Considering a wagon

"Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD" (300korbust) 05/18/2016 at 15:08 • Filed to: None

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To open, enjoy this 320i for sale:

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Anyway, I’ve been considering getting a wagon. I don’t really care if it is auto or manual. I have about $3,200 to spend, and I’m considering selling my motorcycle in case I need to get a better wagon. So, here is what I am looking for in a wagon:

- room in the cargo space/trunk/boot. I need to put skateboards, safety gear, and backpacks back there.

- reliability or non-plagued cars. I’m avoiding the Allroad at this point.

- something decent looking and at least some power. Sorry, but I’m ruling out Outbacks and Camry wagons

- at least okay to use in winter if I’m careful. AWD is preferred.

- somewhat good on gas. Please consider the fact I have a 1993 Accord now that does about 28 mpg highway and city combined.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:16

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Inb4 Volvo 240. It’s slow and not that reliable. We’ve had more than one, it’s a shitty car.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:17

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I’m going to say E39 wagon, because I have an E39 sedan and I like the wagon better. And I drove mine all winter in Canada with no problem, and my traction control and abs doesn’t work.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:19

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Legacy wagon if you can find one. Should be decent on gas mileage. They are like cockroaches in Colorado.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:20

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CE Accord EX Wagon

$3200 should get you a near-perfect example, and an EX 5-speed would be optimal.

Plus, an H22 or K24 swap is common and well-documented, so adding power is no problem. I loved my CE wagon but it was just the wrong one.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/18/2016 at 15:23

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Definitely not in the mood for modding, but I do like this. No manuals for sale in my area, but here is a grandma gold one that isn’t bad about an hour and a half away from me.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5586065073…

OPPOsaurus WRX > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:25

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thats right abut what I paid for my Allroad

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 05/18/2016 at 15:25

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Really liking this one:

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5584129018…

Again, aren’t these problematic BMWs?

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/18/2016 at 15:27

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How good has your Allroad been to you though? I have heard nothing but horror stories about them.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Future next gen S2000 owner 05/18/2016 at 15:28

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Not the one I want though. Still looking.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:28

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Forester XT if you can find one.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:30

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Not really, if they’ve been maintained. There’s a few problem spots, but nothing too major on the 2000+ ones with I6s. The V8s had timing chain issues which gets expensive.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 05/18/2016 at 15:32

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I was probably thinking the V8 ones then. I’d go with I6 for gas mileage anyway. Still, kind of concerned with RWD in winter, but some weight in the rear and winter tires all around should help, right?

S65 > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:33

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Have You Considered A Volvo 240 Wagon?

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:35

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Don’t put weight on the rear, it’ll only make fuel economy worse. And yes, good snow tires are a must. I drove on complete ice road after an ice storm last winter, and I just kept it slow and had no problem. It was actually fun, sliding around corners.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > S65 05/18/2016 at 15:35

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Too old for me since I’m concerned with finding parts. Also, aren’t these RWD? Lastly, my family will give me nothing BUT grief on how hipster these things are.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:36

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They are terrible, don’t let the hive mind tell you otherwise.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:39

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well consider I paid $3200 ($3000 after he gave back $200 when he ordered the wrong strut air bag)

I replaced both rear air bags @ $200 each

CV axles @ $50 each

Tires @ $500 +/- (toyotas eventually need tires too)

in order to get my alignment I had to have the cut the lower control arms off because one bolt was broken and the other was rusted/fused together. there goes another $500 but that cant really be attributed to it being an Allroad but more to New England winters/salt. I probably could have/should have done it myself for $100 and then gotten the alignment

So my overall cost of ownership over 6 months is roughly $4800.

The cars started every day so far.

I do have an oil leak which will cost me $1000 to get resolved but that will also get me all new pullies, timing belt and seals theoretically extending the engine for another 75k miles

So I paid $3000 for a wagon with adjustable air ride, biturbo V6 heated seats front and rear, a great AWD system, leather, powerer everything, cassette player (what? o thats right this was 2003) CD player

o and its a 6 speed, one of 300 brought to the US in 2003.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:41

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E46 325iT X-Drive? Stay up on maintenance and it'll be reliable. RWD biased AWD. Most by now have had their cooling systems overhauled. The only issue I can think of is the automatic has a reputation to shit the bed if abused.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/18/2016 at 15:42

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Based on some research I’ve done, they seem pretty bad. I don’t know, but I’ll probably put that one down on the bottom of the list.

S65 > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:43

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Audi A5?

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/18/2016 at 15:51

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Most are about $5,000+ where I’m at. I’ll keep looking though.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Future next gen S2000 owner 05/18/2016 at 15:51

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Can’t edit my last post. Anyway, here is a Legacy GT wagon I kind of want:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventory…

OPPOsaurus WRX > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 15:53

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research is for shmucks.

YOLO.... or something. I think thats what the kids say these days.

I just did a quick search in my local CL in soi specific order

Most common vehicles are

Volvo XC70 CC

Audi A4 avant

Subaru Outbacks

Volvo V70

and this guy:

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/557015…

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/18/2016 at 16:00

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Saabs are so cool for some reason. I like that 9-5!

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 17:19

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2000-2005 Audi A4 avant (I think most people recommend avoiding the CVT, and trying to get a manual or 6sp tiptropic)

Ford Focus SVT or ZX3/5/W with the bigger 2.3l engine - best on gas and good reliability

2004ish Mazda6 wagon - quick, not very common

E39 528i - known to have some electronic glitches but engine and trans are generally regarded as pretty solid.

Dusty Ventures > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 19:56

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“something decent looking and at least some power. Sorry, but I’m ruling out Outbacks and Camry wagons”

Are you saying the Outback isn’t decent looking? Because

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/18/2016 at 20:34

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The two Volvo 240s I owned taught me that “Reliable” and “Durable” are two different things.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/18/2016 at 20:36

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The engine is durable, the rest of the things tend not to be.

sn4cktimes > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/18/2016 at 20:56

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Wagon! Audi and BMW both make some pretty decently powered wagons. Can’t see them being cost effective though. I think Volvo make a few turbo AWD wagons back in the day, probably harder to find than a unicorn.

I just bought a sweet 1988 AMC Eagle Wagon. Select Drive 4WD. Hope to have it road worthy / reliable by this winter.

(As a side-note question, how does one write something and then post onto Oppo? I’d like to kinda chronicle the restoration process on here for everyone’s pleasure / for people to call out my mistakes)

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Dusty Ventures 05/19/2016 at 03:12

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Way out of my price range for those. Now those, if I could afford it, I’d go for. Especially the Legacy GT variant.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 05/19/2016 at 03:13

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No thanks because I’m not a Forester fan. Sorry. Thanks though!

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 05/19/2016 at 03:15

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No joke, there is a Mazda 6 Wagon manual for sale in my area and I’m thinking about checking it out!

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/cto/5588598364…

Dusty Ventures > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/19/2016 at 07:06

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You can’t find an Outback/Legacy of that generation sans turbo for $3,200? Or would that fall in the category of “not enough power?”

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/19/2016 at 08:30

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Yeah - I had an 89 that had a falling-apart interior and electrics seemed to always have something wrong. It developed a valve rattle like an old Honda that hadn’t been properly serviced. Then I had an 88 that just fell apart.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Dusty Ventures 05/19/2016 at 14:10

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It’s not that. It’s called the ridiculously stupid Colorado car market where people have never heard of the word “depreciation.” Subarus have huge value here. High mileage, rebuilt status STIs go for a minimum of $13,000

Dusty Ventures > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 05/19/2016 at 15:38

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I understand. We believe in the Subaru tax here in New England as well

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Dusty Ventures 05/19/2016 at 15:38

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It is such an idiotic and unnecessary tax, too.