Another car opinion thread

[shane_c]

I've been wanting a newer car for a bit not but haven't gotten around to it. So now I'm hoping to get something else before the fall. I prefer to have a wagon / hatchback because I have 2 huskies that need to be able to go in the back. It would likely be a 2005 or 2006 that I get. I also prefer something that gets good gas mileage because I drive about 80-90 km per day. Here's what I'm considering, in no particular order, along with what I see as the pros and cons...

Mazda 6 wagon
pros - peppy, lots of room
cons - reliability?, not great on gas

Subaru Forester / Legacy / Outback
pros - reliable, lots of room, AWD
cons - not that great on gas

Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe)
pros - reliable, good on gas,
cons - tight fit for the dogs with the back seat up

VW Jetta Wagon TDI
pros - lots of room, great on gas, longevity (lots of diesels last 500-600 K)
cons - reliability? (although I don't think the TDI's have been as bad as the gas models).

What would you go with and why?

[ricosuave]

I would be wary of buying a 2004+TDI unless I had full documentation of the vehicle maintenance history (PD engines require a specific oil, and fail catastrophically if they dont get it). If you did want a TDI, I'd go with a 2003, since it uses the a not-so-fussy TDI engine, which also has a specific oil requirement, but it is nowhere near the same risk as with the PD.

Have a look around here too:
http://calgary.repo.com/

[FLAMESRULE]

Out of those options its the Forester XT by a mile. It has better mileage than a Mazda 6 GT-V6, can haul up to 2500lbs (tent trailer), real AWD, more room, and a biased higher "fun to drive" factor. It does have 50HP less (225 vs 275) and is about 0.4 seconds slower 0-60.

Mazda websites have a great comparison tab that you can use to do a side by side comparison of all 4 for any year. We've been looking pretty hard lately at the Forester XT to a Mazda CX7.

[Table 5]

Personally, I'd go for the Subi if you're going to running this thing hard all the time. The TDI gets great mileage, but chances are that car will spend the most amount of time in the shop compared to the rest of your group. VW's are great to drive, but man are they finicky.

And hey, thanks for considering a wagon instead of just automatically going the SUV/CUV route like most. Too many people don't realize that a wagon can give you the best of all words...

[calumniate]

Those VW's can be either great or lemons. Depends on the day they were manufactured or something..

What about an HHR? I might know someone selling an SS version
Great on gas and can fit 2 dogs in the back (smooshily if they're big, but if they lie down... they'll be fine.)

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

What about an HHR? I might know someone selling an SS version
Great on gas and can fit 2 dogs in the back (smooshily if they're big, but if they lie down... they'll be fine.)

Thanks, but not a fan of them.

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by Table 5

And hey, thanks for considering a wagon instead of just automatically going the SUV/CUV route like most. Too many people don't realize that a wagon can give you the best of all words...

No problem. Wagons are awesome!

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

What about an HHR? I might know someone selling an SS version
Great on gas and can fit 2 dogs in the back (smooshily if they're big, but if they lie down... they'll be fine.)

Yeah, but who'd want to be seen in that thing? It's PT Cruiser ugly.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Those VW's can be either great or lemons. Depends on the day they were manufactured or something..

Ha, very true. Pretty sure our old Golf was built by some dude on a Friday really looking forward to getting his weekend going early.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Yeah, but who'd want to be seen in that thing? It's PT Cruiser bad.

I often ask myself that question when you post pics of your saab

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I often ask myself that question when you post pics of your saab

Haha, ouch! Saab's have their own quirky niche no doubt, but comparing it to an HHR? No way jose.

[Bill Bumface]

People that like cars appreciate the unique good looks of a Saab. 9-3 Viggen FTW!

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

People that like cars appreciate the unique good looks of a Saab. 9-3 Viggen FTW!

The newer ones were ok. The old ones were well

I like them with the woody kits

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

What about an HHR? I might know someone selling an SS version
Great on gas and can fit 2 dogs in the back (smooshily if they're big, but if they lie down... they'll be fine.)

I'm pretty much the only one of all my friends that likes HHR SS's. They actually handle pretty awesome and are fast. Plus they are practical. The only downside to me would be the interior...it's a bit "boy racer" for me.

[Sliver]

To the OP...I've owned two VWs (a GTI and a Passat). I will NEVER own another VW as long as I live. I'm pretty sure Ladas are more reliable. And I bet a space shuttle is less expensive to maintain.

[4X4]

Those PT Cruisers have got to be one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen. Especially the convertibles when the top is up. My apologies to anyone that voluntarily drives one of those things, but I think you're crazy.

[3 Justin 3]

Reliability, go Subaru.

[CGYTransplant]

Go with the Subaru (totally biased opinion, since I drive one and love it!). But, they can haul a lot of stuff, consistently get top ratings for safety, and hold their value well as they age.