Okay - I've been thinking about this for a while and that when I get a job I'll be wanting a new car - my civic has done me well for 10 years. I've always had a crush on wagons and that's what I'd probably get.

So what cars < $35k still come as wagons?

Impreza
Jetta
Saab 9-3 - I've always liked Saabs.

What else? I've really been far removed from the current car market.

-Ford Focus (the 2011 model is supposed to be really good)
-Acura TSX (Coming out with a wagon model in 2011)
-Sube Legacy
-Passat
-Couple Volvo's also come in sedan and wagon trim....

only looking at new, or used as well?

I'm not sure re: used/new - anything goes at this point.

They still make a legacy wagon? I thought it was just the gigantic outback now. I'll have to check that out.

im partial to wrx wagons, have an 05 and an 07.
the legacy wagons are nice, if you can find a manual turbo one (rare).

not sure if you want turbo, na, manual, auto, paddle shifter (new hideous evo wagon thing)

To be honest I've never owned a fast car and I could really care less - so as long as the car is getting out of it's own way I'm good to go.

Oh snap, the audi A3 tdi looks incredible.

auto or manual transmission?

mazda 3
mazdaspeed3

I haven't had a car with stick - but I could learn I guess. Auto is probably best since there's a ****ton of traffic around here.

Mazda6 v6
honda crosstour

Jetta
Golf
Passat
A4
A6
A3
3 Series
Legacy
Mazda 3
Mazda 6
Volvo V50

I love love love my forester.

The audi wagons are nice and fit your price.

What about a mini?

Mazda 3/6 also.

Thanks dudes!

I love the mini but that's a bit small for what I was thinking. Ability to lay down in the back would be a big plus.

How tall are you?

My forester is big, but laying down for me at 6'4 isn't much of an option. I could probably push the front seats forward and let my feet hang though.

I'm 6'1" and wasn't positive it would be an option at all - but would be nice.

I sleep on my side with my knees up, so it might work out.

vista cruiser!!!!!!

caprice wagon

Originally Posted by MoLS

Oh snap, the audi A3 tdi looks incredible.

Check out the price, if you want to be crushed.

Originally Posted by MoLS

I haven't had a car with stick - but I could learn I guess. Auto is probably best since there's a ****ton of traffic around here.

Is that a f*** ton of traffic, or a s*** ton of traffic.

Originally Posted by MoLS

Thanks dudes!

I love the mini but that's a bit small for what I was thinking. Ability to lay down in the back would be a big plus.

If your not going to buy a Subaru.....

Have you looked at the MINI Clubman? Don't get the S if you don't care about performance, and save money.

Unless your a Volksenwagon person, I would go look at the Mazda 6 Touring.

Originally Posted by case sensitive

Vista Cruiser!!!!!!

I had one of those....soooooo coool! 455 with the cool air twin scoop fiberglass hood.

I've honestly never been a huge fan of Mazda.

MSRP isn't bad on the a3 tdi - are they going for a lot more than that?

and it's a t***-ton of traffic - is that not a phrase?

Originally Posted by billd92

I had one of those....soooooo coool! 455 with the cool air twin scoop fiberglass hood.

These things with the 455's were monsters. We had one that was all black with curtains in the rear windows when I was growing up, it looked like a hearse. The thing could take just about anything made in the 70's and 80's in a straight line. Muscle Car in a wagon form.

oooh get a hearse. nobody ****s with a hearse. and you can pretty much park where you want.

so that interview went $35k new car good?
when's the d700 coming?

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

so that interview went $35k new car good?
when's the d700 coming?

Well, it did go really well! But I wasn't really sure how much to expect to make before this interview - a job that's as specific as this one is difficult to research online. I'm not sure how much I'll actually be able to afford - but $35k seemed like a reasonable cap.

D700 is coming ASAP!

Originally Posted by case sensitive

oooh get a hearse. nobody ****s with a hearse. and you can pretty much park where you want.

The guy who does my tattoo work drives a 70s era Cadillac hearse.

This was ours, basically, except black. I wish we hadn't sold that thing.
http://www.cars-on-line.com/32524.html

I wanted a Passat wagon, but the timing wasn't right for us to get one so we ended up with a Passat Sedan which I love. I've Since Driven the wagon several times and it's also a great car. Even with the 2.0T it's got plenty of grunt and a nice road feel for 30 grand. I'd buy one.

Originally Posted by astockwell

This was ours, basically, except black. I wish we hadn't sold that thing.
http://www.cars-on-line.com/32524.html

Ok, Here's what mine looked like but with brown metallic paint instead of green. It didn't have the 442 name on it though.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/...506504297b.jpg

I love 05 obxt. Its all black, holds a lot of crap and is very wagony. I bout it this year after waiting for almost 5 years to buy a wagon. I love the shape, the way it drives and the can be had for around 13-14k. You fould probably goo all the way up to 08 leggys and not get the minivan outback since u want auto.

Originally Posted by AWD FTW!

Dont go BMW, VW, or AUDI unless it is still under warranty. I have worked(and Currently do work) at a dealership that sells all these brands and even the salesman say they would never own a european car that didnt have a warranty. VW by far are horrible horrible horrible as far as reliability in the long run. You want something that wont cost a fortune to upkeep stick to import or maybe domestic.

Just my 2 cents

I forgot to add that part to my comments. Keep a VW 4 years and unload it, unless it's air cooled. Then keep it forever. How about a TypeIII squareback? Very definition of a compact station wagon. Also cheap, easy to maintain and modify, and pretty dang sexy.

..Course, I might be prejudiced on that one too...


AWD FTW: Interesting to hear BMW has the same reliability issues as VW and AUD. I Figured Audi might be weak on durability like VW, but am saddened to learn BMW is slipping as well. Had kind of hoped they'd have their stuff together. Does that Make Mini suspect too? Doesn't BMW own them?

bull****. bull****. bull****. just make sure you get a diesel vw/audi. they last forever, go like stink, and are excellent cars. of course i might be biased seeing as i've had mine for 9ish years and 173,800 miles. i have never had a more reliable car. period.

Originally Posted by case sensitive

bull****. bull****. bull****. just make sure you get a diesel vw/audi. they last forever, go like stink, and are excellent cars. of course i might be biased seeing as i've had mine for 9ish years and 173,800 miles. i have never had a more reliable car. period.

I'd say it's too soon to say on Audi diesels, but yeah, the oil burner is the only VW I'd consider and if we go that route we'll get something with some sort of warranty...

Diesel is a huge pull for me - I've always wanted one.

So Jetta or A3 are at the top of my list.

not sure what your thoughts are on wagons -vs- hatches, but the rabbit/golf/whateverthey'recallingitthesedays also comes in diesel. And their DSG is a VERY good clutchless transmission... So as a non stick guy it might be the perfect mix for you. We still want a real stick for the maintenance as the DSGs haven't been out that long, but so far they're pretty awesome from what I've heard (audi even puts them in their fast cars with tons of HP and TQ).

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the Jetta gets the dsg, too. I know the A3 does. I've heard great things about it.

I think the golf might be a little bit small for what I'm looking for, though. I think the A3 might actually be a bit small, too - but I don't think I've seen one in person. I'll have to keep an eye out.

I really wish they made a passat wagon with a tdi.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

I'd say it's too soon to say on Audi diesels, but yeah, the oil burner is the only VW I'd consider and if we go that route we'll get something with some sort of warranty...

audi has had diesels in europe forever and they're the same diesel(s) in the vw, so it shouldn't be a problem at all.

I had a 1971 VW Beetle with an Autostick transmission. It seemed like a very good transmission, still worked great when the car met it's demise in 1991. This was not exactly a DSG, but this type of technology has been around for a long time. I think VW first started using this around 1968.

Outback Wagon? I like the new green color. The added ground clearance is nice too.

Originally Posted by nate49509

Outback Wagon? I like the new green color. The added ground clearance is nice too.

Troof! I miss my STi wagon, but the Outback rocks LGT wagon ftw as well!!!

Originally Posted by MoLS

MSRP isn't bad on the a3 tdi - are they going for a lot more than that?

A3 = SECKZ

this?

I need to test drive a subaru. I've always liked them but not as much as other makes. I know all of you guys love them, though. I do really like the LGT, but I don't need the power associated with it and I'd rather get better mileage.

Nooo you would look fabulous in a Trabant.

My beard wouldn't even fit in that thing.

Originally Posted by MoLS

I think the golf might be a little bit small for what I'm looking for, though. I think the A3 might actually be a bit small, too - but I don't think I've seen one in person. I'll have to keep an eye out.

I really wish they made a passat wagon with a tdi.

They did make the passat in diesel, did they stop? And yeah, the gold is smaller than the A3 which is smaller than the jetta, but they're all on the same frame. So they're close, a lot of it is in their outside shape that makes them SEEM a lot different. But I hear you. All three are on our list as well but the A3 is out on cost.

Originally Posted by case sensitive

audi has had diesels in europe forever and they're the same diesel(s) in the vw, so it shouldn't be a problem at all.

yeah, it's the electronics I'm worried about. My Dad's S4 was a wicked car but had gremilins at the end and the parts were stupid expensive. Nothing that kept it off the road either, just annoying little ****.

Originally Posted by nate49509

Outback Wagon? I like the new green color. The added ground clearance is nice too.

the new one IS NOT A STATION WAGON!

I like outbacks from the last few years, but the new one is pure **** IMHO. I LOVE Leggy wagons with turbos.

plenty of room for a fish tank.