wagons sugestions, please

[pandus13]

Hi guys.
Current fleet is 2008 Toyota Yaris sedan with 21K miles and 2004 Hyundai Elantra gls with 76.5 K miles. (both paid off)
we are a midwest family with me, mom, 3-year old and in 2 months expecting another addition to the family.
in case we cannot make it with current cars, i started looking for a backup.
for now I cannot bring myself to look into a minivan, so I looked at available local wagons.

I found a 2000 vw passat 1.8T (german made), original owner with 136 K miles at $2,600,
a 2002 focus wagon, mileage unknown, at $3,900 from owner,
and a 2004 focus wagon, mileage unknown at $3,500 at a dealer.

please let me know of your suggestions about a wagon for a family. I would look into used cars since the other cars are paid off and new minivans prices are pretty steep for me right now.

Thank you and happy motoring.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Skip the passat.

 

[The_Jeff]

If you like the elantra they make an elantra touring now.

I'm in a volvo 740 turbo wagon now and love it, but it gets worse MPG than my Olds Silhouette/ Chevy Venture. A high roof is handy when putting kids in car seats. So's having the aisle between front captain's chairs so the parent riding shotgun can "go back there" if needed.

Despite the blowing up I/M gaskets the Venture style minivan is pretty reliable and are really cheap used. Watch for rotted rockers and warm it up all the way looking for harsh shifting. If the motor taps cold, not a deal breaker, but demand money off. I got 26-27 MPG going extralegal speeds on the highway with the AC on in my short wheelbase van.

 

[SLCraig]

How about a Subaru wagon like a Legacy?
They are reasonably priced for used, and are reliable.

Another good choice would be Volvo. I personally like the late 90's Volvos the most myself, but that is probably too old for what you want..

Specific price range in mind or?

 

[azjake]

If you trade in, or sell, both the paid off vehicles you should be able to buy a lower mileage, newer vehicle, than the ones you are looking at. You want something that's reliable. Check out used Subaru Outbacks, and also look at used small SUV's like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Nissan Rogue. They easily could carry the four of you in comfort and provide good cargo space in the back.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Hyundai elantra wagon?

 

[The_Jeff]

Around here subarus and cute utes hold their value so ridiculously you may as well buy new. Saw an 03 Vibe for $8999. Insane!

 

[supton]

I own a VW. Love the car. But you really need to "love" your mechanic too. Or be really good with your hands. At that age, I'd skip the Passat, unless if it was a true love affair, and you were willing to deal with whatever issues it pops up with. A domestic of similar vintage will have its problems too; but is going to be cheaper to repair.

I have no background with Fords, but I'd probably take the newer Focus. Unless if it was automatic (don't care for them) or had more miles/in worse condition. Newer seems better (more/better safety gizmos, less time for stuff to be broken on) unless if contradicted by actual breakage.

Do you need to buy now, or are you just looking to see what you could get?

Oh: when you shop, bring the kiddie seats with you. I'm sure you know by now just how much space a rear facing infant carrier takes up. In my Jetta, baby had to go behind me, as I normally sit close to the steering wheel anyhow. Also, my Jetta and the wife's Civic had the same issue: going three seats across wasn't going to happen (think future years, when kids want to have a friend over). I don't think they had LATCH in the center either.

I doubt the Focus will have an issue with this, but I know accessing the LATCH anchors in Jetta is a pain. The leather seats are very stiff, and it's somewhat of a pain to get at them. Maybe it's just the seats we had.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Skip the passat.

coming from you, I will take it for your word.
thanks, suggestion taken.
so for now let's look for a wagon in the used area.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
If you like the elantra they make an elantra touring now.
I'm in a volvo 740 turbo wagon now and love it, but it gets worse MPG than my Olds Silhouette/ Chevy Venture. A high roof is handy when putting kids in car seats. So's having the aisle between front captain's chairs so the parent riding shotgun can "go back there" if needed.

Despite the blowing up I/M gaskets the Venture style minivan is pretty reliable and are really cheap used. Watch for rotted rockers and warm it up all the way looking for harsh shifting. If the motor taps cold, not a deal breaker, but demand money off. I got 26-27 MPG going extralegal speeds on the highway with the AC on in my short wheelbase van.

touring elantra's seems to be around 12-13K$ around here. at this price might as well go new.
chevy venture go from $1,800 for 99'ish to 7-8K for 2004.
anything else you suggest since we are looking at same type of weather?

 

[addyguy]

4-cylinder Ford Escape.

Honestly, all they are is a 'tall' wagon. Very easy to load with a tailgate that lifts up.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
How about a Subaru wagon like a Legacy?
They are reasonably priced for used, and are reliable.
Another good choice would be Volvo. I personally like the late 90's Volvos the most myself, but that is probably too old for what you want..
Specific price range in mind or?

subaru anything I should look for like AWD/tires?
I don't drive offroad and it seems winter tires here are needed about 5% of winter time.
let's go for max $10,000.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: azjake
If you trade in, or sell, both the paid off vehicles you should be able to buy a lower mileage, newer vehicle, than the ones you are looking at. You want something that's reliable. Check out used Subaru Outbacks, and also look at used small SUV's like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Nissan Rogue. They easily could carry the four of you in comfort and provide good cargo space in the back.

thank you, I will look into that.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
4-cylinder Ford Escape.
Honestly, all they are is a 'tall' wagon. Very easy to load with a tailgate that lifts up.

2wd should be Ok for my area?
any possible problems/years?

 

[Astro14]

Volvo - skip the '01 to '02 models (trans problems...ask me how I know...) but you won't find a better combination of ride, MPG, practicality and safety...make sure it was serviced well.

You should be able to find a nice '05 to '07 V70 or XC70 for less than $12K...ignore the KBB "values" ...drive a bargain...you'll be under your $10K goal...

 

[rjundi]

Mazda 6 came in a wagon variant. Great car.

Subaru's are great if you have tough or steep roads but at the same time have head gasket problems($1200+ fix) at a high rate in the budget range you are looking at. I think they fall into a cool to have wagon so plentiful compared to others.

Another choice is Ford Taurus wagon I think made till 2003 or 2004. Probably owned by some fleet previously as no one really bought them otherwise.

Focus I would check out also. They had a good amount of room.

 

[bepperb]

Is a Mazda5 out of the question?

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Hyundai elantra wagon?

anybody knows about suzuki forenza wagon? (I think somebody called them on BITOG daewoo-zuki)
they resemble pretty good (at least chairs and display) with my elantra.

 

[Dupree]

Legacy wagon ej22 Manual, there's a reliable tank for ya

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Mazda 6 came in a wagon variant. Great car.
Subaru's are great if you have tough or steep roads but at the same time have head gasket problems($1200+ fix) at a high rate in the budget range you are looking at. I think they fall into a cool to have wagon so plentiful compared to others.
Another choice is Ford Taurus wagon I think made till 2003 or 2004. Probably owned by some fleet previously as no one really bought them otherwise.
Focus I would check out also. They had a good amount of room.

i started with focus wagon because they seem to have lots of room (reported 71-73 cu ft)
I'm open to other suggestions because i need (don't we all) the best bang for the buck.
I'm looking at some space and some family/kids utility.
reliability will be a plus also.