jamesqf -
in re SUVs, I agree that the marketers tapped one past the goalie that time. What offends me is that in order to make it happen, they effectively KILLED the sensible alternative - the station wagon (in the rest of the Anglophonic word, the estate). A few niche examples survived and still do, but it's a bit like Classic Rock - the real party's over but don't tell the diehards.
The Germans make some sweet if pricey smallish station wagons. They fail a basic Suburban Lifestyle Test that the Tahoe/Suburban cruiserweights pass: can one install three child seats in them, line abreast? Imo that feature sold more SUVs in the States than any other, once supplemental rug-rodent restraint racks were mandated.
Once that fix was in, it wasn't hard at all to market pickups as the coupe version of the ubiquitous SUV!!
But the ultimate sleight-of-hand imo was to make minivans cool: the Acura MDX. (poorly restrained snickering)The M-B ML class. (wet sounds of respiratory distress) Buick Enclave. (volcanic mirth) The Pontiac (rolling on floor) Aztek (shrieking with laughter)!! The Kia LoRento. (deep breath; spitting sound) Minivans.
As for a US-made sports ragtop, imo that game was over before it began. The class languished worldwide, with small British builders (Lotus, TVR...) holding the torch. Heck, even MG went on hiatus. Then Mazda built its Miata and slammed it out of the park on the first swing; it'sOUTTAheea! How could our hidebound major makers even begin to compete with that!? US makes finally have small zippy four-hole engines with DOHCs and VVT and all the goodies ... because we import them and rebadge.
BMW ... don'tgetmestarted. (smile) The Z3 was, imo, gorgeous, an instant classic. The successor Z4 I just don't get. They ruined it.
Bummer about the dogs, amigo. If they're small and smart enough, you can train'em to stack in the passenger seat ... (cackling, ducking)
I saw a fellow once who'd trained his border collie to sit in an adapted milk crate strapped to the pillion of his motorcycle. The dog had gogs and a vest. Coolness.
cheers apo