Everyone around here drives a Forester; I hate to buy one and not be able to identify my car in a parking lot (that's only slightly a joke) but I need to replace the aging rwd Volvo with another model that doesn't need so much TLC (that's a euphemism for lots of diy repairs)

I'm looking at used and I'm limited to something about ten years old or slightly less.

Does anyone have direct experience with the M-B E320 wagons (4-Matic or no) or the Volvo XC wagons? Again, these would be used, so in the 1998-2002 year range.

There is really not much of a Japanese equivalent to what I am seeking although the Mazda 6 wagon is enticing but too small and the Toyota Camry wagon is OK but not all that comfy.

No direct experience, but I think the MB and Volvo would be more costly overall(purchase, repair, maintenance) than the Subaru. There is a reason why you see a lot of people driving the Foresters. They are reliable, relatively cheap to maintain, great in in poor weather, and look halfway decent.

Why would you want a Volvo XC wagon? Will you be taking it offroad? If you want a Volvo wagon, just get a regular V70 rather than the ones that are gussied up to look like a SUV.

I would recommend a Subaru Legacy wagon over the cookie-cutter army of Foresters/Outbacks that seem to be everywhere. It has better handling and gas mileage, too. My 97 Legacy GT has been incredibly reliable, and I have no intention of giving it up.

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The Poochie!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/2008 02:55PM by the_poochies.

Buy the Forester...
Just have it painted a nice shiny candy apple red!

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Paul F.
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Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
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"The world makes a lot more sense when you realize most people are stupid." - Zoidberg
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Hmm, Suburu, AWD Volvos and M-Bs ... Vermont? Just a guess. Normally I'd say you can't got wrong with a CR-V.

Safety Orange paint - you wouldn't lose that in a parking lot, would you?

[www.tcagraphics.com]

Jeff

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I would guess the NW.

Portland or Seattle...

I know what you mean, Mrb. It does count to have a little style in a sea of anonymous traffic. But expect it to cost you more for the privilege, most likely in repair. I have an MB sedan (same rules apply for the wagons): First, always Always get the car that has been maintained the best. The more big things serviced, the longer the repair records go, the fewer the # of owners, etc. This outweighs mileage in importance for MB.

Some of the eventual issues will not be DIY, and they can get very expensive. Well-maintained MBs are generally pretty predictable in that the more of its history you know, the more you'll know what to expect is coming.

I believe the same goes for the 4Matics vs reg 2wd. In the vintage you're looking at, the well-maintained ones will be just as reliable (but woe to thems that ain't; repair is nearly out of the question).

MrBig,

I wouldn't go near a Mercedes-Benz. They aren't nearly as good as they used to be and you're going to pay up the wazoo for insurance and repairs/maintenance. I can't speak for Volvo but I wouldn't be surprised if it's going to be higher priced for insurance and repairs/maintenance, too. Not as high as M-B and other luxury brands but definitely up there.

There are a slew of wagons out there. The Subaru Legacy wagon - outback or regular version, the Mazda 6 wagon, the Volvo V series (if you are interested in a Volvo), Volkswagon, Audi, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc. I'm looking at some of these as replacements for my aging Jeep Cherokee.

I have my own quirks when it comes to these and won't go near some of the brands I listed, i.e. Audi, but they are all brands that offer vehicles that are similar to a Volvo wagon.

You may also want to look at some of the compact SUVs.

And, based on my experiences pricing out legacy and outback wagons, you're going to pay a premium for a Subaru. Some of the numbers were so high thhat I said, "What the hell are you thinking? It's a Subaru, not a Mercedes-Benz or BMW!"

Robert



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/2008 04:07PM by Robert M.

How about a Ford Taurus / Taurus X. AWD available.

Like Robert M, I still think of subaru's as cheap cars (loved my old cheap wagon), and can't get my head around paying the huge premium for a used subie.
You don't tell us at all why you need AWD, or if you do. You take a hit in gas mileage with AWD. The AWD systems in the cars you list are not the same: the subie AWD is going to be much more robust and provide significantly more traction then some of the others.

I now have a 1999 rav4 (the original tin can version). Version 2 of the Rav4 (2001 maybe?) is along the lines of what you are looking at, and would offer comparable AWD to the subie (a locking center differential up to 25 mph), if you really need AWD.

Racing stripes over the hood and roof.

we have a 2005 XC 70, nice car

peppy engine (although a lot of fan noise), great seats and good mileage

its a little cramped compared to any small SUV headroom wise, but it feels far more solid than most of them driving (we had drove a CRV the day before)

paid under $20K for it with 50,000 miles and 100,000 mile warranty -- it was in excellent condition

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The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs [www.fakesteve.net]

I heartily recommend a used Toyota Highlander 4WD. Very comfortable, not a gas hog -- my '02 V6 averages 21-22 in mixed driving, with 24-25 hwy -- and mine has been bullet-proof for reliability.

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You're rich, gas is cheap -- step on it!!

Michael,

I don't think of Subaru vehicles as cheap. Not at all. They're a quality vehicle. However, they are not a luxury vehicle like a Mercedes-Benz or Lexus. Yet, they garner prices that are comparable to them at times. To me, that's ridiculous. If I'm going to pay luxury car prices for a car, then I want a luxury car. Subaru, while very nice, ain't a luxury vehicle.

Robert

Quote
Rolando
How about a Ford Taurus / Taurus X. AWD available.

I was going to mention this car, but it is relatively new and the budget I'm thinking of is more like an eight to ten year old car.

Also thought of mentioning VW Passat wagon but, again, due to budget considerations I would not like to get near one of the VWs with electrical gremlins (which is where my price range would take me).

The AWD would be important for us in the city, shuttling little people around and it would not be a major factor in gas mileage because of the limited miles. However, there could be a couple of longer trips during the year as part of its regular routine but it would not be a long distance commuter vehicle.

Audis are nice to my eye (especially the Allroad) but it would be out of my maintenance budget.

My used 2000 Xterra has given great service for 4 years. Cheap too.

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How about a nice '88 Subaru GL wagon? You won't lose that in the Whole Foods parking lot! Or maybe a Ford Flex

More seriously...bummer the new Camry isn't comfy. I didn't know they were still being made, but we had a 1990 Camry wagon that was just fantastic. 33mpg highway with a peppy 2.0L 4. I still don't get why cars today don't get that kind of mileage. If I could buy a Camry of that vintage in good shape I'd do it.

thermarest, we have a Camry to use (not my own) but don't like the car so much for its somewhat cramped rear seat where the kids sit. this particular Camry is on its way to the boneyard pretty soon anyway.

also, if I were able to afford a Flex I would probably buy one. I really like that car and its interior is very cool, IMO. but, I think Ford should have made it in a Hybrid version. big mistake, IMO, as it would have sold very, very well.

there are lots of us out there who bemoan the whole wagon thing not catching on with other companies. why isn't there an Altima or Maxima wagon, for example..?

Get the 5-speed if you can find it.

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[www.papanicholas.com]

MAVIC is on his second Volvo XC I believe. maybe send him a PM. His first is for sale BTW, or was not too long ago.

My back has negatively impacted my stalking rounds.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/2008 02:44AM by Racer X.

Used Subaru Legacy wagon (not as expensive as an Outback or Forester)

Plenty of Subies around = plenty of mechanics used to working on them

Look for a used Ford Freestyle. The Original name of the Taurus X.

Love our Subaru Legacy Wagon. Currently have a 1999, bought 2 years ago. Really had to work hard to find it. 54,000 miles at $5500

Every time we've needed to replace the car, we look around at other models, and end up with another Legacy. Size, comfort, ease, reliability for the price.

Another vote for the Legacy as they just seem to do a lot of things really well. Ditto the overpriced comment, though. A luxury vehicle Subie isn't, although they are fairly solid. My wife had a '99 Forester, don't get that year. Bad rear bearings, had to be replaced twice, once in wty and once out of wty. Some other interior stuff broke/fell of, chintzy. After that, we had enough and traded it for a Suzuki XL-7 which has been totally reliable through about 80k miles.

Might also consider a used Accord wagon, haven't seen that mentioned, again you'll probably have to work a little to find one, but they seem to be treasured by their owners. Front wheel drive gets through the wet stuff pretty darn well unless you've just got feet of it in which case you should not be driving at all.