X-OldHeader: From dfielder@cooper.cpmc.org-DeleteThis.com Wed Oct 3 11:41:26 2001 Return-Path: <dfielder@cooper.cpmc.org-DeleteThis.com> Received: from opus.labs.agilent.com (root@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis.com [130.29.244.179]) by jr.labs.agilent.com (8.9.3 (PHNE_18979)/8.9.3 AgilentLabs Workstation) with ESMTP id LAA02295 for <wind_talk_ls@jr.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis.com>; Wed, 3 Oct 2001 11:41:26 -0700 (PDT) Received: from msgbas2.cos.agilent.com (msgbas2.cos.agilent.com [192.168.148.34]) by opus.labs.agilent.com (8.9.3 (PHNE_18979)/8.9.3 AgilentLabs Workstation) with ESMTP id LAA09602 for <wind_talk@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis.com>; Wed, 3 Oct 2001 11:41:26 -0700 (PDT) Received: from cpmc.org (gate.cpmc.org [205.226.130.2]) by msgbas2.cos.agilent.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 04C9BA1F for <wind_talk@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis.com>; Wed, 3 Oct 2001 12:41:25 -0600 (MDT) Received: by cpmc.org; id LAA16900; Wed, 3 Oct 2001 11:40:31 -0700 (PDT) Received: from unknown(10.9.197.150) by gate.cpmc.org via smap (V5.0) id xma016044; Wed, 3 Oct 01 11:39:48 -0700 Message-Id: <v04020a0db7e10a151168@[10.9.197.150]> Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2001 11:40:54 -0700 To: wind_talk@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis.com From: "David R. Fielder" <dfielder@cooper.cpmc.org-DeleteThis.com> Subject: Re: Honda Vans X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by jr.labs.agilent.com id LAA02295
OK, here are my comments. I evaluated all mini-vans (not truck-vans) in January and chose Honda for several reasons, not just Consumer Report. Main selling features were driveability (very car-like as uses Accord chasis) and the flat fold-down third row seats (only Mazda has similar). Latter feature means that there's always 2-3 more seats hidden (but would have to unoad gear first.
I haven't done any interior modifications except removing the tray/cup holder between two front captain's chairs. That allows even easier storage of two medium-length boards on edge (Xantos 290 and Axxis 273). Then I removed one of the two bucket seats (second row, driver's side). I now have both boards, 6 sails, 4 booms, 4 masts, etc. all reasonably stored/accessible and can still comfortably seat 3 folks (including driver) so can use casual carpooling to work (get some comments from riders, but none bad).
Mileage for commuting across Bay Bridge daily is about 17-18, but just got 27 on freeway only trip to Sacto.
If I weren't commuting and never expected my wife to have to drive it, I probably would have leaned towards a truck-van, and then built it out.
David
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