Sporty wagon? - Page 3

springttutby · 04-19-07, 11:09

What is it about this thread that's attracting the spammers? Another one bites the dust . . . -- Tort

LightngSVT · 04-20-07, 06:02

Im not sure I can get past the looks of the WRX, although Im sure its a fun car to drive. I did a quick search on auto trader and found some 2000-2001 S4's for $14-17k with mid 70's or less for miles. This seems cheap should these cars be avoided? What is maintenance like on an S$? Parts cost / labor?

Yal · 04-20-07, 08:05

How about a Subaru Legacy GT wagon, its the Turbo version of the 2.5i.

TortoiseAWD · 04-20-07, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yal

How about a Subaru Legacy GT wagon, its the Turbo version of the 2.5i.

The only downside to the LGT is that it's probably beyond the OP's budget of $15k (I'm looking for an '05 for myself right now, and the price seems to average around $20k, maybe a little less).

Other than that, it was the first car that I thought of, too.

Tort

joyriiide1113 · 04-20-07, 08:53

In Europe people are mroe fans of wagons than SUVs...

I'd love one of these.

“Kids! Into The Wagon And Fasten Your Six-Point Belts! We Got A Soccer Game To Get To!” - BMW Makes An M5 Wagon"---winding road.com

So for that comment that was made about wagons not being sporty, I'd retract that as these can walk most cars on the road...

Back to the OP. If it was me and needed this type of car for DD. I'd vouch for a used A3.

Accumulator · 04-20-07, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightngSVT

Im not sure I can get past the looks of the WRX, although Im sure its a fun car to drive. I did a quick search on auto trader and found some 2000-2001 S4's for $14-17k with mid 70's or less for miles. This seems cheap should these cars be avoided? What is maintenance like on an S$? Parts cost / labor?

I can't really say, but I bet my mechanics would just *love* for me to buy a used S4

I had a few of the previous generation ones (the bigger ones from the '90s) and Audis simply aren't all that cheap to own unless you get one that doesn't ever need anything.

I can't help but be a broken-record about how there's always a good reason why cars like that are for sale so cheap. I'd at least expect to need a clutch and I'd sure be listening/feeling when it comes to the second gear synchros. I bet a scan of the Audiworld forums would be informative, just remember that those people love their cars, warts and all.

Some people really like the S4 of that vintage with the turbo-six, but make sure you're one of those people

That warning about clutches and synchros should probably apply to Subies too. Not all that many people really know how to drive a stick these days and some Subaru dealers are pretty clueless when it comes to manual-trans cars (voice of experience).

If I weren't so prejudiced about Volvos (hey, I had two, I'm allowed

) I'd go that way, especially considering the size of your dog. I've fit some big ones in an Outback though.

Yal · 04-20-07, 09:46

Yeah there is a lot of brutal butchering of clutches out there, remember they don't teach stick driving in drivers ed. Be forewarned!

It may not be a reason to turn down a car but make sure you check it out or make room in the budget for fixing it before buying.

My bro has an 850GLT Volvo sedan in the UK stick with the 5 banger. Solid car and I bet the wagon is too.

TortoiseAWD you're right the LGT is a bit over budget for him!

blackcaraddict · 04-20-07, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Well, the Audi S4 Avants are a lot sportier to drive than the AllRoads (had one of the latter, hated it, traded it after a very short time). You might change your mind about sporty wagons if you drove an S4, or maybe even an S6

Right but at the end of the day, its still a station wagon. You can put a body kit, a blower and 20" wheels on a Town and Country, but its still a minivan.

Yal · 04-20-07, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcaraddict

Right but at the end of the day, its still a station wagon. You can put a body kit, a blower and 20" wheels on a Town and Country, but its still a minivan.

Wow, with an attitude like that no wonder we don't get the good wagons over here and why companies like Subaru are trying to discontinuing theirs, only in the USA mind you.

I don't know what decade you have been living in but a modern wagon a minivan it is not

JuneBug · 04-20-07, 10:47

Wow, I feel old. I lived through the wagons of the 60's, a family from south of the border could live in one of those. Then, there was the "sport" wagons - Ford Pinto anyone? Thank God they started selling mini-vans. Problem is, there is a huge number of people that grew up in mini-vans and to them - the wagon is cool or retro or whatever. Me? I like the new VW Rabbit 5 door. You could try to find an older one - look under "VW Golf"

ty webb · 04-20-07, 10:48

If you're looking for sporty, you can't go wrong with the WRX wagon. Give one a test drive, I bet you'll get over the looks pretty quickly. Powerful turbo engine and AWD can't be beat IMO.

Accumulator · 04-20-07, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcaraddict

Right but at the end of the day, its still a station wagon..

Ah, but remember the intended purpose: for >$10K dog-hauling, wagons (and even minivans) are gonna be sportier than the typical SUV in the price range and those three choices (wagons, minvans, SUVs) are the sort of vehicles in question. It's a matter of *relative* sportiness...what's OK to drive while still being good for the dog-hauling. I've hauled big dogs in everthing from Honda CRXs to Suburbans, and some vehicles are a lot better for the job than others... and some of those that're better are a lot sportier than others.

I oughta admit that I have a serious soft spot for station wagons

Sheesh, I've had maybe eight or ten of 'em, wish I'd never sold a few.