My ideal car. A CUV.

[trof]

Comfort Utility Vehicle

The Drive Unit (DU) is a full time four-wheel drive unit.
It's electric powered.
It has two very comfortable seats.
Side-by-side, lots of legroom, armrests, cup holders.
No pedals.
It's controlled using a small joystick, about the size of a ball point pen.
Left goes left, right goes right.
Forward accelerates, slightly back slows or stops.
All the way back is reverse.
The joystick is detachable and can be mounted in the left or right control module at either seat.
It can be removed entirely as an anti-theft device.
Behind the seats is a couple of feet of cargo space for groceries, luggage, etc.
There is a large rectangular power window at the rear of the DU.
The DU will have all the bells and whistles, rear view camera, HVAC, audio, etc.

The Tow Unit (TU) will consist of a 5 seat module (2 & 3) that would be securely latched onto the DU. The DU will provide power for lights, HVAC, audio/video. The TU will be strictly freewheeling. All power and braking will be supplied by the DU.
The TU will have large sliding doors to accommodate TU passengers.
All seats in the TU can be folded flat to provide amble cargo space.

What else?

[True Dough]

1. Are you designing this thing, trof?

Does that make you the Elon Musk of DU?

[trof]

4. 1. Yes.

2. No.

[HassleCat]

2. It costs $100?

[trof]

6. No, but think about this:

You insure ($$$) the DU 24/7, just like your regular auto insurance.
Collision, comprehensive, liability, etc.
Oh yeah, the DU will have a Nascar type roll cage. You'll be damn near bomb proof, thus cutting insurance costs way down.

You insure (and pay for it) the TU ONLY when it's in use.
The TU will automatically contact and log on to your insurance company when it's connected to the DU.

[underpants]

3. I'd love one of these but they are very hard to find for sale.

[True Dough]

5. But they are often left momentarily abandoned and running

all over the city. You can just jump in and help yourself!

[underpants]

8. LOL. I hadn't thought of that.

Well officer, I DID pay for it.

[longship]

7. My mailman drives his standard SUV from the right seat!

All the mailboxes are on the right. How he gets his feet over the center console to the pedals is a real puzzlement. Plus, he steers from the right, too. He drives all over my area of the county like that. (In sleet and snow and wind and rain and hail, etc.)

These folks deserve worship!

[underpants]

9. I've seen lots of standard vehicle being used outside of Richmond

I always wondered about that. I guess you get the hang of it.

[longship]

10. I suppose... if one does not get ones legs hung up in the steering wheel.

[jmowreader]

14. Try govdeals.com

[underpants]

16. I have

No luck so far

[OxQQme]

11. I would have inertia brakes on the Tow Unit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overrun_brake

http://www.brakecontrol.com/

You never know when the need for a panic stop could arise.
Probably be alright if you were traveling in a straight line.
Even then, the TU would have it's own mass 'pushing' against the DU's brakes.
If this were to occur in a curve the TU's mass would want to 'push' the rear of the DU out further,
jack knifing the combined DU/TU unit.

The ideal geometry of the coupling between DU and TU, looking from the side, should be a shallow 'V' rather than an inverted '/' to prevent the TU from 'lifting' the DU's rear under braking.

Other than that, you've described a winner.

[trof]

12. Good ideas. Thanks.

[OxQQme]

13. Here's a Mini DU, trof

http://www.fiatusa.com/500e.html

Probably have to have one of those mini camper trailers. --> http://tinycamper.com/

[jmowreader]

15. Try making it NOT look like this...

The M561 Gama Goat, aka "the worst piece of shit the Army ever bought."