You sacrifice 26% of the cargo space to go from an E wagon to the CLS wagon.
And how practical are crossovers? The much smaller GLK actually matches the 54.7 cubic foot capacity exactly. Coincidence.
The shape is different, a box basically, rather than a long floor with a low ceiling, but you can always stack boxes.
I'm not even a fan of the GLK, but you see how practical a small crossover can be. It is more than 16 inches (!) shorter overall than the CLS wagon yet matches the capacity, which supports my "crossovers are practical" theory quite well. :shades:
Those clamshell wagons are excellent. I am usually not a huge 70s fan, but I like those battle cruisers. For the time and place, very nice design. Probably has a 455 that moves it without effort, too.
A man and woman (husband/wife) go to a cabin in the woods in a Subaru station wagon with a chocolate lab puppy. Then, they go a second time later and the puppy is grown up. Then, a 3rd time, with the dog AND a little kid. Touching. Can relate to this type commercial vs some that are merely stupid car stunts.
A just married couple, she in wedding dress, take their Subaru on a camping trip right after being married and set up tent. Then, it rains and there is a mess, but still all smiles.
A man (father) is by side of his Subaru giving keys to his 6-year old girl, he talks to her. Then at end of commercial, the girl is about 16 years old, the father gives her some words.
A just married couple, she in wedding dress, take their Subaru on a camping trip right after being married and set up tent. Then, it rains and there is a mess, but still all smiles.
...and in three years they come back 30 lbs. heavier wearing hippie clothes asking the cool, fit Venza folks why they didn't buy an Outback.
Owners relate. I had a dog, then one kid, then a 2nd. Kept our Subaru for a long time and they never let us down.
Indeed we had them through several phases of our lives, so it hits home.
The one with the green Forester, where they say "You never forget your first Subaru" is similarly clever. I had that same color. Our new one is a different color else I'd think the commercial was made about me.
The Venza is just for those dowdy folks when they are ~15 years or so older. "Active boomers" (Venza target market) aren't exactly cool or sporty themselves :shades:
A woman in a class I took long told a story on herself about washing her dad's new car when she was 7ish. Might have been his birthday; details are foggy.
What's clear in my memory is what she used for the soap.
You're forgetting, this is America. Camry is 2nd in NASCAR points (I think, don't quote me). Straight line and turning a gradual left are all that matters.
Those clamshell wagons were great IMHO...better-looking than Ford or Chrysler wagons IMO, and the benefits of the tailgate disappearing instead of folding down was a great idea I think. I like the glassy greenhouse and forward-facing third seatand there weren't too many wagons with skirts!
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
I'll probably never choose a car with big wheels and low profile tires again. Expensive rubber with decaying road conditions makes it no fun. I already weave around like a drunk avoiding the bad spots as it is.
I had the nothing-special 14"s on my NA, 185/60R14. Not hard to break them loose and have a little fun.
My NC has 17"s, overkill for these roads. The sport suspension package added Bilsteins and summer tires, so in an odd way you end up with too much grip. Limits are higher but it's less fun, and they don't break away progressively like the old one.
Not sure but I may swap or sell these and go to 16"s, which still fit over the brakes.
Don't need all seasons, though, since it stays parked where there's snow. I just steal the wife's keys to the Forester. :shades:
My E55 has 18s with low profile tires and a stiff suspension. It can be a little annoying as our roads decay into Beirut 1984 status. Corners pretty well for something of its mass, though. Fintail has tiny 13" wheels, which I theorize were used to make the car look bigger, and to deal with the low torque engine.
Should've seen the travesty I saw yesterday at Levick and Tabor in NE Philly: a nice green early 1980s Chevrolet Caprice Classic sporting huge rims that could've been a big as the wheels on an old west stagecoach!
Should've seen the travesty I saw yesterday at Levick and Tabor in NE Philly: a nice green early 1980s Chevrolet Caprice Classic sporting huge rims that could've been a big as the wheels on an old west stagecoach!
E55 tires cost almost what I paid for the fintail. The old car will probably get new tires next year - finally time for specialty wide whitewall radials, at about $200 apiece. Normal economy grade (no need for performance on that thing) tires can be found for much less.
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http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/26/2013-mercedes-cls63-amg-shooting-brake-first-- drive-review-video/
You sacrifice 26% of the cargo space to go from an E wagon to the CLS wagon.
And how practical are crossovers? The much smaller GLK actually matches the 54.7 cubic foot capacity exactly. Coincidence.
The shape is different, a box basically, rather than a long floor with a low ceiling, but you can always stack boxes.
I'm not even a fan of the GLK, but you see how practical a small crossover can be. It is more than 16 inches (!) shorter overall than the CLS wagon yet matches the capacity, which supports my "crossovers are practical" theory quite well. :shades:
I'd take an E63 wagon over either, sleeper looks and good outward visibility.
I think, perhaps unintentionally, they created a very practical small wagon, one that just happens to be tall and has decent clearance.
You're probably right, though, from the consumers' point of view they probably see it as "safe" and just enjoy their truck's high point of view.
E63 wagon for me, too.
Had a C240 4Matic loaner once, liked it but I'd like something juuuust a smidge roomier.
I don't think that demographic likes wagons, no matter their positives.
Dad had an '84 Old Custom Cruiser. 3 rows, huge capacity, V8, RWD.
Some how it was less than the sum of its parts, though. The automatic hesitated like mad, and the ride was bouncy, plus it got 12mpg.
There are many attractive wagons nowadays, though.
Chrysler took the opportunity to move to lighter, V6, FWD family movers and the rest is history.
A just married couple, she in wedding dress, take their Subaru on a camping trip right after being married and set up tent. Then, it rains and there is a mess, but still all smiles.
...and in three years they come back 30 lbs. heavier wearing hippie clothes asking the cool, fit Venza folks why they didn't buy an Outback.
Those Subie ads are fairly old now.
Owners relate. I had a dog, then one kid, then a 2nd. Kept our Subaru for a long time and they never let us down.
Indeed we had them through several phases of our lives, so it hits home.
The one with the green Forester, where they say "You never forget your first Subaru" is similarly clever. I had that same color. Our new one is a different color else I'd think the commercial was made about me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXOrbo6DX9U
I know it's different, darker, but the whole life phases, car-gets-you-through approach.
Well compared to the dowdy, flannel wearing bearded chubby guy and his hippie chick partner.
Those Subie ads are fairly old now.
For us perhaps. But I recall someone posting it here in that past week as a new commercial to them.
http://youtu.be/qWB1kdbMLwM
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What's clear in my memory is what she used for the soap.
Brillo.
Maybe we'll see her and her dad on the Dr. Phil show someday?
"I was seven years-old when my whole relationship with my father suddenly changed, Dr. Phil! Sob!"
It's much, much quicker than the Passat TDI, for instance.
That one made me cringe, though. The toothpaste was a bit much. An open moonroof would have been enough, more subtle.
My dad's 2000 Outback is in the background.
They probably *do* think it's a sports car. LOL
Hate the huge rim trend, all that unsprung weight and a harsh ride to boot. A lot of cars with oversized rims don't even handle well.
But to the masses, it looks "sporty". The aftermarket wheels trend is even worse. I was hoping it would die off, but hasn't.
Couple that with fender flares on so many vehicles, and fender gaps look bigger than ever.
I was thinking about going down an inch in diameter for the Miata, to deal with DC pot holes.
My NC has 17"s, overkill for these roads. The sport suspension package added Bilsteins and summer tires, so in an odd way you end up with too much grip. Limits are higher but it's less fun, and they don't break away progressively like the old one.
Not sure but I may swap or sell these and go to 16"s, which still fit over the brakes.
Don't need all seasons, though, since it stays parked where there's snow. I just steal the wife's keys to the Forester. :shades:
The NA was nice. I drove it pretty hard so I had to replace 2 sets, but they were cheap so who cares.
I'm afraid to ask with the new ones.
Was it a Donk?
There was this YouTube video of one running down the quarter mile and basically popping off the rear axle. HYSTERICAL.
Let me search...
I do have to admit that as stupid as it looks, there is some real engineering there.
I don't understand the appeal of putting a big corporate logo on the side of a car, but I am weird.
The rear axle flies off the car and keeps going...