New Station Wagon

[Laneco]

May I offer another consideration? Try a Mazda6 Sport Wagon. Mine has about 50K on it - no problems. All interior, trim bits, body etc., have held up very well. Strong engine and pretty fun to drive (220 hp V6). The transmission is a 5 speed auto with a manual shift mode. Personally, the auto is pretty sluggish to downshift on its own, so for spirited driving the manual mode is much better. Decent brakes and steering. A little heavy feeling around corners but not bad. Ofcourse, its a little hard to go from the spyder to the wagon...the wagon definately feels kinda wimpy after the spyder.

Good warranty and dealer network. The sportwagon has the larger wheels and nicer trim/bodywork. Worth a look.

angela

[BeyGon]

Originally posted by Laneco
May I offer another consideration? Try a Mazda6 Sport Wagon. Mine has about 50K on it - no problems. All interior, trim bits, body etc., have held up very well. Strong engine and pretty fun to drive (220 hp V6). The transmission is a 5 speed auto with a manual shift mode. Personally, the auto is pretty sluggish to downshift on its own, so for spirited driving the manual mode is much better. Decent brakes and steering. A little heavy feeling around corners but not bad. Ofcourse, its a little hard to go from the spyder to the wagon...the wagon definately feels kinda wimpy after the spyder.

Good warranty and dealer network. The sportwagon has the larger wheels and nicer trim/bodywork. Worth a look.

angela

I think the turning radius of a Mazda is about like a Ford truck. Maybe the Mazda 3 but then we might as well get the Audi A3
This is a challenge.

[nostatic]

I drove the MS3 this weekend and did not like it. Gobs of power but I found the torque steer and handling to a bit off. Might depend what I'm used to though.

A3s aned WRXs can be had for below invoice right now.

[aigel]

I would skip the Passat. German engineering but made any place but Germany. I had a 93 Passat which was a nightmare. I know, it's 14 years later but that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Subarus are great but they are AWD and it's on all the time. Their fuel milage stinks.

I would buy a used 3 series BMW and be done or if you don't like used, keep that Thunderturd for another couple years and save for the BMW.

George

[the]

Originally posted by nostatic

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...

c'mon boy, then you know what to do!

[Billbo]

I just picked up an '08 Outback. Only 200 miles so far but I really like it, my second Subaru. If the mileage is what the computer readout says it is I will be very happy.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by the
c'mon boy, then you know what to do!

Get the Subie? Or another 911? That's what one of my friends keeps arguing I should do...

Odd, because Yahoo Autos actually gives a lower cost of ownership over 5 years for the Audi or the VW vs. the Subie. I think they're getting high insurance quotes...

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by aigel
I would skip the Passat. German engineering but made any place but Germany. I had a 93 Passat which was a nightmare. I know, it's 14 years later but that left a bad taste in my mouth.

+1

My 96 Jetta is a shocking piece of junk. It is easily the worst car I have ever owned. Seriously, I've had 12 year old Renaults with bad headgaskets that were more reliable. A friend of mine is trying to dump his '04 passat, even though he's going to take an 8k hit. He just can't afford to have a car that is so unreliable he can't pick up the kids with it.

[nostatic]

Holy crap...the Subie is about $800 more per year to insure than the Audi (Geico). Thanks, teenagers!

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by 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...

I can't believe you're considering a new car again. You're gonna burn through your "home down payment" fund really fast that way.

BeyGon - Avoid the big depreciation hit and get a one year old used car with existing manufacturer's warranty. Some makes/models get better resale but the used market is slow slow.

[nostatic]

at this point I'm thinking of just selling the VW and going back to the 911 as a daily driver

THe problem with 1 year old cars is if you buy them from a dealer they often are almost the same price as a new one. I think you need to get 2-3 years old before they pass on the depreciation savings.

[JavaBrewer]

With respect Todd, that doesn't appear to be the case with your VW...

Dealers are great for test driving cars you're interested in - one lot with lots of alternatives. Once you decide on the make/model then search for a private party sale. If you *have* to buy from the stealership then offer way low, what you would expect to pay from a PP, and get ready to do the "whole walk away" thing. All used car sales start with a "asking" price...

[berettafan]

Toyota, Volvo and many others have fantastic certified used warranties. Often BETTER than new!

if you want a quality car that will hold its value go buy a honda. beyond that, and i really believe this, you are giving up one or both of those things.

i'd double check depreciation #'s on Subies as well. the wrx kiddie cars seem to hold okay but a quick search for legacy wagons reveals some amazingly low prices on the used market.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
With respect Todd, that doesn't appear to be the case with your VW...

Dealers are great for test driving cars you're interested in - one lot with lots of alternatives. Once you decide on the make/model then search for a private party sale. If you *have* to buy from the stealership then offer way low, what you would expect to pay from a PP, and get ready to do the "whole walk away" thing. All used car sales start with a "asking" price...

Agreed. It's all a big game, just depends on if you have the time and stomach to play it.