This is why I wished I liked the hhr, it really would be great if I didn't hate the way they looked and drove and how you can't see a thing out of them.
This is why I wished I liked the hhr, it really would be great if I didn't hate the way they looked and drove and how you can't see a thing out of them.
codrus wrote:stanger_missle wrote: The 2 door Wranglers have a whopping 12.8 cu. ft. behind the rear seat. But if you remove the seat, it swells to 56.5 cu. ft. What more do you need to carry than a machete and a bandana?The Ark? :)
Touché LOL
To be honest, I'm kinda getting tired of the Wrangler. Yeah, its fun with the doors and roof off but 94.675% of the time, I'd like some more room and better mileage.
I really dig the Mazda5. And I'm in my early 30s, divorced, and my kids don't live with me. But hell, I have terrible Auto ADD.
An who can blame a person for getting Jeep's CUVs confused? I'm a Jeep guy and half of the time I can't tell what the hell it is
ProDarwin wrote: Yeah... and? That's what I wanted. Basically an econo-car wagon.
Yeah...and the Caliber/Compass are obviously not what you wanted. They are not wagons. They're hatchbacks...And not even good ones at that.
ProDarwin wrote:novaderrik wrote:Don't know... have no desire to put a fully dressed big block right behind my head. There are no provisions for securing something like that anyway. Or getting it in/out of the car. I know its only rated to to 1000lbs.ProDarwin wrote: I've had this idea that when Jeep Patriots got cheaper I'd pick one up, dump it on some wide tires like so and have a nice little utility box that was still semi-sporty (basically a FWD version of the Challenge Cherokee). Its bigger/heavier than all the car's I've had, but it would make up for it in utility. I just read it has 54 cu feet of cargo area. (seats down) The Honda Fit has 57 cu feet. My Saturn Wagons had 58. New Scion XB has 68.those other vehicles might have more available cubic feet, but how much weight are they rated to carry in that space? how would an XB compare to the Jeep with a fully dressed big block Chevy in the back?Toyman01 wrote: The Patriot is pretty small behind the back seats. The great big honking solid rear axle and driveshaft/transfer case, push the floor up pretty far, it's also fairly narrow inside. It's built a lot like a truck. My wife loves hers most of the time, she likes the high seating, but there are occasions she wishes it was bigger. Size for size, FWD will always have more interior space. Low floors, no trans tunnel, no driveshaft tunnel, no rear axle hump.Ah. This is what I was missing. I did not realize it had a big rear axle/transfer case/etc. Actually, it didn't even really occur to me that it was AWD. I was interested in the FWD/Manual model. Although the XJ has both those things and still a ton more space.
The XJ only has 33 cubic, 69 if the rear seat is folded down.
ProDarwin wrote:Driven5 wrote: The Patriot is nothing more than a Compass/Caliber boxed up to look like a SUV.Yeah... and? That's what I wanted. Basically an econo-car wagon. But since wagons are dead, I need to make my own.JohnRW1621 wrote: Saturn Vue 4cyl, manual trans, fwd is already cheap.Much, much harder to modify. Taller, slower, etc. Looking to make a fun utility/sport box. Low, with wide, sticky rubber, a manual, and capable of at least 15s in the 1/4. Surprisingly, the Vue has barely any more space than the S-Series wagon. Do not want tall. Prefer 60" or less to begin with. Whatever I end up with, should definitely be able to get height < track after mods.
Kia Sportage.
just get an older (73-87) Suburban and be happy... you can spend the money you wouldn't spend on a payment every month to put gas in it..
Swank Force One wrote: Kia Sportage.
Less cargo space. Unless you are talking about newer ones... which I have no desire to have.
novaderrik wrote: just get an older (73-87) Suburban and be happy... you can spend the money you wouldn't spend on a payment every month to put gas in it..
I wouldn't have a car payment on any of these cars. I'm looking at stuff at the 10yr old mark and older. Patriot still isn't down into the price range I would consider.
And no thanks, do not want to drive around suburban. Want small yet capable, and relatively efficient.
Anyway, this wasn't a "recommend me a car" thread. Was just shocked at how little cargo space seemingly larger cars have. For now the plan is to remain on the lookout for another Saturn wagon.
But but but... 5spd, light, and a motor that makes enormous power under boost! 
In reply to ProDarwin:
Have you ever driven a Patriot? I had one as a rental last spring after my E36 was totaled and I cannot imagine ever wanting to spend my money on one, even as an appliance. From both a practical and emotional standpoint, there have to be better vehicles than a Patriot.
What about a Vibe/Matrix?
Someone sent me a PM looking for info about the Liberty. I responded, but it came back as un-deliverable.
GRM probably has the wrong email for you. Shoot me a email at toyman zero one five four at gmail dot com.
Furious_E wrote: In reply to ProDarwin: Have you ever driven a Patriot? I had one as a rental last spring after my E36 was totaled and I cannot imagine ever wanting to spend my money on one, even as an appliance. From both a practical and emotional standpoint, there have to be better vehicles than a Patriot. What about a Vibe/Matrix?
Nope, I haven't. This was pure speculation. I like the way they look slammed, they seem to have a good selection of parts, can tow, and looked like they would hold a reasonable amount of stuff.
ProDarwin wrote:Swank Force One wrote: Kia Sportage.Less cargo space. Unless you are talking about newer ones... which I have no desire to have.novaderrik wrote: just get an older (73-87) Suburban and be happy... you can spend the money you wouldn't spend on a payment every month to put gas in it..I wouldn't have a car payment on any of these cars. I'm looking at stuff at the 10yr old mark and older. Patriot still isn't down into the price range I would consider. And no thanks, do not want to drive around suburban. Want small yet capable, and relatively efficient. Anyway, this wasn't a "recommend me a car" thread. Was just shocked at how little cargo space seemingly larger cars have. For now the plan is to remain on the lookout for another Saturn wagon.
so you want something that fits in a compact parking space, gets 30mpg, and can haul a unit of 10 foot long 2X4's without breaking a sweat?
or something like that..
what is it about the people on this site that they think that there is one vehicle that can fit all needs? if you want to do truck stuff, get a truck... if you want to do car stuff, get a car. if your needs vary between those two things, get both..
In reply to ProDarwin: How about a Dodge Magnum?
You just won't be able to compare back to back (most likely) a slammed Patriot with wide wheels and a Magnum.
My buddy has a v8 magnum and it actually does all the wagon stuff well and has some decent hp. Not the biggest fan of the interior but overall not a bad option.
MadScientistMatt wrote: Cherokees weren't very big to start with, and wasn't the Patriot smaller?
Back when I had a Subaru, I happened to park it next to a Cherokee, and I realized that my little GL was practically identical in every dimension except for the airgap under the truck.
That is when I started thinking about converting a Cherokee to struts all around so it didn't have to sit so high. Then I realized, for all that effort, I could just keep the Subaru that I already owned.
novaderrik wrote: so you want something that fits in a compact parking space, gets 30mpg, and can haul a unit of 10 foot long 2X4's without breaking a sweat? or something like that.. what is it about the people on this site that they think that there is one vehicle that can fit all needs? if you want to do truck stuff, get a truck... if you want to do car stuff, get a car. if your needs vary between those two things, get both..
I don't want more cars. More cars = more hassle. More insurance, more taxes, more to maintain, etc.
Anyway, A Saturn Wagon, Escort Wagon, etc. will already do what you described above. Was just looking for something that was slightly more utility and slightly less mileage. I'm not going to buy a berkeleying truck for the 3 times a year I need to move something big. I'll cover as much of my needs as I can with one car and deal with the shortcomings where I have to.
Mr_Clutch42 wrote: In reply to ProDarwin: How about a Dodge Magnum?
Ummm... big and very not efficient and no manual trans.
Forester with wrx suspension?
Honda Element
Everything you want is in there.
Low load floor, manual trans, lots of m^3 space, decently fun to drive.
Oh this
skierd wrote: Forester with wrx suspension?
Also awful gas mileage, but it has tempted me in the past.
Advan046 wrote: Oh this GRM forum classifieds
Yeah, I saw that before... if it wasn't on the opposite coast, I would consider it.
Non turbos get mid 20s don't they? I seem to remember they were rated 22/28. XT's were rated 19/25 I think, but was a hell is a little truck. Same or better than the patriot for sure.
How about a Kia Soul ? Available with a manual trans, but only with the smaller engine.
Eh, my 2.5RS got terrible mileage, I can only assume the Forester would be similar.
The Soul has a small cargo area. Especially with all 4 seats in use... <20 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and utilizing that area involves stacking things straight up. With seats folded down, its 54.
Again, wasn't really looking for recommendations. Just venting about the cargo area of some cars that you would think are large, as some of the additional suggestions have proven as well.
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