Wagons and SUVs? - Page 2

XRL · 01-18-09, 01:12

I'm in no rush, I could wait a year or more. Kinda just waiting for the right one to come around. The longer I wait, the more of a downpayment I have. Unless I decide to buy a house instead, heh.

I looked more into the Forester XT, I actually found one I kinda like.
eBay Motors: Subaru : Forester (item 120364278263 end time Jan-22-09 15:16:21 PST)

I guess it's some kinda sports package. But between that and the color, I kinda dig it. Other than the lame 4 speed auto

Accumulator · 01-19-09, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRL

..I looked more into the Forester XT..I kinda dig it. Other than the lame 4 speed auto

Test drive any Subie turbo with an auto and make sure you like its off-the-line performance. I know they're better these days, but the one we had was so slow 0-~45mph that my wife found it scary in traffic compared to what she's used to.

Setec Astronomy · 01-19-09, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

AFAIK it's still built on the same chassis as the CTS...

Yesterday's paper said the 2010 shares its chassis with the Eqinox, so I guess I should have double-checked before I spoke.

Mark77 · 01-19-09, 10:24

Yes I think I was right

But there is a CTS wagon that looks kinda nice, and it's RWD.

memnuts · 01-19-09, 05:03

Yeah the new SRX looks like a rebodied Saturn Vue. Not a bad thing mind you but just something to be aware of.
To the OP have you looked at a Trailblazer SS. I just checked EBAY and there are a few for 20k. Parts, mods and insurance is dirt cheap for them. Plus they run rings around vehicles twice their price. There is also an GC SRT8 but they are at least a few grand more but they are a lil faster than a TBSS.

NoWayOut · 01-19-09, 07:36

How about the Mazdaspeed 3?

XRL · 01-19-09, 09:12

MS3 is a stick, and I'm too lazy for all that.

I almost bought a TBSS a few months back. They can be had for way under 20k with no problems at all. The TBSS has been known to eat transmissions though. Maybe Gm shouldn't have put a transmission straight out of 1980 in it?

For some reason I really like the X5 4.8is, but those are also mega-bucks. It's sad when you realize that most cars/SUVs/crossovers you like are too expensive to be worth it.

MidlifeCrisis · 01-20-09, 07:31

I've had a V70R for the past five years and I've found it a terrific car. I have a 2004 V70R with manual transmission, but if you are going to for an automatic go for the 2005- 2007 models as they have an improved tranny that allows you access to all 300 hp.

I'm surprised you found these pricey--you might want to check out the classifieds over at swedespeed.com. My sense is that most 2005/2006 V70Rs could be had for under 25K. (link: Swedespeed Forums: FWD & AWD Cars For Sale)

The V70R has a lot more space than the Audi wagons and typically get much better gas mileage as well (I get about 18mpg city and 26 on the highway--which is good for an AWD wagon). One of the nice aspects of turbocharging: power when you need it but good mileage when you don't.

One thing to check before you buy: make sure the angle gear shows no signs of "weeping". This can be expensive to fix if its out of warranty. I have not had any problem with this but some at swedespeed.com R forum have.

Lumadar · 01-20-09, 07:35

Meguiar's is selling their heavily modified Magnum right now. They even dropped a new, big HEMI in it.

It has a full custom stereo and interior as well.

I have seen it in person- it's pretty sweet.

There is a thread on MOL about it.

Accumulator · 01-20-09, 08:22

XRL- Heh heh, I don't blame you for wanting an automatic

My favorite dog-haulers were all manual shift wagons, but I was a lot younger then and now I just want to get where I'm going without doing a zillion heel-and-toe double-clutch downshifts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by memnuts

... There is also an GC SRT8 but they are at least a few grand more but they are a lil faster than a TBSS...

But AFAIK there are no snowtires available for the GC SRT8 and the summer tires on them aren't suitable for winter use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRL

The TBSS has been known to eat transmissions though. Maybe Gm shouldn't have put a transmission straight out of 1980 in it?

Beware of "internet experts" (scare-quotes intentional

). I know people who use TBSSs as daily drivers and none of them have had any problems with the trannies. If you keep it close to stock you shouldn't have any troubles, and even if you *do* really mod it you can get that EOD transmission to hold up same as people do with their zillion-hp b-bodies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowayout

How about the Mazdaspeed 3?

If only they'd sell it with AWD... Sorta small for dog-hauling too, not much bigger than my WRX was.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidlifeCrisis

I've had a V70R for the past five years and I've found it a terrific car...

Yeah, for dog-hauling a Volvo wagon can be great. Gotta a) like its unique personality/etc., b) get a good one, c) have a decent place to have it serviced, but if all those things go OK, then cool! There was at least as much usable room in the back of my Volvo wagons as in some much bigger SUVs.

XRL · 01-20-09, 09:56

The summer tires isn't a problem for me, I live in the land of continual summer(Florida). It's just a colder summer right now.

I'd probably just go intake, tune, resonator delete on a TBSS. I imagine that's close enough to stock to not implode instantly, but I was a member on the TBSS forums for a while, so I do know that they break. Not totally common, but if you beat on them with a lot of power and leave it in D, it takes its toll on them. Which isn't really a problem, as long as the dealership was willing to cover the warranty still. Which I'm not really confident of.

We don't have a Volvo dealership here in Gainesville, so I guess the V70R's out.

memnuts · 01-20-09, 04:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRL

The summer tires isn't a problem for me, I live in the land of continual summer(Florida). It's just a colder summer right now.

I'd probably just go intake, tune, resonator delete on a TBSS. I imagine that's close enough to stock to not implode instantly, but I was a member on the TBSS forums for a while, so I do know that they break. Not totally common, but if you beat on them with a lot of power and leave it in D, it takes its toll on them. Which isn't really a problem, as long as the dealership was willing to cover the warranty still. Which I'm not really confident of.

We don't have a Volvo dealership here in Gainesville, so I guess the V70R's out.

Most of the people that are blowing them up are thrashing an AWD TBSS on the strip. Besides the cash you save on a TBSS you can get a decent built trans. TCI just released a 6sp autotrans that can handle 850 hp for the LSX series motors.