"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
08/13/2013 at 16:31 • Filed to: None
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"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
08/13/2013 at 16:31 • Filed to: None | 0
| 22 |
Last week my wife and I were driving my mother in law's 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring, carting our newborn and our 2-year old to various doctor's appointments and such.
It occurred to me I didn't hate it.
Here's the thing. I'm tired of being uncomfortable. In general, but in especially when I'm commuting. I realized that while I still had my Fit, but to a degree I realized it even when I had my Saabaru. The whining, buzzy motors, the hard suspension, the constant shifting. It's fine, even desired, when you're out for a drive and enjoying your car. But when you're in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour, stop go stop go dodge an idiot sit for 10 minutes etc., you'd probably rather pluck your butthairs with duct tape.
I was as surprised as anyone when I started reading about this car and thinking, "You know, that might not suck."
Am I sick?
More Power!!and also some brakes.
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 16:32 |
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Personally I think it is a good looking car. Also, living in Austin I love that my car is automatic, I do not even get stuck in much traffic here but I am glad my car is somewhat comfy and easy to move along little by little.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 16:35 |
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I came to this conclusion:
Commuting isn't "driving"
For driving you want a great car, for commuting you want a great conveyance. When you don't the option to have both you are forced to choose between the two and live with the compromise. As you get older and realize that you can have both a conveyance and a car...the perks of each are obvious.
SkarTisu
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 16:36 |
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I'm getting to the same mindset. My GTI, while a fantastic car, is just a touch too stiff to be comfortable for metro area commuting, although it does a surprisingly good job on road trips.
If I had to buy a minivan, I'd get a late model Odyssey. They're the only minivans that look pleasing to me.
I'm not sure I'd be down for the new Impala, although they do look nice. I still have a low-grade pipe dream of getting a very nice 97-00 LS400 to use for daily driving duties.
For Sweden
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 16:37 |
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Spend a little more and get the real thing.
GhostZ
> HammerheadFistpunch
08/13/2013 at 16:40 |
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I completely agree. I've said before "there's a difference between driving, and pushing buttons and pedals when people tell you to."
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Chairman Kaga
> HammerheadFistpunch
08/13/2013 at 16:40 |
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That's why this is in the garage...
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Chairman Kaga
> For Sweden
08/13/2013 at 16:43 |
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It's on the wishlist.
This is all just prattle, since I will probably be driving the CRV for the next decade at least. It's... OK. As utilitarian an appliance as one could imagine, but it gets the job done with two kids in the back and room for a Costco raid.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 16:43 |
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Great looking car. Huge, huge, huge upgrade to the prior model.
That's why I have my comfortable commuter 07 Mercury Milan V6 for my commute and a 68 Mercury Montego for fun.
Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 16:45 |
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And therein lies the big decision we have to make. Pick a car for driving or commuting? If you want plus seats and soft suspension to ride over the da-dung-da-dung of expansion joints and potholes then there isn't any shame in wanting a comfortable ride.
Also, congrats on the newborn! Didn't notice if you posted after but I hope things were fine for your wife this time.
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For Sweden
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 16:46 |
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Going on a raid
Not driving a Scandinavian car
CKeffer
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 16:47 |
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Nah...or if you are I've got the same issue. I'm strongly considering getting a 3rd gen Mazda6 in turbo diesel trim with an auto box for a DD here in the next couple of years, and retiring the MINI to weekend fun car status. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to want a minivan, but I can definitely understand wanting something more practical and in automatic for things like the daily commute.
ttyymmnn
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 17:00 |
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You're not getting old. Well, you are, but that's beside the point.
Seven years ago, when I found out we were adding twins to the one child we already had, I was determined not to get a minivan. I started looking for cars that would safely fit five people. And I didn't want an SUV. Then I tried imagining a long drive with three boys shoulder to shoulder in the back, and the minivan started looking a whole lot better.
We settled on an after-lease 2003 Odyssey. After three years of loading our first child into the back of our Stratus or Golf, the big sliding doors on both sides were a godsend. And for long trips, we remove one of the middle buckets to have room for coolers, etc.
So yes, I think many of us have found that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. Get what makes you comfortable and enjoy the drive.
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Chairman Kaga
> For Sweden
08/13/2013 at 17:00 |
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More of a pillaging, really.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 17:03 |
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Still working on a second car...new roof, ac and furnace this year are putting a stop to that
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Chairman Kaga
> ttyymmnn
08/13/2013 at 17:05 |
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That was my weird reaction to driving the Odyssey. Whatever we get, it'll replace the wife's old Camry, so this is less a practical issue and more of a philosophical one, at least from my perspective. My wife and I do agree that the 19-20 MPG our friends with minivans seem to average around town is a significant deterrent, especially with only 2 kids to justify the vehicle. I'm intrigued by car-based SUVs with 3rd row seating and 2nd row captain's chairs, like the Santa Fe Limited with the turbo. Less expensive than a van, still capable of carting Gammy and the car-seated kids in relative comfort (which is why the captain's chairs with the pass-thru to the back row is important), a hatch and load area for stuff, and 8 MPG better average.
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Chairman Kaga
> HammerheadFistpunch
08/13/2013 at 17:06 |
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Did this 6 months before I got married. Otherwise...
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ttyymmnn
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 17:07 |
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That's a good thought. Our 2001 Golf will likely be put to pasture next year, and I'm starting to think of something to replace it with.
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Chairman Kaga
> ttyymmnn
08/13/2013 at 17:38 |
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http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2…
It's too bad my wife hates the Flex, really.
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ttyymmnn
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 17:46 |
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I'd have to agree with her. I don't think they're very attractive at all.
Thanks for the link.
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Chairman Kaga
> ttyymmnn
08/13/2013 at 17:48 |
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And note the Highlander's second row center seat is removable, so it CAN seat 8.
The Flex has character though. I like it. It's funky. I still think the Mazda5 is the ideal replacement, but she hates that one too, and that hatred is far less rational.
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ttyymmnn
> Chairman Kaga
08/13/2013 at 17:52 |
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A 6-speed manual in the base model?? I like it already...
William Byrd
> Chairman Kaga
08/14/2013 at 08:52 |
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You may be, but it happens. I owned an Odyssey at one point and it is a damn nice vehicle.