I need a good wagon. 

"LJ909" (lj909) 01/01/2015 at 19:27 • Filed to: None

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Ive been looking to buy a used car. A few weeks back I posted a Miata I was looking at, which thanks to you guys I avoided. But its sad I just realized that I need to be more realistic with me being a father so I've been looking into wagons lately. I gave myself a 8 grand cap, has to be fast (not a requirmemt but would be nice at least) and comfortable. I was set on a rare Lexus IS300 Sportcross the same dealer that had the Miata had but they sold it. There's only one more in 50 miles but it has a salvage title. So my search continued.

Being the Jalop that I am I research cars extensively so what I wanted in a wagon narrows the choice's down a bit. Looked into Impreza's but those are either hard to find or out of my price range. Couldn't find a V70 or other Volvo wagon I liked. But then I stooped and realized I was overlooking a really obvious choice: Dodge Magnum. And not a bogus base 2.7 or SXT, the R/T with the Hemi and I found one:

Its an 05 and they want 7 grand. Granted it has 110k on it but its pretty clean. So this is my #1 choice.

My next choice I seen by accident and almost ran a light looking at it:

A VW Passat. Not just any Passat, its a W8 with 4motion. So now I'm in a dilemma. Some people might say its the lesser of two evils with a last decade Chrysler product and a 11 year old VW wagon with a questionable engine but I don't care I love them both. So which would you guys think is best? Take into account everything from performance to comfort to reliability.

 > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 19:31

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For reliability I would take VW for everything else the Dodge.

jkm7680 > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 19:34

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Passat Wagon, The Magnum just feels really cheaply made.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 19:34

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8k is more than enough to find good Saab wagon.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen >  01/01/2015 at 19:34

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reliability*

*or lack thereof

 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 01/01/2015 at 19:36

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Just realized it was a W8...yea scratch that.

LJ909 > jkm7680 01/01/2015 at 19:38

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That's one of the biggest knocks against the Magnum for me was the Play Skool plastics interior.

T5Killer > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 19:41

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That a is a tough call both are almost equally unreliable. I would go for Dodge since VW maintenance and repair costs scare me.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 19:41

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You can pick up a Mazda 6 wagon with a manual for not a whole lot. The only negative thing I've really ever heard about them is that they're susceptible to the tin worm, but other than that they're good cars.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen >  01/01/2015 at 19:43

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Yeah... however the TDIs last FOREVER

They are like the cockroaches of the automotive world!

LJ909 > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/01/2015 at 19:44

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Yea I know and since the bankruptcy pricesnhave dropped. But I don't want to have to worry about finding parts for them. Well would that even be an issue?

I own dead car brands only > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/01/2015 at 19:44

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but you have to be aware of what to look for in a good Saab.

The 9-5 has sludging issues due to a badly designed pcv valve. Easily fixed by dropping the sump pan and clean it out then install the latest pcv valve update and run syn oil. Other than that, they're solid.

For the 9-3 wagon, the 2.0 has intake valve wearing issues, the fix is to replace the valves with biopower valves as they're harder, other than that the 2.0 is a solid solid motor. The 2.8 has issues with the coolant tank leaking. can be easily fixed by ordering a custom aluminum one. they also like to burn through coils but get one with a lifetime warranty and change coils as needed.

LJ909 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/01/2015 at 19:52

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I looked at those too and couldnt find a manual. Found only 3 on auto trader. I thought about the lift back also.

OPPOsaurus WRX > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 19:59

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my insurance calls my WRX a wagon and my kids love it. It's enough space.

Happy hunting

-father of 2

P.S major repair work is a pain in the ass with kids. Becareful what you get yourself into. I find I have 0 time to deal with a downed vehicles.

I own dead car brands only > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 20:18

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nope, parts are easily available. Go to eeuroparts or any Saab part sites. They'll have oodles of things but some parts are identical to other GM cars so prices are low.

Vicente Esteve > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 20:22

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It stuns me that you found a W8 Wagon!

Its just such a rare vehicle and such an amazing chance. But, if you aren't the VW nut that will live with the reliability woes it may have, then its not worth the plunge. The Magnum is just nice.

LJ909 > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/01/2015 at 20:28

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Thanks. I know the feeling. My 3 year old is two kids in one and I need something to haul him, his Jean Luck Picard captains chair car seat and his day cares worth of toys around in.

LJ909 > I own dead car brands only 01/01/2015 at 20:29

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Yea i noticed that with the 93 sportcombi I found and 97x.

LJ909 > Vicente Esteve 01/01/2015 at 20:34

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I know right? I was surprised at how cheap and well maintained it is too. This and GTi's are on my short two vehicle lists of VW's i would ever own. The only thing that's off putting about it is its selling point:the W8. The Magnum is appealing because its cheap power with room and plenty of mods available.

Vicente Esteve > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 20:40

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Exactly. That W8 shouldn't be modded, for the sake of its life.

I would like to have one in the future if I make enough money to keep it alive.

deekster_caddy > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 21:01

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The Magnum is not awful, but I really hate working on old Chrysler products. All of the plastic clips are brittle and break easily. And there are a lot of them!

The W8 is nifty but can be a maintenance nightmare.

I'm a big fan of our '08 Passat Wagon (B6) though - the 2.0T has been very durable so far (100K on ours), it's not Fast, but it's surprisingly quick and really fun to drive. With the 2.0T and 6 spd, it's not hard to get better than 30 MPG but even driving at higher than allowed speeds for very long distances it still gets in the very high 20s, respectable. It's a little bigger than the B5 too.

Milky > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 21:54

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Looks like fun.

and I wouldn't want to be the one that has to work on this.

LJ909 > Milky 01/01/2015 at 22:19

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You basically made the decision for me. With the magnum's big ass tail though I'm surprised it can auto cross. Is that a W8 on the floor?

Milky > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 22:43

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I GISd "W8 repair", so I'm assuming yes.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 23:02

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Not at all, mi hombre! Saab parts are plentiful and not too expensive, either! Saabs are not as reliable as some people claim, but they're a hell of lot more reliable than most people will tell you. Just replace consumables and be gentle with the cupholder and everything will be groovy as hell. Plus, turbo!

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > LJ909 01/01/2015 at 23:05

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The 9-7X isn't so great. It's basically a leatherette Envoy. Admittedly rather nasty. I'd drive any gen of 9-3 wagon though, same to 9-5s.

LJ909 > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/01/2015 at 23:09

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I found this gem in LA for 6 grand:

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > I own dead car brands only 01/01/2015 at 23:11

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The sludge issues only affect a few B205 and B235 units from 1999-2003. Dealers fixed this problem at little-to-no cost, and if the PCV fix wasn't performed, the car won't be on the road anymore thanks to engine failure. Saab also warrantied inline-four engines for 8 years after people complained about engine failures. I hadn't heard about the 2.0's issues. I'd rather have a 9-5 wagon anyways, which is why I bought one. You seem to know about Saabs, my good sir! And now you can own one, too!

I own dead car brands only > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/01/2015 at 23:32

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i do. Im on my third Saab.

And I didn'tknow that sludge issues was only limited to certain years. Good to know now.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > I own dead car brands only 01/01/2015 at 23:41

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:) I love Saab people! I like to think that we're the best people. Which years/models have you had?

I own dead car brands only > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/01/2015 at 23:48

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2005 9-3 Arc- tuned it to 260 hp and put an aero front lip on it plus many many wheels. Zero issues. Put 80k on it before it got totaled

2007 9-3 Aero convertible- tuned to 330 hp and 430tq. Put 30k on it in a year. Zero issies other tjan the coils dying.

Currently 2011 9-5 Biopower. Only has snow tires on it right now. Got it in october.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > I own dead car brands only 01/01/2015 at 23:52

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430?! THAT IS THE BEST THING I'VE HEARD. And an '11 Biopower 9-5 is the coolest fucking thing anyone on Oppo owns, and there are some really cool cars owned by people on Oppo. I have an '06 9-5 Aero SportCombi in black so that the headlight chrome doesn't look too weird.

I own dead car brands only > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/02/2015 at 00:20

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haha. Thank you very much. I'm very much fond of it. That car was the first one I've seen in person and I ended up buying it the next day.

As for 430tq, that was just the first stage, I was planning on going higher but I saw the 9-5 so...I was going for 415 HP and almost 600 tq, just some injector change, a bigger intercooler, E85 and a new tune then I'm there.

I'm also planning on tuning the 9-5 to about 270hp and 300tq. Not much compared to the old Saab but it should move it well.

Your 9-5 sounds sweet as fuck

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > I own dead car brands only 01/02/2015 at 00:56

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I love it to death, but it doesn't compare to any of yours! How does the Biopower one sound?

Georado > LJ909 01/02/2015 at 07:49

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I vote Dodge. There is a Magnum R/T in my work parking lot every day, so it must be somewhat reliable. It's silver and looks great, but I think your red one looks better.

44444444444 > LJ909 01/04/2015 at 09:36

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Volvo V70R. The run-of-the-mill V70 is a great car, don't get me wrong, it's just a little dull. The R is not.