Originally Posted by Gattigap (Post 384714)

Hank, I'm not quite sure what you're getting at here, but let me say this: I know that you command a great deal of respect in your field, and I take your constructive criticism with real seriousness. I think this provides us with a good opportunity to reset the dialogue.

Originally Posted by dtb (Post 384703)

This has probably been discussed here before, and is probably more appropriately the subject of another board, but wtf...

I have a Volvo XC90, which I like well enough, but it's really expensive to maintain and goes through tires like crazy. I get only about 12,000 miles to a set of tires, which is (obviously) ridiculous.

So, as I'm considering a replacement ride, what sort of thing would y'all recommend?

These are my requirements:

1. Cannot be a minivan
2. Cannot look like a minivan
3. Must feel solid, and not like a tin can or similar
4. Must have 3-row seating (space for 2 adults and 4 children)
5. Must have biggish cargo space in the back, but I can probably get away with less cargo space than what the Volvo has
6. Should not eat tires for lunch

I am sort of thinking of the Mercedes station wagon thingy (the bigger one), though the cargo space is a little snug. I will not buy that Mercedes SUV (don't know the letter/model).


Help me Lawtalkers, you're my only hope. (Said in voice of Barbra Streisand during her audition to play Princess Leia.)

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski (Post 384712)

"arc of the car's life?" are you fucking kidding? when you lived in the South would you have typed that? get the fuck out of there.

Originally Posted by dtb (Post 384703)

This has probably been discussed here before, and is probably more appropriately the subject of another board, but wtf...

I have a Volvo XC90, which I like well enough, but it's really expensive to maintain and goes through tires like crazy. I get only about 12,000 miles to a set of tires, which is (obviously) ridiculous.

So, as I'm considering a replacement ride, what sort of thing would y'all recommend?

These are my requirements:

1. Cannot be a minivan
2. Cannot look like a minivan
3. Must feel solid, and not like a tin can or similar
4. Must have 3-row seating (space for 2 adults and 4 children)
5. Must have biggish cargo space in the back, but I can probably get away with less cargo space than what the Volvo has
6. Should not eat tires for lunch

I am sort of thinking of the Mercedes station wagon thingy (the bigger one), though the cargo space is a little snug. I will not buy that Mercedes SUV (don't know the letter/model).


Help me Lawtalkers, you're my only hope. (Said in voice of Barbra Streisand during her audition to play Princess Leia.)

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint (Post 384715)

I'm shocked, but I think Hank might have a point here. Your prolonged exposure to the warm Southern California sun and general attractiveness of the population down there is making you soft. I think it's time to keep it real and move back to somewhere less desirable so you can be tough like Hank. He uses swear words with impunity on the interwebs!

Originally Posted by Shape Shifter (Post 384717)

Translation: I drive a Corvette.

Originally Posted by Sparklehorse (Post 384720)

What exactly does a Corvette say about a man? And what if it's yellow?

Originally Posted by dtb (Post 384703)

This has probably been discussed here before, and is probably more appropriately the subject of another board, but wtf...

I have a Volvo XC90, which I like well enough, but it's really expensive to maintain and goes through tires like crazy. I get only about 12,000 miles to a set of tires, which is (obviously) ridiculous.

So, as I'm considering a replacement ride, what sort of thing would y'all recommend?

These are my requirements:

1. Cannot be a minivan
2. Cannot look like a minivan
3. Must feel solid, and not like a tin can or similar
4. Must have 3-row seating (space for 2 adults and 4 children)
5. Must have biggish cargo space in the back, but I can probably get away with less cargo space than what the Volvo has
6. Should not eat tires for lunch

I am sort of thinking of the Mercedes station wagon thingy (the bigger one), though the cargo space is a little snug. I will not buy that Mercedes SUV (don't know the letter/model).


Help me Lawtalkers, you're my only hope. (Said in voice of Barbra Streisand during her audition to play Princess Leia.)

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy (Post 384718)

I've always wanted a stretched truck.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__UIs6-gaeY...Stretch368.jpg

Your neighbors would be green with envy!

(Especially with the optional horsetrailer and gunrack).

Originally Posted by Did you just call me Coltrane? (Post 384724)

Nice dualie. In HS, the father of a "friend" of mine had both a dualie like that (but only four doors) and a Corvette. He is exactly the type of guy you would expect to drive a Corvette. He also had his named engraved on the doors of both vehicles, and a cigarette boat named "High Roller".

Did I mention that he's Italian (and now broke)?

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy (Post 384725)

And he had parking for all of them by his trailer?

The click through is a bitchin four door with three seats. Very sweet cab. And they're both Fords - Made in America!

Originally Posted by Oliver_Wendell_Ramone (Post 384709)

Acura MDX is probably the leading contender to replace my aging Volvo XC wagon one of these years. Toyota Higlander is also a contender if we decide to go 1) all hybrid; and 2) slightly cheaper.

I love the BMW 5 series wagon. But it costs fuckloads. And I'm kind of liking Honda/Toyota maintenance costs these days.

Originally Posted by dtb (Post 384703)

So, as I'm considering a replacement ride, what sort of thing would y'all recommend?

These are my requirements:

1. Cannot be a minivan
2. Cannot look like a minivan
3. Must feel solid, and not like a tin can or similar
4. Must have 3-row seating (space for 2 adults and 4 children)
5. Must have biggish cargo space in the back, but I can probably get away with less cargo space than what the Volvo has
6. Should not eat tires for lunch

Originally Posted by Did you just call me Coltrane? (Post 384726)

He had a giant McMansion with a five-car garage out by the farms. The walls were made of paper mache.

Originally Posted by Fugee (Post 384728)