# How can I narrow my search for a car that meets one important criterion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 4, 2007, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411 "2007-08-04T12:25:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2007, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/1 "2007-08-04T12:25:08Z")
I’m looking for a vehicle (wagon or SUV) that can accommodate a six-foot folding screen. Is there any way to determine from a vehicle’s specifications if it will be able to do that? I’d like to be able to develop a list of options I know will work, instead of doing what I did yesterday – drive almost an hour to a dealership that had a Jetta wagon, only to discover that something 6-ft. long would not fit. Complete waste of time. ---
**Author:** ![slitterst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slitterst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slitterst)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2007, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/2 "2007-08-04T12:30:42Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] I’m looking for a vehicle (wagon or SUV) that can accommodate a six-foot folding screen. Is there any way to determine from a vehicle’s specifications if it will be able to do that? [/QUOTE] When I last went car shopping, most wagons and SUVs brag about their interior cargo space and what they can hold. The Ford Freestyle proclaims it can hold a 12’ kayak, and the Saturn Vue can hold a 10’ long piece of cargo. Just read the specs carefully, and check the pictures, many manufacturers illustrate how much cargo a vehicle can hold. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2007, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/3 "2007-08-04T12:31:37Z")
Depends what you mean by “accommodate.” I could get it into my PT Cruiser, by wedging it between the two front seats and folding down the rear seat. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/4 "2007-08-04T16:06:09Z")
I’ve noticed that a lot of car specs give the surprisingly-unuseful interior volume, not dimensions. I don’t care how many litres it is; I want to know width, length, and height. ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/5 "2007-08-04T17:39:07Z")
You could find a car that you think might work, call the dealership, and ask a salesperson for the exact measurements of the inside of the car. This will not be the weirdest question s/he has ever been asked. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2007, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/6 "2007-08-05T15:11:04Z")
[QUOTE=panache45] Depends what you mean by “accommodate.” I could get it into my PT Cruiser, by wedging it between the two front seats and folding down the rear seat. [/QUOTE] \*\*panache45 \*\*-- I just sent you an e-mail! ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2007, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/7 "2007-08-05T15:34:10Z")
I have a Citroën C5 estate that will accept 6’ loads. [Image](http://www.citroen.mb.ca/cItROeNet/passenger-cars/psa/c5/carlsson/images/002.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/8 "2007-08-06T02:50:35Z")
FWIW a 10 foot 2X4 will fit inside my Volvo wagon. It does go all the way to the windshield. I am fairly sure that with the rear seats folded, there is 6 feet clear from the back of the front seats to the tailgate. I can measure if you wish. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/9 "2007-08-06T05:52:47Z")
Any reason you can’t take the screen along for the test drive? ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/10 "2007-08-06T07:37:11Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] FWIW a 10 foot 2X4 will fit inside my Volvo wagon. It does go all the way to the windshield. [/QUOTE] I’ve seen an optimist do that. Unfortunately it was an inch too long and pushed the timber through the windshield when his son slammed the tailgate down. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/11 "2007-08-06T09:48:26Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] I’ve noticed that a lot of car specs give the surprisingly-unuseful interior volume, not dimensions. I don’t care how many litres it is; I want to know width, length, and height. [/QUOTE] _Consumer Reports_ always gives the exact dimensions in their automobile reviews. They actually have a sort of adjustable box frame made out pipes that they use to test this. They keep adjusting the frame until they reach the largest size that will fit inside a cargo vehicle. _Consumer Reports_ should be available at your local library. It’s also online ([www.consumerreports.org](http://www.consumerreports.org)), but you need to be a paid member to see much of the details. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/12 "2007-08-06T14:25:22Z")
[QUOTE=Myglaren] I’ve seen an optimist do that. Unfortunately it was an inch too long and pushed the timber through the windshield when his son slammed the tailgate down. [/QUOTE] ::: shrug::: I’ve done it several times. ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/13 "2007-08-06T15:17:19Z")
Perhaps a roof rack would be the answer ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-narrow-my-search-for-a-car-that-meets-one-important-criterion/414411/14 "2007-08-06T15:29:14Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] \*\*panache45 \*\*-- I just sent you an e-mail! [/QUOTE] If your PT Cruiser has the fold-flat front passenger seat, you can even put 8’ long 2x4s in it quite easily. I have done this before.