OT: Need advice, "Family Car"

[911boost]

Hey all,

Well my wife is due with our first child in February, so its time to replace her daily driver with something new that is roomier than her Accord.

My question is this, I have been looking at various Audi's, BMW's and the VW Passat. Any of you drive these and have any recommendations? I like the 5 series wagon, as that would provide more room (she and I don't want a mini van yet) and am just curious what some fo you drive as a "family car"

Thanks in advance, and I have no plans to sell the cab, so she is being very understanding, thats why I want to get her something nice!

Bill

[930Chas]

Have you looked at the Volvo V70 or the Cross Country? Volvo makes some real nice wagons. The Cross Country is kind of gaudy with the ridiculous tack on body cladding, but it does give you a little better road view then the standard wagon. Also, the V70 t-5 is a sweet machine. My wife and I looked at wagons recently, and I wanted the 5series and she wanted the V70. We instead got an eddie bauer expedition because it was a business write off, now neither of us is happy. At least it is "free."

[DavidPorter]

We bought a new Jetta 1.8T earlier this year and like it a lot. The Passat is around 10" longer, more rear seat legroom and a bigger trunk. Our girls are 10 and 16 and fit fine in the back, but I wouldn't want to put an adult or even a teenage boy back there on a long trip.

The Jetta has 180 hp with traction control, drives very well and offers a lot for the money. We liked the BMW wagons too, but the price penalty is significant. I'm now lusting after a WRX wagon.

[nostatic]

I have driven a 4-runner for the last 6+ years. 4 cylinder engine, 5-speed, ac, no other options. It has been pretty much flawless, and has over 120K miles on it now. My son grew up in the car, and it now sees duty hauling stuff from the nursery, boogie boards from the beach, etc.

I'm a big fan of station wagons/hatchbacks. Depending on your budget, there are a lot of choices. If you want some fun with your hatch, the WRX wagon is pretty useful and inexpensive. Going up in price and luxury are Passat, A4, and 3 series wagons. Nice, but it depends on how you live. My son and I spent lots of miles in the 4-runner, and it rapidly got "not too nice". Didn't bug me, as it eventually cleaned up OK, but I didn't care so much that the cloth upholstery was stained, etc. I'm not sure how well leather would deal with the abuse.

[collegeguy]

My wife and I purchased a 2002 Audi A4 last April. We picked a silver 5-speed, 1.8T quattro with sport package, and couldn't be happier. The B6 (newest generation) offers much more legroom for backseat passengers than the B5; we have no problem with two carseats (3-year old and 4-month old sons). The trunk is amazingly large--almost as big as my (recently sold) 5-series saloon. The interior is top of its class. Great look, and even greater ergonomics. The power to weight is a little low, but nothing an APR chip won't fix (try 218HP and 270 lb-ft of torque). The 6-speed 3.0 litre is noce too, but we couldn't justify the price difference. Hope that helps. Just say NO to minivans. Alec.

[911boost]

Thanks for the advice so far guys! Nostatic I hear you on the 4 runner, I looked at them when I thought I was going to get a car allowance form my compnay, but instead got a new Chevrolet Blazer given to me, so we already have the SUV thing (which I hate drving, but its free, so you won't hear me complaining!).

So Alec, the 1.8T is quick enough for you, I have looked at them and like the way they look. The 5 series wagon I am looking at is 2000 and it has real low mileage, I was just worried about the room in the A4, but I might have to reconsider after what you said.

I have thought of looking at the Volvos, I agree the cross country has too much plasticy pontiac looking stuff on them.

Thanks,

Bill

Please keep the comments coming!

[Planter91C2]

Siple, having just had a baby i can tell you not to worry. babies are small and do not take up that much room.

your question has a major flaw. you are considering cars like passat because you believe your accord is to small. isn't an accord larger than a passat????

the baby will fit fine in the accord.

[steve911]

no knock on the a4, but the cargo area is fairly small.

I'd say look seriously at the V70 - the T5 is plenty quick. Also, I haven't done any scientific surveys, but I think it has one of the largest cargo areas out there.

I've got a 1996 850 GLT wagon now and will likely go with either the v70 when it comes time to replace. Our 850 pretty easily held 3 sets of golf clubs, 4 overnight bags and 4 bicycles on the roof on our just completed jaunt to central oregon.

[911boost]

Planter,

The Passat is I believe built on the same platform as the Audi A6 which is a little bit larger and has some more room than the accord. Our Accord is a 1995 model and is nearing the 100K mile mark and my wife drives about 60 miles a day, so I am also getting worried on some reliability issuses. Not to mention the Honda is the 4 cylinder which was fine when all she did was drive in the city, but now she wants some more power...

I agree that babies are small, its just the stroller she wants isn't, and I think it is easeier to allow her to get somethign that will accomodate the stroller..smile.

Thanks for you input though!

[Planter91C2]

i got my wife and baby a lexus es300, so far it is working out well. stroller fits in trunk with room to spare.



p.s. it's one of those big strollers with the car seat that snaps into the stroller and a base that stays in the car. it's pretty big. i believe it was called "baby travel system" or something like that.

[jmohn]

I notice you live in Colorado, we live in Minnesota, so winter traction may interest you as it did us. We just got my wife a Volvo S60 AWD. We tried the A4 and 325Xi (couldn't get her to drive the Jag. X-Type, she claims it looks like a Lumina) The A4 was fine, the BMW AWD system is a joke. Then we tried the Volvo, she loved the S60 and, for a small lux. sedan, it really is a great driving car, very comfortable, good power. Obviously, we haven't had it in snow yet (it uses an AWD system by Haldex, same people that designed AWD for the Audi TT Quattro) but I see no reason it won't perform admirably. She's more than satisfied (as you know, that means I'm happy too).

Good luck,

Jerry M
'78 SC

[Vipergrün]

Ok, baby = stroller, carseat, diaper bags, playpen, etc.....

Are you SURE you want your wife lifting these things out of a trunk or a tight back seat? Can be difficult and time comsuming, especially when stressed with a crying baby. As much as we tend to dislike the SUV/minivan thing, they really are the most practical solution. My wife and I ended up with a Honda Odyssey and have really learned to like it. Very functional, plus 240HP to boot! Not for everyone, but the electric sliding doors, fold-flat 3rd row seat, etc, make it really nice.

cheers
-Brad
80SC with carseat

[Planter91C2]

how about a Pontiac Aztec?

[osidak]

We are expecting our first kid in March. To that end my wife wanted a new car. We looked at many different cars and suv's (god I hate suv's) and settled on the Subaru Outback Wagon. Drives like a car but gives a slightly higher view point which my wife loves. It is awd and has tons of room in it. First tank she got just under 26 mpg in mostly city cycle driving.

The Passat (B5.5) is currently built on the Audi A4 chassis. They say the Passat B6 will be built on an Audi A6 chassis but I think that is two years out still.

Oh the Subaru engine really reminds me of a 911 engine when I look at it so that was a big plus for me. And as far as safety goes the Subaru rates higher according to the National Insurance what ever than the Volvo V40 and V70

[930Chas]

My wife just had a baby 5 weeks ago,and we can fit him (all 10lbs of him), the stroller (sounds like the type planter has), the car seat, the playpen, the diaper bag, the playard, the bouncy seat, the dog, me, the wife, and still have room left over for a couple other families in that big ole expedition. Plus, as an added bonus, you get about 8mpg and you slide all over those fancy leather seats.

[eion]

I'm not sure on their availability over here, but if I was looking for a family car, an Audi RS/2 (second-hand) would be first on my list, closely followed by the Audi RS/4 (more expensive). The RS/2 is lovely - half Porsche, half Audi, looks like a normal estate... and the RS/4 will embarass my 911.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Planter91C2
how about a Pontiac Aztec?

I saw one yesterday in Pontaic's version of "speed yellow". that was probably the most hideous vehicle I've ever seen. It make 70's AMC cars look like p-cars...

[Charley Dog]

Fortunately, there are so many good cars available these days that you probably can't go too far wrong. Depending on what you want to spend and what your wife values, you might also consider the following:

- Suburu Legacy Outback. The LL Bean edition with the big motor is a nicer car than you'd think.

- Various recent new/used Volvo wagons. I know of several people with the previous generation V70 and V90/960 who are happy with them. I've only driven the V90, but I was quite surprised at how peppy it is. They aren't performance cars and can't be had with a 5 speed, but your wife might not care.

- Infiniti I35/G35. The G35 is the new one that tested obscenely well in the R&T sedan shootout a couple of months ago. The I35 is the Maxima based car that is still available new and in heaps coming off-lease. I'm sure that dealers are blowing them off the lots with steep discounts. In general, the resale on these cars is poor, so buying a used one is a good bet. Hell, you could even buy your wife a slightly used Q45 for under $30K.

- Saab 9-3. The Saab is a nice enough car and is available at huge discounts as well. Depreciation on these cars is also pretty dismal and longevity is so-so, so I think I'd opt to lease one of these at a heavy subsidy for 3 years and then explore other options. If you think that you might have more children or your economic status would change enough to move up the automotive food chain in a few years, this isn't a bad deal.


Anyway, just some thoughts on other things to consider. Hope it helps...

[collegeguy]

For a sedan, the cargo space in the A4 ain't half bad. Cargo space in the Volvo S60 is 13.9 cu.ft, it's 13.1 in the Volvo C70, and 13.4 in the A4.

To each his own, it all boils down to personal taste. Had the Avant (Audi-speak for wagon) been available in April, we would have brought one home due to its queen-size cargo space. We purchased the A4 because of it's awesome exterior and interior styling, 4-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, 4-year free servicing, renowned quattro all-wheel drive system, tunability and reliability of the 1.8T powerplant, and price (more bang for the buck than the bimmer). A lowered wagon with nice wheels sure looks nice...

[911nut]

Buy a Ford Taurus wagon. Low acqusition cost (leaves you more $$ for 911 upgrades; ask me how I know ), excellent reliability and low maintenance costs.