Help Me Select a Wagon

892 messages, Last post on Jun 29, 2009 at 10:15 AM

You are in the Wagons Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Wagon

Not sure which wagon to buy and looking for feedback on the choices out there? Use this as your starting point to narrow the field a bit!

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#833 of 892 Re: VW and coils [krzyss] by ateixeira Feb 22, 2007 (6:44 am)
Replying to: krzyss (Feb 22, 2007 4:20 am) Legacy certainly is a blend of the two...but look at an Outback, that gets you more clearance and heated seats even on the 2.5i model. -juice
#834 of 892 It's just four wheels and a box by wcskjb Mar 28, 2007 (7:45 am)
Looking for a wagon or small SUV for the wife. Here are the criteria: Must haves: Out-the-door price <=$22,000. Actual average mpg >=24 mpg, assuming easy-does-it driver, mix of local and hwy. Room in back seat for three average-sized teenage boys for trips of up to 2 hrs. Room in cargo area (with back seat up) for four sets of golf clubs. Heated seats Nice to haves: Automatic (but manual not a dealbreaker) Average reliability rating: unwilling to pay for highest ratings -- we baby our cars. Low insurance cost rating Leather ABS/traction control New, but would consider <=2 yr. olds. Don't care: Looks -- would buy an ugly Aztec if it was reliable. Performance -- 0-60 mph in less than a week is fine. Resale -- we keep 'em until they die. This car will replace a '91 Caravan with 220,000 mi. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Mar 28, 2007 7:59 am) kyfdx (Mar 28, 2007 8:18 am) ateixeira (Mar 28, 2007 8:38 am) kyfdx (Mar 28, 2007 9:36 am) and 1 more...
#835 of 892 Re: It's just four wheels and a box [wcskjb] by ateixeira Mar 28, 2007 (7:59 am)
Replying to: wcskjb (Mar 28, 2007 7:45 am) I think your criteria are a bit optimistic. You can get some but not all of those things. Greater than 24mpg is a big one. Consumer Reports' most fuel efficient non-hybrid compact SUV was the RAV4, and I think it got 23mpg in their tests. So right away, you're going to have to compromise. The Hybrid Escape did better, but it blows your price limit out of the water. $28k is more like it, especially with heated leather seats. 3 teens in the back seat means you want some good leg room there. CR-V and Escape do well in that regard, but you might even consider a mid-sizer. Maybe a RAV4. Heated leather seats tend to go in pricier models. The Forester X Limited can be had for about your $22k price limit, but the back seat is small. It might even come close to your mileage targets, but 3 teens for 2 hours will be complaining. You didn't mention if FWD would be OK, that would get costs down and might help meet your mileage targets. We've babied our Forester, and averaged 25.1mpg over its lifetime, but that's avoiding city driving (I have a 2nd car for that). It would be close except the back seat is small. A Scion xB has the back seat space, price, and fuel efficiency, but it loses on the cargo space. I doubt you could fit two sets of golf clubs in there. Maybe a Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited? Slightly used? Saturn Vue Greenline hybrid? Maybe when the new one comes out you could get a deal on the outgoing model?
#836 of 892 Re: It's just four wheels and a box [wcskjb] by kyfdx HOST Mar 28, 2007 (8:18 am)
Replying to: wcskjb (Mar 28, 2007 7:45 am) Room for 3 teenage boys in the back? You need a stripped Chrysler mini-van, but then you probably won't get the mileage you want... and, if you want leather, you probably won't get it cheap enough.. Do you have to fit the three teenagers and the golf clubs at the same time? If not, I suggest a Mazda5.. A slightly used Freestyle comes to mind, as well.. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Mar 28, 2007 8:38 am) kyfdx (Mar 28, 2007 9:36 am) wcskjb (Mar 29, 2007 5:44 pm)
#837 of 892 Re: It's just four wheels and a box [kyfdx] by ateixeira Mar 28, 2007 (8:38 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Mar 28, 2007 8:18 am) Good suggestions. Mazda5 will let you fold down one of the 3rd row seats. Not sure if 4 golf bags would fit even then. A Freestyle would do the trick, and a FWD model might even meet that mileage (or come close). Replies to this message: kyfdx (Mar 28, 2007 9:36 am) wcskjb (Mar 29, 2007 5:44 pm)
#838 of 892 Re: It's just four wheels and a box [ateixeira] by kyfdx HOST Mar 28, 2007 (9:36 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Mar 28, 2007 8:38 am) maybe an '02 Volvo V70 wagon? No idea what they go for... Might even get up to an '03, now that I think about it.. Replies to this message: wcskjb (Mar 29, 2007 5:44 pm)
#839 of 892 Re: It's just four wheels and a box [kyfdx] by wcskjb Mar 29, 2007 (5:44 pm)
Replying to: kyfdx (Mar 28, 2007 9:36 am) Thanks for the input. Based on visit to Subaru dealer, I can state that four bags of golf clubs do not fit in the back of an Outback or Forester. And my three sons (average size) don't fit in back seat of either one. Based on suggestions from others, looking at slightly used Freestyles, Saturn Vues, Suzuki Forenza and a neighbor's 2004 Saab 9-5 wagon he's eager to sell. Other ideas?
#840 of 892 - by dudleyr Mar 29, 2007 (7:07 pm)
Mazda3 fits the criteria. Not the most cargo space, but has stability control leather etc.
#841 of 892 Re: 2007 Honda CR-V OR 2007 VW Passat Wagon 2.0T - Suggestions? [ateixeira] by wcc1968 May 23, 2007 (10:15 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 21, 2007 8:41 am) Personally, i dont think i would ever opt for in car navigation system. I much prefer my Garmin NUVI, which i can take with me where ever i go, and costs only $600. Replies to this message: ateixeira (May 23, 2007 10:26 am)
#842 of 892 Re: 2007 Honda CR-V OR 2007 VW Passat Wagon 2.0T - Suggestions? [wcc1968] by ateixeira May 23, 2007 (10:26 am)
Replying to: wcc1968 (May 23, 2007 10:15 am) I have a Garmin, too, c320 model. The Nuvi 250 is about $300 nowadays, a bargain. I'd be considering a Tom Tom One XL, though, just $400 for a 4.3" screen!