If the RV was a car, it would be a...

[Davepar]

I was trying to describe to my dad what flying is like in an RV-7. I said it was like an MG. The cockpit is cozy, but the view is incredible and it's fun as heck.

Anybody have a better comparison car?

Guess we'd have to use a motorcycle to describe an RV-8, since tandem cars are pretty rare.

I haven't ridden in a -9/9A, but is it so different that it compares to a different car?

[DeltaRomeo]

It's not a true tip-up with that ''roll bar'' in your field of view, but I'd go with the Mazda MX-5. It drives a lot like my RV-6 flies. Instantly goes where you think it too....

2498 lbs
170 hp @ 6700 rpm
Turns on a dime...

photo from the Mazda site:

Got rid of the 15mpg truck a month ago and don't really miss it that much. I could build a RV in the space it freed up in the garage <g>. 2/3rds the cost to own/operate also!!!


b,
d

[hecilopter]

[ericwolf]

I once heard the C-182 described as the Cadillac of airplanes, so I came up with a few of my own:

C-172: Full size family car (mass produced car for the average joe), although minivan is pretty good too.

Buisiness Jet: Limo

Cessna Caravan: Cargo Van

Lancair: Corvette

Lancair w/ turboprop: Lamborghini

RV: Mustang/Camero (A high performance machine while being relatively simple and economical)

Large Commercial Jet: A huge flippin' bus


Which reminds me, when I sence someone that I'm talking to is implying that my "little" airplane is less of an airplane because it is not as big as a 747, I ask "What would you rather be driving, a sports car on a curvy road or a huge bus on the freeway?" That usually puts the RV-experience into perspective.

[JackT]

The RVs equal this in a car. It's even a kit and doesn't cost much less to build and it is almost as fast!

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/ffr.../coupekit.html

[RV7Guy]

Originally Posted by DeltaRomeo

It's not a true tip-up with that ''roll bar'' in your field of view, but I'd go with the Mazda MX-5. It drives a lot like my RV-6 flies. Instantly goes where you think it too....

Got rid of the 15mpg truck a month ago and don't really miss it that much. I could build a RV in the space it freed up in the garage <g>. 2/3rds the cost to own/operate also!!!

Doug,

What kind of milage to you get with that?

[cobra]

Id suggest a Mustang GT comparison- fast and cheap compared to its peers. Performance without snob appeal.

[the_other_dougreeves]

Originally Posted by DeltaRomeo

It's not a true tip-up with that ''roll bar'' in your field of view, but I'd go with the Mazda MX-5. It drives a lot like my RV-6 flies. Instantly goes where you think it too....

I'd vote for the Miata too. Like the RV, it has a large following who like to
modify and tweak their machines to optimize performance. The "Spec Miata"
racing community is HUGE.

Other reasons:

* 2 seats only (sorrry to offend RV-10 folks)
* Excellent visibility (with top down)
* Nimble and lightweight
* Intuitive handling
* Economical operation
* Uncomplicated systems (look at a Benz lately?)
* Relatively inexpensive when compared to machines with similar performance
* 4-banger engine
* Some wish they had a rotary engine
* I want them both

9 days until the TEX fly-in....

[Highflight]

I have to go with Corvette.
The Corvette is not the perfect sports car, but it also doesn't cost what a Ferrari or Lamborghini would either.

In other words, it does lot's of sporty car things very well at a price considerably less than the rest which, while that doesn't make it the perfect sports car, it does make it the perfect balance for a sports car.

That sounds like an RV to me. (Note to self; when the RV is flying, get a good shot of it sitting next to my '75 Vette Rdstr. )

[Dgamble]

I've always said Miata, primarily for the social aspect. Back when they first came out, a Miata driver never passed another without a headlight flash and a wave. That's the way I see RVers to be, and it was a big part of my purchase decision (as a non-builder).