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Location: Removing a snake out of the neighbor's washing machine
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldtrader
One reason to quit making sedans, as the Taurus has been the police cruiser for years. Police departments all over the Nation are switching. They are switching to the Ford Explorer SUV. In warm weather parts of the nation like Southern California it is 2 wheel drive. In cold areas like where I live, it is always 4 wheel drive. Those small sedans they build today, are not fit for police work and their need to carry equipment, electronics, and rear seat passengers where there are no door handles. So now the police cruiser will be the Explorer.
To the bold, this simply is not true, at least concerning Japanese brand cars. They have been getting bigger with each generation. The domestics will advertise as a full size or midsize and have cramped interior spaces even though the exterior may indicate a full size or midsize car.
Here's a interior space comparison between two cars I've owned; a 1995 Buick Park Avenue (full size) and a 2014 Toyota Camry (mid size).
Park Avenue Toyota Camry
Front Head Room...............38.9in..................39in... ......
Front Hip Room................. 55.1in..................55in.........
Front Leg Room.................42.7in..................41.6. ......
Front Shoulder Room..........58.7in..................58in........ ..
Rear Head Room................37.9in..................38in.. ........
Rear Hip Room...................54.2in.................55in ............
Rear Leg Room..................40.7in.................38.9i n.............
Rear Shoulder Room...........58.9in..................57in....... ....
So 20yrs later, a car that is considered a midsize car, has a similar interior space to something considered full size 20yrs prior and today, is somehow shrinking.
The domestic car makers just aren't offering competitive sedans, with a mix of not advertising them. My sister's 2013 Lincoln MKZ (ford fusion) is a very nice car, great bang for the buck used. It has all the tech and the interior has a futuristic look to it but I haven't seen any Lincoln advertisements in years. I really like it, and its been pretty reliable, but how would the masses know if they don't advertise anything about it.
The '95 Buick Roadmaster was full-sized. The '95 Buick Park Avenue was mid-sized.
------------------------- '95 Roadmaster------ '95 Park Avenue
One reason to quit making sedans, as the Taurus has been the police cruiser for years. Police departments all over the Nation are switching. They are switching to the Ford Explorer SUV. In warm weather parts of the nation like Southern California it is 2 wheel drive. In cold areas like where I live, it is always 4 wheel drive. Those small sedans they build today, are not fit for police work and their need to carry equipment, electronics, and rear seat passengers where there are no door handles. So now the police cruiser will be the Explorer.
True. There have been times in the past when the Wooster Police borrowed 4WD vehicles from other departments when the weather was bad. With a 4WD SUV, they have bad weather capability that was lacking in the 2WD sedan police cars.
One reason to quit making sedans, as the Taurus has been the police cruiser for years. Police departments all over the Nation are switching. They are switching to the Ford Explorer SUV. In warm weather parts of the nation like Southern California it is 2 wheel drive. In cold areas like where I live, it is always 4 wheel drive. Those small sedans they build today, are not fit for police work and their need to carry equipment, electronics, and rear seat passengers where there are no door handles. So now the police cruiser will be the Explorer.
Vehicle size classes by U.S. Fuel Economy Guide for sedans
Class Interior combined passenger and cargo volume index in cubic feet (liters)
Minicompact < 85 (2407)
Subcompact 85–99.9 (2407–2831)
Compact 100–109.9 (2832–3114)
Mid-Size 110–119.9 (3115–3397)
Large ≥ 120 (3398)
Agree with most of the above comments. My take on the dying sedan is that Americans are getting large and it's too difficult for many of them to get in and out of a sedan. They can kinda of 'roll' out of a CUV or SUV and gravity assists.
The Korean manufacturers have also changed the game by being able to import and sell cars for less than domestic manufacturers can. (Even with all the exporting of jobs to Mexico)
The only reason that trucks are still an American mainstay is the 1963 Chicken Tax (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax) which is essentially a 25% tariff on foreign made trucks that is still in force today. (Why do you think Toyota makes trucks here??) If that tariff is ever renegotiated Ford, GM, and Ram may be in trouble.
Originally yes, but now it’s a FWD station wagon.
4Runner is the only true midsize SUV left for sale in the US to my knowledge.
Quote:
Originally Posted by easy62
Until the new Bronco comes to market.
Jeep Wrangler.
I'll buy a sedan because I can get one much cheaper.
But I have a history of zigging when everyone else zags.
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