Best wagon you can buy?

"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson) 06/08/2016 at 01:55 • Filed to: None

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Not sure if someone has run this question today as a parallel to the article on the front page but I don’t car for sedans so I’m curious what the best wagon you can buy today is.

If someone already has asked this question today kindly point me in the direction of that post.

The first criteria I have is value as a wagon is utilitarian by nature so insane wagons like an M5 wagon or a CTS-V wagon don’t really fit. It’s wonderful that they existed at one point but they are contrary to a wagon’s true purpose.

Next would probably be fun to drive. Do not mock me for my hypocrisy. That said I find a Ford Aspire to be fun to drive so all I really need is something that’s not a fat pig.

Haulability would be next. Wagons need to haul stuff.

Lastly would be kid friendly. My wife’s car is kid friendly so mine being extra kid friendly would just be a bonus.

I’ve reevaluated my driving habits and priorities and concluded that leases are actually ok and might even be preferable. So far my favorite is a base Volvo V60 with the heated seats and built in booster seats for kids package. Hatches and slightly lifted wagons and hatches (so far the GLA is my second choice) pretending to be crossovers are ok too.

What are your recommendations Oppo?

CRider > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 02:04

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GTC4 Lusso

E63 AMG wagon.

JustWaitingForAMate > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 02:10

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6.2L V8.

It will baby.

It will dual baby with enough room between the boosters for an adult.

It will carry 15 cases of beer with room for baby seats and strollers.

Nauraushaun > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 02:39

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Those V60s are hideous. I think once they got older, people will see that.

I vote for the HSV wagon. Those things are ridiculous. Or maybe one of those Jags which are still fullsize, the HSV is more of a sportwagon. OR the CLS.

xyzabc > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 06:23

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BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 06:51

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I just recently bought a Golf SportWagen not because it was the “best” at any one thing, but because it did many things better than average. Not the fastest (about 7.8secs to 60), but good enough. Nice interior and tech for what it cost (paid about $22k for a LE), decent gas mileage, and the driving dynamics of a Golf, so better than most CUVs.

Reliability? We’ll see, but my expectations are realistic. Let’s just say I’m not expecting this to be my son’s first car in 15 years.

Edit: I also cross shopped the V60. Much nicer inside, slower, worse gas mileage, and less interior space.

mcseanerson > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 06/08/2016 at 08:33

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Thanks for being one of two people so far who actually read something besides the title. I didn’t want to look at the VW because I figured it would be like other cheap wagons and just barely more than a hatch. Looking at it again it’s actually pretty nice looking and has me considering it.

I don’t care about 0-60 at all, like I said I can have fun driving a Ford Aspire. I do want fun in the twisties though and the Golf looks like a good suggestion for that. The big issues I have is it actually leases at pretty much the same rate as the v60 and actually gets worse gas mileage than the base v60 (37 mpg hwy for the base v60, 36 for the base golf wagon)

Tom McParland > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 08:39

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If you can afford it...BMW 3-series F31. It drives great and has plenty of cargo area. The downside is the price, though I’ve seen CPO examples in the mid-low 30's if you are willing to travel.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 08:40

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I can’t comment on lease rates, though it’s crazy that a $22k car would have the same lease as a $40k car. Dealers be crazy.

The base GSW does feel cheap, but the LE and SEL versions are very nice inside. It seems to be built better than previous VWs (especially the crapular Jetta and Passat) and I’ve been seeing consistently 33mpg mixed (mostly hwy, though I drive fast). Best mpg was 37 on flat, 60mph most of the way; worst was 30mpg when I was really flogging it.

That being said, I bought it because it was stupid cheap and made financial sense to do so vs. fixing up my old car. My wife also didn’t like the looks of the Volvo. If I was leasing, though, the Volvo may have won...

Edit: also the GLA is crap. Don't do it unless there's a ton of money on the hood.

Katsumoto > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 09:26

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What about a Mazda 3, Ford Focus or Honda HRV?Supposedly the HRV is built with the new Fit chassis. Its just a Fit and Crv had a baby.

I cant comment on ownership experience in any of them nor leasing orpurchasing pricing.

mcseanerson > Tom McParland 06/08/2016 at 09:33

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Yeah, it was definitely on the shopping list but the price kind of disqualified it for me.

RazoE > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 09:34

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Why a wagon? I love the body style, don’t get me wrong, but do you need cargo area, or do you like wagon versions of sporty cars? Would a 5 door hatch be a good suggestion?

mcseanerson > Katsumoto 06/08/2016 at 09:42

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I think I’d rather have a Fit than an HRV. I like the Mazda 3 and the Focus and used to own a 3 but I really want more cargo capacity than your standard compact hatch. I mainly asked people to include hatches in case there’s one I’m not thinking of that might suit me a little better.

mcseanerson > RazoE 06/08/2016 at 09:48

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A five door hatch is definitely something I would consider but I would really like the extra cargo space. I make films on the weekends and one of the most common things I do is lighting which takes a lot of equipment and takes up a lot of room. My wife drives a Kia Soul with three kids in the back seat and the storage area is very minimal, so it would be nice to have something that could haul stuff with out folding down the back seats.

To be honest I’m even considering a van like the transit or something but everyone I’ve talked to says the ride and the finish on the transit and similar vans are terrible.

Katsumoto > mcseanerson 06/08/2016 at 09:59

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Theres the Scion IM, soon to be a Corolla IM, Hyundai Veloster, Honda Crosstour/Acura version, Subaru Outback, audi allroad,Kia soul. Evidently Mazda makes a 6 hatch.

I honestly cant think of anymore.

mcseanerson > Katsumoto 06/08/2016 at 10:08

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Corlla IM is too small, Veloster is too small, Outback is a full on crossover now, Wife owns a soul and it is the reason I’m realizing that a small hatch doesn’t cut it anymore, Mazda doesn’t sell a 6 hatch in the states, and Audi:

Nope.

I’ve ridden in a crosstour though and I didn’t hate it so I’ll consider that.

xyzabc > mcseanerson 06/15/2016 at 08:03

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“...M5 wagon or a CTS-V wagon don’t really fit. It’s wonderful that they existed at one point but they are contrary to a wagon’s true purpose.”

I swear I read this same line in a 5-year old copy of Good Housekeeping magazine at the Dentist office.