>> Agreed.  Was checking a Honda Element today.  Rubber floors, boxy,
versatile.  You could throw a mattress in there and sleep.  I think
there is  even a Poptop conversion kit for those things.
The new Beetle worked - VW seems never to miss an opportunity to miss
an opportunity here in the US. <<

Last August I traded my Honda Element for an '03 EV MV and have not looked
back.  The first issue is now I get the EXACT same gas mileage (crappy) but
with a giant comfortable van instead of an econobox with a "peppy" 4-CYL.
Let's see what else, Google the term 'Honda Element Blind Spots' and watch
all the pages appear. I almost hit someone test driving it and thought it
was a fluke. Then spent the next few years almost hitting someone.  That 'A'
pillar up front is so large it will hide a pregnant lady with a a shopping
cart.  Hmmm what else.  Park that car in regular parking space and open the
"cool" suicide doors. OK, now you are trapped in between 2 open doors with
your family.  But wait, there's more. There is a cool sunroof except It's
over the back of the car. It's so surfers can change into their wet-suit at
the beach.  Very useful. The stereo with it's 15 woofers is great for
hip-hop but little else. The final real secret is revealed when you go to
sell it. Don't look at what they are selling them for but what they actually
SOLD for.  When I went to sell it the dealer would not buy it and a guy who
sells used Hondas told me to get it of his lot.

When I bought the car I thought it was Honda's 'microbus' because it was
very utilitarian and somewhat inexpensive but as a family car it really
falls short.

Bryan