If things go as planned, my car will be fixed in the next few days and it'll be back to air-conditioned bliss.
The most recent loaner was a cute little Volvo wagon, a bit worse for the wear but still pretty luxy. I'm finding that the tall, SUV-esque Lexus has spoiled me in an unexpected way: it's a lot easier to get in and out of than conventional vehicles. It's not an obvious benefit but it is indeed a plus.
That’s why I traded my Intrepid on a Ford Escape, back in late ‘11. I was having too much trouble getting in and out of the sedan, what with my back and knees being wonky and getting worse.
ReplyDeleteThe height helps when watching traffic, too.
ReplyDeleteSure sucks when you start to get decrepit - and non flexible!!! :(
ReplyDeleteThe ability to get in and out of a vehicle comfortably is why I will never own another sedan or coupe. Visibility and snow performance are secondary (albeit a close second)
ReplyDeleteThere have been a few times recently where I've resorted to grabbing my trouser-leg with my hand in order to pull that leg in far-enough to get it into or out of the MGB footwell. I can see why Jag's XJS had a door that hinged so far forward on the fender rather than at the end of the dash.
ReplyDeleteLouella (aka the Midnight Special, aka the Bluesmobile), my old 2006 Ford Five Hundred, was pretty easy to get in and out of. I recently replaced her with a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander, which I have named Nyota (aka Shuttlecraft Galileo, aka Howl's Moving Castle). Sits up a bit higher, and the AWD will be nice come winter.
ReplyDeleteDouglas2: I hear you. Even when I was young and spry...back in the '80s, I worked for an auto dealer auction as a driver. One day I had to drive an Alfa Romeo Spider convertible coupe about 35 miles. Even with the seat as far back as I could get it, my knees were jammed up into the bottom of the dash so hard that my left (clutch) foot was numb by the end of the trip. I'm not quite 6'1", so that was something.