[jcp123]

It is a hybrid, after all...

Honestly, after a few Ikea trips, I don't think I'd be able to fit my haul in anything less than a wagon/SUV/pickemup. Certainly not the Echo/Rio/Mustang trio we have now.

Last time we went we took a Volvo wagon which, of course, crapped out while we were in town (Ikea is a solid 2,5hr trip from the sorry excuse for a city we live in). We rented a Crown Vic which took about 45 min worth of creative packaging to fit our haul and luggage, plus a 2 year old in the back seat. With her back there, it would have been no dice for dropping the folding seat, as even if it had been split, nothing would have fit with only dropping one side. That Crown Vic was an awfully nice car though. Quiet, torquey, rear drive...much tighter suspension than most would lead you to believe. It felt very natural to drive and to me had that luxury feel which can't be made up simply with more features. I was only 27 at the time, hardly the target demographic, so...I would say it was a very underrated car. Plus 28mpg driving around metro Dallas using light HM techniques!

We did at least snag some In 'n' Out and some Pupusas while we were there. Hey, we are both California natives and she is a Salvadorena, so meal from In 'n' Out and good Pupusas are hard to snag here. Always order your double double with grilled onions. Totally worth it. Might as well make the trip worth it? Oh, and we learned that the downtown Dallas Aloft hotel is exceptional...