July 28, 2006
ON THE ROAD: A Quest for True Inspiration
By Richard Williamson
Scripps Howard News Service
Amana, IA (SHNS) -- Ideally, I should be driving to this utopian community
in a car that runs on hydrogen and adds nothing but wholesome vapor to the
life-sustaining atmosphere.
Instead, I'm driving the 2007 Nissan Quest, a minivan whose communal
atmosphere more than compensates for its conventional power source.
With family and friends strapped into the leather-upholstered captain's
chairs, the V6-powered Quest provides a splendid vista of the rolling
prairie that inspired canvas master Grant Wood to paint those eerily bright
landscapes in the 1930s.
Until I arrived here, I thought Wood, a product of Cedar Rapids, had grossly
exaggerated the buxomness of his native state. But the hills really do rise
like plump loaves covered by soaring rows of corn that march toward the
horizon with military precision.
Indeed, the awesome acres of maize in this state seem to suggest
supernatural possibilities akin to the athletic emanations portrayed in
"Field of Dreams." It's easy to understand why the Community of True
Inspiration chose this section of Iowa for its new home after fleeing the
worldliness of upstate New York in 1855.
Speaking only German, the utopian Inspirationists built seven villages known
as the Amana Colonies, where they could live communally and avoid military
service, oaths and the religious hectoring that they had once endured in
Germany. While the communal existence gave way to modern realities in the
"Great Change" of 1932 after the uninsured flour mill exploded, the culture
and beliefs of the community survive in modern day residents and their seven
quaint villages.
The Amana Society that created the well-known Amana brand of household
appliances still manages 26,000 acres of farm, pasture and forest land. The
society has meticulously preserved the villages, which produce and sell
everything from wine and beer to pumpkin butter and exquisitely crafted
woolens, leather goods, furniture and other crafts.
While the Amanas were once wary of the world, they became increasingly
receptive to technologies such as photography and refrigeration after the
Great Change. The Amana brand, acquired earlier this year by Whirlpool, has
nearly 3,000 employees in the colonies. Thus, it's no sacrilege to traverse
their byways in air-conditioned comfort as the back-seat passengers enjoy
the DVD entertainment system.
In the automotive world, great changes come about every four years. The
industry appears to be experiencing another one as fuel prices climb toward
the stratosphere. Even for a vehicle like the Quest, which falls about in
the middle of the pack in terms of fuel efficiency, high gas prices seem to
be taking a toll, with sales in June slipping 15 percent.
With a 20-gallon tank, the Quest can cover all but 4 of the 504 miles of
Interstate 35 between the Rio Grande and the Red River that define the
southern and northern borders of Texas. Burning unleaded at the rate of 18
miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway, the Quest should cost
about $1,571 to refill over a year's time.
I have always loved minivans because they ride and handle like full-size
sedans while providing even greater roominess and comfort than most sport
utility vehicles. The high seating position, the large windshield and
oversized side mirrors in the Quest provide excellent visibility. Thoughtful
amenities such as secure cup holders and a folding tray table between the
front captain's seats make cross-country travel a real pleasure.
For 2007, Nissan updated the interior, moving the instrument cluster from
the middle of the dash to right in front of the driver, tweaked the exterior
and added new creature comforts.
All trim levels -- the 3.5, 3.5S, 3.5SL and 3.5SE -- are powered by the
3.5-liter V6 engine that develops 235 horses harnessed to a five-speed
automatic transmission. Base prices range from $24,350 for the 3.5 to
$33,900 for the 3.5SE.
For 2007, the Quest, built in Canton, Miss., gets a new grille and front
bumper fascia, new rear combination lights, revised roof rack design, new
16-inch and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and side sills have been added on
the 3.5SE model.
As in previous models the Quest provides fold-down second and third row
seats and one of the largest storage spaces (148.7 cubic feet) in the
minivan class.
A Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System is available, as is an in-dash CD6
auto-changer with MP3 playback and auxiliary audio input. Among the most
attractive safety features are the optional rearview camera monitor that
automatically displays what is behind the vehicle when you shift into
reverse and a rear sonar system that beeps out a warning of unseen
obstacles.
Now, if they could just equip the Quest with an engine that runs on water,
it would be nearly perfect. But that may be utopian.
WHAT'S NEW: Redesigned interior, exterior tweaks, new colors, BlueTooth
technology.
PLUSES: Comfort, ride and handling, utility, visibility.
MINUSES: Conventional exterior, limited engine option.
BOTTOM LINE: Typical minivan -- a great ride with tremendous versatility.
Richard Williamson writes about automobiles for Scripps Howard News Service.
