if I'm playing a gig on said short trip then I may well NEED a guitar and amp. If the trip involves an organized ride then one might argue that I and others might NEED our bikes.
Same goes for the equestrian stuff.
When we moved across the country, the minivan was packed with 2 adults, 2 children, all the stuff needed for the trip including a roof-top carrier, a dog and a cat.
I wouldn't want to think of making that same trip, especially climbing I-70 through Colorado, in an Escort wagon or less.

It's fine if a 323 served it's purpose as your family car. That's great! Just remember that you and your family may not have been the de facto standard by which all other families and their inherent NEEDS are measured. It's was your experience and it is what it is, but it should not be used as some kind of "standard", that's all I'm saying.

Many of the Amish do just fine with one horse and an open buggy. I don't know if they consider their friends with 2 horses and an enclosed buggy to be possessing those items because they are merely wants.

That's fine. And I don't really recall saying that no one needed anything larger, I simply questioned the idea that EVERYONE needs something larger. The only claim I made, is that I've seen and participated in the use of small 4-seat cars being used as family cars, and that they worked sufficiently in that role. That's all. You claimed that a vehicle such as an Evo could not be effectively used for weekend trips with kids, and I stated that I've seen it done with smaller cars than that.

And you're correct. I do not have any kids. I am not intimately familiar with every item necessary for small children. However, I think my parents might be, and they fit everything into the 323... I also don't think I even disputed the items you mentioned being necessary for small children. The only things I had anything to say about were the guitar/accessories and horses....

Oh, also, the Escort wagon served our purposes when we moved from the Phoenix area up to Seattle... Along with a moving van, of course.

[Wolvrin704]

This is all kinda just funny.

I have 2 children and grew up in a family of 5. Growing up at one time we had a cavalier and traveled in it, but it was VERY uncomfortable.

With my family of 4 we have had a diverse number of vehicle types.

Toyota 4x4 (gotta love those right Matt?)
2 different Saturns, an SL1 and an SL2
F150
Infiniti I30
Mustang GT
Mercury Mountaineer

Every vehicle except the Mountaineer (because we just got it) was used to take the family on extended trips since my family lives 400 miles away. The Toyota was traded in because it was way too small and we only had one kid at the time, it was impossible to get a baby seat in.

The Saturns were ok but room was at a minimum and we alaways had difficulty getting everything we needed in the trunk (needed not wanted). Plus to be honest the Saturns were turds.

The F150 was great since I had a hard cover on the back we could haul everything we needed, it just got old.

The Infiniti has served us for 3 years now as our trip vehicle and to be honest while it is roomy its just not quite enough stretch room for the girls, plus we now have a small dog that travels with us. The trunk is large enough to get what we need in it (even took my guitar on the last trip) but when you go up for a week and once a year you take Christmas presents as well it can be difficult to get everyhting in it.

Took the Mustang for a weekend trip once and I'll never do it again. For one thing my kids are getting too big to easily get in the backseat and be comfortable. When you go on long trips you will find that more room is very desireable for kids.

Thus I expect with the Mountaineer our trips will be much more comfortable. We'll have plenty of room for everything we need to take, room for the kids to not be on top of each other and for the dog to have room too. Plus while at my parents we will have to take one less vehicle when taking day trips together.

I must say that while SUV's do have certain disadvantages such as braking or MPG my Mounty breaks better than my wife's I30 and the MPG is almost as good as the Mustang. But now that its getting nice out again I'm driving the Mustang again.

[gtrdave]

A Geo Metro 3 cylinder 3 door is all you really need.

In all honesty, I want to lose the Neon and get a used Mini Cooper.

[Wolvrin704]

Originally Posted by gtrdave

A Geo Metro 3 cylinder 3 door is all you really need.

In all honesty, I want to lose the Neon and get a used Mini Cooper.

Ooooooh, I do like the Cooper.

[mulletman]

I like the Cooper too. As long as it's one with the sideways radiator...

I haven't driven a new Cooper. I'd love to.

[mattslope]

I love the discussion here. Keep it up.

My 'Yota is a 1988 V6 5-speed. It is parked right now waiting for an SAS (Solid Axle Swap).

Truck based SUVs are easier to work on than FWD based SUVs, yes. Most SUVs are FWD based, even if they are now AWD.

[Wolvrin704]

Originally Posted by MattSlope

I love the discussion here. Keep it up.

My 'Yota is a 1988 V6 5-speed. It is parked right now waiting for an SAS (Solid Axle Swap).

Truck based SUVs are easier to work on than FWD based SUVs, yes. Most SUVs are FWD based, even if they are now AWD.

If my 'Yota had been a V6 I might have kept it longer. It had the 4 banger which was a solid engine but no power, the only offset was it had a 5 speed.

My Mounty needs no work other than normal maintenance which is nice. Now I can devote my car working time to the Stang instead of keeping the truck running.

On the Stang I'm currently removing the Lemans stripes that were on it when I got it. They're removed and the adhesive is gone but need to clay bar and buff to take out some of the stuff I couldn't quite get up and try to blend the striped area in with the rest of the car. Its not too noticeable until you get close.

Once that project is finished I'll continue working on completing the look to be a Mach 1 clone. Once I sell the O/R mid pipe I have(new, never put on) I'll be purchasing an MGW short throw shifter. And I've also got a set of 3.73 gears ready to go in once I get a programmer for the car. And this is just the start of all the fun modding I plan for my car.