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Nov. 25, 2010 9:12 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Yep, for your entertainment.

I have ~$20k set aside for a new car. Trish wants a Kia Soul but they don't have the color/options we want. I thought it would be better to wait until spring when their inventory is fuller, also no chance of bashing up a car in the snow if you don't have one.

My Ranger got clipped in a parking lot and I got thinking how pissed I'd be if that happened to something that just rolled out of a showroom. Today is not the day, but between now and spring I'm going to convince the bride that $10 - 14K on a pre-loved something will more than fit the bill.

I like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-VW-PASSAT-GLX-4-MOTION-WAGON-ONLY-62000-MILES-...

Can you tell me the good, the bad and the ugly of Passat or A4 ownership?

Four Wheel Peel is not required. My needs are a wagon with a stick. That's it.

Thanx, Dan
Nov. 25, 2010 9:38 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

I had an '03 2wd Passat Wagon that left here after 92k.

The Good:

VW has the best ergonomics in the business. The seats, wheel - everything had a feel of "rightness" that leaves BMW and Benz in the weeds. We did a few 3k mile trips in that wagon and it was fast, comfortable and economical. It was even attractive in a wagony-goodness sort of way.

The Bad:

In 82k It was at the dealer due to stranding my wife 6 times for:
- coil packs on 3 occasions.
- transmission controller - fuel pump
- magical issue with no resolution that healed itself

I replaced both axles due to clunking CV joints at less than 70k miles and the boots were in-tact. The CEL came on at least a dozen times and each time the dealer replaced something (MAF, etc) and reset it. There was probably no two week span during the entire ownership that it was not on. The radio antenna booster failed. The rear wiper motor failed.

The depreciation curve was by far the reason to never, ever buy a VW off the showroom floor. I bought it for $25k and sold it after 4yrs for $6.8k. OUCH.

Based on my experience I will never own another VW/Audi product despite the car being completely awesome. The powertrain and electronics are terrible and ultimately a really awesome interior is only good if it moves under its own power when you need it to.

She has put 68k on her used '05 BMW 325XiT with only regular maintenance. I bought it for $15k and its still worth over $10k. It is almost as nice inside. It drives like... well... a BMW.
Nov. 25, 2010 10:28 a.m. minimac SuperDork

If you need/want a wagon, I'll suggest three-because they are the ones I'm looking at. For funkiness you've got to with a Volvo. Nothing is cooler than an old 240 wagon,stick, and possibly turboed. For practicality, I'd go with a Saturn and have a good rebuild done, along with some QUALITY seats, before putting it on the road. If you must spend your budget, find a nice 5 series BMW. It doesn't get any better than that. Oh yeah, I've also caught myself looking at the ads for a Mercedes wagon too.
Nov. 25, 2010 10:50 a.m. Big ego SuperDork

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Subaru-Outback-XT-LIMITED-2005-SUBARU-OUTBACK-XT-LI...

Wagon.

Manual trans.

250+ hp turbo 4...
Nov. 25, 2010 10:54 a.m. RoosterSauce Reader

Can't argue with a Passat, but how about an Outback 2.5XT

In reply to Big ego: haha, mines cheaper!
Nov. 25, 2010 10:57 a.m. Big ego SuperDork

RoosterSauce wrote:

Can't argue with a Passat, but how about an Outback 2.5XT

In reply to Big ego: haha, mines cheaper!

beat you by 4 minutes.. HA! The one you posted is a good deal with the low mileage, cept no leather.
Nov. 25, 2010 11:08 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

I have no justifiable reason, but I'm not partial to Subies.

Dan
Nov. 25, 2010 11:11 a.m. skeze New Reader

Mitsubishi Lancer Raliart wagon

http://toyamacars.ru/cat/jp/0/lg/10402003_200512r.jpg http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/gallery/files/3/1/3/dsc01652r.jpg http://image.motortrend.com/f/8282186+w750/112_0502_Ordinary_12z+2005_Mitsubishi_L... http://www.vpnad.com/mocksford/photos/4009/3.jpg

my wife has a '04 outlander with an auto

we have made 6 mind you 6 3.5k trips to mexico and back the car has right at 100k on the clock with nothing more than 1 battery and 3 sets of tires...

same car different body...i like the wagon more than the minisuv awesome cars for the money
Nov. 25, 2010 12:02 p.m. Big ego SuperDork

914Driver wrote:

I have no justifiable reason, but I'm not partial to Subies.

Dan

Eliminating subarus eliminates most of the true wagons out there.

Maybe a Used Honda Element or scion xb?
Nov. 25, 2010 1:44 p.m. 92dxman HalfDork

How about a Suzuki Sx4? You probably could find a good Focus wagon with a stick in that price ranger. Only bad part about the Focus wagon is all the SVT goodies don't fit on it..