Ming's New Daily Driver (It's a GM car, but...)

[mbukukanyau]

Ming, Are you the one in a Suit or are you the one in a blue Shirt?
As for the HHR, we own one, its definately better all round car than that Korean

[Ming]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Ming, Are you the one in a Suit or are you the one in a blue Shirt?
As for the HHR, we own one, its definately better all round car than that Korean

LOL, no, that's the salesman and the owner of the place. (Got rid of that photo since you aren't the first person to ask me that...)

I considered the HHR like I said, but the interior dimensions just didn't suit me and the needs of my family for the occasional family jaunt. The Forenza Wagon fit me like a glove although it could use a tad more lumbar support. Glad you enjoy it though. I had a time when I was really looking at HHRs seriously. I just won't get another car where my legs are all askew and leaning against the door uncomfortably. The Forenza has a nice "dead pedal" that seems fit for my legs, although I do need to have the driver's seat pretty much all the way back (thankfully there's still room for someone to ride behind me). I also didn't like the visibility from within the HHR.

[L32 To Go]

Excellent choice, Ming. I didn't know this kind of vehicle even exists.

In the 80's I drove Impala station wagons (excuse my language, it seems that became a dirty word). I used it as a daily driver, but after work I did maintenance on apartments. I kept all my tools in it during the week, but on a weekend I cleaned it out and took my family to church in style. I really appreciated that I could lay 4x8 sheets of plywood flat on the floor and close the tailgate, you can't do that with most pickups.

I don't do maintenance anymore but did remodel my house and missed my station wagon dearly. I toyed with the idea of buying a used pickup, but my cost calculations showed to be much cheaper to pay an occasional delivery charge.

Now I drive the 2004 Grand Prix, 21 mpg in city, 28 on the highway. Both rear seat backs fold forward including the passenger one. I can put in a load of 8 foot lumber and close the trunk, even 16 footers will only stick out 7 feet. I have my appliances delivered by the store.

The car manufacturers may not like the idea, but this country needs to be weaned from pickup trucks unless they are absolutely needed. Too many pickups and SUV's are being bought for that occasional need to bring home some large appliance and also other frivolous reasons. For good fuel efficiency we need lighter vehicles and build utility in them.

I also own a Saturn Sky. No, I don't bring home lumber with it, I have the GP to do that occasionally. All the news media are beating down this car for lack of storage space. Well, in March I took my wife on an 8-day, 2000 mile trip to Orlando and Punta Gorda and we had everything we needed (except the kitchen sink). To top it off, in April we traveled to Las Vegas, 16 days, 4900 miles and we did not run out of anything. Just takes a little ingenuity and for all criticism the Sky and Solstice receive unjustly, there is nothing like traveling through Utah canyonlands in a roadster with the top down. We both really enjoyed that trip.

Congratulations on your new car and thanks for the post. I am not in the market for a new car at this time but will take time to look at one.