The 2013 "SS" Runabout/Short Sport

[DVS]

Originally Posted by doane2u

And, yes, I know the V6 is gone, I never suggested a V6.

Yeah, but it would have been greatly appreciated.



0-60 in,what, 4.7 seconds?

[Dr. Dyno]

Originally Posted by doane2u

I don't think age has anything to do with who would drive it unless they are older people who have lost the ability to have fun in life ...

That would mean 100+, right?

[doane2u]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dyno

That would mean 100+, right?

I dono.. you aren't 100.. and it works the other way too.. I've seen teenagers who are prematurely "old" and seem to have lost that ability as well.

[doane2u]

Originally Posted by DVS

Yeah, but it would have been greatly appreciated.



0-60 in,what, 4.7 seconds?

Agreed.. that would be pretty amazing!

[4ever]

A short wheelbase would make for a very unstable vehicle on slippery surfaces.

[doane2u]

Originally Posted by 4ever

A short wheelbase would make for a very unstable vehicle on slippery surfaces.

Don't know where you heard that, but it isn't necessary true; handling effects depend on a lot of design factors and can be improved greatly with intelligent AWD like the RAV4 has. What it usually does though is cause a choppy ride under certain road conditions. On the positive side, it allows traveling over bigger obstacles.

[Dr. Dyno]

Originally Posted by doane2u

I've seen teenagers who are prematurely "old" and seem to have lost that ability as well.

We're getting close to off topic, but I agree it's sad. Too many don't have to work or save up for a car or anything else. They get robbed of the anticipation, so they don't have the appreciation, so it's no fun.

Okay now watch this one: Many of them have been "retired" for 18 years by the time they can vote.

[doane2u]

I don't think it's too far off topic. As you brought up the subject in your #7 post above when you said,

"Sorry, even my I-could-care-less-what-YOU-think age I wouldn't get caught dead being seen in one.

Might attract buyers from the kid class, the ones who buy cars with hot, or is it cool - oh yeah, hip, names like Juke, Yuke or Puke."

And, Blogson in post #14 above made a similar remark:

"Maybe it would be great for just-post teens .."

It's funny that this image started with a few car reviews a year or so ago when some writer started the idea that some cars are only targeted for the younger driver, because they are less expensive and often times smaller and fun to drive, so they are not "mature" and "practical." The car manufactures themselves then started "targeting" different buyer classes with their advertising which reinforced the image. Several other reviewers then jumped on this band wagon and a new image of the "age group car" class emerged... fascinating!

Now, I admit, as I've said earlier, this SS RAV4 concept I came up with is not ment to be a family size crossover, it is for those of us who want a more compact model that reflects it's early roots, that can still carry a lot more than a car, can handle much like a car with more of a sports suspension, can accelerate quick enough to give you an adrenal rush (which we V6 owners love) and can take you off road for some fun as well. And it should be able to do all of this at a price in the basic RAV 4 price range. All of this, to me, doesn't pigeon hole it into a "kid class" or what ever. If a Mini Cooper had been reviewed in this way it would also probably have that image today as it too is not very "practical" size wise, nor does it get that great mileage, but is lots of fun to drive. The power of advertising and media!

I realize this will probably never be built, there would probably be too much expense in the engineering of a new frame base, etc., but I thought it would be fun for all of you to consider the posibilities of an alternative RAV4 that would in some ways capture some of it's history and do it with the latest technology. And who knows...

Thanks,

[Dr. Dyno]

Very well put doane2u!

[doane2u]

I wonder... if I introduced this concept on the Mini Cooper site would it get more votes? Or.. are most members on this forum just too "practical?"