New Station Wagon

[BeyGon]

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.

[HardDrive]

Those Outbacks have huge buyer loyalty. My sister had one, and drove it 130,000+ miles.

[Icemaster]

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.

[MattKellett]

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.

[lyon]

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.

[chris57]

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.

[BeyGon]

Originally posted by lyon
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.

I was looking at the small Volvo, the 50 series wagon, and here in SoCal I don't have a lot of need for all wheel drive but my wife likes the looks of the OutBack, she hasn't driven one yet though. I liked the Passatt and the MalibuMaxx SS but she wants an 08 and Chevy isn't going to make them anymore. The key is it will be her car so if it fits me well isn't that big a deal. Her Tbird is smaller inside than my 911, my head rubs the top when it is up, and it is harder to get in and out than the 911. It's good points are 280 hp and you can easily put two sets of golf clubs in the trunk.

[Z-man]

You can't go wrong with a Subaru.

My $0.42,
-Z

[911boost]

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

[vash]

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.

[911boost]

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...

[berettafan]

V70 is the roomiest, most comfortable wagon i've driven in our very preliminary search for a JGC replacement.

[Porsche_monkey]

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).

[edgemar]

This wagon is excellent for cross-country trips.

[Icemaster]

Originally posted by BSiple
How about the 2.5xt Forester? I know the ride is pretty similar, but they are a tad bit bigger than the Outback.

Actually, the Forrester is smaller than the OBW. Outback rides like a larger car, heavier feel due to longer wheelbase. I don't think I'd qualify it as "squishy". There's a flat spot in the steering in that theres less feel under certain conditions, but overall it's a lot nicer than the smaller SUV's I've drive regularly as rentals.

Chose the Outback over the Passat, Volvo, and BMW wagon. YMMV tho.

[badcar]

V 70

....but I am biased with my 300hp R.

[M.D. Holloway]

Dean,
I just got the 2002, V70 T. I love the car. Can't find a downside. Get one you will not regret it.

[nostatic]

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...

[BeyGon]

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
Dean,
I just got the 2002, V70 T. I love the car. Can't find a downside. Get one you will not regret it.

It is too big, the 50 is more the size for my wife. We don't have kids. I am trying to get something no longer or wider than the Tbird. She likes the smaller car and it gives me more room in the garage for the 911. Plus, I don't see a need for AWD here in SoCal.
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.

[M.D. Holloway]

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.