Well, it's Happened

"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
05/05/2015 at 14:30 • Filed to: keeping the wife happy

So, my wife is beginning to complain about the seats in the Kia. They’re econobox-firm, and not very wide, and combined with the relatively firm suspension and short wheelbase of the Soul, she’s not happy with the ride. Of course, in the 40,500 miles we’ve had it, it hasn’t had a single issue aside from needing new tires, but that’s really just a bonus.

Of course, we’re averaging 31-32 MPG and it requires an oil change about three times a year to the tune of $40. And it has yet to need an alignment or any work other than cosmetic stuff. (If anyone knows where to get a cheap front and rear bumper cover let me know.)

She wants a wagon - and she wants a fast, reliable, luxury wagon. Like an Audi or Volvo. After the Passat debacle I warned her that I didn’t want another VW — especially one that was poorly maintained before we got it.

A reliable Audi wagon will definitely be out of our price range if we trade the Soul within the next year. So I’ll be window shopping a while, and when we get the Kia traded, we’ll get me a cheap truck to run back and forth to work.

Any suggestions?

DISCUSSION (23)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 14:32

Reliable and Volvo/Audi haven’t gone together in about 20 years.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 14:34

VW golf sportwagon if you want to buy new, Subaru Legacy GT wagon if you want used

Rico > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 14:37

Used E Class Wagon? Also, don’t you work in the custom interior field? Why not just reupholster the seats and add some extra padding?

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Rico
05/05/2015 at 14:46

That actually can mess with the airbag sensors, causing airbag sensors to fault, etc.

Honestly I wouldn’t mind getting an Outback. I’ve driven several, and although the 2.5 is not fast, they’re reliable and can be found well-equipped for under $25k. An older 3.6R can be found with low mileage for under $15k if I just keep my eyes open, too.

Rico > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 14:53

Don’t the headgaskets on those things blow?

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Rico
05/05/2015 at 15:09

Only seemed to be an issue on the 2.5 NA engines and almost every Subaru shop can do the head gasket job with their eyes closed at this point since it has been an issue of varying severity since 1996.

*edit*

Also, the 6-cylinder engines have timing chains...

Opposite Locksmith > Rico
05/05/2015 at 15:10

The ones that are still driving either don't have the flaw/have had it remedied

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 15:28

Go see Brian Fogarty at randy marion, and get a new Subie. The seats are really comfy.

Boxer_4 > Rico
05/05/2015 at 15:42

Typically on the 2.5L non-turbo engines from 1996-2004.

Boxer_4 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 15:45

The head gasket issues on the 2.5Ls were pretty much solved by 2005. Failures do occasionally pop-up, but it’s very rare. The 6-cylinders never had those issues.

jkm7680 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 15:58

B7 A4 Avant with the 2.0T. Under 100k would be the best bet, and CPO would be nice also.

Had an ‘08 sedan and the only real problem it had was at around 40k miles where it needed something replaced. Had it to about 80k problem free, then I sold it.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
05/05/2015 at 15:59

We actually do business with them here at work. Did a 15 Outback for them last week, even. I concur that the seats are very nice. The issue, however, is that the brand-new ones are out of our price range. A 2.5i Premium in Venetian Red Pearl with the sunroof package has an MSRP of almost $30k. I can find 11-12 MY 3.6R models occasionally with 70k miles for about 17-18k. We’re really looking to shop in the ~$20k range when we do buy something.

But yes... I do like the Subarus. They’re quite nice to drive.

Vicente Esteve > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 16:01

I don’t think a Jetta Sportwagen TDI will be that unreliable. They do have to be nicely maintained though.

Rico > Boxer_4
05/05/2015 at 16:02

Ah ok good to know.

sellphones2493 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 16:10

AYYYOOO

Kinja'd!!!

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > sellphones2493
05/05/2015 at 16:17

That’s a wildcard - and it could be fun. But her well-off ex-husband has a CTS-V Coupe and well...

She doesn’t like him.

sellphones2493 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 16:20

HMMM?

Kinja'd!!!

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > sellphones2493
05/05/2015 at 16:29

I personally like them. So does she, but people don’t sell or trade them, it seems. It’s hard to locate one. There’s only one within 100 miles of me.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 16:40

I think you showed me one of the outbacks that y’all did a while back. If fact, I am still planning on bring mine by your shop at some point this summer to get the seats redone. One thing to note about buying a subaru, is that most of the Subaru dealers sell at or near invoice price if the car is already on the lot, so if you are able to find a lesser equipped one, you could potentially get it for a good bit less than the price you see on the website. Anyways, good luck with whatever car you end up replacing the Kia with.

sellphones2493 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/05/2015 at 16:40

Gas prices are low and shipping isn’t too expensive. Where are you?

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > sellphones2493
05/05/2015 at 17:06

CarMax has one?

I find it surprising that it’s priced reasonably, too.

greasemonkey235097 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/06/2015 at 03:13

As a married man I know keeping her happy is priority, but giving up a car that gives you no trouble and good mileage for a seat complain, first world problems, get a pillow.

As per Audi, just a more expensive VW

Mattbob > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/06/2015 at 06:01

buy some new seats for the soul.