Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

3. Soft cushy drive.

4. 26 plus highway mpg.



I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. Tried all the different Hyundai
models. Tried most of the GMC products.



I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement. The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help either.



At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years old.



All group advice appreciated.



Ivan Vegvary

In article , "Ivan Vegvary" wrote:
Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).

1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)
2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.
3. Soft cushy drive.
4. 26 plus highway mpg.

If you're willing to drop the requirement that it be a new car, you might look
at a Saturn SW1 or SW2.

On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:34:39 -0800, "Ivan Vegvary"
wrote:

Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

3. Soft cushy drive.

4. 26 plus highway mpg.



I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. Tried all the different Hyundai
models. Tried most of the GMC products.



I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement. The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help either.



At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years old.



All group advice appreciated.



Ivan Vegvary
Find one you like otherwize that comes with the low profile tires
trhat you can fit smaller rims on with 70 series or even higher,
tires, to fix the "boneshaker" ride.

I had simmilar requirements and ended up with a 5 year old PT Cruiser.
Came with 16" rims and 60 series tires, I put 15" rims and 70 series
tires on it that raise the car half an inch (tire is 1 inch taller)
and it rides great

On Jan 16, 2:34*pm, "Ivan Vegvary" wrote:
Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).

1. *Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

2. *Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

3. *Soft cushy drive.

4. *26 plus highway mpg.

I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. *Tried all the different Hyundai
models. *Tried most of the GMC products.

I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement. *The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help either.

At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. *BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years old.

All group advice appreciated.

Ivan Vegvary

Did you try the CRV? I like mine.

jsw

On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:34:39 -0800, "Ivan Vegvary"
wrote:

Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

Lots of those around. I chose the Rav4 even though it has a
side-swinging gate. There have been a few times I wish it had a lift
gate, mostly when there's one person on each side loading cargo. For
quick access the swinging gate is better IMO. I'm not keen on the look
of the external spare, but having a full-size one is welcome and a
rarity these days.

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

Then it will be have to be a heavy model.

3. Soft cushy drive.

I doubt you're going to find that.

4. 26 plus highway mpg.

That spells lightweight which doesn't go with quiet.

I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. Tried all the different Hyundai
models. Tried most of the GMC products.

The Honda CRV might be your best choice.

I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement.

A mushy-riding high CG vehicle is more prone to rollover.

The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help either.

Then replace those with smaller wheels and softer/taller tires, run
them at minimum pressure, and forget about 26 highway. Or make your
best choice, wear earplugs, and reupholster the seat to make it more
like a sofa as they used to have in Cadillacs. :-)

At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years old.

Good luck.

Wayne

Try the Chrysler Pacifica.


--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.


"Ivan Vegvary" wrote in message
...
Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

3. Soft cushy drive.

4. 26 plus highway mpg.



I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. Tried all the different
Hyundai
models. Tried most of the GMC products.



I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement. The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help
either.



At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years
old.



All group advice appreciated.



Ivan Vegvary

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:34:39 -0800, "Ivan Vegvary"
wrote:

Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

Lots of those around. I chose the Rav4 even though it has a
side-swinging gate. There have been a few times I wish it had a lift
gate, mostly when there's one person on each side loading cargo. For
quick access the swinging gate is better IMO. I'm not keen on the look
of the external spare, but having a full-size one is welcome and a
rarity these days.

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

Then it will be have to be a heavy model.

3. Soft cushy drive.

I doubt you're going to find that.

4. 26 plus highway mpg.

That spells lightweight which doesn't go with quiet.

I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. Tried all the different
Hyundai
models. Tried most of the GMC products.

The Honda CRV might be your best choice.

I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement.

A mushy-riding high CG vehicle is more prone to rollover.

The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help either.

Then replace those with smaller wheels and softer/taller tires, run
them at minimum pressure, and forget about 26 highway. Or make your
best choice, wear earplugs, and reupholster the seat to make it more
like a sofa as they used to have in Cadillacs. :-)

At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years
old.

Good luck.

Wayne

Tailgate spares suck. Do not back up in to a tree. The spare becomes the
bumper and bends the door. Had that happen in a dark Cabina hotel in Costa
Rica.

"Ivan Vegvary" wrote in message
...
Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

3. Soft cushy drive.

4. 26 plus highway mpg.



I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. Tried all the different
Hyundai models. Tried most of the GMC products.



I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement. The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help
either.



At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years
old.



All group advice appreciated.



Ivan Vegvary


My wife drives a Toyota Venza. Supposed to get 28, we see about 24 highway,
but drive at 75-80. And some road noise with the 20" rims.

On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:06:14 -0800, "Bill McKee"
wrote:


Tailgate spares suck.

Temporary spares suck more. :-)

The Rav4 has substantial under-floor storage where the 3rd row seat
would be if I had one. I use that area for a toolbox and a tub of
emergency stuff. In my previous vehicle those things took up a lot of
space and frequently needed to be shifted to make way for other cargo.
As much as I don't like the external spare, the overall package works
out nicely for me.

Wayne

Ivan sez:

""Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise. . . . . . . ""

Honda CRV? I wouldn't call it cushy or especially quiet, though.

"Ivan Vegvary" wrote in message
...
Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

3. Soft cushy drive.

4. 26 plus highway mpg.



I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. Tried all the different
Hyundai models. Tried most of the GMC products.



I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement. The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help
either.



At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years
old.



All group advice appreciated.



Ivan Vegvary

On 2010-01-17, Mike Henry wrote:
Honda CRV? I wouldn't call it cushy or especially quiet, though.

My wife had it and it was great in all respects. It spent 10 years
outside and looked almost like new.

i

"Ivan Vegvary" wrote in message
...
Looking for a new car with the following requirements (most important
first).



1. Back lift gate. (wagon or small SUV)

2. Has to be quiet with very little road noise.

3. Soft cushy drive.

4. 26 plus highway mpg.



I've tried the Subaru Forester and Outback. Tried all the different
Hyundai models. Tried most of the GMC products.



I guess what I am up against is that the whole world loves the new "sport
suspensions" whereby your rear-end feels every saw cut and expansion joint
in the pavement. The stupid looking 'low profile' tires don't help
either.



At my age, this is probably the last car I will ever purchase and I would
like to get it right. BTW don't mind buying a model that is 2-3 years
old.



All group advice appreciated.



Ivan Vegvary

(Doug Miller) wrote:

If you're willing to drop the requirement that it be a new car, you might look
at a Saturn SW1 or SW2.

While it will get decent gas mileage, I wouldn't call the ride cushy.

Wes
--
"Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect
government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home
in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

In article , wrote:
(Doug Miller) wrote:

If you're willing to drop the requirement that it be a new car, you might look
at a Saturn SW1 or SW2.

While it will get decent gas mileage, I wouldn't call the ride cushy.

Depends on what you compare it to. SWMBO and I currently own two Saturn SL2s;
the SW2 is the station wagon version of the same thing. I'd call the SL2's
ride "cushy" compared to the full-size trucks and sports cars we've owned --
but not compared to the Buick Roadmaster we had right before the first Saturn,
or the LeSabre that we had before that.

(Doug Miller) wrote:

In article , wrote:
(Doug Miller) wrote:

If you're willing to drop the requirement that it be a new car, you might look
at a Saturn SW1 or SW2.

While it will get decent gas mileage, I wouldn't call the ride cushy.

Depends on what you compare it to. SWMBO and I currently own two Saturn SL2s;
the SW2 is the station wagon version of the same thing. I'd call the SL2's
ride "cushy" compared to the full-size trucks and sports cars we've owned --
but not compared to the Buick Roadmaster we had right before the first Saturn,


I'm driving a 2001 SL1 192K miles, I can feel the road underneath me in all it's michigan
ill maintained glory.

I never cared for a car that isolated me from the road. After all, I'm supposed to be
paying attention while driving. I hate driving floating boats.



Wes
--
"Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect
government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home
in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

On Jan 17, 11:40*pm, Wes wrote:


I never cared for a car that isolated me from the road. *After all, I'm supposed to be
paying attention while driving. *I hate driving floating boats.

Wes

You don't want to be isolated from the road. But a car or truck with
a lot of unsprung weight ( big tires, heavy rims, solid axels ) will
let you feel every bump, ride poorly and not hold the road as well as
one with a better sprung to unsprung weight ratio.

Dan

" wrote:

You don't want to be isolated from the road. But a car or truck with
a lot of unsprung weight ( big tires, heavy rims, solid axels ) will
let you feel every bump, ride poorly and not hold the road as well as
one with a better sprung to unsprung weight ratio.

Dan

My Ranger extended cab 4x4 had a bad habit of going sideways on dirt road stutter bumps.
That got a bit exciting a few times. One moment you are cruisin' along the next moment
you are wondering why you are out of control.

Wes
--
"Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect
government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home
in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

On Jan 18, 7:03*pm, Wes wrote:
...
My Ranger extended cab 4x4 had a bad habit of going sideways on dirt road stutter bumps.
That got a bit exciting a few times. *One moment you are cruisin' along the next moment
you are wondering why you are out of control.

Wes

I picked the 91 Ranger over the Nissan partly because it had so little
bump steer when cornering on a rough road. The Nissan lost steering
when it hit a rough transition at the state border, going in a
straight line. Eventually the rough road handling deteriorated when
the top of one shock broke out of the rusted spring hanger. Replacing
it was an all day project, mostly getting everything apart without
breaking it. This is why I need to make wrenches.

The rear wheels came loose a little too easily when it was empty and
pushed hard, or on ice. I was a dirt biker and my hands regained
control before my brain registered the problem. What the f... just
happened???

jsw