In article <Zj%se.31476$gL4.25308@trnddc07>,
"no spam for me" <no_ spam_please@verizon.net> wrote:

> OK group, I need some help. The wife wrecked our '01 Forseter and it looks
> like it
> may be totaled. So we are kind of in the market for a new car.....it was a
> no
> brainer for me to get a new Subie but she makes a point that I can't
> dismis. Our kids are getting bigger and they need more leg room especially
> for the long trips. We have a friend that has an Honda Element and loves
> it. It has more leg room by my kid's account so I am a little conflicted
> over this. Comments?? Suggestions??

The one thing that really, really bothered me about the Element was its
load rating of 850 pounds or something like that.

850 pounds is NOTHING. I'm 240; that leaves 610 pounds. My wife is
125; that leaves 485. The kids total 75 pounds by themselves, leaving
410. Then there are the child seats, probably taking it right to 400
pounds or right under.

As the kids grow, and as you add luggage to that, your safety margin
starts shrinking badly.

Or consider you and 3 buddies going somewhere. I'm 240; with three 200
pound friends, I'm AT the load limit.

What does the Sube say?