Hey folks,

We need to buy a sporty wagon capable of carrying 3 large dogs.

Right now, I like the Subaru WRX wagon or the Saab 9-2x linear wagon. Both are built on the same platform.

Maybe someone has some good ideas?

It must be about $20-25k, and not be a SUV or Minivan or anything trying to be one of those.

Give me you best ideas! :smile:

 

You asked, so here is my two cents worth. I would consider a used Audi Allroad. Just purchased one for 'significant other' after she found her G35 Coupe too small.

It has super well executed interior, AWD, adjustable height suspension - more clearance than a Landrover Discovery at full up, a ton of space if you fold the rear seats down and it's easy to bump the horsepower from 250 to well over 300 on the 2.7 turbo engine. It even has a 6 speed manual available. What more do you need in a sport wagon?

The cost of a '02 or '03 Certified Pre-Owned is in your price range and is in the same ballpark as the Subaru WRX wagon or the Saab 9-2x linear wagon. If you find one with lower miles you can take advantage of Audi's 4 year, 50K full maintenance warranty, as well as having the peace of mind of the 100K CPO warranty.

I also looked at the new A3, which is nice, and at the upper end of your price range but it won't have AWD available until next year and it is a little small, as is the A4, if you are looking to haul things like three dogs. The 5 Series wagons are similar in size to the Allroad but no AWD.

Hope that helps.....

 

If the MINI wasn't available, I'd be driving a WRX Subie. My wife's 99 Outback sedan has 60k miles on it with nothing done to it but fluid, filter, plug and lead changes, brakes and (at 60k) the timing belt. Hasn't missed a beat. The only issue is that she'd like a little more power (the Legacy with the 2.5 is slightly underpowered compared to an MCS). I'd recommend another Subaru in a heartbeat.

 

Honda CRV?:smile: We bought one for our daughter a little over a year ago before we moved from VA so she could haul her college stuff back and forth. It's not too big, not too small, gets fairly good gas mileage...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"
05' HB/W MCS "Gizmo"

 

Honda Element! HA HA HA! Actually, in Nighthawk Black Pearl, the oddball plastic "bits" kind of vanish! Honestly, you just may have to consider some sort of minivan to accommodate your growing menagerie, sweetie!

At least you are shopping at end-of-year close-out time! You are bound to get a great deal on whatever you and Elizabeth choose!


Clover

 

Small sporty wagon, I like the Mazda 5 (and the 3, too, but it's kinda small for hauling big dogs)

Bigger sporty wagon, Dodge Magnum - available in AWD, too, but pricey.

Another option is to call one of the old school customizers and have 'em stretch a MINI for ya, add a pair of rear doors, and voila! Sporty wagon!

 

:smile: Everyone please keep in mind that he will be transporting two Saint Bernards and a Standard Poodle. Think about all that sizage!


Clover

 

My other car is an 03 IS300 sport cross that I bought with 13K mi. for $21K

 

wat about the audi A3? 2.0T fsi engine, DSG, but could be a tad small though

i'd try out the Forester and the Legacy wagon, more refined than the wrx, yet for me i'd take the nissan Stagea over any other wagon...

 

How about a Subaru Forester XT, 2.5L turbo? Frankly, I wonder about the available space in the WRX or 92-x wagons. I know several people that have them and I don't think that the puppies would be terribly happy. The extra headroom in the Forester would probably be very useful. If you would want something cheaper with good gas mileage, albeit considerably less powerful, I am amazed with the space in our Scion xB. Has alot of headroom and an amazing amount of rear space when the back seats are laid down. But it does lack some of the comforts of the higher priced cars, but we really like it for what it is.

My sister once took her dog with her to a dealership when she wanted to see if her German Shepherd could jump into the back seat of a Dodge Dakota quad cab (he had bad back legs). They laid down some paper and said go to it. Could you imagine the look on the face of the sales manager if you ased to bring the saints and the poodle for a test fit

 

Just got back from another test drive. I drove the Saab 9-2X Aero package with all options, comparing it against the Subaru WRX wagon. Interesting comparison since they are built on the same platform.

With the GM employee discount, this $32k car becomes a $23k car! It actually ends up cheaper than the $26k Subaru WRX with lots more nice stuff.

Thanks for the suggestions for the other vehicles. I'm going to research them all tonight and see what I can come up with!

 

Wow, that's a great deal - and I think that they are better looking then the Scoobie.

So, what are your impressions comparing the two?

 

xB, yo.

 

how about one of the wonderful P2 cruisers, yucca - then you could show everyone the difference between them and the mini and proof that they look NOTHING alike! ....................................




kidding of course - those things are just ugly!

 

smaller wagons - IS300 Sportcross, WRX or 9-2x

larger - Mazda 6

I'd add the Magnum but I drove it the other day and hated it.

This is the best option, but good luck finding one:

http://www.bmwe34m5.com/registry/E34Touringregistry.htm

 

I think they can haul more than a Mazda3.

 

"need sporty wagon" E55!!! :smile: :smile:

(note I didnt read the 20-25k part...)

 

Well, at the low end, there's the suzuki aerio sx and the toyota matrix. If TRD's supercharged engine is available, the matrix might be a very sporty choice.

If not, they look sporty!

I used to drive an aerio sx. with the back seats down (they fold flat), it can hold a fair bit.

 

Well, it looks like we wont get the subaru or the saab, but I can tell you what I thought about the two.

Basically, they are identical cars with different exteriors and interiors. Saab did a better job with both, but I don't think the added price is worth it for the Saab. The only thing going for it now is the fact taht the GM employee discount makes it a better value.

Now it looks like we will just get my wife a new MINI Cooper!

 

...and here I was about to post that no way are those dogs fitting comfortably in the A3. Do we get to see a photo of the three of them in the back of a MINI?

 

A little birdie told me Elizabeth has decided on Purple Haze/White! Very nice complement to your BRG/W, sweetie!



Clover

 

Best Bet...

Get a used BMW 5-Series Wagon. The wife has one I love to drive it when she takes the Mini. It's roomy, it's quick and it is very familiar to a Mini.

We have the 525 'Touring' as it's called here in Europe. It was very reasonable in price and it has a fair amount of the factory service wty left. Did I mention it is built like a tank. I mean a tank. Nothing dents that car and it pulls our sailboat with ease at 90+MPH. (You can legally drive 90+ here in Europe).

Just a thought.

 

I second Kesh's thought. If you don't NEED AWD, and let's be honest, no-one really NEEDS it, but it's nice to have especially in the great white north, the 5-series touring is hard to beat. The previous generation (E39 designation) is IMHO one of the most beautiful cars ever produced.

The WRX is a nice ride, was my 2nd choice to the MINI, but stay away from the bug-eyed version, I've heard nothing but problems w/ the tranny. Subie denies theirs a problem (claims driver's fault), but changed it for the redesign, and the issues stopped...

 

Subaru Forester XT (Turbo)


We have one. It's fantastic.


It is the ultimate all-arounder and comparatively very affordable. For '06, there is more power, ground clearance, better handling and ride, quieter, a bit more put together in the looks. Always had AWD and has a rear LSD..stock.


If I had to own just one car...the FXT would be it...of course with a 5-speed manual and a short-shifter.

 

Yucca, I see on the Bham page that you did not follow my recomendation of an E55 AMG....