[mort]

Audi a3 or a4 if you need more size. Hands down ahead of the compitition on all levels particularily engineering. Best trannies and the most fun to drive. The A3 is one of the best looking cars on the road.

[satfrat]

Robin, not sure I need a hemi ( I'm sure it's fun though) but I'll add the 6 cylinder Mag Wag to my list. Hey, I like my T&C van, so I've got no prob. w/ a Dodge. They seem to cut a few corners and make some stuff really chintzy, but the van has been totally solid overall. Gotta say the factory sound system ain't audiophile, but it sure doesn't suck and can crank.

Well you need to step up to the R/T as the stock sound system in mine rocks. 6 Boston Acoustic speakers & 285 watts make it the best stock system I've ever had and it's usually the 1st thing that gets pulled. Mine's still there all tho being jobless might have something to do with that at the moment. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[satfrat]

OK, Robin... if you're over 60 I guess the bra should stay. It would go well with a cane and a hearing aid, too. 

Damn close, I'm 58 but I'm not wearing suspenders,,,,,,, yet. 

[jqp]

I had a used 97 Volvo 850 wagon. I was pretty nice, had a sunroof, and handled pretty well (pretty good turning radius too).

You are looking at a more modern version, but things to remember - it has to pass inspection every year. So things that are high dollar maintenance should be considered. For example, the catalytic converter went out on it - a $1300 job! Also besides transmissions, check on timing belt expense - that can be $850 or more on some vehicles.

[TheChairGuy]

Anything VW these days......the new Golf (and the last generation Rabbit) were great (hatchback) cars for the money and consistently top-rated by Consumers Reports.

The Jetta Wagon can be had for about the same...and you can get 177HP 5 cylinder, 4 cylinder turbo (the same one as sold in many Audi's) or a trick 145hp / 250lb torque turbodiesel that gets 46 mph highway

The interiors make you think you bought something 2x as expensive and they drive wonderfully.

One of those will likely be my next vehicle - they are just great value (and European Car of the Year, too, for the newest Golf)

John

[mort]

Perhaps you want something with some real preformance, the Audi rs6 wagon has a 580 H.P. v10 and goes zero to 60 in 4.5  to 120 in 14.7 and tops out at a limited 175 mph all with 5 people and a load of gear aboard. Milage is probobly not a concern for the person who can afford this rocket!

[lonewolfny42]

Can anyone recommend me a wagon?

I've always liked this one.....







As for autos....had a Toyota Matrix here...good use of space inside....I liked it. Then moved on to a Highlander...even more room.

[planet10]

What's left? The Subie Outback?

We have a 99 Legacy Wagon... the next car is also going to be a Suburu Wagon of some sort.

dave

[ooheadsoo]

I have a Mazdaspeed3.  Very fun car, if a bit manic.  On the mean streets of LA, I find it difficult to accelerate with aggressive traffic - I can drive like a lamb and fall behind, or I can hit the turbo range and take off like an out of control bat out of hell and rear end the guy in front of me.  I know it's out of your price range. 

However, I did test drive the regular Mazda3 hatch, and the handling was quite impressive.  With a manual transmission, I think you can still squeeze out quite a bit of fun with it.  Otherwise, the old Scion xB with a few modifications should also a blast.  My friend, racing (on a closed course) his S2000 always relates to me the time he was behind an old xB and how he couldn't close the gap between them.  If anything, the xB was pulling away on the straights.  No idea if/how the xB was modified.  If the new xB is any indication, however, the gearbox feels pretty flimsy.  Maybe Doug could share more about that.

On a side note, I'm not very impressed with the speed3 sound system.  You might do better with a "grand touring" trim mazda3.

[ctviggen]

Ok, call me weird, but I like station wagons. I'm sick of SUV's, I like my T&C van for the most part.....but it's boring to drive and gets nearly as bad milage as my previous Trooper.

I love the quirky looks of the Saab 9-5, but they're known to be crap, so I'd set my sights on a 2001/2002 Volvo V70, but then a little research shows they had serious tranny issues. Any owners of these here who know differently?

I really like the Mazda 3s hatch, but it's pretty small.

What's left? The Subie Outback?

I'm ONLY looking at used (max price $10K) which rules out the new VW Jetta. (be sweet w/ that new diesel)

My 2001 Saab 9-3 Viggen has been great, and certain models of the 9-5 share the same engine and certain parts.  I don't believe I'd use the word "crap" for these cars.  My car has 107k miles, and I consider it just broken in.  I'm considering buying a new one, in fact, but it's likely out of my price range even with massive rebates.

My wife has the Subaru Outback.  Compared to the Saab, it's slow as molasses in January, the automatic climate control is a complete joke, and the window seals keep coming off.  Other than that, though, and it's been relatively trouble free. 

My friend has a VW Passat wagon that he loves and that has relatively maintenance free.  He did just replace the clutch, but the car has many miles on it. 

[ctviggen]

By buying a new one, I meant buying a 9-5 wagon.  I can't not have space, since having the hatchback for so long, that I'm going to likely buy either the Jetta Sportwagen TDI or the Mazda 5 mini-minivan as a daily driver.  The TDI is more expensive, but gets way better gas mileage, has federal and state tax incentives, and supposedly is much faster than the Mazda.  (Every review of the Mazda says it's underpowered.)

Unfortunately, even with huge incentives, the 9-5 wagon is still more expensive than the Jetta Sportwagen, although I'm sure the 9-5 is a nicer car.

[drphoto]

Good one Chris!  Inexpensive, low upkeep cost and great milage! What more could I want?

Sorry if I was politically incorrect by calling Saab 'crap', but they do have a pretty poor reputation. One site that had a lot of owner reviews mostly said something like..... "Loved it.....when it ran".

[Bob in St. Louis]

Ok Doc, here we go....

That VIN number is eligable for the fuel pump extendid warranty. That means Volvo will cover the cost of replacing the pump only if it leaks. The first symptom would be smelling fuel in your garage (that's a hint to anybody with a Volvo that parks in a garage containing an ignition source).
There's also a 10yr/200K warranty on the electronic throttle. The car was "born" on June 16 2001 so that warranty will be running out soon.

As with the Saab VINs I checked for you in the past, I can only see what was done to the car that was paid for by Volvo at a Volvo dealer. I can not see where they did oil changes, if the engine was replaced at "Joe Blow auto shop", etc...etc.....

The car has been to:

-  GEORGETOWN VOLVO of SMITHTOWN New York
www.smithtownvolvo.com

- LONG ISLAND SWEDISH AUTO, INC
(can't find website) Might be in Long Island New York ??

- Volvo of Cincinnati
www.volvocincinnati.com

I don't see anything major in the service history, just a bunch of little pidly stuff. But it looks like the car has "been around the block". From NY to OH, now in your neck of the woods.

==================================
Option package:
 000011   HEATED FRONT SEATS         
  000041   PROTECTION NET,LUGG. COMP   
  000047   POWER SEAT, DRIVER WITH     
  000049   TRIP COMPUTER               
  000065   Headlamp cleaners           
  000078   LOADCOVER                   
  000134   Audio HU-6XX with cassett   
  000168   AUTO DIM INNER REAR VIEW   
  000178   TRACS                       
  000322   CHILDSEAT OUTER             
  000346   LOAD HOLDER,TRUNK           
  000372   Homelink                   
  000424   12 VOLT OUTLET IN LUGGAGE


Enter Mdl/Chassis OR VIN:   Mdl      Chassis      VIN      MY   2001
 
  Variant   2   8   5   61   32   2   9   1   Retail Date/Dlr   061601   3323   Demo date   000000
  V70                         5-CYL/2.4L/4V     170/230   5-AUT                     
  WITH ROOF HATCH             SALES VERSION 32            LEFT HAND DRIVEN         
  Market code   31   Options:   000011   HEATED FRONT SEATS       
  Color code   41700   DARK BLUE PEARL (NAUTIC)    000041   PROTECTION NET,LUGG. COMP
  Upholstery   A95100   BEIGE/LSAND LEATHER         000047   POWER SEAT, DRIVER WITH   
  Key code   3V6639       000049   TRIP COMPUTER             
  Boot key                Radio code            000065   Headlamp cleaners         
  Sirius code                                              F6/Options for more...
  Message(s)
 
  Eligible: ETM Extended Wty if less than 10yr/200,000 miles                       
  Eligible for: Fuel Pump extwty (P28031)

========================================
I would have it checked by a Volvo tech before you buy.
Looks like a winner to me. Enjoy. 
Bob

[orthobiz]

Ok Doc, here we go....

The car has been to:

-  GEORGETOWN VOLVO of SMITHTOWN New York
www.smithtownvolvo.com

- LONG ISLAND SWEDISH AUTO, INC
(can't find website) Might be in Long Island New York ??

- Volvo of Cincinnati
www.volvocincinnati.com


Bob

Uh, pretty scary, Bob. Can you tell me where I filled up my car yesterday? Where am I now? lol

Anyway, I'm with John (could it be because we're vinyl guys at heart?). I loved my Golf, I've had 3 Vdubs (7 if you count 4 914's) and love them, even if my current Touareg was a nightmare initially.

Paul

[Bob in St. Louis]

Uh, pretty scary, Bob. Can you tell me where I filled up my car yesterday? Where am I now? lol

It wasn't yesterday, it was Sunday.
You're at your keyboard. (duh) 

[thunderbrick]

 

[ArthurDent]

drp - Might have missed a post or two, but don't think I've seen anyone recommend trying to find a discount annual membership to Consumer Reports. Comes with their annual review book which includes all autos. Used it back in '02 prior to finding a PU to haul my 5th wheel. A relative unbiased source of history on most models & years. Note that the years are of particular interest. I love the Audi All-Road, but the good years are limited, and costs prohibitive from my current standpoint.

Same as Bob notes on service history, CarFax is a reasonable investment, but it will only tell you what's been reported either by the police, insurance, or dealers. I've used it twice, in '00 & '02, and while mostly a non-issue it didn't pick up the fact the roof on the '97 Ford 3/4 PU I bought had been replaced. Long story, beside the point.

Bang for the buck I don't think you will beat a Subaru. With the exception of the 1st couple of years of turbo models, their service history is impeccable. I've got an '83 in the garage, 203,700 miles, all mine, driven hard, though not put to bed wet, and the engine's never been cracked. Oil & filter every 2500-3000 miles, valves adjusted annually, new catalytic converter, and new rear shocks (just cause I figured I should), and still gets 20 mpg +/- around town. You can smell oil when it starts now, but is only driven as backup. Oil pressure sensors, water pumps, & rotors/pads a concern on my model, but have a couple of friends that have newer models and effectively problem free. And.. the added bonus over all other mentioned models of AWD. Mine pre-dates and is 'on-demand', but if you have snow it can't be beat.

Wish I could afford a 'good' year All-Road, and have been waiting for their TDI in that model. Maybe one day before I'm dust. Good Luck in the quest.   

[Daedalus Audio]

haven't read the thread and I'm sure others have posted this , but Subaru's are great.  kind of like what Volvo used to be in the 70's & 80's, but modern and comfortable.  last forever, low maintenance, reliable and can handle back roads if you're into that.  plus very solid in a crash. I know several people who feel they owe their lives to Subie and will never drive anything else... I'm one of them, I rolled mine a year ago. landed on it's roof and no injuries at all, hell all five doors opened with it upside down. bought another within a week!

[Christof]

I've always like the 05-06 Saab 9-2X.  Only made for a couple years but oh man it's a sweet little wagon....quick too! 

[doug s.]

I've always like the 05-06 Saab 9-2X.  Only made for a couple years but oh man it's a sweet little wagon....quick too! 

that car is a rebadged subaru wrx; may as well yust get the real thing...

doug s.