Measuring Up

[billroper]

Today, Gretchen and I got complete physicals, which we have not had in a while. I'm heading back tomorrow, as they want to run a quick ultrasound to check something and the folks who do that will be there, so best to get it taken care of ASAP.

This afternoon, I went out to take a look at the new Toyota Sienna. The current minivan is getting a little long in the tooth and it's time to be doing my research. Part of this was getting some measurements that you just can't get on any known website, so I took a tape measure along with me. It turns out that in standard position, it is 56 inches from the back of the second seat to the end of the loadable area in the cargo hold. This is an important number to know, because the van is very, very full when the whole dealer table and family are off for a trip. A smaller space would be problematic.

The space behind the second seats in the current van is 53 inches. I believe that will pass. :)

The Sienna drove well in a brief test drive. Sadly, *every* trim line above the base comes with a standard moonroof which takes enough headroom that I would end up with my head in the ceiling. So no fancy options for us if we're in a Sienna.

And these are things I needed to know.

Comments

[jennlk]

When John was looking at new cars, we took ElderUrchin along for one of the test drives. As we were heading back into the building, we remembered that we were likely to need to transport concert chimes for Reasons, and there's no way they'd fit in my car. We didn't have a tape measure (nor did we actually have a measurement for chime height), but EU had moved them often enough that she was able to 'assume the position' in the car - flat on her back with her arms partly extended above her head. It passed - we could fit concert chimes in the back of the Escape.

We neglected to assess for concert chimes + Esme, though. (Remember to check width as well - the Escape is quite a bit narrower than the minivan.) Fortunately, shortly after he bought the Escape, the FCB repaired the chimes we'd been using and I didn't need to borrow chimes anymore.

[billroper]

It is always important to have the correct measuring device. :)