Need car ifo - good for driving with planes

I just totaled my Camry V6 XLE sedan, and need to find a new car. Much as I loved the Camry, it was a pain to load even my Noblarf in.

I am looking at the Volvo Turbo Wagon, BMW wagon, and Mercedes Wagon. I REALLY don't want a SUV. I like slick, good handling, smooth, powerful cars.

Any comments?

BTW, airbags REALLY, REALLY hurt!

New Dodge Magnum

LAST EDITED ON Nov-09-04 AT 10:36 PM (CDT)
 
Second on the Magnum!

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Be sure you get the big hemi V8 (5.7L/345 HP) with it. It's the 300C engine, and has cylinder cutout to improve gas mileage. (Kinda like the old Cadillac 4/6/8 system, except that it works - supposedly undetectable to the driver.)

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Plenty of room for stunt planes in the back. It's a more attractive vehicle than the 300C..

(Ask Lou Wolgast, he probably has his by now.)

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"The rule is perfect: In all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane." -Mark Twain

Lou has his and loves it.
Steve
The older I get, the better I used to fly!

Try Carmax.com and look at the Ford Windstar or Freestar Limited. You will love it. Comfortable and spacious.

When loading planes into sedans here is what I do. I turn the plane upside down and put it in tail first. The inboard wing hangs close to the floorboard behind the passenger and the outboard close to the top of the back door window. The plane rests on the rudder and the nose and is tied in with an an old T-Shirt around the fuse from top of the read headrest to the other rear headrest. I fly some very large planes and they all fit right into my Mits Diamante just fine. Even on Built up rudders. Just dont drive crazy. Upside down gets the gear out of the way. Works pretty good. Right side up the gear are always in the way and getting unwanted pressure on them.

Mr. 1969 NATS
Bob Lampione

Go with the Beamer. I would first recommend a 2005 Honda Odyssey as a vehicle that would fit the program and virtually be trouble free. You might want to give Jimm Borrelli (See Pampa directory for phone number)a call he is a service manager for one of the biggest Volvo Dealers in the east and his boss also has a BMW shop. He could give you an honest assesment of repairs and service on these which might steer you to the Honda. Of course he does drive one of their new turbo wagons, but that's a perk of the job.

Regards,

Bob

Bob,

Or talk to Howard Rush about his new Odyssey. He has, uh, certain opinions about it.

>Mr. 1969 NATS
>Bob Lampione
>
>Go with the Beamer. I would first recommend a 2005 Honda
>Odyssey as a vehicle that would fit the program and
>virtually be trouble free.

I'm just about to do that. I have a '91 Mazda Cab Plus pickup which is OK for hauling planes and gear, is reliable - it just ain't a people hauler. My 12 year old son refuses to ride in the rear jump seats anymore.

The previous generation Honda Odyssey was already at the top of it's class but the '05 really raises the bar. Power is bumped up another 15hp yet with it's VCM (variable cylinder mgmt) technology, MPG goes up and emmissions goes down - it's an ULEV-2 rated vehicle. Honda really did their homework on the Odyssey's suspension components. Some say it handles comparable (well, relatively) to a bimmer. Get it with the XM radio, rear DVD entertainment, voice activated NAV (with 8" screen) and integrated rear view camera and parking sensors. Oh yeah, the Michelin PAX runflat tire technology looks pretty appealing. And that 115v outlet in the back seat...

Mine will be here in 4 weeks.

http://www.odyclub.com

Do NOT get a Chevy Venture. I have one and it sux...

Tim

>Do NOT get a Chevy Venture. I have one and it sux...

I have had my Venture since 2000 and will not depart with it, except the wife has taken it over.DOC

Glad you'r o.k. Larry. Most importantly, - did you have any planes in with you?

Thanks for your concern, the planes were all at home safe and sound.

I expect I missed serious injury or worse by less than 1 second. The guy only nailed my car just ahead of the front wheel. As hard as he hit, he would have gone through the car and me if he had centerpunched! Who knew a Honda Prelude could throw a V6 camry 30 ft! (He then proceeded 90 more feet and smashed the rest of his front end into a brick wall after climbing a curb).

No license, no insurance.

Larry,
I'm glad you escaped injury. I didn't. I was driving home Sept. 3rd on the freeway. I never even got up to speed. Traffic was slowing up ahead so I slowed slightly, looked in the rear view and here she comes, a 17 year old girl driving daddy's BMW 75 mph with the cell phone in her ear. She hit me in the slow lane, veared accross all four lanes, causing three more wrecks on (our) south bound lanes and then a lookyloo accident in the north bound lanes. I was in my pick-up. When she hit me, The back window smashed the back of my head and messed up my neck too. I got a severe concusion and it damaged the optic nerve that controls my left eye. My truck was totaled. My hobbies: C/L, R/C, airplane building, street and dirt bikes, bicycles, hunting and reading, I'm kind of a ammature historian: All died that day along with my occupation as a powerplant operator. I have recently finished my Mark 1 and I am starting to fly C/L again but I have to limit going around to much by doing figure 8's. My doctors say it will take at least six months to heal completely, though I'll be able to go back to work before then. I gave blood every 56 days. That died too. This girl has no idea how much damage she caused and probably doesn't give a crap. My truck stopped three feet from a twenty foot drop off the side of the freeway. That would have been an end over end roll over. Oh the what-ifs huh? It pisses me off to see people everyday, driving with a cell phone stuck in their ear. It won't happen to them huh Larry.

I reallly like Volvo wagons, roomy, depenable, good hwy cruisers.

Larry:

I second this. Just got Mom a new V50 AWD - fantastic machine!

Prejudice is OK up to a point, but you REALLY ought to drive n M-B ML320 or ML430 before you dis all SUVs. I bought a Pathfinder 'cause I liked it and it was $15K less, but the M-B handling was absolutely superb!

I'll bet $$$ to doughnut holes that it will impress you. It'll beat the pants off a Camry!

LAST EDITED ON Nov-09-04 AT 07:18 PM (CDT)
 
OK, I guess my criteria aren't clear. I want actual mileage around 28/29 mpg on the open road at 80 mph, 20lb/horsepower or less, sports car handling or close to it, quiet, smooth, good stereo.

The Camry would meet all those, had a great sound system, and lots 'o goodies like power seats, true temperature control, auto headlights, and on and on.

Superb reliability and durability are a must. This is only the 2nd car I have had that ended up with under 150,000 miles on it (The other one was a Sprite, and I managed 40,000 on that one even with a Judson Supercharger installed!). The Camry was going strong at 75,000, so there is no reason to assume it wouldn't go the distance.

Oh, also, I hate driving large vehicles. Even the Camry always seemed a bit large. My previous two cars were Acura Integras.

VW Passat wagon 3400 LBS. with a 5 speed and the 1.8T 4 banger cost for the 05 is about 24K. It is turbo charged, intercooled, with 5 valves per cylinder so the power 170 HP (they lie it seems like more) it will give you 25-27 MPG and cruses at 80 better than at 60. Make sure the VIN starts with WVW (means built in Germany) A Jetta wagon would be good also but most of them are made in Mexico and have BIG quality problems. I have a Golf 4 door with the old 150HP 1.8T and it has lots of room under the hatchback but that combo is no longer being made. I have 110K on it right now and have put less than $1000 in it in repairs. On a trip to Illinois last year driving 80 - 90 all the way I got 31 MPG. That car only weighs 2900 lbs. so the Passat gets less.

I'll second the Passat Wagon. While VW has gotten a bad rep with the Jetta (and well deserved, too), the Passat has always been good. Get the 1.8T 5sp, unless you *really* don't like shifting. I get 30+ mpg with mine. Trips to Tulsa, which are at 80 mph on the Interstate, yield 28.5-30.5 mpg depending on weather conditions. Most turbocharged cars, however, run on premium. If mileage is tantamount, get the diesel: they're hard to find and automatic-only, but get 40+ mpg and are quiet and smooth on the inside. They also perfrom quite well, though do not match the top end of the gas engines. The diesel clatter is noticeable on the outside, and they still smell like a diesel on the outside, of course. The Passat Wagon handles very well and rides nicely.

Here's another tip for any car purcahse: look for them on the internet. I did this and got my 2003 VW for about $750 below dealer invoice and about 4150 below the Edmunds expected price. I saved money even when I factored in the one-way plane ticket to buy the car in Ft. Collins. There is no haggling because they know they have exactly one shot to give you a good price. My local dealer wouldn't budge in price.

A final trick, which works with any modern turbocharged car but especially the VW 1.8T: get it "chip tuned." The standard process reprograms the engien manegment CPU to provide more boost. Various dealers carge different prices, but mine was $325 and worth every penney. Mine went from 170 HP stock to about 210 HP and, as long as I keep my foot out of it, I get slightly better fuel economy.

Glad you're OK!

Kim Elmore

Does Toyota still make a Camry Wagon? Volvos are nice, but parts cost a bunch, and you can't buy much except factory stuff. Steve

Nope, the Camry Wagon was toast around 1999. Otherwise I wouldn't be asking questions, I'd be hassling Toyota dealers.

Between my wife and myself, we have owned 3 Camrys, and liked all of them. Of course my 2 of the 3 were totalled in accidents.... Hmmm, maybe I SHOULD change brands.

>Nope, the Camry Wagon was toast around 1999. Otherwise I
>wouldn't be asking questions, I'd be hassling Toyota
>dealers.
>
>Between my wife and myself, we have owned 3 Camrys, and
>liked all of them. Of course my 2 of the 3 were totalled in
>accidents.... Hmmm, maybe I SHOULD change brands.

Yeah - Maybe a Hummer, given that history. <G>

Seriously, Larry, a non-competition auto SHOULDN'T be built like a pro-stunt airplane. The idea is to protect the occupants and contents; not to exact the absolute maximum possible performance/economy.

At least go test drive an M-B ML model. All it can cost you is a bit of time and your predilection for small/light/quick, although the ML handles extremely well. NOTHING will win a contest with a KENWORTHY, but a solid SUV will trump an econosedan almost every time!

>OK, I guess my criteria aren't clear. I want actual mileage
>around 28/29 mpg on the open road at 80 mph, 20lb/horsepower
>or less, sports car handling or close to it, quiet, smooth,
>good stereo.
>
>The Camry would meet all those, had a great sound system,
>and lots 'o goodies like power seats, true temperature
>control, auto headlights, and on and on.
>
>Superb reliability and durability are a must. This is only
>the 2nd car I have had that ended up with under 150,000
>miles on it (The other one was a Sprite, and I managed
>40,000 on that one even with a Judson Supercharger
>installed!). The Camry was going strong at 75,000, so there
>is no reason to assume it wouldn't go the distance.
>
>Oh, also, I hate driving large vehicles. Even the Camry
>always seemed a bit large. My previous two cars were Acura
>Integras.

My Acura TSX holds P-51's and Impacts, without taking them apart. It meets all of your criteria above, and it's handling will make your Camry feel like an old Detriot Iron boat (you know, an old 70's Impala or the like).

And they are not all that expensive! An added Bonus.

2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon.

250 BHP at 6000 RPM
250 LB-FT of torque at 3600 RPM
All-wheel drive
25 mpg on highway
Curb weight 3435 lbs (13.74 lb/bhp)
Towing capacity 2700 lbs
Tire size P215/45ZR17
Trunk / cargo space 61.7 cu.ft. (fold rear seat and it doubles)
Invoice $27,961
Consumer Reports: Recommended
Edmunds' Consumer Rating: 9.3 on 10-scale
Edmunds editors write:
"The turbo four responds with the heart and refinement of a much larger steed. Meanwhile, power delivery rivals V6 engines for smoothness, and the engine is quiet at cruising speeds..."
"Subaru's midsize car has always been known for its fine handling, but this time around the company wanted it behave to like a sporty entry-luxury car. Accordingly, both the sedan and wagon ride beautifully on the highway, while providing a high level of entertainment on twisty back roads. Style and luxury were never within the previous Legacy's grasp, but no apologies need be made for the new cockpits, which are some of the best-looking designs in this price range..."

Larry,
I second the Magnum

I also vote for the Dodge Magnum. It recently received some car associations label as "car of the year." Now I understand why you weren't at the swapmeet on Sunday... I drove up from Sandy Eggo and had a good time...despite your absence.
Nick Vanmatre

Mostly, it depends on your determination to carry a model. I carry the large BBQB Bearcat and a roll around flying box in my Pontiac Sunfire. Once I figured how to do it, I figure I can get into most any car with fold down rear seats.

>I just totaled my Camry V6 XLE sedan, and need to find a new
>car. Much as I loved the Camry, it was a pain to load even
>my Noblarf in.
>
>I am looking at the Volvo Turbo Wagon, BMW wagon, and
>Mercedes Wagon. I REALLY don't want a SUV. I like slick,
>good handling, smooth, powerful cars.
>
>Any comments?
>
>BTW, airbags REALLY, REALLY hurt! :-(

Ron B.
F4Fguy

Larry:

You obviously need an apocalyptic vehicular experience. Find a good example of an ALFA GTV,1750,or 2000, and never look back(even better ,if you're able to live with the maintenance, a 1300 Veloce Coupe). Okay, so you'll also need a trailer to haul the airplanes, but,after one drive, you'll never even consider any of the Grey Volvo Stationwagon alternatives offered so far. In addition to the performance and handling, you'll be able to come out every morning and look at it.

Larry,
If you really liked the Camry, Toyota make an SUV that is mostly Camry, the Highlander. If you want a little higher zoot, the Lexus RX330 is the same foundation with a lot more glitz. Based on Consumer Reports, avoid the BMW and Mercedes SUVs due to very poor reliability.

I drive an Infiniti G35 coupe, so my choice would be the FX35 or FX45. The FX45 is faster than the Porsche SUV and corners better for about $30,000 less money.
Steve
The older I get, the better I used to fly!

Story about BMW reliability.

About 5 years ago, my boss got a new 540i. He wasn't sure whether to buy it or a Lexus. So, after a year or so, one day a guy pulls up in front of the office driving a new Lexus. My boss, ever the people person and wanting to know about this car, strikes up a conversation. He tells the Lexus guy that the black Bimmer is his, to which Mr. Lexus says, "Nice. Do you know Marty down there at ___ BMW?" My boss says yeah, what a great guy he is, good friend, etc. Mr. Lexus says, "Do you know Joe at the service desk?" Boss says, yeah, he really takes great care of me. Lexus says, "Is that cute Judy still the cashier?" Boss says, yeah she is a real sweetheart. Mr. Lexus grins at him and says, "I don't know anyone at the Lexus dealership except the guy who sold me the car!" Boss now has a Lexus. . .

Ron,

I had a 79 Alfetta! It was Awesome! Dual webbers and a header. Front end lowered with a GTV6 air dam. A fun car to drive. Light weight and nimble.

My brother goes through Alfas like water out of a bucket. He has a GTV6 right now. It is a very nice car plenty of power.

You are right very fun to drive.

I still have to lean towards my 69 Vette!

Dodge Magnum and if you want mileage at a resonable price go with the 2.7 or 3.5 litre.I have heard only good reports from customers on mileage with 3.5L and 5.7L Hemi also.The Hemi is designed to run on 4 cyls on the highway at cruise loads.I have driven all versions and the 300 ect.Very nice cars.I may be a little one sided on this being a Dodge employee.

Porsche Cayenne. 4.5L V-8. 340hp. 0-60 in 6.8sec. 150 mph top speed.
What else can there be?

haven't driven one yet but crawled all in over and around a Dodge Magnum --- That'll be the next car I buy

Larry,

I was happy to read that you were unscathed.

That said, I would personally go with the Volvo Wagon, especially if has AWD. I have been driving Volvos for nearly thirty years, and although Steve is right about parts expense, I have had little occasion to need any other than a heater fan motor or two. The first one I owned, a 1976 242, finally had to be put to rest in 1993 when it was in involved in a triple flip, quadruple rollover accident. It ended up on the driver's side, the roof dented slightly and the windshield mostly gone. After extricating myself from the beast unscathed, with the help of a passerby, I pushed the wreck onto its wheels and drove it home. My next vehicle was a 92 244 which I still drive.

I’m sold on the Marque and will have to have a good reason before I switch. I’m certain, however, that you would be happy with the BMW or the MB SUV as well as possibly some of the other suggestions made.

Chrysler Town & Country. Yeah, it are a minivan. I have a 97, with 209k on it. A tranny rebuild at 144k, and an AC compressor at 168k.

And that's it.

Seriously, it works. Uses no oil (Mobil One), and everything still works (mine is loaded, including a killer stereo that has also has a great AM radio - but, that's another story). Probably the most reliable turd brown mini van anyone could hope for.

So, the good part for my modeling friends? The seats in the new one disappear into the floor. Mine come out easy enough, which is cool. But then you have to find some place to put 'em. Mine has doors on both sides, which is handy. The new one has electric doors.

But the seats folding into the floor will have this model enthusiast thinking pretty seriously about the newer version. I forget what they call 'em (the seats), but they do appear to be handy for the fellow that has aeroplanes and a three year old with his bicycle, his tricycle, his big-assed pumpkins, his pedal car, his own freaking aeroplanes, and his diaper bag.

Then again, I haven't worn mine out, yet. BTW, the spousal unit PT Cruiser will hold one stunter, one flight box, and a small cooler of diet soda. And, it'll turn heads better that your brown mini van - you might not end up at the flying field (if you're as handsome as me, that is). If you're single, get one of those and a dog - you'll have it made.

Now then... Is it time to start beating up on John Brodak again? I live in the country, and get my mail a little later than most of my fellow bipeds. How about if I start by complaining about the cover photo of SN - even though I haven't seen it yet. It ain't me and my ol' Locomotive Breath, so it must suck. And besides, he's gonna say he's my friend in CL in his President remarks - the nerve of that Pennsytuckian! I tell ya, it makes me think of quitting this whole CL Stunt thing.

Except that I like everyone involved with it I've ever encountered.

Chrysler Pacifica or BMW 740I

Larry,

I am glad to know that you are OK...

Considering where we live and the high number of uninsured, unlicensed, unattentive, and unforgiving drivers I have sworn off small econo cars. I will give up 5-8 mpg for a vehicle that can take a punch. A few years ago I was broadsided in my 4 door Chevy Malibu ('81) by an import Dodge Colt... The family that was in the Colt got a trip to the trama center. I drove my folded, totaled beast the two blocks home... The next day it felt like I had been dog piled by the Chicago Bears!

I don't know if the rear seats fold down, but the '05 Mustang sure has gotten my attention!

Why does a chicken coop only have two doors?

If it had four it would be a chicken sedan!

Sorry.....

I'm tired spending money on cars to impress myself or others. I bought a new Hyundai Sinata and it has one huge trunk and can carry 2-55 inch stunt jobs in the back seat and a 1/2A or 3. With a 100k or 10 year warranty it made perfect sense to me. Also will go 80 miles an hour all day and has a pretty nice sound system in it.Did I mention it dosn't cost an arm and leg either and hasn't so much as hiccupped yet.
Dennis

Larry,

If you had Integras before, then why not the RSX? It actually has a bit
more room in the back than the Integra.
I carried four planes, plus two people to contests in my Integra.
The RSX Type S has more power, a six speed, and more room. You will still get over 30 mpg on the highway.

Robert's Acura would also do an indicated 130 MPH on the way to Dallas, with airplanes in the back.. With my fat butt in the passenger seat. Very sweet, high revving Honda (4-cylinder) motor.

There's a problem, however. After you have over 130K miles on it, someone will steal it at the airport.

(Now that it's gone, Robert, I can tell you - I didn't really like the frog-eye headlights neither.)

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"The democratic theory is that if you accumulate enough ignorance at the polls, you produce intelligence." -Philo Vance

Fahgetaboutit. Back off all ya"ll. Real men drive pick up trucks, with camper shells, V8 engines. The camper shell allows Ya'll ta haul lots o' planes. Great visibility, specially in the next car. Ha. Mileage isn't that bad. Most pickuptrucks (one word) haul at 90 mph. Don buleve me, jus drave on I75 in Jawga any day o ta week.

90 is a reasonable speed, but ya'll know we don't talk like that in Hotlanta ...

Most of the time, we have to do 90 when we can - just to average 30. In the rest of Georgia, you need the pickup truck to carry the "Boiled P-nuts" sign.

DODGE MAGNUM!!!

Can you say HEMI?

Back to Alfas; '87 - '89 Milano Verde, a little goofy looking, but 3 liters of Italian V6 power and great handling.

It's hard to put into the written word what my ear hears down hea. My daughter sent me a book an how to talk "Suthren". It is of no use in Alabama. They talk really slow or way to fast. I guess listen funny! As to boiled peanuts, first time I ever saw some I thought a dog had dropped something!!

Ty wrote:

"...Most pickuptrucks (one word) haul at 90 mph. Don buleve me, jus
drave on I75 in Jawga any day o ta week. "
====================
Gee,

All this time I thought that they were pickemuptrucks.

Larry,

No matter your choice, don't use it to go flying with Rush or myself.

Reference:

"My Acura TSX holds P-51's and Impacts, without taking them apart. It meets all of your criteria above, and it's handling will make your Camry feel like an old Detriot Iron boat (you know, an old 70's Impala or the like)."

"And they are not all that expensive! An added Bonus."

P Walker

The three of us were flying at Arlington site. As Paul moved his then spiffy-new Acura from next to the vans of Howard and myself, and over to the side of circle for no apparent reason, Howard mumbled, "New-car syndrome."

Paul put up a flight. Over again to the car, moved it to a point approximately across the circle from where it was previously, although still not in a particularly convenient location.

As he came back to launching area, I mentioned, "If I tell you I really like your new car, will you quit moving it around?"

I did. He did. It was a great day to fly. Tough crowd or not.

Hmmm, now that I think about it, this was the weekend when inspiration for current Bad Boy Stunt column came up.

They callem pickumuptrucks in Lawsiana.

Ummmm,

Ty, the traffic on I75 through Hotlanta is standing still most of the daylight hours and half of the darkness hours!

Oh, this I know. Just nawth near Marietta it really starts to slow down. I get off just in time. I learned long ago to leave at 2 am to get to Marietta and avoid that insane Friday "traffic" and the women are ruder than any guy out there. Go figure!

Ford Freestyle: based on Volvo XC90, minus the social baggage, seats six, interesting CVT.
Ford Escape Hybrid: 36 city, 31 Hwy
Jeep Liberty diesel: 28 hwy

Might want to peek at JD Power and CR before committing to Euro-wheels.

Well, Larry, you did ask....

My 1980 Malibu wagon weighs 3700 pounds, same as a BMW M5. The 350 mouse is a former Corvette smog motor waiting on trick flow heads. I have been promised 400 horse power by my race care building best friend when he bolts on the new heads and does this and that. The 700R4 trans is an overdrive trans that has a lot of miles and a shift kit. It'll probably blow up at the drags, if I take it there. I'm told the car will be a mid to high 13 second car then. Beefed up 700R4 transes are all around. Watch out, you'll trip on one. Wiith big sway bars, big tires and van shocks the Malibu handles fine at 100 or so. I drove a hemi Magnum around some, definitely my second choice. First choice in a new car. How do you make it faster though? My Malibu isn't for sale at the moment. Bob Zambelli is too terrified to race me on the street with his 12 cylinder Ferrari. (Oh he's not really terrified, tho I'm sure the Malibu would stomp his ride. His Ferrari is so nice, tho.)

My son has had some problems with his Passat wagon. The Check Engine light was on all of the time, and the pollution control systems weren't working properly. Dealer was little help.

I don't like to mix airplane hauling with newer vehicles. So I use a beater Taurus wagon. This was especially helpful when I was going through my Diesel Period. The Wife will kill me if I stick even a Hollow Log Scientific in her Camry. And no castor fumes in the 3 Series either, except for travelling really long distances.

The Beater Taurus is good for garage sales, too. Helps get the price down. Always have a missing parking light lens or something, mismatched/missing hubcaps, some rust.

Glad to hear your OK.
I always bring my 88 Dodge Caravan 3.0 V-6 to the field. Gets about 21/22 mpg. The newer ones might do better.
I never bring the Saturn L300 3.0 DOHC V-6 to the field. Don't like to put oily plane or dogs in it. Gets 27/28mpg. The Sedan might hold Nobler. It held my Wildcat with the seat folded down. The Saurn L series comes in a Wagon, and a 4 cyl DOHC also. Can't vouch for 150k miles. Only got 35K so far. Very satisfactory, cheaper than Toyota or BMW, and won't be affected by dollar losses against Euro & yen. But they will probably raise prices anyway.
I wonder if that guy would have hit the brakes if you had been driving my old '74 Suburb big block, 8 mpg? I never had anyone even come close when I had that truck. Other drivers beware!

OK, fergit the pickumuptrucks. My wife has her 2002 Dodge Intrepid. I got a speeding ticket going to Dallas while passing through Louisiana, 96 clocked by the Sheriff. Also the rear seat back folds down and I have put up to six, countem, six stunt planes in the trunk and back seat. I had to use the side mirrors of course, but at 90, who cares what's behind you? A Nobler,
Cardinal (profile), 2 Barnstormers, All American Sr., & a TEOSAWKI! Plus our clothes and other bags fit on the rear floor. Only thing we didn't bring was the 3 cats. Oh, the field box was also in the trunk.

Well, almost forgot, my other tote'em vehicle (in addition to my 80 Malibu wagon-see above) is a '75 Corvette with a 400 small block and an overdrive shift kitted 700R4 trans. It fits one junior flite streak, fuel and necessary stuff box. I drove this vehicle and plane to the last 2 NATS. Get about 25miles to the gallon at 90miles an hour. At that speed I don't worry about the radio which went dead ten years ago. As contrast, another club member drives a Taurus of dubious ancestry and no name color, something like 260,000 miles on it. It's stuffed like an old couples attic including at least one beautiful Stunt ship that'll turn a pattern in gale force winds.