Putting the"Versatile" in the V

I got '15 v model 3 to replreplace an '05 Vibe I had. I loved the all plastic trunk area of the Vibe because I could haul anything I wanted fear of messing up carpeting. But, after 10 years and getting tired of a manual transmission (frankly, I feel Toyota put in too small a flywheel in the Vibe which made it the hardest manual I've driven, including a '67 Mustang w/manual clutch). After much searching, the v seemed like the best fit for a replacement.

I love the increase in storage space, though the cargo cover is too low. Our CR-V is better as the cargo cover is mounted aa high as it can go. Anyway, I got to put the versatility to use by hauling a nice 8 point buck (good size for my area) and engine lift (for hanging and butchering said deer). Only if the back were all plastic it'd be perfect.

 

Thanks. I've lurked since I bought the car used in August '18. Before I got the car, I was disappointed in what I saw out there as a Vibe/Matrix replacement as all the available cars seemed to have less useful storage space, and lower or at least no better fuel economy than the Vibe despite being a decade or more newer. Then I happened upon the v, which I honestly didn't know existed. I hope this car lasts me a good 10 years or more with few problems like the Vibe did as the v fits all 3 kids and it has a much larger luggage space than the Vibe did (the Vibe would never have fit that buck with all seats up, only a smaller doe, though it would easily swallow the engine life with seats folder).

The car isn't perfect though ... I really wish it had more power. It's obvious that sticking the standard Prius power plant in the larger, heavier v really strains the power train, especially with the wife & 3 kids. Heck, running the AC on a "hot" day in upstate NY dropped fuel economy by almost 10 mpg. I honestly feel the v would get better fuel economy if the ICE didn't have to work so hard sometimes. And more sound deadening would be awesome. But overall, should be a great car. Now I just have to figure out how to install hard plastic on the floor and entire seatbacks as the Vibe had and it will be the perfect utility vehicle for me (the hard plastic also makes it much easier to slide large, heavy items like the engine lift or cast iron bath tubs in and out of the car ... winter project maybe).

And ticks ... yes, I hung the deer over a wheel barrow in case any engorged ticks dropped off (which some did). The 2 older kids (6 & 3.5) were great at cutting the ticks up with scissors. The 2 older kids were great "helpers" too; they were so excited to help out. OK, so they didn't help things move faster, but nice family time. AND, they learned why I'm always telling them to not waste meat because an animal lost its life to provide it ... it's so easy to throw out meat when it comes nicely manicured from the grocery store, but I (and hopefully they) now have a much better view of how important it is to waste none of it when you watch as you take then animals life and then butcher it.

 

I'm thinking plexiglass cut to the size of the floor, and sand it so it isn't mirror smooth. A trunk liner like weathertech or husky won't work well because if I'm loading something large and heavy, say a 300 lb cast iron tub or the above pictured 100 lb engine lift, a trunk liner will shift all over the place. I need something that is truly rigid and will therefore stay put. My only concern with the plexi is if will be too brittle in winter or after a number of years. The plastic back in the Vibe remained sufficiently flexible over the years and through the winter.

I do have floor liners though (Husky version in my case, but I'd be perfectly happy with Weathertech too) and they are wonderful.

We used to have a large garden too, but it was at my parents place as our yard is no good for gardening (too small and poor sun). Once the kids started coming along, it became too much work when factoring in naps. It was pretty awesome though, one thing I grew was enough peppers and onions for my breakfast at work for the entire year. But it was soooo much work with all the blanching, cooking, vacuum sealing, etc. Now we just grow winter squash (acorn, spaghetti, butternut, and sometimes pie pumpkin) because it's easy ... put it in around June, come back in October when the plants are dead I would love to have a large yard with a good vegetable garden and even better lots of fruit (we do have a grape vine & blackberries, which the kids love to pick when playing outside ... great organic fruit at the fingertips!)

You grow a lot?