Wagons and SUVs?

[XRL]

So I'm in the market for a new car, and I can't decide on what to get. I have a decent sized dog, and the utility of an SUV/wagon is very nice. I also like to go fast sometimes, so I want something sporty, and I hate FWD with a passion. Here's a few choices I've narrowed down that can be had for like $20k. If you have a suggestion for something I've forgotten, or have a comment on them, I'd love to hear it.

Dodge Magnum SRT-8: These are nice overall, but the fuel economy isn't the greatest.

Volvo V70R: AWD is nice to have, and the interior is phenominal. A bit pricey for the mileage though.

Saab Sportcombi Aero/Turbo X: Again a nice choice, but a bit expensive atm. Would need to wait for depreciation to hit it better. Angry with GM.

Cadillac SRX V8: I'm angry with GM. Slower, but gets the panoramic moonroof. Interior is iffy.

Audi S4 Avant: The best possible option, but very expensive. Maybe in a year or something.

BMW X3: Pano roof, but kinda girly... and not very fast... But maybe I could mod it to be pretty good?

[mikegeaney]

For $20k you may find a nice turbo Subaru forester. The vehicle is AWD. My wife just bought an 09 and I'm pretty impressed. I knew folks who had Subaru's before.....but never would have thought about looking at one of those on my own.

[Mark77]

Subarus are nice, I really like the Outback, might get one as my next car. Of the ones XRL mentions I think I would pick the S4.
You have the Cadillac SRX there? It's a lot bigger than the rest of the cars you mention. If you don't need 3 rows of seats, I would skip that one. But the 07 models have an interior I could live with, and narrower door sills. Went to the dealer and sat in an 05 model and boy was it hard to get in and out of that, compared to normal wagons or other SUVs I have tried.

[jcandiman]

if you have the money to consider modifications to improve the X3's speed/performance why not buy a used X5 or X6 with the V-8 option? mods for BMW are expensive as i'm sure you already know.

i have an '06 X3 and it is quick, handles very well and is great in the snow. BMW is offering .09% financing for 60 months on used '06 X3s.

"kinda girly" that's a good one lol

[DaGonz]

I think you are going to have a problem finding the cars you listed in the $20K range...

Look at the Ford Edge AWD.

We have one; it's wifey's daily driver. It has a decent amount of room and power.

[Setec Astronomy]

There is a new SRX coming out in the summer, and the CTS wagon before that.

[Accumulator]

I'm always chiming in on these dog-hauler threads

If my female Beauceron didn't travel in a crate I'd be shopping for a used Audi S6 wagon. If I only had one dog (that didn't travel in a crate) I'd get a used S4 wagon. My favorite dog-car of all time was my VW Quantum Synchro wagon and the S4s are sorta fast, modern versions of that.

If I were to trade the DenaliXL for something smaller I'd get a TrailBlazer SS, but I have a good local Chevy dealer that I can trust for the maintenance. That might be more of a truck than you need though.

Seems to me that lots of small/medium SUVs don't really have much, if any, more dog-hauling room than station wagons. Our friend's Cayenne is a good example.

That Volvo wagon might be worth a serious look.

A pal of mine has a Magnum, and it doesn't have *nearly* the interior room I'd want for hauling dogs (not such great outward visability either). Seems big when I'm looking at it but small (on both good and bad ways) from inside.

Regulars here know I have, uh...issues with Subies based on the two I've owned, but others seem to like 'em and they're probably better now than they were when I had mine.

[Mark77]

Heh I knew you would make a reply in this thread Accumulator The Volvo V70 AWD is nice yes, but I think it's a it expensive also. I think a Subaru Outback gives you almost the same, but a lot cheaper. It's not as nice inside and comfortable, but for me it's good enough. But sure, I would pick the S4 wagon if I had the choice..
The New SRX will be FWD with AWD as an option, from what I have heard.

[Accumulator]

Mark77- I dunno...maybe it's just me but I see the Audi/Volvo/Subaru as being *so* different as to be sorta beyond direct comparison. Other than all being AWD wagons I think they'd be really different from one another All my Audi/Volvo/Subaru wagons were that way, but hey..they were older ones and stuff might be different these days.

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally Posted by Mark77

The New SRX will be FWD with AWD as an option, from what I have heard.

AFAIK it's still built on the same chassis as the CTS so it should be base RWD with AWD as an option. Supposed to be a bit smaller than the current SRX and from the looks of it they made it with a lower roofline or higher beltline so you can't see out of it (to echo Accumulator's general observations). I feel like I'm in a cave in all the new cars...I miss the high greenhouse days of the 80's...I still haven't figured out if it's just a styling trend or if they have reduced the glass area to improve collision intrusion, but I feel like I'm driving in an armored car looking out of slits, sometimes.

[XRL]

The Edge is nice, my sister has one of the Lincoln MKXs. I only sort of hate it, it's very floaty and feels slow, but those can be fixed.. I might wait for the Ecoboost version of the Edge.

Honestly, I'm leaning towards the Magnum. I've got a lead on one I might be able to get for under $20k. The Audi and Sportcombi won't be $20k for another year or two, the Volvos all have pretty high mileage for $20k.

I'm not totally opposed to the Forester, but it's a little too "cute ute". One of my neighbors has one... I don't really like it. Her's isn't a turbo though. I wouldn't be opposed to a turbo Legacy Wagon either.

The new CTS is built on the same platform as the Vue, what I have now(Redline). Not gonna happen.

I long considered a TBSS, but I know that the gas mileage isn't so great, and the transmission will give out on me at some point. And if I get a tune for it(which I'd want to), GM will deny my warranty claim even thought it's a known problem with the vehicles. Plus it's a 4 speed auto. Ew.

The S6 wagon is cool, but very hard to find one with lower mileage. Same with the Volvo and the S4s in my price range though

We have just the one dog, he's only like 70 pounds, he's not very tall but he's kinda long and slinky looking.

[connorb850]

How soon do you need a new car? If it were me, I'd wait a year or so until you can afford one of your top choices. It might be worth the wait to get the car you really wanted. My pick would be the Audi or the Volvo.