Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Wagons Upcoming Wagons & Crossovers
305 messages, Last post on Aug 09, 2008 at 8:36 PM
You are in the Wagons Forum. Your Host is kcram
Post your comments about upcoming wagons (real or concept) below. Thanks for your participation!
|
Replying to: moontom (Apr 13, 2004 11:45 am) Additional features on the '05 Vibe include: Available "Moon & Tunes" package with integrated sub-woofer Available StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system Available leather seating New fabric patterns in Slate and Graphite colors Standard passive suppression advanced air bag system on passenger side Available side curtain air bag system coupled with side thorax air bags (in seat) Available programmable automatic door locks (available with automatic transmission and power package) Tire pressure monitor standard on GT and AWD models Available OnStar (with one-year Safe & Sound services) |
|
|
Good for them, then. The interior is supposedly improved also, right? Plus the base engine is the 2.3l now. They should have used the PZEV version from the Focus, though. -juice |
|
|
Greetings. I am not a car expert but a general consumer with an eye for detail, value, quality and excellent gas millage. I started looking at vehicles two days ago and have been absorbed reading review after review. I like the SUV's but will not tolerate the low miles/gal. There are some smaller vehicles, but I'm over 6 feet tall and that limits me. I'm also single and am tired of the plain looks of Accords and Camery's. I'll use to love them but now I consider them fuddy duddy compared to what the Y-generation has turned some of us older folks wanting the youth look too. I want utility for trips to the mountains. A few years ago I was a fan of the Suburu Outback lifestyle approach. A friend bought one and it was a gas guzzler. So you can see where a cross-over appeals to a consumer like me. Price has to have a ceiling of $19k and that includes the popular options. My research found a few vehicles: Ford Focus 5 door: xlnt little car, xlnt reviews by everyone one. As I read about it, I came across Ford's venture with Mazda and SAAB to make the Mazda3 which is a super enhanced Ford Focus. I read the few reviews and was ready to buy one immediately. The Mazda3 is climbing in recognition and sells. I sat in the Focus and the Mazda and was super impressed with the differences at basically the same price. Mazda3 is an amazing vehicle with many luxuries that come standard. I consider the 5 door close to a "cross-over". ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Mazda3 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=- Mazda3c§ionParameter= http://www.newcars.com/nctd.php?nctd_id=537&page=0 http://www.theautochannel.com/N/F/news/2004/05/13/194539.html?%7B- LF%7D http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/mazda/3/100364240/roadtestarticle- .html?articleId=101737&editorialpage=page003 *** http://mazda3forums.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=226c4febdf280f7- 495e6efb022fc844e ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Today I ventured to Toyota and Pontiac to check out the differences between the Matrix and Vibe. Right off I liked the agressively fun body style of the Vibe. The Toyota person most people end up buying the Vibe and its visually evident why. Sitting in them both was a pleasure. Huge head room. Cockpit like "in control" front seats. Large cargo and xlnt knee clearance and head room for back seaters. And excellent fuel economy. I love it ! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Mt gripes: Cross-overs need more HP and torque at lower rpm's. The Ford focus can tow 1000 lbs. The Matrix/Vibe 1500 lbs and the Mazda 3, although with the highest of the others is not rated for towing. Very big dissapointment because this vehicle is a no brainer strong buy recommend. What is the use of a cross-over if it can't tow effectively? That is the only thing that is missing and needs to be implemented. I need towing ability for pulling motor cycle trailor, or a tent trailor or a U-haul Trailor up hills. Forester can do it but my head touches the ceiling. I wish the Mazda3 with its higher torque and horsepower could tow, and I wish the Matrix / Vibe had more of each without haxing to add the costly converter that doesn't match perfectly with the gear ratios. ************** The perfect cross-over is not there yet, but close. |
|
|
I just found this and oh am I excited ! Weights & Capacities MAZDA MAZDA3 NEO Towing capacity - with brakes (kg) 900 Towing capacity - without brakes (kg) 500 http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.new_specs?vehicle_code=20040115.16:43:31&sort_type=¤t_rec=2&make_name=MAZDA&model_name=MAZDA3 |
|
|
Nope - those capacities are in Australia, for the Australian models, which might use different springs, shocks, and tires, all affecting the payload and tow capacities. I'm not sure that the US version is rated to tow at all, but check into it. What are you planning on towing? If it's a small utility trailer, under 1000 lbs, most likely anything will pull it. But honestly, have you ever watched a FWD vehicle pull a jet ski up a wet ramp? It ain't pretty. Remember, weight shifts to the rear tires, which get no power. A lot of the cars you're shopping are, in my opinion, basically hatchbacks. At least the Vibe and Matrix offer AWD, but only with 123hp. That's not gonna do so well hauling a trailer. Expand your list to include the Subaru Outback Sport (not the big Outback), you get AWD and 165hp. That will do much, much better pulling your jet ski up the ramp. Maybe even a matching pair of jet skis. And AWD means no ugly tire spin noises. 2005s are supposed to get better mileage, the heavier Forester gets 23/30 now, for instance. I think you can get AWD in a Suzuki Aerio, also. Those had 140hp and IIRC were getting a power boost this year. Other options? Try a small SUV, like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Subaru Forester. You can get basic models of those for about $19k. All have engines 2.4l or bigger and AWD as options. The Honda gets 21/25, the Toyota varies but some models get up to 28mpg, and the Subie now gets 23/30 (2005 models), so all are fairly efficient. Good luck. -juice |
|
|
I sold my chevy pickup truck and have only a 93 T-Bird which I intend to keep as it has been a great car for us but we need something that has hauling capacity for fairly large objects,gets great gas mileage, looks good (not clunky) not too big, not too small and hope to keep the price under $25,000. Could be a smaller SUV or a wagon. Oh yes, and has ample power to take on the hills. |
|
|
Define great gas mileage? The base Forester, RAV4, or CR-V will manage that. If those are big hills, try a turbo Forester, which offers ample performance and still reasonable gas mileage. Though it likes a premium fuel diet. -juice |
|
|
And I just love her!!! I have pedigree dogs that need transportation fairly often, so the 9-2X is the perfect size to haul them comfortably. I also have a 60-mile-per-day commute to work and I need safety, reliability and comfort. Lastly, I wanted a vehicle that was sporty, peppy, and looked great. The 9-2X fits the bill, and the free oil changes/maintenance and Saab extras completed the sale. The Pontiac Vibe was my second choice; that's a really neat vehicle! But since I live in a tropical climate with freak storms and slippery roads, I opted for the Saab's extra safety features and all-wheel-drive. Those extras gave me more insurance discounts, too. Glad the wagons and hatchbacks are making a comeback!!! I'm sick to death of drivers who are encased in SUV's that are clearly too big for them to handle well. I dislike the SUV gas-guzzling quality, too. Julie |
|
|
Congrats, Julie. I think you're the first owner here on the Town Hall. -juice
|
|
|
Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 03, 2004 9:03 am) I saw a new Lexus wagon on the road today -- not all that impressive and probably costs big bucks! I'm really happy with my car. Julie |
|
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
