Hey ILX, which car should I purchase?

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I'm looking for a practical and fun-to-drive wagon. Here are a few possibilities:

http://www.rrt.ru/images/leg_vag1.jpg
Subaru Legacy

http://www.edmunds.com/media/seo/500/2006.audi.a3.jpg
Audi A3

http://www.whitbymazda.com/06photo/mazda/3sport4dr-gs.jpg
Mazda 3

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:42 (nineteen years ago)

delorean!!!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:46 (nineteen years ago)

I really like the A3, but isn't there a big price difference b/w that one and the Mazda / Suburu? FWIW I've driven all three and like the way that the Suburu handles, but it's got a rep for being heavier on the maintenence end than either of the other two.

― Damn, Atreyu! (x Jeremy), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:47 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.debrady.com/gallery/battlefield%20glass/images/Caravan%201.jpg

― Damn, Atreyu! (x Jeremy), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:47 (nineteen years ago)

Alfa Romeo 159 all the way

ihttp://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/geneva_2006/0603_geneva_019+2007_alfa_romeo_159_sportwagon+front_side_view.jpg

― LOL Thomas (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:50 (nineteen years ago)

We just got the Passat wagon, which is a real wagon (the A3/Mazda3 are hatchbacks). So far, we're loving it. We got the 2.0T version (not the gas-guzzling 3.2 V6 version), and it's pretty peppy.

― schwantz (schwantz), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:51 (nineteen years ago)

1978 trans am special edition gold

ahh but you want a wagon. dude, DONT get one of those magnum cars. YOU CANT SEE ANYTHING! like traffic lights etc.

― sunny successor (katharine), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:52 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, the A3 is definitely in a higher price range. I'd go with a bare-bones A3 and try to drive a hard bargain.

We just got the Passat wagon, which is a real wagon (the A3/Mazda3 are hatchbacks). So far, we're loving it. We got the 2.0T version (not the gas-guzzling 3.2 V6 version), and it's pretty peppy.

Point taken about the Mazda and Audi being hatchbacks not wagons. They still have some of the wagon utility though.

I'll look into the Passat. What kind of experiences have you had with the VW dealership. I've heard some horror stories about VW service.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:56 (nineteen years ago)

The Mazda 3 drives like shit. The only rental I've used recently that I liked less (comfort/visibility/pickup wise) was the Mini Cooper no-frills edition.
I wouldn't buy another VW/Audi product unless I worked for the company.
Service on those things is an arm and a bitch, and they charge boutique premiums for honda standards.
Look into the Toyota/Scion line (the Matrix is nice but a little underpowered) and Honda. You cannot, repeat cannot, go wrong. Probably can't go wrong with the Subaru either.

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:56 (nineteen years ago)

That Magnum is a silly looking car.

xpost

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:57 (nineteen years ago)

I would definitely go with the A3, if you have the money for it.

― GILLY'S BAGG'EAR VANCE OF COUPARI (Ex Leon), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:57 (nineteen years ago)

VW/Audi = one stop shop for all your needs. Of course that means they can charge ballpark beer prices for all spare parts, you can't get a second opinion on anything, and oh by the way we're all busy for the next two weeks so here's a loaner while yours is sitting in the backlot.

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 16:58 (nineteen years ago)

I've said it elsewhere and Ed agreed with me, Audi is like the Apple of cars, overpriced, nice to look at, really nice to operate, and if it breaks you = screwed.

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:00 (nineteen years ago)

I absolutely adore the A3. I'm more worried about the cost of ownership than the initial price difference. Premium fuel + Audi maintenance gives me serious pause.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:00 (nineteen years ago)

dude! the alfa! seriously. get an alfa.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:01 (nineteen years ago)

grrrr... stupid long url...

Here's another shot

http://www.autoblog.it/uploads/alfa_159_sportwagon_new_03.jpg

― LOL Thomas (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:02 (nineteen years ago)

dude! the alfa! seriously. get an alfa.

Unfortunately (fortunately?), Alfa Romeo is not sold in the U.S.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:03 (nineteen years ago)

We had a good experiencce with the salespeople at the VW dealership, but that was probably due to my wife's ridiculously high credit rating.

I had a Jetta a few years ago, and I had a decent experience with the dealership (I live in San Francisco). I don't think it was materially better or worse than my experience with the Ford dealership for my Focus. The Jetta definitely had some goofy build problems (my driver's side window fell into the door a couple of times, the "check engine" light came on a couple of spurious times), but nothing serious.

I think if Toyota still made a Camry wagon, we would have gone for that, but they don't.

Plus, the Passat has an umbrella holder in the door. Hear that? UMBRELLA HOLDER!

― schwantz (schwantz), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:03 (nineteen years ago)

if you just need a small hatchback the Scion xA is the best car being manufactured in America right now, easily

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:04 (nineteen years ago)

You should get that thing that looks like a milk truck.

― Allyzay will never stop making pancakes (allyzay), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:05 (nineteen years ago)

I'm not feeling the front-end of that Alfa Romeo. The grill is nice though.

xpost

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:05 (nineteen years ago)

Plus, the Passat has an umbrella holder in the door. Hear that? UMBRELLA HOLDER!

All of my car purchase decisions are based on the availability of umbrella holders.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:06 (nineteen years ago)

1978 trans am special edition gold
ahh but you want a wagon. dude

Don't dismiss yourself just yet.

http://www.fbodydomain.com/Firebird/2ndGenWag/78wagprofile.jpg

― LOL Thomas (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:07 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah or the Scion xB, that's a fun value whip too.

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:07 (nineteen years ago)

I kind of like the xB, but that's a no-go with the wife.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:08 (nineteen years ago)

Basically after my lovely VW experience I've come to realize any automotive is a big fat $$$ hole so I'm all about cheapo reliability and mpg. I'm not even 30 yet wtf.

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:09 (nineteen years ago)

That trans am is completely bizarre.

Car ownership is absolutely a $$$ hole. It's not an investment though.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:10 (nineteen years ago)

Try the xA, seriously! It's like the number one most inexpensive TCO of any car around, and I love driving it. When we rent Zipcars for whatever I practically go out of my way to get a Scion now.

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:10 (nineteen years ago)

I can't bring myself to like any of the Scions, but I've known a few VW drivers that had the same "wacky" issues with build quality in an otherwise decent car.

I think the last decent VW wagon was this guy:

http://photos.aaca.org/data/519/18910Sqbk11Jun05LR-med.JPG?4408

I wouldn't mind owning one now actually.

― LOL Thomas (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:18 (nineteen years ago)

That's an attractive vehicle, but I assume it doesn't include side-curtain airbags.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:28 (nineteen years ago)

those things were utterly beautiful. rear-engined, though, yes? so the load space would be absolutely dire. still: it's like an estate karman ghia.

Unfortunately (fortunately?), Alfa Romeo is not sold in the U.S.

really? bloody hellfire, that's just WRONG. get importing ;)

the front end of the 159 is basically the same as the brera, and in a couple of years' time i'm getting me a brera. oh mama. etc.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:33 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.javelinamx.com/Batmobile/bc1-9001.jpg

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:38 (nineteen years ago)

Of the three you listed, go for the Subaru. It is by far the most reliable. VWs also have very spotty reliability. Plus, the picture is "leg vag 1.jpg"

― DAVE, for #1 Hits of yesterday and today! (dave225.3), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:39 (nineteen years ago)

reliability, schmeliability

― GILLY'S BAGG'EAR VANCE OF COUPARI (Ex Leon), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:40 (nineteen years ago)

those things were utterly beautiful. rear-engined, though, yes? so the load space would be absolutely dire. still: it's like an estate karman ghia.

Yeah, it's rear-engined but it's down low so you don't lose as much space as you might think.

― LOL Thomas (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:41 (nineteen years ago)

I noticed that vw have started doing diesels in the states in which case the golf/jetta sw or passat sw in a diesel variant would be my pick. The alfa 159 sw in the 1.9 jtdm would be great that is an amazing diesel engine, especially with the 6 speed box. I had an alfa gt with that config from hertz last weekend instead of a ford mondeo (go figure how they are equivalent, especially with red leather seats), I had so much fun and the fuel economy was pretty good.

(I am such a wanker, posting this from a bamboo chair in central warsaw)

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:41 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, it's rear-engined but it's down low so you don't lose as much space as you might think.

Haha. It didn't occur to me that a rear-engined wagon is a very strange design indeed.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 17:50 (nineteen years ago)

Don't drive a Subaru--I swear Subaru drivers are the worst drivers in the world (well, at least they are in Vermont).

I've only driven the Mazda & I loved it. I have a Toyota Matrix which is wagon-like, and I'm incredibly glad I bought it.

― jay blanchard (jay blanchard), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:05 (nineteen years ago)

diesel is still somewhat more difficult to acquire in the states than regular unleaded

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:05 (nineteen years ago)

I had an alfa gt with that config from hertz last weekend instead of a ford mondeo

i thought i was doing well when i got a mitsubishi grandis instead of a mondeo, but FUCK ME :)

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:07 (nineteen years ago)

I think I must be well known at my local hertz. I hire two or three times a month for work there. I also think that alfa must be having trouble selling diesel coupes and dumping them on the hire companies. I should look at the auction prices in a years time.

It was a totally unsuitable car for going camping in and far too short for 1m88 of me. However to get red leather instead of grey velour was a treat.

(It doest'r have a minijack aux socket like the mondeo does either)

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:29 (nineteen years ago)

On the subject of diesel in the us, because I noticed that most petrol stations didn't stock it when I was in florida the other week:

Where do the trucks fill up? Are all econolines and astrovans and even what I'd call a luton petrol powered?

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:37 (nineteen years ago)

18 wheelers and the like have their own depot-type stations for tanking up on diesel fuel, but yeah all the vans and such run on unleaded. Hey, it used to be cheap.

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:40 (nineteen years ago)

Diesel was, until very recently, cheaper to produce and diesel engines produce higher torque. When does the for f-series switch to diesel power, please don't tell me the superduty is petrol powered.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:52 (nineteen years ago)

What about the Mazda6 sport wagon? Better than the Mazda 3, still cheaper than an Audi.

OTOH, the Audi comes with their new DSG transmission, doesn't it? Clutchless manual is where it's at.

xp - you can get most heavy-duty pickups in either diesel or V8 (and some used to go with V10s in the F350 duallie style trucks). Diesel's easy to come by in Texas, with all the trucks. Presumably less common in Massachusetts.

― milo z (mlp), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:54 (nineteen years ago)

I hate the new Mazdas. Huge fuckoff bars in my peripheral vision = bad

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 18:59 (nineteen years ago)

Returning to the subject; do ford sell the mondeo station wagon in the states? Its a thoroughly decent car to drive around and economical (especially in diesel). And if VAG sell skodas in the us the octavia is a good bet, especially in 4 wheel drive config.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 19:27 (nineteen years ago)

Do VAG sell skodas in the states, if so the oktavia sw would be a good buy, especially in 4wd config.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 19:31 (nineteen years ago)

I drove Mazda 6 a few weeks ago. Handled well, but I didn't like the ergonomics. Interior materials were cheap too.

― Super Cub (Debito), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 22:04 (nineteen years ago)

i was going to bring skoda into the equation earlier but i assume there's no US market for them at all.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 22:24 (nineteen years ago)

My wife and I got a Prius its really good at sneaking up on people and running them down because its so silent when you go slow, also its great on gas. Practical and fun.

Go for the audi with quattro and somekind of drive by wire transmission if available and tell everyone that its practical becuase you can drive really fast in the snow.

― Jamie Thorne (Folha Seca), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 23:10 (nineteen years ago)

Volvo S40: $23-28K and built like a tank

http://images.webmakerx.net/edmunds/VEHICLE/2005/Volvo/100406360/033174-E.jpg

About 10 years ago my wife got into a serious highway accident over in Jay Blanchard's neck of the woods. She was a passenger in a Plymouth Acclaim and it held up fairly well, but I'm amazed at the varying degrees of structural integrity offered in today's rides. Check out crash test results.

Of the three you're considering, I like the Audi.

― jim wentworth (wench), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 23:34 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, I second Tombot on the Scion x A hatchback rec.

― Damn, Atreyu! (x Jeremy), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 23:48 (nineteen years ago)

I remain wary of anything that's only got 100hp and 100ft/lb of torque, especially with a automatic transmission.

― milo z (mlp), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 23:49 (nineteen years ago)

Keep in mind that:
- The A3 ain't much of a wagon. Significantly less cargo space than the reg'lar ol' A4 Avant.
- The S40 has a lot in common with the MAZDA3 (which, pace TOMBOT, I think is a great little car for the money.
- Legacy would be the top choice of those three. The higher-end models HAUL. Stealthily.
- You might also dig the Saab 9-3 SportCombi.

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 23:56 (nineteen years ago)

I like the A3, btw, but not for any practical/wagon-type applications. In terms of capacity, it has more in common with teh Golf.

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 23:57 (nineteen years ago)

Go the Subaru.

― Andrew (enneff), Thursday, 15 June 2006 00:36 (nineteen years ago)

And if you're into the A3/Golf, just get the new GTI. I thought it was ugly at first, but the nose has grown on me in certain colors.

― milo z (mlp), Thursday, 15 June 2006 00:49 (nineteen years ago)

Do VAG sell skodas in the states, if so the oktavia sw

que?

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 15 June 2006 01:07 (nineteen years ago)

(I'm pretty sure that's about vaginas)

― Damn, Atreyu! (x Jeremy), Thursday, 15 June 2006 01:15 (nineteen years ago)

Autospies.com reports that Alfa Romeo may be coming back to the US market in '07 (via Maserati dealers). And I could have sworn I saw two or three new Alfas on display at this year's Cleveland Auto Show.

― Jeff Wright (JeffW1858), Thursday, 15 June 2006 02:22 (nineteen years ago)

I wish they would hurry up and sell Smarts in the states

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Thursday, 15 June 2006 02:45 (nineteen years ago)

BTW, Super Cub where in the states are you? Snow/ice conditions would skew some of these suggestions.

FWIW, I had a rental Mazda 3 (a 2004 model) for a couple weeks and it was vaguely OK, but pretty squirrelly w.r.t. handling. Of your three choices at the top, I like the Subaru but I'd give the Volvo some consideration.

As a wildcard off-the-wall suggestion there's always the Ford Freestyle. I had a rental for a couple days and it was great at the basic "get me back and forth to work and carry stuff" duties. Their dealerships are more likely to make a deal for you too.

― LOL Thomas (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 15 June 2006 03:02 (nineteen years ago)

VAG (Volkwagen Audi Group). They own the czech carmaker Skoda and sell it as their budget brand. However the quality is very high and the Oktavia is the same car as the A4/A6/Passat.

Volvo V50 (above) is a good choice too. Saab 9-3 wagon? even a 9-3 hatch is pretty roomy.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 15 June 2006 05:24 (nineteen years ago)

BTW, Super Cub where in the states are you? Snow/ice conditions would skew some of these suggestions.

Hawaii. No snow/ice considerations.

― Super Cub (Debito), Thursday, 15 June 2006 11:48 (nineteen years ago)

I have a '93 Toyota Corolla which has been a great car. If you can get a newish used one they're worth the extra money. My husband has a Suburu Outback which is great too, especially if you have to deal with snow. There are probably so many bad drivers in them in Vermont (x-post) because there are simply so many of them, the reason being that they're the only reasonable-sized AWD wagon out there. There's the RAV 4, but that looks like it might do the Suzuki Samarai thing and flip on tight curves. And not as much cargo space.
I haven't driven a Scion, but I have huge Toyota-trust.
VW Passat window and door controls fuck up, just like the Rabbit's. Fabulous smooth ride, but total shite in snow. They must salt the fuck out of the Autobahn.

― Beth Parker (Beth Parker), Thursday, 15 June 2006 12:37 (nineteen years ago)

I just remembered my Beetle had a fucked up window too. What the hell is that about?

― TOMBOT (TOMBOT), Thursday, 15 June 2006 12:53 (nineteen years ago)

It's a Nazi plot.

― Beth Parker (Beth Parker), Thursday, 15 June 2006 12:58 (nineteen years ago)

even a 9-3 hatch is pretty roomy

Where can I get a 9-3 hatch?

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Thursday, 15 June 2006 16:11 (nineteen years ago)

Where are you? Two of my friends have just bought W plate ones for good prices.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 15 June 2006 16:56 (nineteen years ago)

Why do you want a wagon? Of the three above, I like the Mazda best, but maybe because it's shown in a pretty blue. I got a used Honda Civ about a year ago, and I haven't had any problems (yet). If I was buying today I would go for the Honda Fit or the Toyota Yaris (I think--I haven't seen any on the road yet so not sure), but is it bad to buy a car in it's first year of model production? I heard it's better to wait until they get the kinks out?

― Mary (Mary), Thursday, 15 June 2006 17:08 (nineteen years ago)

Neither of those cars are new - just new to the U.S. market. Generally speaking, it is advisable to wait until the 2nd model year to purchase a vehicle, but both of those cars have been around for awhile in other markets.

I want a wagon because the 5th door is convenient, and they have a larger cargo capacity compared to a comparable sedan. But mostly I just like the way they look.

― Super Cub (Debito), Thursday, 15 June 2006 17:47 (nineteen years ago)

The yaris is a very small car compared to what supercub has pointed to. It seems to be a good car though often comes top of what to buy lists in its class.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 15 June 2006 20:56 (nineteen years ago)

mädchen has one and likes it, i think. i still haven't witnessed the glorious sight of stet trying to fold his seven-foot frame into it, though :)

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Thursday, 15 June 2006 21:08 (nineteen years ago)

Where are you?

US, I'm afraid...

― rogermexico (rogermexico), Thursday, 15 June 2006 23:31 (nineteen years ago)

The Yaris is *astonishingly* roomy inside. I don't even put the seat right the way back.

― stet (stet), Friday, 16 June 2006 00:26 (nineteen years ago)

It's tall.

― Super Cub (Debito), Friday, 16 June 2006 00:36 (nineteen years ago)

I drive a ten-year-old Subaru Legacy and love it. I'd have no issues with buying another one when this one dies. I live in a place that gets tons of snow, so the 4 wheel drive is a major selling point.

They're very popular with the left-winger food co-op types (myself included) drive them - they get better mileage than SUVs and are still decent winter cars.

― joygoat (joygoat), Friday, 16 June 2006 01:41 (nineteen years ago)

Madchen's Toyota Yaris is one of the best cars I've driven. I'd buy one. I drive a Renault Megane sport coupe which has given us few problems. It's the old style, but the new style looks like it has better boot capacity, which may suit.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 16 June 2006 08:54 (nineteen years ago)

mrs fiendish's sister has one of those too, ailsa (10 or 11 years old). it's a decent car - but maybe not entirely practical, i keep suggesting to them, for a family with two kids.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Friday, 16 June 2006 09:50 (nineteen years ago)

Onimo to thread (he also drives a Megane, and has two kids, though that may be getting swapped for a minibus or something when #3 arrives)

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 16 June 2006 09:52 (nineteen years ago)

He's swapping the first two kids for a minibus when #3 arrives? I hate it when parents display that kind of favoritism.

― Beth Parker (Beth Parker), Friday, 16 June 2006 12:04 (nineteen years ago)

The Dodge Magnum is a re-bodied Mercedes E-Class -- worth looking at.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Friday, 16 June 2006 12:20 (nineteen years ago)

Boot space is quite good in the Megane, and it's been the most reliable car I've owned, and it looks nice clean (mine never looks nice). Mine is a Classic RN, or something, I think.

http://www.cape.fr/Clip-art/megane%20saloon%20red.jpg

I've no idea what we'll get next. I don't want to be Mr MPV Gas Guzzler but I don't think we can fit a baby and everything that goes with it into the Megane without selling one of the older kids.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 16 June 2006 12:21 (nineteen years ago)

You should just put one of the older ones in the boot. Or on a roof-rack.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 16 June 2006 12:31 (nineteen years ago)

We raised two humongous boys and an assortment of large dogs, including a Newfoundland, driving a succession of $500 VW Rabbits. The falling-off door handles helped prevent escapes. Don't fall for the giant-car brainwashing. Think of the gas!

― Beth Parker (Beth Parker), Friday, 16 June 2006 12:40 (nineteen years ago)

The Dodge Magnum is a re-bodied Mercedes E-Class -- worth looking at.

The car gets good reviews, but I just can't get with that styling. The whole muscle car thing is not for me.

I don't like how the roof line slopes down like that. Why limit the cargo space and give the back a claustrophobic feel? Look at the size of those back windows and the height of beltline. Why? And that grill is just silly.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2005/Dodge/100380760/031268-E.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2005/Dodge/100380760/031267-E.jpg

― Super Cub (Debito), Friday, 16 June 2006 12:53 (nineteen years ago)

You should just put one of the older ones in the boot. Or on a roof-rack.

mrs fiendish's sister has one of those roof-box things for the megane coupe. i told their son (my godson) that he had to travel in it from now on. he looked at me with a mixture of confusion and pity. goddamn, who'd be an uncle?

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Friday, 16 June 2006 13:09 (nineteen years ago)

We seriously looked at the same vehicles a few months ago, plus the Toyota/Pontiac. The Audi is far too much $$$ for what you get. In the end we purchased a Subaru Impreza Wagon, for the money I think it's a great deal. AWD, anti-lock, great stereo, 170 hp, fold down seats provide tons of room, and it actually achieves the advertised gas mileage. Dealer was very reasonable during negotiations, I was able to end up below invoice. Legacy is bigger though that hurts performance and gas mileage plus the wife liked the smaller car.

Feel free to hit me up privately if you want more info.

http://www.dullesauto.com/new_photos/265357_1.jpg

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Friday, 16 June 2006 17:01 (nineteen years ago)

I drove a Volvo S40 when I was looking back in January (ended up buying a Honda Accord that I like a whole lot). It was more like 30k when all is said and done, the price goes up for all the little add-ons. It was a fantastic car, though. Also, my wife drives a 2001 9-3 hatch and it's a fantastic car but the newer ones I've heard have problems.

― mcd (mcd), Friday, 16 June 2006 17:56 (nineteen years ago)

I saw the Honda Fit yesterday--it wasn't as small and cute as I thought it would be.

― Mary (Mary), Sunday, 18 June 2006 14:25 (nineteen years ago)

Honda Fit = Honda Jazz everywhere else in the world?

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Sunday, 18 June 2006 14:50 (nineteen years ago)

Honda Fit is Honda Fit in Japan too (but it's been on the market for years)

― Super Cub (Debito), Sunday, 18 June 2006 14:54 (nineteen years ago)

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