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A question that has obsessed me for years: is there a true do-it-all vehicle?

The answer is, of course: yes. It just depends on what you need to do.

The Polski Fiat 125P Kombi above presents one reality, a reasonably-sized car (or truck or wagon) that can carry everything 1-4 people would need, though I can’t tell you much about “people” but think about myself all the time.

We “got by” with a Fiat 500 Abarth, we’ve stuffed the smart fortwo to capacity before my wife got a larger car. When I lived in Toronto—there was a learning curve—I happily went mostly everywhere on a single-speed bicycle…wearing layers upon layers of clothing.

There’s not a right or wrong way, but the way is unique to you. The process is simple, just consider what it would take to downsize as an individual or household to a single vehicle. It’s really a lifestyle question.

Assuming that once the decision is made you’ll stick with it and won’t be trading it in or reconsidering after a few months, your purchasing power o…