Best vehicles to sleep in

[Steve85]

Mazda5?

EPA interior volume (cu ft) 142.1
EPA cargo volume with 3rd-row down (cu ft) 44.4

Don't know about possible configs, but something different to look at I guess.

[Dave]

i knew a guy who lived in a free candy van for a while, even thats not a ton of room.

Was it down by the river?

[Evan]

lol!

passing acquaintance, I have no idea where he parked it actually

[HAULN-SS]

Re: Best vehicles to sleep in

Your Mother's

No, seriously though, I have driven across the country a few times in a 1500HD quad cab pickup. Sometimes we stop and sleep in the back at rest stops. It's really not that bad with a camping pad and sleeping back. I seriously think it's a good idea to have a PPD with you though in those kind of places.

[ViPER1313]

Ford Transit Connect. Now for sale in America. > than an Element or Sprinter.

[Mike]

Ford Transit Connect. Now for sale in America. > than an Element or Sprinter.

that's what i was thinking of! i couldn't remember the name... definitely need to look at them, but going ford would be tough for me

steve, mazda5 is too small, but thanks.

[Mike]

so the ford transit... again, i think too spartan... and with an element i could continue to own it once i'm done with any shenanigans.

this is all still hypothetical... i haven't talked to my boss yet

[WRXtranceformed]

Also doubles as a great mobile fortress during the Zombiepocolypse

[Ryan T]

Honestly, if I was going to drive cross country (for example) and stay in my vehicle, I'd get a diesel truck and have a bed camper on it. From the driving I've done with them (not very extensive) it didnt' affect how the truck drove and has plenty of room in it. A wagon/van would be more cool but I like the utility associated with a truck/4x4. Besides, when your done you can take the camper off and have a very useful truck.

[REED]

I've been looking a good bit for a new car for my mom, decent cargo room, heated seats, sunroof, etc. and from what i've seen, the cheapest, largest vehicle that meets her needs is the RAV4 - 73 cubic feet for mid $20's . since that's tech. smaller than an element I guess its out. Actually I didn't include any of the Hyundai suvs, and they are all decently sized and cheap. so thats something to look into

I'm not sure I get your requirements - you say the Ford Transit is too spartan, too spartan for what?

from what ive seen it has the same features as the element? If you are tearing out the back seats and making it a bed - what more do you need back there than......a power outlet and a flat floor?

[Mike]

'I'm not sure I get your requirements - you say the Ford Transit is too spartan, too spartan for what?

from what ive seen it has the same features as the element? If you are tearing out the back seats and making it a bed - what more do you need back there than......a power outlet and a flat floor?

lesser audio system, much worse controls/dash, i would definitely not own it after this trip... i want to enjoy the driving portion as much as possible.

btw, when i say element, i mean element sc. it doesn't have plastic everything.

[V1GiLaNtE]

passat wagon with a blow up mattress in the back... :thumbup:

[Mike]

passat wagon with a blow up mattress in the back... :thumbup:

wagons have too little headroom.

[BLINGMW]

FWIW, we really like our element. 27 mpg *might* be possible, maybe they made some improvements over the years, ours gets about 24 and it's 2wd/5spd. The stereo is killer, it's huge, comfortable, lots of glass for a nice view, and fun to drive (at least with the 5spd). For two on a cross country trip, I can't imagine anything more ideal. Unless they made a diesel version.

If it were just one person though, I'd be pretty temped to go with a wagon for better fuel economy. Though the savings over 5000 some miles would only be $150 or so... nevermind, not worth it. And the element has WAY more room upfront for driver comfort over long trips. You can borrow ours :thumbup:

[Mike]

i'm pretty settled on the element and "rishio" bed/platform. i've looked at dozens of designs and none is as clean looking or functional as his: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rishio.com/blog/2008/06/in-my-element-bed-platform.html">http://www.rishio.com/blog/2008/06/in-my-element-bed-platform.html</a><!-- m -->. will be chatting with the boss this week

i might even just go element ex... i really just want the better stereo, but the sc looks 10x better, has carpet, and a really sweet center console. head unit doesn't matter since i plan on getting a pioneer avic x710bt: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/In-Dash/GPS-Navigation-Systems/AVIC-X710BT..">http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/In-Dash/GPS-Navigation-Systems/AVIC-X710BT..</a><!-- m -->. decisions, decisions...

chan, i can't tell if you're serious about me borrowing/renting your element. if you're not in need of it for a few months for whatever reason, we should talk; your car payment would more or less be handled, and it would save me from selling the civic (just a headache), but i should probably do that anyway. i obviously would take car of it, but it would get quite a few miles as i have no idea where i'm going.

[Mike]

shot down. damnit.

might get an element anyway... was looking into them pretty heavily even before this. or ms3? supercharged element? hrmmm....

[CaptainHenreh]

If you wanna drive my speed3, I'll let you drive it, just come on out.

[Mike]

i've got a stealership right here... will just head into them, but thanks. i test drove a lightly modified one, which was pretty harsh (lowered)... just need to see how they feel stock. and i may even go for a new one as the interior is much better. not saying yours is bad, but in 2008.5 they updated, and then with the new models they did an even nicer update.

[stevegula]

it's not even a competition, the Element. I do it all the damn time. Hell i just keep a blanket and pillow in there 24/7 now.

[REED]

so what was the plan? just kinda road-trip around the US for a while?