Cars We Drive!

[OtterMeanGreen]

@Thrift Vader

‘‘Tis the season for AWD snow drifts

 

[otc]

The Bronco Sport is the new Ford Escape...

^^

cannot be un-thought

Same underlying platform although it does sound like the bronco sport is different enough to still fairly capable off road as long as you get the trims with the bigger engine/tires. And it has features like rubberized cargo area that you can remove and hose down rather than carpet.

 

[UnFacconable]

Same underlying platform although it does sound like the bronco sport is different enough to still fairly capable off road as long as you get the trims with the bigger engine/tires. And it has features like rubberized cargo area that you can remove and hose down rather than carpet.

Why don't more SUVs do this? I guess carpet can't be scratched so perhaps over time it might actually show less wear and tear but I put rubber floormats in every SUV and a rubber or plastic cargo liner in the cargo area.

I have a hard time believing anyone really prefers a carpeted trunk or cargo area. As long as it's finished with something durable of course. I would imagine that "carpeted trunk" was a nice feature decades ago when the alternative was unpainted metal but good god it's 2021 already. Just give me some sort of durable composite so I don't have to hunt around for a drop in liner. When we got our most recent car the parts department was closed for the day so they couldn't even sell us liners.

If I end up in a Bronco I will 100% get one of the trims with the rubberized floors (thinking Black Diamond is most likely for me).

 

[FPB]

Why don't more SUVs do this? I guess carpet can't be scratched so perhaps over time it might actually show less wear and tear but I put rubber floormats in every SUV and a rubber or plastic cargo liner in the cargo area.

I have a hard time believing anyone really prefers a carpeted trunk or cargo area. As long as it's finished with something durable of course. I would imagine that "carpeted trunk" was a nice feature decades ago when the alternative was unpainted metal but good god it's 2021 already. Just give me some sort of durable composite so I don't have to hunt around for a drop in liner. When we got our most recent car the parts department was closed for the day so they couldn't even sell us liners.

If I end up in a Bronco I will 100% get one of the trims with the rubberized floors (thinking Black Diamond is most likely for me).

It's probably the same people who thought shag carpet was superior to hardwood floors and covered them over a few decades ago.

 

[otc]

Why don't more SUVs do this? I guess carpet can't be scratched so perhaps over time it might actually show less wear and tear but I put rubber floormats in every SUV and a rubber or plastic cargo liner in the cargo area.

I have a hard time believing anyone really prefers a carpeted trunk or cargo area. As long as it's finished with something durable of course. I would imagine that "carpeted trunk" was a nice feature decades ago when the alternative was unpainted metal but good god it's 2021 already. Just give me some sort of durable composite so I don't have to hunt around for a drop in liner. When we got our most recent car the parts department was closed for the day so they couldn't even sell us liners.

If I end up in a Bronco I will 100% get one of the trims with the rubberized floors (thinking Black Diamond is most likely for me).

I suspect cabin noise is a factor. Carpet stops noise from reverberating and stuff doesn't rattle or slide as much as on a harder surface. And you're probably right about scratching/wear--carpets don't show it unless it is really bad, especially in black.

That said, I 100% don't understand carpeted floor mats...you don't necessarily need full bathtub-style weathertech mats, but rubber mats that you can easily shake out/spray clean are a must anywhere with rain or snow.

In the back I've got a nice compromise liner that came with the car--it outdoor-style carpet with a rubber backing and raised edges that will keep a spill contained (and the carpet might actually help by absorbing it so it doesn't slosh around and escape). Can be removed and hosed down although it will need some dry time.

 

[HRoi]

Well now I need to invite your ridicule by posting a pic of these sweet carpeted floor mats I had made for the M3. The piping is leather and matches the exterior color of the car.

this is officially my most Covid-delayed order ever - it took over 8 months to fulfill!

 

[clee1982]

haven't seen your E46 M3 picture in a while

 

[otc]

Well now I need to invite your ridicule by posting a pic of these sweet carpeted floor mats I had made for the M3. The piping is leather and matches the exterior color of the car.

this is officially my most Covid-delayed order ever - it took over 8 months to fulfill!

View attachment 1539438 View attachment 1539439

Yeah, but I assume you just leave that car inside if you see clouds in the sky.

 

[Piobaire]

My Volvo came with the "protection package" which is a set of awesome, snap in rubber/plastic mats vs. carpeted mats. Also includes covering the back of both rows of seats which is cool as I just keep both rows down and pop my bike in and out of the back.

 

[Piobaire]

Snapped a quick pic to show what I was talking about. As you can see they fit together and I had just popped out the very back piece to shake off as I grabbed some 40# bags of salt and they always leak a little.

 

[Patek]

Snapped a quick pic to show what I was talking about. As you can see they fit together and I had just popped out the very back piece to shake off as I grabbed some 40# bags of salt and they always leak a little.

View attachment 1540194

Yeah, I love those. I also bought the full rear protection piece as I take my dogs out on the boat in the summer and they love to swim. I plan on putting the full interior liner in for dog duties but those snap in pieces are great for every day protection.

 

[Patek]

Why don't more SUVs do this? I guess carpet can't be scratched so perhaps over time it might actually show less wear and tear but I put rubber floormats in every SUV and a rubber or plastic cargo liner in the cargo area.

I have a hard time believing anyone really prefers a carpeted trunk or cargo area. As long as it's finished with something durable of course. I would imagine that "carpeted trunk" was a nice feature decades ago when the alternative was unpainted metal but good god it's 2021 already. Just give me some sort of durable composite so I don't have to hunt around for a drop in liner. When we got our most recent car the parts department was closed for the day so they couldn't even sell us liners.

If I end up in a Bronco I will 100% get one of the trims with the rubberized floors (thinking Black Diamond is most likely for me).

Honda got it right with the Element. They were doing it years ago and even had interior tie-downs so you could transport a motorcycle. Not sure why they discontinued it but I wouldn't mind having one around as a work and camping type vehicle.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

**** time. Which would you choose? Me, it might be obvious but I’ll let Richard decide for me based upon his own reactions

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

I know this was awhile ago but was anyone there when this happened?



Reminded me of this old clip

 

[Dino944]

**** time. Which would you choose? Me, it might be obvious but I’ll let Richard decide for me based upon his own reactions

Both are amazing. Depends on if you are into high tech or just raw fun. As mentioned the 959 had AWD, hollow magnesium wheels, adjustable suspension, and parts of the body were made of kevlar. But I always thought it was really cool that it had a bullet proof front windshield, because engineers were concerned that if traveling 190+ mph a rock could go through the windshield and injure/kill the driver or the passenger. I've seen 959s, but I don't know anyone that has driven one. Still I remember road tests of the day saying the 959 was so perfect that it was nearly boring to drive compared to the F40. Most reviews back in the day thought the F40 while sparse was a blast to drive. I've only met one person that has driven an F40 and he had been in the auto industry for many years and driven lots of great cars. He said the F40 was the most fun on 4 wheels that he had ever experienced. I really love both, but if you can only have one, I gotta go with the F40.