Wagon Dying - Need replacement
 

I have been driving my 2004 Audi A4 wagon now for 11 years and been quite happy with it (previous was also an A4 wagon). Now at 178,000, I was hoping to take it on through 200k miles. Alas, it looks like it may be on its last legs. {sigh}.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1340122994.jpg

I want some recommendations on a new wagon. Here are the requirements:
1) Under $50k
2) MUST be a wagon, no suvs or crossovers
3) Prefer manual transmissions although in the US not a lot of options here
4) Prefer AWD, bigger requirement than Manual tranny. We get some snow up here in NJ
5) No Toyota's, Honda's, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia crap
6) Want a luxury vehicle
7) can be used or new but must be reliable.

Some options
Cadillac CTS wagon - This can be had in manual but really hard to find in in my price range

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/..._A.565x377.jpg

Audi Allroad - cannot get in manual anymore :( I have been driving an audi wagon since 1998 so part of me is thinking of getting something different.

http://betterparts.org/images/audi-a...quattro-01.jpg

2015 VW Sportswagon - I like the idea of this one, not sure my car will last until this comes in.

http://images.thecarconnection.com/m...00420747_m.jpg

Mercedes 300TD - I know, probably not the best idea to get a 30 year old car, but I've always loved these. Plus it does violate all my requirements with the exception of price!

http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/...ale_resize.jpg


Other options
Wait for 2015 Cadillac CTS Wagon - again, can I wait that long

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lGQd35yjW...TS-Sedan-5.jpg


Wait for Alfa Romeo to bring Giulia to US - love to but again, timing when will this come in...and if they will produce it

http://alfaromeogiulia.info/wp-conte...s-1280x782.jpg

Oh, one note, wayback must fit a pretty big dog. A little larger than a golden retriever

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1344654738.jpg

That dog is awesome.
No clue on the wagon.



Typos and bad grammar sponsored by iPhone!

So looking at your list, are you saying no Asian automobiles and only considering German and American?

Because I was going to suggest Subaru... or how about Volvo?

Volvo or Hyundai.

Better than the stuff you have listed. Cheaper too..

With that line-up I would go with the MBz. - no question.

Why not a 3 series xdrive wagon? AWd and you can get a stick...

As someone who has the occasional misfortune of working on these cars, I respectfully disagree.

However, if you have large amounts of disposable income, go for it.

Oh and btw, you might want to see how JD Power rates South Korean built cars over German ones.

the W123 has got to be the easiest car to work on of the last 30 years. They are designed with accessibility/serviceability in mind. Cars of today have, for example, timing belt (bla - belts) squirreled away behind layers of CAD space-optimized plastic and metal.

I got two words for you...

Volvo 240DL

:D okay, I'll give you credit for that. But have ever taken a window roller handle off a W123? -snap, slip - off. (no screw-driver needed - no little parts falling off.) Love those cars.

CTS V in 6mt is the most fun choice, there is that AMG super wagon if you are brave enough to own one without a warrantee


Outback with the 3.6 is a pretty nice car. You could lower it to wagon stance with a decent set of aftermarket struts.

My wife is currently very happy with her issue and worry free 2011 M-B E350(W212). They can be had in a wagon with 4matic. No manual trans though.

Older
http://www.benzinsider.com/wp-conten...s-wagon-us.jpg

Newest
http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-1280x782.jpg

Acura TSX wagon?


Typos and bad grammar sponsored by iPhone!

The W123 (and the 190 in the OP's picture) are from a different era, when MBZ was focused on quality instead of profit.

Newer Mercedes? Good if you want to look rich until the lease is up, I suppose.

will sell you a lightly used 328i Touring. 70K miles, well cared for.

Yea...bummer some Japanese models are out the conversation without even trying them. Some are very good indeed.

No-cheese was what I was referencing.

Hard-wearing cars. - yeah they were focused on quality. Electronic Gadget count is the focus of today. :-/

Man I would love one of those...but entry is a lot of cabbage for something that has the pace of a turtle.

the 5 with the turbo is not the old slow 240d

The 1980s MBz 300TD. I owned one in college thru grad school. Drove it from 106,000 to 186,000. I only made 2 repairs: replaced was a transmission linkage bolt for about $10, and the motor mounts. The motor mounts ran me $800. The next weekend my friend borrowed the car and totaled it. You know how long $800 takes to pay off when you are only eating ramen noodles and rice most nights because you had so little money in grad school?

Oh, this one is nice.

Mercedes Benz 300 Series Turbo Diesel | eBay

Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan - sorry just bad taste in my mouth from these cars in the 1980s.

Subaru - hmm, that is an interesting idea. I like the look of the outback. Is the interior up to Audi standards?

MBz - Someone at work recommended the MB CLA wagon, but I have heard a lot of bad things about this car. My parents have an E-Class wagon and never had any problems with it.

You could consider a 94-95 E320 wagon and convert it to a 5 speed. Pristine examples are atill available. My 94 has limited slip and works well in the winter even with summer sport tires on it

:rolleyes:

Check out Volvo XC70s and V60s. The V60 R-Design has 325hp...

Maybe Volvo or even, dare is say, Saab. Our 99 V70 is pushing 300,000km and just keeps going. Maybe even a newer V50 would fit.

Had a 2008 Saab wagon and was good car - not sure where service and parts are these days now that GM has bankrupted them though. But a very loyal ownership group out there that keeps these alive. I think you need to be a bit eccentric and risk taker to own one these days.

The wagon I want...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1406090652.jpg

I work on german cars every day... :D

I hear you. Both our 2012 MB have seen more time on the tow truck and in the shop in the last 2 years than the Volvo has in 15 years.

Are they making that yet? Wow. Good looking ride.

get a 93 245
add a 5 speed from a mustang or turbo supra
and build a turbo motor on the old red block
the b230 red block can live at hi-boost with 250-300hp or more
2k for the car 2k for the trans and adapters clutch ect
and 2 to 5 k to build a killer redblock turbo from a late 940t with oil squirters
16v heads make even more power
up grade the brakes shocks and suspension bits 1-2k

these guys will help and find parts
Turbobricks Forums - Powered by vBulletin

Faced this same question myself ~18 months ago. Went from 2000 Volvo V70XC to 2007 A4 Avant (which I loved) to 2013 Audi Q5. Couldn't be happier.

Q5 is built (I believe) on slightly modified A4 Avant/Allroad platform. New 2.0TFSI is a treat -- 258 lbs. of torque all-in by 1500 rpm (compared to ~200 @ 1800 for your 2004). Coupled to the 8-speed trans, a stiff and relatively light chassis (essentially a taller A4 Avant), and decent suspension the Q5 really is a joy to drive. And I get 26-28 mpg on road trips at 75+ mph, easily 2-4 mpg better than the 2007 Avant. More leg room (F/R), too.

Seriously, do yourself a favor and at least test drive one if you haven't already.

If you want a European wagon, it's a pretty short list.

Volvo V60 - R model has 325 HP and AWD, limited edition Polestar ups it to 345 and looks great.

BMW 328i or d - 4 cylinder turbo, gas or diesel, automatic only, AWD. Not the peak of the BMW lineup.

Audi Allroad - damn shame that Audi isn't showing the USA market much love in wagons anymore. Maybe consider a lightly used A4, A6, S4, or S6 Avant?

Mercedes E350 4Matic - V6, AWD, more on the luxury that performance spectrum. The E63 wagon is awesome but way over your price range, unless you get a several year old one.

Personally I would be shopping the CTS-V wagon. They can easily be found for under $50k with low miles and a stick.

For what it's worth, I would avoid that dealer. Lots of chatter online about them when they were known as "europa online".

Neighbor down the street just moved in last week and is ferrying the kids in this.
The thing sounds ominous creeping down the street.

http://www.romansofstalbans.co.uk/gf...rge/1183_2.jpg

Is this a Mazda? The 6?


Typos and bad grammar sponsored by iPhone!

Yes. The Mazda6 wagon that's currently on sale in Europe, but NOT in the US. :(

57 MPG Diesel Mazda6 Wagon

For a luxury wagon IMO you can't go wrong with the Caddy CTS. If gas mileage is not too important the V Series is awesome, however this is the last year they are producing those.

I have looked at the VW Sortwagon TDi nice but a little lacking in the luxury area. The Subie Outback is nice and a good value.

Bummer the B8 S4 isn't available as an Avant in the US. I would probably sacrifice the wagon need as it checks all the other boxes.
If not, maybe an A4 Avant with a 2.0T. Spend a little on an aftermarket tune.

I don't believe the A4 Avant is being sold here.

http://www.romansofstalbans.co.uk/gf...rge/1183_2.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1406162264.jpg