Best Non-Van to Live In?

"Vimto" (smudgey) 09/24/2014 at 13:55 • Filed to: None

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Much like GLaDoS, I'm doing scientific research for no particular reason.

I'm talking a sedan/coupe/hatchback, or smaller CUV, where you don't have a great deal of stuff, but need to be able to sleep comfortably while blending in completely with other cars around it.

My vote goes to the Dodge Magnum, because high belt line + cargo cover = peaceful sleepy time.

My citroen won't start > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 13:57

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mcseanerson > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 13:57

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Nibbles > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 13:58

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Almost bought one this weekend. Almost, almost but didn't because 190hp 2.7 V6 was full of nope.

Vimto > mcseanerson 09/24/2014 at 13:58

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Kinja'd

HammerheadFistpunch > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 13:58

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please see

Anything on this list

CalzoneGolem > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 13:58

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Does this count?

It's not a van.

davedave1111 > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 13:58

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Lamborghini. It's going to be hard to get laid when you tell people 'I live in my car', so you'll need the help...

JGrabowMSt > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 13:59

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I fully agree with this. Its why I got my Magnum. Totally a utilitarian decision.

Vimto > JGrabowMSt 09/24/2014 at 13:59

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Have you ever slept in it? haha

Vimto > CalzoneGolem 09/24/2014 at 13:59

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Perhaps a tad expensive, and wouldn't blend in, otherwise absolutely.

mcseanerson > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:01

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While coming here to reply to your Kinja'd I see my image posted above unharmed.

505Turbeaux > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:02

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Yeah I would say my W210 benz wagon but the belt line is too low (nothing tint cant fix). I have certainly napped back there before though, and if it snows while you are resting, you dont even have to shovel due to the 4matic

Vimto > mcseanerson 09/24/2014 at 14:02

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It's working for me now. Looks comfy, but not exactly the most private. I wonder where you could put your keys.

Also, X-Runner ftw.

JGrabowMSt > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:05

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I haven't, but if you had a queen sized comforter, you can fold it to fit in the back, fold the back seats flat, and it will be a lot of room for anyone. If you're small enough, maybe two people even.

Vimto > 505Turbeaux 09/24/2014 at 14:05

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MB reliability from that era is scary though. Googled w210 and the first photo that came up was a 320 CDI sedan pulling a boat. ha

mcseanerson > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:08

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truck cap.

Vimto > JGrabowMSt 09/24/2014 at 14:10

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Interesting. I suspect the biggest challenge would be finding one in Florida that A) doesn't have the 2.7 and B) never had hUg3 Rimz.

Vimto > mcseanerson 09/24/2014 at 14:12

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The windows would have to be heavily tinted, but I think it could work.

JGrabowMSt > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:12

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That challenge isn't just bad for florida, it's for just about everywhere. Took me a couple months to find mine, but it was nearly 100% stock when I picked it up.

505Turbeaux > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:12

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I 100% disagree with the reliability statement, even vs the venerated w124. Just solid as a rock. Bad corrosion protection, yes, mechanical issues, not at all. I think the M112 is becoming one of my favorite motors ever. I waited and watched the W210 for 15 years before I bought one for myself because I couldnt believe they could be held up to the same standard as a 123/124 wagon. An excerpt from a writeup on someone who had a 112 apart (it doesnt happen often):

My MB Tech friend called the other day to tell me that he had one of these new high tech engines (M113) apart if I would like to come by and see it. I made the time.

The engine was actually the v8 version, but everything is virtually the same except for the extra two holes. The car had been in a wreck which busted the oil filter housing and it lost just enough oil to cause some lower end problems.

This engine is an absolute engineering masterpiece.

Starting at the top, the rocker arm/cam followers look like something from a high buck race car. Roller followers and solid alloy construction. They're offset which makes them look even more exotic. The offset is necessary because of the three valve arrangement, there would be no other way to fit them all under the valve cover.

The liners are some sort of exotic alloy. They have a tan look to them, and after 50,000 miles, you couldn't tell that a ring had touched them. They are fit into the block such that there is plenty of cooling liquid all the way around them, something that would not be exposed with the head off of most engines.

The rods are very interesting. They forge and machine the rods, then break them at the parting line. I'm not sure of the reason. I can see where it could eliminate some machining steps, but I can also see that this would make for a more precise fit.

The main bearing caps and webs are really great. There are four vertical bolts and THEY'RE CROSS BOLTED. This is a racing engine feature. The only other engine that I've ever seen apart that used this technique for incredible bottom end strength was the 427 Ford of the mid sixties. I was told that MB actually started doing this with racing engines in 1948.

I missed the pistons. They have almost no skirt at all. The story on this is that the dual spark plugs which are fired about 40 degrees of crank rotation apart, if I remember this correctly, have minimal rocking allowing for the no skirt design.

The ring package is very low tension, this evidently works together with the alloy liners, the piston configuration and the dual spark plug usage.

As I said before this engine is an absolute masterpiece. It wasn't very long ago, when this technology would have been the makings of a very nice Formula One engine

Vimto > 505Turbeaux 09/24/2014 at 14:14

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Going to read now, but sounds good from scanning. I have no experience with Mercedes, in fact I've only ever owned Japanese, Korean, and American vehicles, so my entire basis on brand stereotypes. Thanks for this.

505Turbeaux > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:18

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oh no worries...it took alot of training of myself to stop beating the "post 95 mercedes is junk" drum!

Twism > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:23

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As owner of a RT Magnum, I approve.

you just need to fold the rear seats, take a small foam mattress with you and BAM, ideal road trip car.

We comfortably slept for 2 weeks in the back of mine. Two adults will fit, as long as you don't mind snuggling a little ;)

Vimto > Twism 09/24/2014 at 14:27

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As I said to another happy Magnum owner who chimed in - the hardest part is probably finding an unmolested one!

Twism > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:30

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I had mine for 4 years, back then they were pretty common.

Also, while the 2.7 and 3.5 may be harder to find without 37-inch ugly rims, SRT should be possible to find, since thugs can't afford it.

CalzoneGolem > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:39

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My next choice would be a pickup with a cap.

MIATAAAA > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:44

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I'll nominate my Matris XRS. Rear seats fold flat and it has a 6-speed manual and 115 volt power outlet.

What more do I need? :)

Sally O'Broder > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 14:59

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2004 Saturn LW, automatic transmission.

Otherwise; a bus RV. Duh.

Don't lie to us you're going on tour, aren't you?

Vimto > Sally O'Broder 09/24/2014 at 15:08

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Not exactly haha. More of a "I may be financially forced to live like this next year" rather than "touring the country because I love sleeping on the road".

Sally O'Broder > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 15:42

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Saturn. You can live out of that wagon in style, and drive so smoothly you'll forget you're not driving a simulator without force feedback or something.

Too many M's > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 15:45

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Cost as much as a house. Hauls major ass.

ljksetrightmemorialtrophydash > Vimto 09/24/2014 at 16:21

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If discretion is the goal, a late-model commercial van in a dark color in clean condition really is better than a car. It's obvious when people are sleeping in passenger cars, and it attracts attention.

You could split the difference and get a first-gen Ford Transit Connect. It's no more of a van than a "CUV" is, it's small, there are no side windows, and you can slip straight from the driver's seat to the back without going outside.

Vimto > ljksetrightmemorialtrophydash 09/24/2014 at 20:59

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I've read that 1st gen Transit Connect have a myriad of mechanical issues, most notably transmission failure after only 40,000-50,000 miles. However, I agree, it would be much easier.