ESL Podcast 609 - Types of Car and Vehicles

to be in the market for (something) - to be shopping for something; to be considering all the types of something that are available for sale, deciding which one to buy

How long have you been in the market for a new computer?

truck - a large vehicle used to carry many things, not just people, usually with an open area in the back to carry large items

Some people who live in rural areas like to have a truck so that they can carry farm goods.

just about - almost; approximately

Mariah likes just about every type of dessert: cake, pie, cookies, ice cream, candy, pudding, pastries, and more!

vehicle - a large machine with an engine that is used to carry people and things from one place to another

The bus company just bought 20 new vehicles to provide more frequent transportation service within the city.

compact - a small-sized car

Many people choose the Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic, or other compact cars because they have better gas mileage than larger cars do.

mid-size cars - a medium-sized car, not too small and not too big

With four people and a baby going on vacation, we'll need to rent a mid-sized car to fit everyone comfortably.

sedan - a four-door car with room for at least four passengers

When James got married and became a father, he had to sell his motorcycle and buy a sedan instead.

coupe - a sports car; a small car with only two doors

It's difficult to put children into the rear seat of a coupe, so most families prefer to have a larger car.

hatchback - a car that offers a lot of storage space in the back, with a back door that opens from bottom to top

Do you think my bike will fit in your hatchback?

convertible - a car with a roof that folds down or can be removed, so that one feels the wind while driving

A convertible isn't a very practical car if you live in an area where it rains a lot.

sports car - a small car that goes very fast; a car made to travel at high speeds

When Geoffrey had a mid-life crisis, he bought a bright red sports car because it made him feel younger.

no sweat - no problem; a phrase used to let someone else know that one isn't worried about something and/or has a solution for a problem

If you haven't finished your taxes by April 15th , no sweat. Just request an extension.

station wagon - a large car that has a lot of storage space in the back

The station wagon has plenty of room for grocery bags, sports equipment, and all the other things we need to take around town.

minivan - a large vehicle with seven or eight seats

With four kids in car seats, a minivan was really their only option when they needed to buy a car.

SUV - sports utility vehicle; a strong, large car that is designed to travel over uneven surfaces

Why do you need an SUV if you only drive in the city?

to seat - to have enough seats for a certain number of people

This airplane seats more than 150 passengers.

anywhere from (something) to (something) - ranging from something to something; with a specific minimum and maximum amount

Our employees have annual vacation leave periods of anywhere from one week to five weeks, depending on how long they have worked for the company.

pickup - a small truck with a large, open area in the back with low sides, used for carrying heavy things from one place to another

They filled their pickup truck with hay for the horses to eat.