The North American Wagon Problem

"Kate's Dirty Sister" (KDS) 02/12/2015 at 19:38 • Filed to: None

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I have a litlle anecdote to tell you, today at the office, a girl that work with me told me she was looking for a new car to replace their 2007 Mazda5.

They are couple in their mid thirties that already own an aging Mazda5 that had started to rust and brand new manual Subaru Impreza hatchback. They went to see the crosstrek, but it was a bit too small for their needs.

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So of course, I jumped in with all my Jalop-smugness and told her to look at the Golf Wagon.

She opened Google image to see what it looked like and turned back to me like if I was making a joke.

"It looks like something my grand parents were driving in the 80's" she said.

Of course I don't agree with that, but if 30 something Mazda5/Impreza owners that can drive manual in North America are thinking that a Golf wagon look ridiculous, I think it's a fair assumption to say that wagons will never fly again this side of the pond.

Embrace your crossovers, kids, because they are our wagons for decades to come.

For Sweden > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:40

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What car in the 80s looked like that

Kate's Dirty Sister > For Sweden 02/12/2015 at 19:42

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none, but i the minds of normal people, there's no difference between this and Clark Griswold's wagon.

Wagons are repulsive to most people, and this won't change.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:43

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I mentioned wagons to my Mom a while back when I was at home, she had the same reaction and was like "I just couldnt drive one of those"

But I think wagons will come back in vogue, you just need to give it time. In 35 years families went from Wagons, to Minivans, to Massive SUV's, to Crossovers. Nobody want to drive what parents want to drive, it will eventually have to go full circle.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 02/12/2015 at 19:46

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hopefully, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. Maybe the post millenial generation will see them differently, but it's certainly not for now.

Vintage1982Benz > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:46

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TDI version I saw today - it's all about those options.

The 19 inch wheels sure don't hurt.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Vintage1982Benz 02/12/2015 at 19:48

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of course it helps, but $$$$

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:49

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Oh yeah, it will be 20 years if we're lucky. Rising fuel prices and things of that nature could speed up that process though.

Steve in Manhattan > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:51

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Can you still get an Outback or Forester in US America with a stick? That might do it for them.

Vintage1982Benz > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:51

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The above photo (and IDK if this is the one she had pulled up) is the Jetta Sportwagen, and I think the new Golf version is a significant improvement in terms of styling.

All that aside, your original point is totally valid.

But...wagons!

MSRP on this German rocket was about $103K, FYI. Talk about $$$.

mcseanerson > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:52

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This is the first car I can remember riding in.

Steve in Manhattan > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:52

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And if you really dislike her, recommend an Audi Allroad.

davedave1111 > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:53

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The Golf wagon looks like shit, and I think your coworker was spot on. It makes a Camry look daring, a minivan look exciting. That's not an American wagon problem, it's a Golf wagon problem.

She wouldn't have said that if you were able to suggest one of these:

T5Killer > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 19:54

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Sadly. My brother in law said the same thing about hatchbacks when he was shopping for a new car "Ewwww a Hatch I cannot be caught dead in one!"

Kate's Dirty Sister > Steve in Manhattan 02/12/2015 at 19:56

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lol, she will ask for a raise or will have to leave the company

Kate's Dirty Sister > Vintage1982Benz 02/12/2015 at 19:58

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Yeah that's the only picture that loaded successfully. Kinja and iPads are not in good terms.

dogisbadob > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 20:00

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And also VW is a piece of shit mechanically :(

If only Honda and Toyota (and/or Nissan) brought us a true wagon!!!!

The Mazda5 has only been for sale in the US for about 10 years; a car that young shouldn't be rusting too bad, even in the Northeast. Mazda needs to increase their anti-corrosion warranty.

Due to that rust issue, I can see why she doesn't want a new 5. The Honda HRV will probably be their best bet.

CB > Steve in Manhattan 02/12/2015 at 20:04

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You can get the Outback and Forester in stick in Canada, but only with the four cylinder base models.

ranwhenparked > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 20:04

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So, wagon = bad, but wagon with ground clearance and some plastic cladding = good? I really, really don't understand people.

T5Killer > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 02/12/2015 at 20:07

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I think they will the kids growing up now will see SUVs and Crossovers being lame and may embrace wagons. But by that time it might be to late since its a dying breed today.

Kate's Dirty Sister > dogisbadob 02/12/2015 at 20:08

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yeah I will let them do their shopping, I don't like to interfere much as it can always come back to bite you in the ass if they don't like the car.

Not my car, not my problem.

Yossarian > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 20:09

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She's right. Jetta wagon isn't a pretty car. I'd rather have the Tiguan.

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > T5Killer 02/12/2015 at 20:12

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Regional differences in automotive preference really can be dramatic.

I've been living in Southern California for a couple years now, and a year ago I bought a hatchback (Focus ST). I see tons of other hatches on the road around here.

Last time I visited the parents on Long Island it suddenly hit me, nobody there drives a hatch! I guess I had never realized that while I was living there. Sure there are a few MB and BMW wagons, but mostly it's sedans and SUVs.

Kate's Dirty Sister > ranwhenparked 02/12/2015 at 20:12

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Raising a long roofed car helps proportions, I agree with that, but I would still prefer a wagon for the driving dynamics.

I'm a foodie and make my own mayonnaise, but who am I to judge people that are using Hellman's or even worse, Miracle Whip ?

Steve in Manhattan > CB 02/12/2015 at 20:13

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Four is not too bad - guessing they don't over stick in US.

Steve in Manhattan > T5Killer 02/12/2015 at 20:15

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So did a good friend when I recommended a Focus ST. She got a Jetta. Just wait until the front suspension dies ....

Steve in Manhattan > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 20:17

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Or tell her to do a DeMuro on something they want with a CarMax warranty. That would be fun.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Yossarian 02/12/2015 at 20:17

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I cross-shopped both before buying the Focus ST, and the Tiguan was cheaper, awd, more powerful, and -sit down- more fun to drive.

True story.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Steve in Manhattan 02/12/2015 at 20:20

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I could also Tavarish'd them and suggest an 8 years old r63 AMG...

Steve in Manhattan > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 20:28

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What's wrong with a new or lightly used Mazda 5?

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 20:29

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I'm already working on selling the gf on wagons. If I don't, I'm seeing "crossovers" in my future.

I don't want to "cross over!"

I'm planning this like 10 years in advance.

T5Killer > Vintage1982Benz 02/12/2015 at 20:30

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^That MB is hot and I am in no way a MB fanboy.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Steve in Manhattan 02/12/2015 at 20:35

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they rust like crazy in the North East and with the 2.3, they are just as thirsty as a full size minivan.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Steve in Manhattan 02/12/2015 at 20:36

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I keep thinking about this. What if a person was to completely gut the Allroad? E.g.: small block Chevy, redesigned (airbag free) suspension...

ranwhenparked > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 20:40

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Well, Miracle Whip isn't even legally mayonnaise. Feel free to judge those people all you want.

Steve in Manhattan > BaconSandwich is tasty. 02/12/2015 at 20:44

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Nope - just buy something else. And taking safety equipment out is ill advised, and almost certainly illegal.

desertdog5051 > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 21:13

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RIP. What have we done to deserve this? You are probably right. I hold my hat in hand.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop 02/12/2015 at 21:28

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isn't that becuase the TV show "real wives of long island" actually describes most of long island, as in yuppie soccer moms who drive range rovers.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Steve in Manhattan 02/12/2015 at 21:41

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I didn't mean airbags as in safety - I meant suspension air bags. As in the ones used to raise/lower the car.

Steve in Manhattan > BaconSandwich is tasty. 02/12/2015 at 21:53

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Agreed - if there's a viable suspension replacement, absolutely. Like those old saggy Buick Roadmasters and Lincoln Continentals - please replace me, let me go.

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 02/12/2015 at 22:31

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Something like that. I mean that's kind of a broad generalization for 7.5 million people, and I don't think there's a show by that name, but in some areas that's definitely true.

But even among the average middle-class kids like myself, there's no love for cars with odd-numbered doors.

zeontestpilot > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/12/2015 at 22:48

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My wife hates wagons because they " look ugly", which is the worst reason to not get one. You get a wagon for its usefulness, not its looks

Vintage1982Benz > T5Killer 02/13/2015 at 00:40

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Same.

Vintage1982Benz > T5Killer 02/13/2015 at 03:49

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Sorry, the last post was unclear - I feel the same. Despite my handle here in kinja land I am not a Benz enthusiast, the screen name is a play on my birth year and last name and in no way associated with Mercedes.

Please also disregard the 300SL avatar pic I selected earlier today, which was previously Beavis and/or a Singer Porsche.

Haase > Kate's Dirty Sister 02/13/2015 at 10:20

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A Golf? C'mon, if you're going to go wagon, go all the way.