It's getting close to time for me to think about replacing my old Fordvan. After 13 years and 250,000 miles it doesn't owe me anything, andI've got a lot of affection for it, but it is probably time to look atsomething new.It would be particularly nice to work with a rocket guy. Any carsalesmen in the house?I've got a few preferences. First is comfort. With 300 pounds of manlyflab distributed on a 6 foot 5 inch frame, and enough stainless andtitanium in my skeleton to set off airport metal detectors, I need acar engineered for me. Compact cars are torture devices. I don't expectto get all the space I have in the custom-conversion Econoline, but Ican't be rubbing my kneecaps off on the steering wheel either. Thefirst thing I will do with any prospective car is try it on for size.It won't come as a surprise that I would love to drive a hybrid. Thatpretty much narrows the field to the Ford Escape 'brid, since I can'tafford a Lexus or similar snoot-mobile. I have tried on the Escape andit fits. I like the power train. I'm pretty interested in one. Aroundthe DC area they go for $26-28K new. That's a little rich for my blood,frankly. I'd drive a considerable distance for a chance to bargain witha fellow rocket person. Any ideas?

Buy a USED Escape. Don't piss away extra coin just for the fact of having the new car smell. Just ain't worth it. Also Consumer Reports is your friend for automotive reviews from actual consumers. And yes, factor mpg into the tco.I don't consider myself a expert but I do consider my family(30+ cars) as experts.Ted NovakTRA#5512IEAS#75

A Honda Pilot, of course. American made in Alabama and a very goodairframe carrier: Chuck WSharc, NAR Section 613Sharc, we fly rockets so you don't have to!

OTS: any car salespeople who are also rocket folk?

Jul 21, 2006 22 Replies

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ChuckW 19 years ago

A Honda Pilot, of course. American made in Alabama and a very good airframe carrier:

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Chuck W Sharc, NAR Section 613

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Sharc, we fly rockets so you don't have to!

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Alex Mericas 19 years ago

I second that (although I have a Canadian built one from 2003 model year). I love my Pilot. It can be set up for hauling stuff or hauling people. I do wish it got better mileage (never over 20, usually around

16) but for long trips and/or rocket launches it is very comfortable. One of these days I'm going to add cross-bars for the roof rack to increase the hauling capability.

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Mark A Palmer 19 years ago

Also $100,000!

But Way cool!

Mark A Palmer

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