Steve wrote: < After all, the more aerodynamic and lighter a vehicle usually leads to a cheaper production cost and better operation economy which seems to sell more units these days.> Really? Then why is the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe 300 lb heavier than my 1992 Corolla AWD wagon, despite the fact it has nowhere near the same amount of room? And 50% more expensive? And rated to get virtually the same real world mileage my wagon gets, despite a decade of development in engine design? There is no way I could get 5 people, 2 canoes, and gear for a week into a Matrix. And the ground clearance of a Matrix, if loaded as near to that as we could get, would not allow it on the roads my Corolla has seen, when loaded as described. The Matrix is not an isolated case, either. Virtually all vehicles of this size have put on weight. They can afford to add motors and actuators for door locks, seats, windows, and mirrors, but can't put a few ounces into reinforcing the roof rack attachment points? More aerodynamic, perhaps, but that is the only improvement I can see in recent cars. That is why I am sticking with the old-tech small station wagons of a decade ago. More real-world useful features, like interior volume, rain gutters, ground clearance, combined with decent fuel economy, longevity and reliability. Rob. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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