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Sports Wagons - The wave of the future?

483 messages,  Last post on Dec 13, 2005 at 8:17 AM

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Messages Page 47 of 49

#454 of 483 Re: Edmunds comparo: Dodge Magnum vs. Subaru Legacy [1997montez34] by ateixeira

Jun 07, 2005 (11:05 am)

Replying to: 1997montez34 (Jun 03, 2005 9:40 am)
They missed on one important point - the Magnum is available with AWD yet they tested one without it.
 
Someone shopping at a Subaru store is most certainly looking for AWD, so this apples-to-apples would have been a better comparison IMO.
 
-juice

#455 of 483 . by wale_bate1

Jun 07, 2005 (2:39 pm)

But Lordy, the Magnum is a monster muthah! Is there really a comparison from a driver's perspective? I would think the Legacy would be so much more pleasant to really drive.
 
Or am I not in step with the average consumer here?
;-]

#456 of 483 Edmunds by ateixeira

Jun 07, 2005 (6:45 pm)

They so far as admit the Legacy handles better and is more fun to drive. I think they bought into the Hemi marketing hype.
 
-juice

#457 of 483 Re: Edmunds [ateixeira] by 1997montez34

Jun 08, 2005 (5:22 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 07, 2005 6:45 pm)
Well, after driving both the turbo Legacy and Magnum RT there is no question which is more fun to drive. It has nothing to do with marketing hype.

#458 of 483 Fun by ateixeira

Jun 08, 2005 (6:52 am)

Big cars are less fun, we simply don't agree about that one.
 
-juice

#459 of 483 . by wale_bate1

Jun 08, 2005 (6:29 pm)

Ahhhh, but we do!
 
Compacts are where it's at.
:-]

#460 of 483 Re: . [wale_bate1] by npaladin2000

Jun 08, 2005 (7:02 pm)

Replying to: wale_bate1 (Jun 08, 2005 6:29 pm)
Yeah, that kinda demonstrates how things work in the US vs. other countries.
 
Other countries you get a compact with tight suspension, direct steering, and good power. Takes some skill but lots of fun. Pretty much any import manufacturer makes a sport compact. American companies started doing it too, because no one outside the US wants a Camaro.
 
In the US, car companies market V8s with marshmallow suspensions, slushy sticks, and wiggly wheels, and call it "performance." Absolutely no skill required. Just glue a rocket to your tail and light it. Just try not to do anything like turn or brake. Thus is the legacy of the Camaro, GTO, Mustang, and Charger.
 
The thing is, once you've drived one of the import sporties, it's hard to go back to one of those straight-line, hum-drum tail-rockets. Trust me, it's a religious experience realizing what's SUPPOSED to happen when you take a turn fast.

#461 of 483 Re: . [npaladin2000] by mayberryguy

Jun 09, 2005 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: npaladin2000 (Jun 08, 2005 7:02 pm)
There is no way the Magnums can compete with Legacy GT in the handling department. I will take a better all around car any day than one that is only faster in a straight line. The Magnum has to handle like a tank judging from it's size and F/R balance.

#462 of 483 . by wale_bate1

Jun 09, 2005 (5:39 pm)

Well, the legacies of the Camaro, GTO, Mustang and Charger were forged in an era when foreign offerings weren't exactly tremendous alternatives, by and large, either. Yeah, there were imports that handled much better, but mostly had less reliable sewing machines under the hood, and people who actually enjoyed real driving used these and convinced themselves that as a whole they were better. Pretty small minority when you get down to it. Of course there were exceptions, like the E-Type and a few of the Italians, but exceptions they were, IMO.
 
The later raping of those names should not be held up in evidence of actual foreign superiority at inception.
 
As for today, going straight fast, on a consumer level, indeed takes less thought, sophistication and crafted equipment than real driving, I agree. But with regard to force-fed four-bangers, you can keep 'em, even the best of them. I may not need a Hemi, but four cylinders is still two shy of a real engine in my small, narrow-minded book! :-]
 
As for the Magnum, I'm impressed overall with the direction DCX has taken here. Yeah, it's bulky, styled like a truck up front, too big to be seriously fun in the right ways and it's not a car I would ever buy for myself, but it's a great step forward for Dodge and frankly one of the better offerings I've seen of any US marque for its intended purpose.
 
I think the comparo is silly at best, though.

#463 of 483 Re: comparing Maxx to A3 [kurtamaxxguy] by juswheels

Jun 09, 2005 (7:48 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxguy (Jun 02, 2005 6:09 pm)
I'm about to purchase a Maxx - Here's my respectful reasons why:
 
I wanted good utility and safety features. An engine with a little energy and good gas mileage - Most who have posted about and rated the Maxx give it good marks for the mileage. It has received the JD Power award for quality and earned top marks, along with the Audi in a side impact crash test.
 
This car has 4 wheel anti-lock disk brakes - Side Impact Air Bags - Traction Control - Remote Starter - V-6 - Adjustable Pedals - Great Utility - and all the normal stuff , Stereo, Air Power Windows, Power Locks etc. It rides much quieter than my Taurus and has more pickup. The power is smooth and the tramsnission shifts responsively. With the GM Discount and it still has a $2,000 rebate on top of that - This car, fully equipped, is $19,300 out the door and I think you would have to look quite hard to find a better value.
 
I test drove the new G-6. It drove about the same as the Maxx and the styling was better than the Maxx. However the trunk is extremely small and access awkward. To have it equipped with side impact air-bags raises the cost about $2,000 more than the Maxx. Since both are built on the Saab framework, it's hard to justify the additional cost for what is mechanically, the same car.
 
I also test drove the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Galant. The Hyundai was OK but is known for poor gas mileage and the handling, although secure was vague and a little sloppy. The brakes also had a slight spongy feel to them.
 
The Galant really isn't in the same league with any of the above - It has a tempting warranty but to equip it with a V-6 and Anti-lock Brakes costs thousands more than the others. Anti-lock has to be purchased with an equipment package that contains many add-ons, you may not want and this package is expensive. Actually full side impact air-bags aren't even available on the Galant - There is an option (another equipment package) that gives you a smaller head protection side air-bag but this offers no protection to the torso.
 
For me the choice was the Maxx - Very safe car, good handling, good mileage, good quality and a super price. Hard to beat it. Also cost per mile to operate it for 5 years is one penny more than the Accord and equal with the Camry. Just my respectful reasons for choosing the Maxx.

Messages Page 47 of 49

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