rear engine versus mid engine?

that's right, or if there is no axle per se, then the imaginary line between the centers of the rear wheels. Likewise sometimes people will make a differentiation between "front engine" and "front-mid engine" where the engine is substantially behind the front "axle" although generally they're all lumped together, despite there being marked differences (e.g. Audi or Subaru as an extreme example of a "front engine" vs. something like an old RX-7 or any other number of "traditional" sports cars.)

nate

I wonder if anyone ever made a mid engine 4-5 seater. Production or not.

where would the people in the back sit on either side of the motor? ;)

whether you'd /want/ to be a passenger is the more important question...

Here is one example of a four door with engine ahead of rear axle. Basically under the back seat.

Some Japanese vans, including the Toyota "Van" and Previa sold in the US.

dude, that's a stretch. yes, it's behind the front axle, but it's not what you'd call "mid engine" in terms of weight distribution.

The Previa looks quite mid-engined to me - the engine is completely behind the front axle and the transmission completely in front of the rear axle.

The Toyota Van we used to have had the engine between the front seat towards the rear. Passengers in the back had a sturdy carpeted bulkhead to put their feet on. The unfortunate front seat victims err... passengers ended up stuck in the front ahead of the wheels like a couple of meat harpoons. This setup would probably work out great in Japan where weird cars are common. I don't know how it ever got past the docks in this country.

As an added bonus, the Van had the shortest wheelbase of any Toyota sold and made the Tercel look like a stretch limo. This is a good thing - if you had a Tercel.

I highly recommend the early Toyota Van if "danger" is your middle name.

jim beam says it is not mid-engined.

I have driven the Toyota Van/HiAce, and it is a much better vehicle than the VW Type II - granted, that is not hard to achieve.

One could also say that the Toyota Van is a ham sandwich although I can't think of a single reason to do so.

This is undoubtedly true. The Toyota felt futuristic and neat to drive. The Type 2 felt ungainly and mule-like, with an engine straight out of the 1940s. OTOH, you should plan on being horribly crippled if you're in a bad crash with either of these ham sandwiches.

But it's got FWEEM!

nate

I would hate that to be the last sound I ever heard. That thought is too horrible to contemplate.

I like fweem, it's a friendly, nostalgic sound.

Only flatmotor I ever had was in a 914 with a Bursch steelpack exhaust though, that didn't fweem, although it too was a pleasing, happy sound.

Subarus just don't do it for me, the watercooling dampens the fun sounds a bit, although I might make an exception for a BRZ, damn that is a fun car. I got to drive one for a few miles, owned by a local shop owner that specializes in Subies and turbo BMWs. Was actually on my shopping list but I never got to test drive one prior to purchasing the 335i that I ended up with as all the local dealers were completely out of stock. I'm still not sure if I made the right decision, the 335i has waaaaaaaay more power and torque, has a back seat that's not a penalty box, and a way nicer looking interior... but the handling!

nate

The safest vehicle always...

...I mean ALWAYS...

...the one with the driver who stays out of accidents.

My brother had a beautiful 914. I didn't care for the goofy shift pattern but I liked it a lot.

You can only minimize the risk of a accident but it's impossible to bring it down to zero risk. Hanging your feet in front of practically the entire mass of a vehicle greatly enhances your chances of being crippled. My guess is that a computer controlled car will probably be the safest automobile ever made.

Some would argue that a beautiful 914 doesn't exist :) (it really isn't the best looking design)

I actually really liked the shift pattern; it works exactly like the old

3-speed shifters sold for drag racing, both 1-2 and 2-3 are a straight line motion with your hand because of the spring loading.

nate