Should I ???

"Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French" (Tentacle)
11/27/2013 at 09:34 • Filed to: None

Ok, so we need a new car. A coupe is nice, but 2 doors short from being practical, now that we have two kids. And while we're at it, we might as well go Wagon. Another 10000 km to go before a big You-have-t0-have-the-timing-belt-done service comes along, so I have about 4 months time.

So, being the Citroën-minded Jalop that I am... I'm looking for a particular model to become available on the second hand market.

6 MT diesel wagon, possibly (if I can find one) with hydro-pneumatic active suspension. A.k.a. the "are those grenades under the hood" Magic Carpet Ride suspension.

Or maybe I'm reaching a petit bit too high. I haven't decided yet, it depends on what the cars/prices/mileage will do second hand.

DISCUSSION (23)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French
11/27/2013 at 09:36

Don't forget the Jetta Sportswagen also. Manual, diesel, roomy, based on the Golf, and no AdBlue needed!

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/27/2013 at 09:40

But but but... that's not a Citroën!! (I do keep an eye open to alternatives. But not very wide open)

Out here in the Netherlands, AdBlue is something strictly for trucks. I know of no passenger car that requires it, so that wouldn't make a difference.

Jagvar > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/27/2013 at 09:40

In Europe, I believe it's called the Golf Variant.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jagvar
11/27/2013 at 09:43

It is. I think it has been since MKIV. It's sold that way in America because people like the Jetta better here. However, it caused a lot of confusion for some customers. When I worked at the dealership, a lot of customers couldn't figure out why the Jetta sedan was so much "bigger".

Nibby > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French
11/27/2013 at 09:45

Do they sell diesel Subaru Outbacks there?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Nibby
11/27/2013 at 09:55

I thought Subaru nixed their diesel a few years back, or was that just for the US market? Bastards.

liquid_popcorn > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/27/2013 at 09:56

This. Sportwagens are the shit.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > liquid_popcorn
11/27/2013 at 10:09

They are! They are the epitome of the old VW mentality of bringing ultimate German-ness to America at an affordable price.

Klaus Schmoll > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/27/2013 at 10:11

Well, ever since the Golf wagons were introduced with the MK3 generation, they were called Golf Kombi in Europe. Except the MK IV Bora wagon which was supposed to be an upscale Golf wagon and was sold alongside it.

Kinja'd!!!

Also, as rare and special as these wagons might seem to Americans, I could totally understand if Tentacle wouldn't want to be seen dead in one of them. They are Europe's Camry.

liquid_popcorn > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/27/2013 at 10:14

Agreed.

I'm thinking of getting one next year when the new generation comes out. Rumor has it you will be able to get my dream model for my wife; black on black TDI automatic, panoramic sunroof, nav, 4motion. 35% tint all the way around and I'm done.

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > Nibby
11/27/2013 at 10:14

I have no idea if they sell them new, second hand they are available. Only the availability isn't all that great and prices are such that a 2008 Subaru Outback will cost about the same as a 2010 or 2011 C5 tourer.

Fuel economy takes a hit by the AWD system though, roughly 20% worse than the C5. Given the >30k km I will make a year, that will work against it. Plus it's one bracket higher in road tax, which is pretty hefty for diesel cars to begin with. The Outback would be considerably more expensive to operate, fuel and tax wise.

Vandelay Industries > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French
11/27/2013 at 10:22

If i was you...

I'd get the BMW X5 35d

wagon's are great but the SUV will suit you better in the long run...kids tend to grow and tend to have more stuff.

The MPG is great, handles great for SUV, absolute dream on highways, and the power lets just say you'll never have ANY trouble making a pass at highway speeds.

PS you can get ECU tune and the torque goes from 415 lb/ft to 500+

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > liquid_popcorn
11/27/2013 at 10:24

The only reservation I have about the new one is the next TDi, even the 150hp version, will need AdBlue. I know it's not a big deal, but I'd just rather not have to deal with that.

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > Vandelay Industries
11/27/2013 at 10:47

... I have a completely irrational aversion to SUVs, so there's that.

But 50% more road tax and, give or take, 50% higher fuel consumption make this a non-starter. Excellent qualities of the X5 35d nothwithstanding, I can't justify the cost.

liquid_popcorn > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/27/2013 at 11:00

True; it is a bit irritating, but I think it's worth it anyway. My wife and I are thinking of having a kid next spring, so it'll be nice to have something practical but still fun for her.

Alternatively...polestar v70 wagon, bitches. Although I'd be unbelievably jealous of her car, haha.

Vandelay Industries > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French
11/27/2013 at 11:49

ok but i thought
33 Highway MPG & most states offer tax credit for the clean diesel

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > liquid_popcorn
11/27/2013 at 11:57

Haha. But it will be safe. It's still a Volvo after all!

liquid_popcorn > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/27/2013 at 12:18

True, haha.

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > Vandelay Industries
11/27/2013 at 13:01

Only I live in the Netherlands. Europe, across a big bloody pond from the US.

duurtlang > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French
11/29/2013 at 09:40

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: If you can manage purchase price, insurance and tax: yes.

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > duurtlang
11/29/2013 at 09:42

Coming from you, those answers were fully predictable :)

duurtlang > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French
11/29/2013 at 09:52

They probably are. But I don't really see the problem here, assuming you can manage financially. These are great family cars that, as far as I know, have depreciated significantly despite being quite decent cars. It's a great compromise between ratio and heart.

I'd look into LPG powered cars as well though.

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > duurtlang
11/29/2013 at 09:59

LPG is only attractive if I can find a decent car with LPG already installed. Otherwise, the €2k or so for an install, over a 3 years period, will drive up the monthly costs to above that for diesel.

I do about 30k a year now.

Right now there is a 2010 C5 Tourer Exclusive (that means Hydractive 3+) available for €13k5, with 160k km on the odo. I need a car like that to be available in 2 to 3 months time.