![]() |
|
|
|
Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
|
New Station Wagon
My wife wants a new car for 08, she drives a 04 Thunderbird and wants something with more room. We have looked at the Passatt, Volvo 50, Subaru Outback, and the Chevy MalibuMaxx SS. Anyone drive these and have an idea for 08?
I think Chevy is dropping the MalibuMaxx SS for 08, they must have been a good car. |
||
![]() |
|
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,162
|
Those Outbacks have huge buyer loyalty. My sister had one, and drove it 130,000+ miles.
|
||
![]() |
|
Monkey+Football
|
Moved from a Grand Cherokee to an Outback wagon, fabulous car and double the mileage. One thing I learned however, always get leather if you want a tan interior. Heck of a lot easier to clean up after a 2 & 6 year old.
__________________
<Insert witty comment> 85 Targa Wong Chip Fabspeed M&K Bilsteins and a bunch of other stuff. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
BeyGon - I went though this same process about 2 years ago - my main concideration was the space and the ability to give adult rear seat passengers enough leg room. I really wanted the subaru legacy wagon, but the room in the back was very cramped, the front seats didn't allow room for feet to go underneath! I ended up with my Passat which has been trouble free for 40000 miles so far - touch wood!
I am sure you will have noticed that you have so few choices!!! There really just aren't many wagons being made these days, Sure there are some nice Audis, M-B's and BMW's which are no doubt fine cars, bu they come with a price tag to match. What ever happened to a fairly affordable wagon? - I'll tell you what, it turned into a minivan!! Maybe this is a way to go for you, they are obviously great vehicles... Good luck with your search, I always enjoyed the looking part of buying a new car.
__________________
Matt Kellett 87 Carrera Coupe - Marine Blue 60 MGA - Chariot Red 66 Jaguar MKII - Sherwood Green 09 VW GTI - Candy White |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
I have a Volvo XC70 and I love it.
AWD, lots of room, good mileage, the most comfortable car I could find. I was also looking at the Audi Allroad. Both good cars, the Subaru was to smal for me, I need a lot of leg room and the Subaru did not have enough, not as nice as the Audi and Volvo either. Love the XC70.
__________________
1973 911T |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2006
Location: sacramento, ca
Posts: 98
|
I am a huge fan of the european cars, I work on them everyday. One question how long do you keep yours cars? If more than 60-70k you may want to consider a japanese alternative. I think most of the euro cars outdrive the japanese cars but the japanese cars do outperform in terms of cosst of ownership long term. I drove a friends new mazda cx9 and was fairly impressed for the price paid. all the subaru owners I know are happy.
__________________
1985 911 "turbo look" 2008 Foose F150 (free truck) 2002 Mercedes Benz S55 |
||
![]() |
|
Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
|
Quote:
|
||
![]() |
|
Moderator
|
You can't go wrong with a Subaru.
My $0.42, -Z
__________________
2010 Cayman S - 12-2020 - 2014 MINI Cooper S Coupe - 05-17 - 05-21 1989 944S2 - 06-01 - 01-14 Carpe Viam. <>< |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
Car and Driver really liked the Malibu Maxx SS or however you spell it.
The Outback wagons ride is somewhat squishy and the steering is pretty vague. How about the 2.5xt Forester? I know the ride is pretty similar, but they are a tad bit bigger than the Outback. I never had a problem with either of my Subaru's and I would buy another one. We have also had a lot of good luck with our Volvo's. Have you looked at the V70? It is a little bigger than the V50, and is front wheel drive, not all wheel like the XC70. If you haven't looked at the V70 I would take a minute to look at them. Bill |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
i watched a subaru legacy wagon dice with some ferrari's on a track day awhile back. they were in an advanced drivers group. same guy brought the car to a PCA AX and went crazy. amazing car.
i would skip the outback and go with the legacy.
__________________
poof! gone |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
I think the suspension on the Legacy is different than the outback isn't it? Plus the Legacy has a detuned STI motor in it doesn't it? that would be a cool car with 300 + hp...
|
||
![]() |
|
(the shotguns)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 21,582
|
V70 is the roomiest, most comfortable wagon i've driven in our very preliminary search for a JGC replacement.
__________________
***************************************** Well i had #6 adjusted perfectly but then just before i tightened it a butterfly in Zimbabwe farted and now i have to start all over again! I believe we all make mistakes but I will not validate your poor choices and/or perversions and subsidize the results your actions. |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Slumlord
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,983
|
I have an older Volvo wagon. Simple and solid. I like it.
My co-worker has the Malibu. He is very happy with it. Good performance, good mileage and very reliable so far (one year).
__________________
84 Cab - sold! 89 Cab - not quite done 90C4 - winter beater |
||
![]() |
|
Grip It & Rip It
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,219
|
This wagon is excellent for cross-country trips.
![]()
__________________
82 911SC (sold) |
||
![]() |
|
Monkey+Football
|
Quote:
Chose the Outback over the Passat, Volvo, and BMW wagon. YMMV tho.
__________________
<Insert witty comment> 85 Targa Wong Chip Fabspeed M&K Bilsteins and a bunch of other stuff. |
||
![]() |
|
Sheeple Herder
|
V 70
....but I am biased with my 300hp R.
__________________
Mark aka- badcar 07' Cayman S-it turns good 02' C4S-traded for a big truck... 91 964 C4 (smile producer) gone... 99' Boxster (Frida)sold-miss it dearly |
||
![]() |
|
Targa, Panamera Turbo
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 22,366
|
Dean,
I just got the 2002, V70 T. I love the car. Can't find a downside. Get one you will not regret it.
__________________
Michael D. Holloway https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Holloway https://5thorderindustry.com/ https://www.amazon.com/s?k=michael+d+holloway&crid=3AWD8RUVY3E2F&sprefix= michael+d+holloway%2Caps%2C136&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
I'm going back and forth between Audi A3 and WRX wagon. About $3500 difference between the two. Audi is much nicer on the inside and feels like a more substantial/solid car. WRX is awd, more "kid friendly" (ie don't care as much if I thrash it) and handles better.
I like the Audi a lot, but I'm taken aback by the depreciation on my VW. Looking at $18K trade in value for a car that had a $27K msrp and sold 9 months ago. Ouch. My guess is the Audi will have the same free-fall... |
||
![]() |
|
Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
|
Quote:
I like the Audi A3, she drove one and liked it. The WRX, like someone said, to me, is too much of a kid car. We will have to sell the Tbird but we are going to wait and get a 08 car, whatever it will be. I like for her to have a new car, if it breaks, it isn't my fault, call the dealer and have them come and get it. Not MY Fault. |
||
![]() |
|
Targa, Panamera Turbo
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 22,366
|
Dean,
The V70 T is not AWD but I do see what yuo mean by size. It has the same wheel base as the sedan though.
__________________
Michael D. Holloway https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Holloway https://5thorderindustry.com/ https://www.amazon.com/s?k=michael+d+holloway&crid=3AWD8RUVY3E2F&sprefix= michael+d+holloway%2Caps%2C136&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 |
||
![]() |
|