Jetta Wagon...Am I Crazy?

I found a Jetta Wagon for on the cheap and no it isn't a tdi:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=19446&transmissionCode=MAN&maxPrice=10000&transmissionCodes=MAN&showcaseListingId=429810651&mmt=%5BVOLKS%5BJET%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&vehicleStyleCodes=WAGON&modelCode1=JET&startYear=1981&makeCode1=VOLKS&showcaseOwnerId=1153749&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=100&listingId=414847988&Log=0

Carfax looks alright and it's only one state over. Look alright or walk?

I would walk you will see tdi wagons pop up for the same money

Had a 2010 Golf Wagon (here they are Golf's, not Jetta's). There is a saying about the 2.5L lump - All the Power of a 4 with the economy of a 6.

If you live in an area that get's cold weather beware of that generation. When it's cold you will get ice forming in the pocket behind the bottom edge of the front door. When you open the door, the leading edge of the door will hit the ice and bend right over. Ours had that happen and VW repaired it under warranty but there was nothing done to prevent it. My Mk4 Golf has a foam insert in that area to prevent it.

I can't find a stick shift TDI Wagon in the price range in a decent distance range. Mrs. DX had a Jetta with the 2.5 lump and I actually liked the motor so i'd like to see if I can find one.

Have you shopped the Passat wagons? I have a 2007 and it's a lot more "car" than the Jetta.

The back is genuinely big enough to sleep in. Comes with a choice of 2.0 turbo or 3.6 VR6.

I looked for a Passat Wagon and couldn't find within a reasonable driving range. Found one in Ohio but that would be a little tough to get out there.

I also found a Hyundai Elantra Touring Wagon:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/662341389/overview/

I hate the 2.5L motor. I've driven it in a few rentals and won't again. The TSI engine is quite nice on the other hand. So nice, I'd have a hard time going for anything but.

92dxman wrote: I looked for a Passat Wagon and couldn't find within a reasonable driving range. Found one in Ohio but that would be a little tough to get out there. I also found a Hyundai Elantra Touring Wagon: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/662341389/overview/

The Touring will cost you 1/5 the cost in maintenance items compared to the VW. Seriously easy to work on and that drivetrain, though older, is durable. 300k miles is not out of hte question. Rust will be your #1 killer on that car.

This is a lot more car for the money IMO: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/659003076/overview/

I'm looking for something that is like a wagon than more of a hatchback. I know the Tourings were discontinued a couple years ago and they aren't very popular so they seem to be pretty cheap.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: I hate the 2.5L motor. I've driven it in a few rentals and won't again. The TSI engine is quite nice on the other hand. So nice, I'd have a hard time going for anything but.

Well, except for the timing chain tensioner issues, breaking camshafts and carbon buildup...

92dxman wrote: I'm looking for something that is like a wagon than more of a hatchback. I know the Tourings were discontinued a couple years ago and they aren't very popular so they seem to be pretty cheap.

gOTCHA.. Then if you can go with the SE. here's one in PA: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/668270460/overview/

The SE had a better suspension, better shifter and better steering rack.

I saw that one and its not too far away but the sunroof is a deal killer

I love our TDI DSG Sportwagen. However I had a '13 2.5l Jetta sedan rental for 31 days while our previous car was in the body shop. I hated that car. It was wheezy and gutless, and got crappy to mediocre MPGs. That's coming from someone with years and years of N/A 2.4l Volvo 850 driving experience.

92dxman wrote: I saw that one and its not too far away but the sunroof is a deal killer

why? Just curious. IF its headroom you're worried about, that is not something you'll have an issue with in that car.

Also, what about the Rondo?

I had a car with a sunroof before and didn't use it all that much and always worried about it leaking. I like The idea of a Rondo on paper but I like driving a stick shift and they aren't available with one.

HHR is available in stick and from a wagon perspective is better than anything listed in this thread so far. I had a 5spd LS trim. LOVED the car, still miss it.

Damn maybe i didnt spend enough time in the 2.5 jetta wagon but it felt nice and torquey to me. Then again i come from almost 8 years of driving 1.6 miatas... But that 2.5 has more rip than the girlfriends k24 accord thats for sure

Stick shift wagon in Pennsylvania:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5609937170.html

And is the Rondo the ugliest car ever built? Certainly competes with the Pontiac Aztek

I don't think Audis are for me. Not a fan of turbos either. I live in Lansdale though so I know most of the spots in the pictures.

HHR in PA: http://pennautogroup.com/2009-Chevrolet-HHR/Used-Wagon/Allentown-PA/7640782/Details.aspx#.V1GTElQrIdU

Forester: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=19446&transmissionCode=MAN&maxPrice=10000&transmissionCodes=MAN&showcaseListingId=429642726&mmt=%5BSUB%5BFOREST%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=FOREST&sortBy=yearDESC&startYear=1981&makeCode1=SUB&showcaseOwnerId=69532&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=200&listingId=429730100&Log=0

Mazda Tribute w/stick shift: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=19446&transmissionCode=MAN&maxPrice=10000&transmissionCodes=MAN&mmt=%5BMAZDA%5BTRIBUTE%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=TRIBUTE&sortBy=yearDESC&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&showcaseOwnerId=75280&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=200&listingId=429321150&Log=0

Back from the dead:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=19446&transmissionCode=MAN&maxPrice=11000&transmissionCodes=MAN&showcaseListingId=433429432&mmt=%5BVOLKS%5BJET%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&vehicleStyleCodes=WAGON&modelCode1=JET&startYear=2010&makeCode1=VOLKS&showcaseOwnerId=1153749&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=200&listingId=429617569&Log=0