HC's Car Thread

[Hauldren Collider]

I've never even been to NYC. If I lived there, I probably would not. But I would never live there, so the question is moot.

[ricketyclik]

It's a peculiar thing about Americans that most don't like hatchbacks.

They tend to look better and are definitely far more practical than sedans.

I challenge the practicality angle. Take one model available in sedan and hatch variants. The boot ("trunk" to you NA's) will be longer on the floor in the sedan, increasing the floor space in the load area and increasing the crumple zone in the event of a rear-ender. Also, having the rear window closer to the rear view mirror gives a wider field of vision when viewing to the rear with the mirror. Added to this (in Australia in any case) the sedan variant is likely to have been bought by an older more conservative motorist, the hatch by a younger one. The former is more desirable if you're in the second hand market.

Granted the hatch has a bigger door and more vertical load volume. In my experience the former is of some value, the latter rarely used. For this reason I do like "sportsbacks", essentially sedans with the rear window forming part of the boot lid.

[Lonestar]

Why the hell do you need a new car.

My Stately 2000 Honda CR-V is still doing fine. Go get the AC fixed and keep it until the engine falls out on the beltway.

[onodera]

A Honda Civic sedan is a car for you if you can live with its boring looks compared to a hatchback.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Granted the hatch has a bigger door and more vertical load volume. In my experience the former is of some value, the latter rarely used.

Try having kids that play the cello.

[ricketyclik]

Try having kids that play the cello.

OK, I can see how a hatch would be preferable over a sedan in that situation. But if you have more than one child surely a station wagon or people mover would be a better option?

[Aeson]

Wanting A/C is weak. (Just saying it because I opened this thread expecting to see it and was disappointed...)

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

OK, I can see how a hatch would be preferable over a sedan in that situation. But if you have more than one child surely a station wagon or people mover would be a better option?

I drive a station wagon, but it's pointless owning two of those in a family. So Mrs Bugs drives a hatchback and both cars can cope.

[Asher]

I challenge the practicality angle. Take one model available in sedan and hatch variants. The boot ("trunk" to you NA's) will be longer on the floor in the sedan, increasing the floor space in the load area and increasing the crumple zone in the event of a rear-ender.

The surface area difference is negligible (and if you truly need more, the rear seats fold flat in most competent hatches), but the much higher storage capacity (in cubic feet/meters, whatever) and much larger door make it far more versatile and practical.

Most of the time I don't need it - groceries fit just fine in the hatch as is. But when I moved back and forth between Toronto and Calgary (~4 day drive) you wouldn't believe all of the stuff that can fit in a hatch. It's also been very useful in transporting oddly shaped things (desk chairs, BBQ, etc) that I've done over the years.

The Sedan is much less practical.

For example, the Mazda 3's cargo volume:
Sedan: 11.8 (min), 11.8 (max)
Hatch: 17.0 (min), 42.8 (max)

[Felch]

Why the hell do you need a new car.

My Stately 2000 Honda CR-V is still doing fine. Go get the AC fixed and keep it until the engine falls out on the beltway.

My CR-V is even older and still running fine. Fixing AC is going to be a lot cheaper than buying a new car.

[ricketyclik]

The surface area difference is negligible (and if you truly need more, the rear seats fold flat in most competent hatches), but the much higher storage capacity (in cubic feet/meters, whatever) and much larger door make it far more versatile and practical.

Most of the time I don't need it - groceries fit just fine in the hatch as is. But when I moved back and forth between Toronto and Calgary (~4 day drive) you wouldn't believe all of the stuff that can fit in a hatch. It's also been very useful in transporting oddly shaped things (desk chairs, BBQ, etc) that I've done over the years.

The Sedan is much less practical.

For example, the Mazda 3's cargo volume:
Sedan: 11.8 (min), 11.8 (max)
Hatch: 17.0 (min), 42.8 (max)

I just checked the lengths of the two variants you mentioned, and was surprised to find that they're the same. Maybe that's true of all sedan/hatch variants these days, I'll check Corollas later to confirm.

In which case I stand corrected.

[ricketyclik]

I drive a station wagon, but it's pointless owning two of those in a family. So Mrs Bugs drives a hatchback and both cars can cope.

Sounds like an optimal solution.

[MOBIUS]

I've never bothered to fine out the reason, but what actually is the point of a 'sedan'?

[Asher]

I just checked the lengths of the two variants you mentioned, and was surprised to find that they're the same. Maybe that's true of all sedan/hatch variants these days, I'll check Corollas later to confirm.

In which case I stand corrected.

When I got my Mazda 3 in 2004, the sedan was 3 inches longer. That may no longer be the case.

[Asher]

I've never bothered to fine out the reason, but what actually is the point of a 'sedan'?

Transportation.