Date: Thu, 01 Jan 2004 11:55:44 +0000 From: Johannes H Andersen <johsnopsamfitter.com> Subject: Re: the perfect car
Tom Reingold wrote: > > The respectable Walt Kienzle wrote: > > > [snip] > > > > > >>I should look at other minivans like the Ford Windstar. Looks like a > >>huge gas guzzler, though, but my mechanic, who specializes in Saabs, > >>likes his wife's Windstar a lot. > > > > > > I haven't driven one, but I don't think it is too bad in the fuel > > department. The original Windstar was based on the Taurus platform. I > > believe the new version still is. I also own a Taurus (with the 220hp gas > > guzzling engine), and the highway fuel economy is almost as good (within > > about 2 MPG) as with my Saab. I would guess the size and weight of the > > Windstar might cost another 1 or 2 MGP. > > I think the height of a vehicle (or really, the air drag) is a big > factor, especially lately, now that engines are more efficient. I think > the taller the vehicle, the worse is your mileage, and this seems to > matter more than the displacement of the engine. Around here many SUV have diesel engines, but this makes them even slower and noisier (generally). There are exceptions with smooth running 10 cyl diesels, but at exotic prices. A TV car program demonstrated how easy it is to get into a barrel roll with a SUV by e.g. a sharp avoidance manoeuvre on the motorway. I'm proud of being nominated as "vehicle usage police". My first task will be to get a vehicle usage police car, naturally I've applied for a Hummer; that will show'em. :-)