El Camino Real

I loved the article on the Subaru Baja [“Dude, where’s my truck-like car thing?,” July]. The article mentioned the trouble all car manufacturers are having as they chase the Gen X, active-lifestyle, mountain-biking crowd. That crowd is not interested in most of these vehicles! Charlie Rassouli admits that older folks and “part-time gardeners” are buying the Baja. This is the same problem Honda is having selling its boxy lifestyle auto, the Element. The Element is selling to a much older demographic, mainly older dog owners who swear by the roomy cargo area. Not exactly what Honda was hoping would be stored back there. Pontiac has had the same problem with the Aztec—though that vehicle was hit so badly with the ugly stick the designers should have been arrested.
Steve Roth
St. Louis Park