For the Love of Wagons

"ssm-one" (ssm-one) 08/23/2013 at 12:07 • Filed to: None

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This used to be my wagon. A 1964 Volvo Amazon with a low-compression, twin carb B18 and a 4-speed. I loved it dearly and as is usually the case, I regret that I got rid of it. Well, I regret that it's gone, but I also loved the 1982 Toyota LandCruiser BJ42 I traded it for, a 3B diesel equipped unit with 24 volt electrical. It was cool too.

Aside from the obvious utility of a wagon, the thing I have always appreciated most is that wagons are typically so unassuming. Anonymous. An anti-statement if you will. That isn't necessarily true of my old 1964 Amazon wagon, but the attention it got was due to its age, not that it was a wagon.

So let's forget about vintage wagons such as my old '64 for a minute. And let's take super-wagons like the Audi RS6 Avant out of the equation for this. I'm talking about wagons like the Volvo 740 or V70 T5. Or perhaps an Audi A4 or A6 Avant. VW Jetta or Passat. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Subaru or Honda, you get the idea.

Nobody seems to notice a wagon. Or notice you driving a wagon. This is a huge part of the appeal for me. They blend into the landscape. And they don't blend into the landscape in a Chevy Cobalt or Toyota Camry "given up on life" kind of way. Wagons imply logic in a way that is both very obvious yet understated, if that makes any sense at all.

When I see someone driving an old W123 Mercedes-Benz diesel (sedan or wagon), it almost restores a piece of my faith in humanity. It tells me that there are still intelligent people that make educated buying decisions. I still to this day believe that dollar-for-dollar, Mercedes Benz W123's are the most financially prudent and environmentally responsible cars to be had. (Because recycling, build quality, longevity/they last forever and ever and ever, you can practically run those old diesels on dog shit, and save the Benzes)

Anyhow, wagons kind of belong in the same territory where I am concerned. They signify a buying decision that is logic-driven emotion rather than logic-driven-by emotion. Which brings me to the point of this write-up. Other than the 2011 Nissan Versa that Mrs. SSM-One and I have, this is the only other vehicle currently in the stable:

Without getting into too much detail, our professional circumstances have changed and it's time to buy another vehicle that I can use for commuting - something a 1984 CJ7 isn't very good at in any way, shape or form.

My initial budget was in the range of $12k-14k and I'd really like a wagon. A few years back I had a 1999 Audi A6 Avant that I picked up wholesale for $1500 and was great until it broke the 300,000km (aprox 187k miles) and then it started getting expensive to keep on the road.

I've been considering second-gen Volvo V70 T5's, fourth-gen Subaru Legacy Touring wagon's, and B6 VW Passat and Audi A4 wagon's with anywhere between 80,000-130,000km (50k-80k miles).

I've also been offered a 2005 B6 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro with 240,000km (150k miles). I typically wouldn't consider much with these kinds of miles under its belt, but for $7k it is half my budget and I really like that... And it's a 6-speed which is especially nice, is in great shape and is a two owner car with all service done at the local Audi dealership (car was owned by the dealership owner's friend).

So, I come to you community of Oppo... Do you have an opinion or any first-hand knowledge on any of the cars I've listed? While I would love a V70R or a 4.2 S4, I'd like to keep my insurance and fuel costs to a minimum if possible. I just need a practical commuter that I actually want to have in my driveway.

Burrito de EJ25 > ssm-one 08/23/2013 at 12:10

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How does the Volt blend in? It's a striking car.

HammerheadFistpunch > ssm-one 08/23/2013 at 12:17

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stay away from the B6, nothing good came from that platform. b4/5/6 especially with the 1.8t were/are money holes.

I would love a good volvo in my life, right now we have a 97 fzj80 wagon and a 2011 jetta sportwagen tdi, previous had a 2005 forester XT 5 speed so we are well versed in wagondom.

Our next wagon will probably be a volvo.

ssm-one > HammerheadFistpunch 08/23/2013 at 12:22

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I'd love another diesel Cruiser, just more vehicle than I need. The Jetta TDI wagon is right up there on the list but they aren't particularly cheap. How do you find yours? I've been reading mixed reviews on the B6. I really like them but my gut is telling me it's going to be a money pit.

ssm-one > Burrito de EJ25 08/23/2013 at 12:24

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It doesn't....

ssm-one > HammerheadFistpunch 08/23/2013 at 12:26

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Best buddy just picked up this RHD JDM diesel 80. It is very nice..

HammerheadFistpunch > ssm-one 08/23/2013 at 12:28

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Damn i want a diesel 80. Too new for the 25 year rule and too expensive to convert.

HammerheadFistpunch > ssm-one 08/23/2013 at 12:29

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We sold a B5 passat 1.8t for the JSW, we got a good deal on ours, ~22k brand new with everything we wanted plus the (now expired) $1300 tax credit. Glad to have gotten out of the B5, piece of crap. I know what you mean about more vehicle than needed, my fzj80 is my DD and 13 mpg isn't anything Im particularly excited about, but oh well.

ssm-one > HammerheadFistpunch 08/23/2013 at 12:49

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The 60/62's are awesome too. Actually just saw an Iron Pig in my town two days ago but didn't get a chance to snap a pic...

I'd really prefer a diesel. W123/124 diesel Mercedes are too old to get financing on and BlueTec's are out of my price range. The V70 T5, although a gasser, is a front runner but now that I've seen how nice $7k is on my budget I'm leaning towards being cheap. There are plenty of VW TDI's and in fact one dealership here that specializes in them and promotes that every TDI they sell gets a new timing belt and water pump as soon as it's on the lot. Have you found the mileage to worth it? Has it been problem free?

HammerheadFistpunch > ssm-one 08/23/2013 at 13:00

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the HVAC has an occasional smell that they can't track down, but aside from that its been trouble free. I average 34 mostly city and get between 42-45 highway (at 80 mph Utah legal speeds) so in the city its a wash when diesel is high. Lately its been the same as regular so its been nice. I liked 60/62's but I wanted modern coil springs and interior. I saw a restored 55 with SBC conversion recently that I loved though.

SweetSadie > ssm-one 08/24/2013 at 13:59

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I love older Volvo wagons—we had a 1991 940 that was an absolute beast—but the newer ones are awful. We had a second-gen V70 (not turbo, though) that had every problem in the book. Almost other week it was it was at the dealer and they could never find what was wrong with it. We eventually had to get our friendly neighborhood shadetree mechanic to rig it just so it would shift out of park.

I'm currently shopping around for a wagon as a daily driver and I'm torn between a Legacy Outback and a Jetta.

ssm-one > SweetSadie 08/25/2013 at 10:55

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Legacy Touring is on my list for sure. The german built Jetta wagons are apparently head and shoulders above their mexican built sedan siblings. I am having trouble getting my head around the money a used TDI wagon demands though.

I love the V70 but looks like I will likely reconsider this and the A4 for reasons of reliability. The Mazda3 hatch has made it onto the list as well. I would do a 940 in a heartbeat if it wasnt so difficult to finance due to its age.