So my TL is totaled, I get the check today, and so begins my search for a new ride.

For some reason, I've been thinking about wagons. It'd be nice to have the extra space and all, but really, I'm thinking about how unique they are. Just something out of the ordinary compared to the sedans.

Plus I hear they're cheaper to insure? Any truth to that?

Anyway, I've got to act fast, so I doubt I'll find one of these, but I'm after a IS 300 SportCross or a 325i Touring. I'm not sure why I have a sudden urge to drive these cars but I do.

Obviously considering Legacy and Impreza models too. Gonna get test driving this week.

Any thoughts?

 

go for the Audi Avant

 

IS300 sportcross is IMO

Legacy, A4, or 325 are better choices. How much you looking to spend?

Dont rush buying a car since you will be stuck with it for awhile.

 

I'm trying not to rush, but I want out of this PT Cruiser they put me in for a rental pretty bad.

I'm looking at spending around $25K or thereabouts. Closer to $20K would be better. Preferably used.

 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...000&cardist=21

A3 would be kinda cool....

 

I agree w/ your thoughts on wagons being different and there are a few that look pretty nice too. I'm looking hard to buy an E500 4matic, black wagon (2005) w/ entertainment pkg, dynamic seats, power tailgate, Keyless go, premium pkg, nav and sunroof. There was one on ebay but I let it slip by dammit all! I'm trying to trim down my vehicles from 3 to 2 by getting rid of my Wrangler and CL-S and replacing it w/ the MBZ. Go for it! Check out the A6 Avant used, 325xi used and C320 4matic

 

That's a nice lookin' car and it comes in at his price point.

 

I'll tell ya... the wifes 2.0T A4 has impressed us and I would buy the A3 in an instant...

 

You guys are good. Gonna check that one out today.

Never had a thing for Audis but I'll never know until I sit in one.

 

BMW 528/540iT
'99-up A4 or A6 Avant
97-up Passat Wagon
2000-up Subaru Outbacks or WRX (kinda small though)

Depending how much you can spend, you also have the Dodge Magnum

I am looking for a wagon right now myself, but the one I want is so hard to find. I'm looking for a 1997 Passat VR6 wagon, 5 spd, silver w/black leather.

 

magnum or legacy wagon would be my two...leaning more towards the mag

 

I'm not feeling the Magnum for some reason.

Since I probably won't be able to find a wagon in time, I'll probably end up with a sedan. Here are the front runners so far:

Acura TSX
Lexus IS 300
Subaru Legacy

Last night I dropped by the Lexus dealer and he showed me an '04 IS 300 "Thundercloud Edition" for something like 23K. I've never heard of this. Supposedly it has special paint, grey leather interior, special 17" wheels. Anyone heard of or have info on this? It's peaked my interest in the IS 300, gonna drive it as soon as the weather clears.

 

Might want to consider the Subaru forester mentioned in this thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...1&page=1&pp=25

a 5.3 60 sounds nice

 

i've never heard of the thundercloud edition either...

but if you're looking into an a3, why not the gti? it's pretty much the same car. and the gti has a 4 door too, which i think looks better than the 2 door. it can be had for around 25k. or how about a speed3?

 

i don't know if i could drive an old IS now that the new ones are all over the place....a GTI would be cool tho. MS3 would also be nice, or maybe a WRX...there are so many nice cars in your price range, I was shopping in that range last year and ended up going back to mini-trucks. you'll be pounding the pavement for a minute to find a perfect fit.

 

Legacy GT Wagon...

 

Yeah I know, it's all driving me nuts right now. I want to get out of the office so bad and get test driving now.

Mazda3s and Imprezas are on the list, but farther down.

I thought I could handle a more "simple" car than my TL, you know take a step down. But jeez, after riding in this rental for a week I don't know that I can. It's not even the big things, like the handling, power or leather. It's the stupid little things, like how the windshield wipers automatically wiped when I stepped off the brake, or the steering wheel audio controls. I hate to think I'm the narrow minded snob only looking at Acura/Lexus/etc, but those little things are such a big deal when you don't have them.

 

The Mazda 3 isn't really a wagon. It's more of a large 4 door hatchback. The rear cargo area is large enough but it isn't as large as other wagons such as the Legacy.

 

You should be able to find one, lightly used for around $23k. The performance is hard to argue with and they come pretty well decked out. Well worth the money, IMO.

 

Anyone have a Saab here?

Wonder why we never talk about them. They LOOK pretty nice....

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...000&cardist=19


hot
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...000&cardist=32

 

I hate Saab solely for one reason... the ignition key goes in the center console and not the steering column.

 

Although it looks like that wagon based off the WRX has a real ignition in the steering column! Who knew!?

 

Looks way better than a WRX too.

IMO

 

Totally... and definitely a sleeper since it's the same engine/powertrain as the WRX... all most all the mods work on the Saab as well.

The black/white leather is pimp too.

 

Although they are a HELL of a lot more pricey than a used WRX

 

Never liked Slobs, the interiors are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too cheap looking.

 

Not to mention it was selling so poorly that GM has been offering a $5000 discount on them.

 

A3

 

Avoid Audi. Very poor reliability and horrenduous resale value. Our A6 Avant lost 70% of its value in 3 years (70K miles).

Our 4Runner lost 70% of its value only after 8 years (90K miles).

At the time we bought the A6 because I felt claustrophobic inside the 325 wagon. Silly me... the 325 cost less.

 

We had a '96 model. It was an awesome car. We got hit (rear ended) at 5 mph, and there was barely a scratch in the rear bumper. The other car had $5K in damages, including a crumpled hood and broken headlights.

 

3 year old car and you put 70k miles on it... of course it wont have good resell then.

But yea, A6 always tanked in resale. Good for him cuz hes buying used.

 

It has been discontinued correct?

 

Yeah. I think 2006 was supposed to be the last model year for it. Saab is supposedly working on a real replacement in the form of an Opel product, most likely the Vectra and it should be introduced for MY2008, or at least that's what has been rumored.

 

They were pretty solidly built. I have a 93 wagon right now, built in Germany. The doors close so solid, no rattle, nothing. My tranny blew though. Automatic

 

Actually the A3 and A4 have come a long way in reliability and are recommended by most car mags now. Additionally, they don't suffer from the terrible resale value that the A6 and A8 do...

 

If you want affordable, extremely safe (per crash tests), ability to drive through just about anything, and extreme speed in a SUV then read http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtest...ster-25xt.html.

With a new turbocharged engine, a real hood scoop, and a slick new interior, this is the SUV version of the WRX STi. Almost.
BY JIM McCRAW, August 2003

ACCELERATION (Seconds)
Zero to 30 mph: 1.3
40 mph: 2.6
50 mph: 3.6
60 mph: 5.3
70 mph: 6.9
80 mph: 9.2
90 mph: 11.8
100 mph: 15.0
110 mph: 19.5
120 mph: 26.7
Street start, 5-60 mph: 6.3
Top-gear acceleration, 30-50 mph: 8.4
50-70 mph: 8.1
Standing 1/4-mile: 13.8 sec @ 97 mph

The only negative I see is that it isn't built for towing like a 4-runner, etc. Anyhow I think it has been CR's top rated SUV for the last three years. (The new $30,000 v6 Rav4 might have edged it out this year I can't remember). But it shines on safety and we haven't had one single problem (knock on wood) since October 2003 when we bought this one.

 

Legacy GT wagon

 

The Forester Sports 2.5X starts around 22k, and the Forester 2.5XT Sports around 26k. I love the Sports 2.5XT, and also the fact that they now offer a World Rally Blue for the 2.5 XT Sports. Either one is good.

<-- Subiedude for life

 

definitely a subi wagon, audi wagon would be great, but i'd be worried about reliability.

i went with the outback since the '06 legacy didn't come in 5spd.

 

My parents had an Audi AllRoad Quattro as a loaner car. It was a real fun and fun to drive ride. I can honestly give it two thumbs up.