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Comment by vibrolax | Hacker News Reader

My coworker (Optics Ph.d.) is still driving a 2000 Aztek that he purchased while in graduate school. Its electrical system and chassis components might not survive its 15th northern winter. He has not been able to identify a comparable replacement with his favorite feature: the cargo capacity with the rear seat removed. I've been trying to help him figure out which current model can adequately replace what he has always called "the ugly car".

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Chrysler T&C minivan. As a bonus, it's almost as ugly as an Aztek.

Nobody drives a T&C for the looks.

(I own one and it's hella useful, but that's the only good thing I can say about it).

I am in a similar sitation with a 2000 Honda CRV. It has a rear hatch with a swing open hinge and rear tire mount, perfect for hauling bikes. Unfortually I can't find a new vehicle with the same setup, everything now has "minivan" style hinges that open from the top.

http://colorado-artist.com/crv/images/Yakmia_SpareTime_22.jp...

Take a look at a Toyota FJ

Sadly this is the last year that Toyota is making the FJ Cruiser, so if you want a new one now is the time to act.

If he's serious about that stuff, he should look at a minivan.

Or here's a wildcard. It's similar to the Aztek, the GMC Envoy XUV. The Aztek gets about 94 cubic ft of cargo room, the XUV is 95.5. You won't find one new, but so long as you get the V8 4wd model it will last a long, long time with many replaceable parts.

Your coworker should look into a minivan with fold-flat seats. I rent them when I needed to move equipment. They have great cargo carrying ability with the flat floor, plenty of anchor points, and not having to worry about where to stash the seats is really convenient.

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