Best wagon under 10k?

That is sexy

This is obviously not a wagon but it was way big. Also, MPGs suck but I can justify that with an initial purchase price of under 3k.

singleslammer wrote: I imagine that the Jetta or Passat wagon MIGHT work but the Golf will be too small. I think the 9-3 might be too small but I will have to check it out. I do like the fact that it uses a GM engine and should be easy to support.

There is no difference between a Jetta Wagon and a Golf Wagon. The 2009's were called Jetta's and the 2010-present were called Golf's. Same car.

In reply to NGTD:

This leads me to believe that there is no Golf wagon and the only wagon on offer is the Jetta...

http://www.vw.com/en/models/jettasportwagen/gallery.html

Nissan Stagea RS Four if you live in canada, it's like a better V70R. There is an even hotter version that I mentioned in another thread but they go for more than $10k and are literally a wagon version of a gtr. However the RB25DET + Atessa AWD is still a great combo. The AWD system is near identical to whats on a R33/R34 GTR.

singleslammer wrote: In reply to NGTD: This leads me to believe that there is no Golf wagon and the only wagon on offer is the Jetta... http://www.vw.com/en/models/jettasportwagen/gallery.html

Sorry - I am in Canada. VW Canada uses the Golf nameplate on the wagon. I didn't realize that VW US still sold the wagon as a Jetta.

singleslammer wrote: This is obviously not a wagon but it was way big. Also, MPGs suck but I can justify that with an initial purchase price of under 3k.

As long as it's not held together with zip ties, looks like that would be a great family hauler.

Yep, I am in middle of the US. If I were in Canada, I would totally be trolling for some JDM booty.

In reply to MadScientistMatt:

I would most likely find a stocker in decent shape and start from there. I have a w58 sitting downstairs to make it a little more fun to drive. I have always wanted to play with a Toyota UZ and making a 350hp family dive bomber sounds like great fun.

Ah, thought you wanted THAT specific Lexus. It looked like someone's drift car project, which would have scared me away.

In reply to NGTD:

Ah, I wondered where all this "Golf Wagon" nonsense was coming from! For most of the last 30 years the Golf/Rabbit and Jetta were basically the same car, the Golf is a 3 or 5 door hatch and the Jetta is a sedan or wagon (longer than the Golf 5 door). In the most recent generation the Jetta sedan has been built on a different platform, more directly targeted at the US market, while the Jetta wagon is still built on the same platform as the 3 and 5 door Golfs. (This might be where the Canadian naming comes in? The VW compact wagon is actually based on the Golf, not the Jetta, so call it the Golf wagon instead? I'm sure this will lead to confusion down the road when semi-literate VatoZone employees order sedan parts for your Jetta wagon)

Anyway, the latest generation of Golfs and Jettas seem to be a reliability improvement. I am one of the biggest late '90's through mid '00's haters out there, but I am hearing a lot of positive things about the reliability of the most recent Golfs, Jettas,and Passats. I still think you will want to do specific research on the year and drivetrain of any VAG before making a decision.

That said, all these newer, theoretically better new VW's are going to be a bit out of your price range.

The 9-3 2.0T is very reliable, better than the average car according to JD Power. There are not many issues reported on the ecotech. The tranny is good too after the 2003 model year. The SC only came about in 2006 which was when the reliability was well sorted out. The V6 Saabs are OK but have a few more reliability issues and use a lot more fuel. Surprisingly they cost about the same as a non-aeros despite the motor and creature comforts. The 9-3SC is bigger than a WRX, A4, Jetta or 325iT. Smaller than 9-5, 525it, Outback, Passat, V70 DO NOT buy an XWD Saab. They suck bad, I know because I have one. I tested a few Saab 9-5s. They are not much bigger only 5% with a couple of inches of rear leg room. They are very dated in the interior and the chassis is not nearly as good. They would still make a good wagon choice. I would pick a 9-3 2.0T > 9-5 Aero > 9-5 2.3T > 9-3 Aero > everything else > Saab 9-3 XWD.

ShadowSix wrote: In reply to NGTD: Ah, I wondered where all this "Golf Wagon" nonsense was coming from! For most of the last 30 years the Golf/Rabbit and Jetta were basically the same car, the Golf is a 3 or 5 door hatch and the Jetta is a sedan or wagon (longer than the Golf 5 door). In the most recent generation the Jetta sedan has been built on a different platform, more directly targeted at the US market, while the Jetta wagon is still built on the same platform as the 3 and 5 door Golfs. (This might be where the Canadian naming comes in? The VW compact wagon is actually based on the Golf, not the Jetta, so call it the Golf wagon instead? I'm sure this will lead to confusion down the road when semi-literate VatoZone employees order sedan parts for your Jetta wagon) Anyway, the latest generation of Golfs and Jettas seem to be a reliability improvement. I am one of the biggest late '90's through mid '00's haters out there, but I am hearing a lot of positive things about the reliability of the most recent Golfs, Jettas,and Passats. I still think you will want to do specific research on the year and drivetrain of any VAG before making a decision. That said, all these newer, theoretically better new VW's are going to be a bit out of your price range.

We had a 2010 Golf Wagon and I would say that the reliability does seem to have improved. We moved on because of space needs (to a 2012 Ford Explorer).

I am guessing you are right on the Jetta vs. Golf in the Canadian market because we get the same Jetta sedan as you do and I know it and the new Passat share their infrastructure. It is a completely different platform than the Golf.

In reply to NGTD:

I LOOOVE the newest wagon. A TDI will replace my Fit once I graduate and get an actual paying job.

I'll suggest what I drive:

I've never been in a 5 series BMW so I'm not sure about interior room, but I will say this thing is as quick as I need a daily driver to be with the 5spd and turbo, AWD for our winters, and averages me about 24mpg in mixed driving(45 minute commute all backroads speeds from 30-50 mph) when I'm not driving like a fool.

Good luck to you,

-Sean

In reply to codrus:

4.2? We've talked about those before... Good lord no.

singleslammer wrote: In reply to NGTD: This leads me to believe that there is no Golf wagon and the only wagon on offer is the Jetta... http://www.vw.com/en/models/jettasportwagen/gallery.html

The Golf Estate (Wagon) was/is the same as a Jetta wagon but with a Golf front clip. It was never sold here. Might have been sold in Canada.

Example: http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/

Note in the UK they sell the Jetta sedan, but not the Jetta wagon.

I wonder if/when we'll get this: http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/new/xl1

This one is best.

Mine is an '01 manual, sport/lowered suspension and cold weather packages, the small (non-leaky) sunroof, 3-knob cable HVAC controls. Previous owner did the M5 front and M-technic touring rear bumpers.

It gets 32 mpg on long highway trips, and is plenty fast enough for anyone who also owns a race car. I think it's the perfect regular car to leave stock. (confession - when it needed a clutch I wanted to get rid of the dual-mass flywheel/self adjusting pressure plate/clutch delay valve so I went aftermarket w/ a Clutchmasters setup. Once I install an 850i clutch slave to lower pedal effort back to stock levels it'll work better than original)

But good luck finding one. The only manual e39 iTs were '99-'00 528iT and '01-'03 525iT.

I know that '01 there were about 190 manual 525iTs imported to the US.

In reply to motomoron:

I might have gone for one of those over the V70R if I had found one for substantially less money or in exceptional condition. How much can it tow?

In reply to motomoron:

I'd consider one of those if my E30 hadn't made me deathly afraid of BMW's right now... maybe in a few years after the E30 s long gone and the nightmare memories have faded...

FOOLS! The real answer is: find the cleanest B-body you can find.

In reply to Appleseed:

While I like that answer, my wife finds them ugly. That makes it a no go.

Best wagon under $10,000? Easy my current daily. 1996 Mitsubishi Legnum Vr4. 280hp awd 0-60 in 5.9 . Mine is the 5speed and has active yaw control out of the Evo6. I paid 7,000 with 75,000kms for a like new car.

Cons:

Terrible mileage

You can't get them

In reply to Catatafish:

Thanks for dangling that in my face.

motomoron wrote: This one is best. Mine is an '01 manual, sport/lowered suspension and cold weather packages, the small (non-leaky) sunroof, 3-knob cable HVAC controls. Previous owner did the M5 front and M-technic touring rear bumpers. It gets 32 mpg on long highway trips, and is plenty fast enough for anyone who also owns a race car. I think it's the perfect regular car to leave stock. (confession - when it needed a clutch I wanted to get rid of the dual-mass flywheel/self adjusting pressure plate/clutch delay valve so I went aftermarket w/ a Clutchmasters setup. Once I install an 850i clutch slave to lower pedal effort back to stock levels it'll work better than original) But good luck finding one. The only manual e39 iTs were '99-'00 528iT and '01-'03 525iT. I know that '01 there were about 190 manual 525iTs imported to the US.

Allegedly with the euro tow hitch, those can drag 4k lbs.