VW may axe Taos and Jetta under restructure

[SC Maintenance]

However, I'm an enthusiast that still loves driving, and that sort of thing appeals to me in a wagon.

https://www.audiusa.com/en/models/a6/a6-allroad/2026/overview/

Only $73K.

I honestly was looking for an old beater wagon at one time. If its low enough I could keep my Kayaks on a roof rack and make it under the garage door, so I wouldn't have to unload them every outing.

 

[shortyb]

Yeah, I've seen that. Supposedly the next RS6 wagon will be based on the new 6, except a lot wider and meaner looking. Also, Audi is considering a plain ole A6 Avant without the Allroad cladding and whatnot. Thats a maybe .

 

[4wd]

As most have gathered, I'm a pretty big wagon guy. Best of both worlds, I suppose. Sporty handling with increased cargo capacity. Plus they just look cool . So, yeah, I'd gladly open my wallet for something like that. Not THAT much more than a new car of similar size ranyway. And look at all the Europeans that still buy (and drive) them. Don't think BMW, Audi, MB would still offer them, especially in very expensive M, RS, and AMG versions, unless people bought them do you? We actually have a few here in the good ole USA that are the same way.

However, I'm an enthusiast that still loves driving, and that sort of thing appeals to me in a wagon. I guess what we really need to ask is: Where have all the enthusiasts gone? The preference move to SUVs/CUVs happened when automakers convinced the driving sheep, uh, I mean public, that they NEEDED a bigger, taller, heavier vehicle because they could have a more commanding view of the road., or were "safer" because they were taller , blah blah blah . Once they set the hook, it was easy to get them out of wagons and into a much more expensive SUV, which at the time were just cheap people hauler bodies on pick-up truck frames. Most of the buying public follows the "me too" crowd and will put themselves in debt up to their eyeballs just to be like (or better than) anyone else. And we still have folks paying 100K+ for body on frame Escalades. /rant.

That allot - but I don’t have a truck - tow the RV with the Tahoe - boats and utility trailer with the Jeep - even in deep sand …
Utilize the cargo space quite often - it’s allot …
We have two cars that handle pretty well - decent on gas …
Escalade? Heck, lots of Super Duty trucks hitting that price area code these days - those are incredible mark ups for not much difference …

 

[RBT]

The owner of the DQ down the street from me owns a red one for the last 7 years. I do a double take when driving by. It’s a good looking wagon. It was on my radar back when they came out, then GM and Opel went their separate ways and I was worried about future parts. I bought a VW Golf Alltrack instead.

View attachment 349726

Great cars. Had to be in Belgium for three weeks for work pre pandemic and rented the opel version with a manual transmission. Really enjoyed that car.

 

[Carmudgeon]

I suspect not. If you look over the years nice wagons were available and no one bought them. There was a TSX wagon, Volvo sold wagons until recently, BMW has wagons they can import. VW sold wagons not that long ago. No one wanted them.

Its along the same lines as everyone here complaining about where are the cheap simple cars, but no one here bought a Sentra or a Mits, and Suzuki gave up and left years ago for the same reason.

Yep. Each OEM will have their own criteria for what they will accept as a valid business case. Also depends on what how strongly the local importer will lobby for a model, and whether those in the home office listen and agree. VW has long has some serious issues in those respects when it comes to the U.S. market.

Not unlike the IndyCar fans who bemoan the number of oval tracks on the schedule, but don't show up at those races.

BMW sells almost no wagons in the USA anymore. A couple are available, but I never see them, and I pay attention.

In Europe its an entirely different story for sure. When I go to Germany I see tons of wagons. In fact last trip I rode in some sort of Audi wagon for a pretty good trip. I don't know which - I was not the driver and paid no attention.

Even when BMW offered wagons here, they sold in minuscule volumes. But as a brand, and a business, they can and do explore niches that wouldn't work for others, though not as readily as they did in the past.

I loved my old 240 wagon's utility. It was also a lot more space efficient than modern SUV/CUVs.

Making rental car arrangements for a group of six, and their luggage in Europe, was more difficult than one might expect, with the goal of trying to avoid two separate vehicles and the hassle that would involve. The fleets there are geared toward smaller vehicles in general, so large ones have to be reserved in advance.

Even so, the cargo capacity of even mid- and large-sized sedans and hatchbacks wasn't sufficient. With few options, booked a Peugeot 5008, and thankfully, it worked out well. Externally, it's about the same size as an X3, maybe even smaller, but can do three rows in pinch and has more interior space. Sub 2.0l turbodiesel and a six-speed manual. Barely enough room to squeeze into some Italian roads, especially in the older parts of town. Also had a Seat Alhambra in Germany, and it also had plenty of space. Minivans are the ultimate passenger utility vehicle, but the market has spoken; it wants image instead.

 

[AZjeff]

However, I'm an enthusiast that still loves driving, and that sort of thing appeals to me in a wagon. I guess what we really need to ask is: Where have all the enthusiasts gone?

Maybe they're aging out and not interesting in zooming around anymore, or realize they shouldn't be zooming around any more? More interested in being able to get in and out of the car? What is the enthusiastic driving you do? Just curious.