Hammer Time: Kibbutznik

by Steven Lang

Updated: May 16th, 2014 Published: July 23rd, 2009

I must have been a kibbutznik in a past life. Whenever I buy something of value, I never have the urge to keep it. Perhaps it’s due to too many bouts of suburbia. A neighborhood with twenty lawnmowers, twenty The Lion King videos, and fifty to seventy vehicles seems to be a bit too much. Yeah. I know that most folks aren’t willing to share their ride. Some won’t even loan you Simba. But if I lived in a place where we all put a smaller chunk of our change to a ride, I wouldn’t go cheap . . . except for possibly an old Volvo wagon. These would be my top picks:

1st Gen Honda Insight: Despite my recent screw-up these things are amazingly overengineered. The ride is surprisingly nice, mpg’s are 55+, the rear hatch can house an amazing amount of materials, and let’s face it, many rides require little more than two people these days. Did I mention these things only require two and a half quarts per oil change? Gotta love that.

Ford S-Max: There’s something about a small diesel with superb handling, seven seats, and a shape designed for the wind that’s hard to turn down. I’ve heard so many good things about the new Ford 2.2L that I would have to at least test this one. For the greater good of my fellow kibbutzniks of course. I’ll just have to make sure Baruth never gets the keys.

Toyota Land Cruiser: I’m not thinking of the nice cushy ones that make Lexus seem unnecessary. I’m thinking about the ones that help fight wars. Heck. While we’re at it let’s throw in a couple of Toyota Hilux diesels into the mix as well. I love the idea of buying utilitarian vehicle and not worrying about replacing them for a quarter century.

Steven Lang

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4 of 23 comments

Psarhjinian on Jul 24, 2009
The S-Max is a hundred times better-looking than the clunky refrigerator Chrysler minivan and bloated Odyssey we have over here. Don't kid yourself: it's also a much, much smaller vehicle than the Caravan and Odyssey. Comparing the two isn't really fair as the S-Max's closest North American equivalent is the Kia Rondo.

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50merc on Jul 24, 2009

Ford doesn't dare bring the S-Max to America. If they did, everybody who bought a US-version Focus in the past year would be demanding their money back.

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Niky on Jul 25, 2009

Ford's European cars... mhmmm... It's like taking what makes a Mazda great, giving it better shock absorbers, better steering, better sound insulation... hell... better everything... and wrapping it up in a suit and tie. Of course, Mazda's design language is a lot better... both inside and out... but I prefer to drive the Ford versions of all their shared vehicles... though I'm rather partial to the Mazda6.

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Stingray on Jul 27, 2009

You can still buy a LC new. Here in Venezuela... at gold price, with a DOHC 24V 4.5lts engine. Or get the grown up men Aussie version with the diesel V8. Sold as a working vehicle. I don't like them, but I'd take the serious, down under one. They're for sale in some other countries, including Japan.

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