PT Cruisers on slow ride to scrap heap - dumped into rental fleets

[liam_laddie]

117. And industrial designers, too!

Simultaneously owned two of the beloved five-door SAABs, a '78 99 and a '79 900. Great packaging; only recently have carmakers returned to the basic concept: four-door convenience and hatchback (van-like) practicality. They both had sunroofs, to which I became addicted. I recall being told that the low height of the windshield was designed by the Swedes to keep moose, elk or reindeer, just struck by the car, from being thrown through the windshield and into the passenger compartment. Maybe true, maybe not, but a useful tale explaining the low "brow."
See Mazda 3, Audi A5 Sportback, Chevy Malibu Maxx, Honda Accord Crosstour, 2014 Acura RLX. IMO, the five-door is the best all-around basic design for the one-car owner. Maybe not as sexy as a cramped two-door coupe, but allows for family growth, dog-hauling, even sleeping when rear seatbacks are down.