Small / economy car deathwatch: we've passed "peak econobox" again

[freebeard]

I have a camper interior for a 2-door Beetle. It's a six foot L-shaped plywood deck that replaces the back and shotgun seats. And a 12V thermoelectric cooler. I've got a 12V coffee pot now but I haven't had a chance to use it.

It's currently in storage in the shell of the '58 Baja. When it was installed in the Superbeetle I overnighted at Bonneville Salt Flats and the Summit of Donner Pass.

The Superbeetle spare tire is positioned where you could have a composting toilet there instead. Maybe a modesty curtain to hang on the hood.

The debt load, though.

Bucky Fuller said a house should cost as much as a car. At least the debt servicing is falling into line.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Honda used to be known for (at least the autojournos raved about) the best shifters in the business. Late 80's early 90's era. My parents had a manual Accord back then and I remember it being pretty sublime.

I bought a used 89 Accord, ran it into the ground, then replaced it with another 89 Accord. 12 years later I was thrilled to wind in in a Fit. They shift great.

[JSH]

For some reference on why Honda is dropping the Coupe. When the 10th generation Civic came out in 2016 the coupe was 16% of sales. As of 2019 it had dropped to 6%.

[redpoint5]

I'm surprised coupes have lasted as long as they have. Last one I had was a '69 Beetle.

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm surprised coupes have lasted as long as they have. Last one I had was a '69 Beetle.

I think that humans must have an instinct requiring vehicles to be able to carry a family. I have filled four seats exactly once since 1985. Even my mother chose two door cars. Pickup trucks are also very popular in North America.

[Piotrsko]

Doors are shorter in a 4 door, they fit better in tight parking spaces for egress. I would believe that the great unwashed don't think that far ahead.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

I think that humans must have an instinct requiring vehicles to be able to carry a family. I have filled four seats exactly once since 1985. Even my mother chose two door cars. Pickup trucks are also very popular in North America.

...or friends, or strangers.

I've filled my car, and I mean filled, at least 5 times helping strangers get home when they got stranded. One time was about 10 people in my Subaru Legacy when a Dodge Durango caught fire in the woods and burned to the frame. Other times are providing a lift to hikers or rafters back to their cars.

I average about once per week having friends in the back seat... planning to fill the bed of my truck with kayaks and friends this afternoon for the lake.

That said, a coupe can fit people in the back, it's just less easy. I never minded it, but then the people I'm giving rides to are all able-bodied. Heck, I hear people saying they are uninterested in a sedan because it's difficult/painful to ingress/egress, and therefore justify a CUV/SUV.

[Xist]

Around 1999 someone told me that cars shouldn't exist, everyone should drive a truck. I said that old people have difficulty climbing up. He responded that old people have an easier time getting out of one.

I guess that crossovers are the happy medium.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

I think that humans must have an instinct requiring vehicles to be able to carry a family. I have filled four seats exactly once since 1985. Even my mother chose two door cars.

From friends and family that have children - it is really difficult to put infants and toddlers into child seats in a 2 door. From your picture I'm guessing your mother didn't have to deal with car seats and booster seats.

We don't have kids but routinely have 4 people and gear in our car. Hiking, skiing, backpacking, rafting, fishing, etc. All are more fun with friends.

Personally I see no reason to pay the same amount or more for a car with less doors that is harder to load. I have the same view on sedans. They are less useful than wagons and hatchbacks so I don't buy them. We haven't owned a sedan for at least 15 years. The only coupe we owned was given to us by my in-laws when they took pity on me because I was riding a motorcycle all year.

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

Pickup trucks are also very popular in North America.

4 door pickups are very popular in North America. Regular cabs are a dying breed.

[freebeard]

Two-doors used to be preferable for kids that could get themselves in the back, because they couldn't be fiddling with the back door locks. Those ejection seat safety pods changed the situation.

Allow me to point to the local maxima for utility: Six passengers, three doors, locking trunk and pickup truck bed.


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