The day you’ve been dreading has finally come. You’ve finally accepted that, no, a GR86 isn’t an ideal car for a family, even if it does–technically–have back seats.
Time to go SUV shopping? Not quite.
You know what else has room for four plus groceries, luggage, chi…
It's a shame that there aren't more wagons on the road these days. Nice article, but I'd like to see what everyone's favorite choices would be in a $5k to $10k range. I always had a soft spot for the Accord wagons:
For $5-10k I would get a late 00s Mercedes e500 or a Volvo cross country.
I'm on year 11 with my Outback............wagons work really well.
You forgot the GRM favorite wagon it seems, The VW Golf Sportwagen/Alltrack.
Got to love a cheaper car you can make into stealth 11/12 second car for really not a ton overall.
Yeah, this could have easily become a book–but everyone’s free to drop in their fave. (Mine would have to be our old ’75 Catalina Safari.)
The Acura TSX Wagon is pretty high on the honorable mention list.
I always thought a supercharger (like a few TSX Wagons I've seen on IG) would add a decent amount of fun.
I'd even argue the wagon looks better than the sedan.
My parents had a TDI Jetta Sportwagen and that thing was pretty awesome. CTS-V wagon is top of the list in my books though.
Puts flame suit on:
I owned one of these once upon a time, in almost this exact spec. I miss it dearly, if I could find one in decent shape i'd snap in up in a heartbeat. They are nicer than they look. And will easily swallow an SR20DE drivetrain and the engine hoist I used to pull it.
mainlandboy said:Nice article, but I'd like to see what everyone's favorite choices would be in a $5k to $10k range.
You rang?
I will always have a soft spot for these dumb things
I think the sexiest wagon ever was an 850 T5R
Followed closely by the Clamshells of the 70s.
In third place.... Town and Country
A list of the best wagons with no Audi Avant on there?
The "60K and up" really should be the RS6, not the Taycan, IMHO. A 625 hp AWD car that's only available as a wagon.
06HHR (Forum Supporter) said:Puts flame suit on:
I owned one of these once upon a time, in almost this exact spec. I miss it dearly, if I could find one in decent shape i'd snap in up in a heartbeat. They are nicer than they look. And will easily swallow an SR20DE drivetrain and the engine hoist I used to pull it.
It's disgusting that a wagon thread went 10 replies without Volvo 240 being mentioned.
The SS version of the HHR has a few parts that are NLA, knocks them out of contention in my book
My wife's manual, diesel VW JSW is a pretty great car in literally every way... except the CP4 pump that scares me more than her.
My friend has(may be for sale with some tree damage!) 5.0/T56 swapped Volvo 960. That is a fantastic size and very fun wagon.
Also, GM B body wagons are perfect in every way.
I love wagons, particularly fast ones and I've owned plenty in the past. However, for me, SUV's have several advantages...
#1 I can drive over the berm of snow at the end of my driveway without ripping off my rear bumper cover
#2 Tow hitch for towing trailers, bike tray and motorcycle tray
#4 They weigh enough that I can take advantage of tax codes with my business, allowing me to buy a nicer, newer SUV vs a wagon.
In 2000 we decided it was time to start our family. Being proactive, we ordered a 2001 Jetta wagon. 1.8T, 6 speed, sport suspension, etc. At the time, a pretty cool little car. We enjoyed the heck out of it for a little while and then realized that a rear facing car seat wouldn't fit with the seats in a useable position. It was passable in the middle of the rear seat but as soon as the 2nd kidlet came along the Jetta became obsolete. We probably should have checked that out in advance. 😂
calteg said:It's disgusting that a wagon thread went 10 replies without Volvo 240 being mentioned.
I have an '81 245 if that helps.
TravisTheHuman said:I will always have a soft spot for these dumb things
Oh, hey there.
I have owned but two wagons. Loved the TurboBrick 945T, even though it was auto. Hated the Outback, manual shift couldn't keep it from being terrible.
In reply to gumby :
The OG as seen in front of my old brick and mortar on GRM:
My favorite unicorn was the Cressida Wagon with a 5 speed.
I once new someone that had one with the engine upgraded to the same spec as the NA Supra (30hp increase) with after market sway bars and Koni shocks.
In reply to Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself :
I approve of this
SATURN WAGON SUPREMACY™
1988RedT2 said:Hated the Outback, manual shift couldn't keep it from being terrible.
What generation?
My mom was a long time subaru wagon owner, a GL or two, 3 Legacys and 3 Foresters. The final Forester('04, SOHC, 5spd) was loaned to me for 50k and I quite liked it. It was quite practical, reliable, drove well and was generally a nice place to spend time. Only complaint was that even hypermiling I only hit 28mpg.
docwyte said:I love wagons, particularly fast ones and I've owned plenty in the past. However, for me, SUV's have several advantages...
#1 I can drive over the berm of snow at the end of my driveway without ripping off my rear bumper cover
#2 Tow hitch for towing trailers, bike tray and motorcycle tray
#4 They weigh enough that I can take advantage of tax codes with my business, allowing me to buy a nicer, newer SUV vs a wagon.
I understand the argument for smaller SUVs also. A lot of wagons in the first post are BIG. The Lexus is 177" long, but all of the rest are longer than a Rav 4 (181") by varying amounts while also having a lot less interior volume.
Parking long cars sucks.
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