Wagons vs SUVs

[JCH13]

I've got a sportier wagon, a Mazdaspeed3, which isn't as utilitarian as some, but I've had it loaded up with 8 wheels/tires, an assembled grill, two chairs and a dinner table, and tons of stuff that would not fit in a similar sedan.

The Mazdaspeed3 is plenty sporty: 6speed transmission, stock ones can dyno around 250whp, decent suspension, and great brakes. It is FWD, which isn't too exciting for performance, but it is still fun. I got it for it's performance, practicality, and a big underscore on the low price I paid.

 

[Throckmorton]

Why does a station wagon need a manual transmission? When I think of a wagon I think of a hipster who is too concerned about his image to drive a more practical mini-van. When I think of an SUV owner, I think of the guy who doesn't have a family large enough to need a mini-van but wants something large and expensive sitting in his driveway, most SUVs will never tow anything and will never be driven off pavement, they are good old American excess.

Be honest with yourself, what does a wagon offer that a sedan doesn't? A few inches of cargo space? How often are you going to fill the cargo area of a wagon to the point where the cargo wouldn't fit in the trunk and/or back seat of a sedan? If all you care about is performance, why not buy a sedan that has the transmission you want instead of stifling yourself with a wagon requirement.

I think you're underestimating how much more practical a wagon is.

I use my Jeep Cherokee's cargo space every weekend when I go to the beach.

 

[cheezmunky]

I'm 27 and just bought a 5-door WRX (aka wagon). I consider it very sporty and would hardly consider it an old person's car. Oh, and the top trim comes in under $30k and is only available with a 5-spd manual...

 

[kornphlake]

Yeah, because everyone has the budget and parking space for a sports car, economy car, flat bed truck, minibus, white van and Humvee...

I didn't say that. If you want a sporty, economical vehicle with a manual transmission under $30k there are few options in a wagon, there are several options in a sedan. Be realistic about your needs, do you pack a wagon with stuff that would only fit in a wagon on a daily or weekly basis or is it something you'd do once a year? A sedan isn't much less capable than a wagon for the majority, hence the limited options when considering a wagon. What's most important, a manual transmission or extra cargo space, at the price point you have to pick one or the other. Every vehicle is a compromise, if there were one vehicle that did everything well then there would only be one vehicle and we'd all own that one. Pick the vehicle that suits your lifestyle and budget and accept that it's not going to be the best at anything unless your lifestyle and budget allow you to buy more than one vehicle.

 

[Dirigible]

I didn't say that. If you want a sporty, economical vehicle with a manual transmission under $30k there are few options in a wagon, there are several options in a sedan. Be realistic about your needs, do you pack a wagon with stuff that would only fit in a wagon on a daily or weekly basis or is it something you'd do once a year? A sedan isn't much less capable than a wagon for the majority, hence the limited options when considering a wagon. What's most important, a manual transmission or extra cargo space, at the price point you have to pick one or the other. Every vehicle is a compromise, if there were one vehicle that did everything well then there would only be one vehicle and we'd all own that one. Pick the vehicle that suits your lifestyle and budget and accept that it's not going to be the best at anything unless your lifestyle and budget allow you to buy more than one vehicle.

I disagree with your assertions and find your posts unpersuasive. Good day to you, sir!

 

[NutBucket]

Wagons have better F/R weight distribution since most cars are inherently front heavy

 

[PricklyPete]

Be honest with yourself, what does a wagon offer that a sedan doesn't? A few inches of cargo space? How often are you going to fill the cargo area of a wagon to the point where the cargo wouldn't fit in the trunk and/or back seat of a sedan? If all you care about is performance, why not buy a sedan that has the transmission you want instead of stifling yourself with a wagon requirement.

Um...all the time. If you have a couple furry friends, a wagon is the perfect compromise. It also gives you a lot more flexibility in hauling things. I still wish I had been able to talk my wife into a wagon.

 

[Throckmorton]

I would prefer a hatchback to a wagon really... with a rear window shallower than 30 degrees, for the aerodynamic benefit

 

[Harrod]

I recently picked up a Saab 9-5 wagon for almost nothing, had a new engine, transmission and turbo from a friend who recently got a company car and no longer had room for it in his garage. I kindof wish I had gotten a Outback, or a IS300 sportcross. Here is a picture of the car.

 

[senseamp]

I was kind of hoping Subaru would bring the new Legacy GT Wagon to the US, but they assume that people who want the practicality of a wagon don't also want something sporty, so they only bring the jacked up SUV wannabe Outback to the US.

 

[Rezist]

Legacy GT wagon would have rocked.

That being said most drivers like the upright seating position and visibility that a SUV has.

 

[mwmorph]

Dead serious, if you want a performance vehicle you have a lot more options in a sedan. If you're looking for something to haul dogs, or kayaks or whatever you're doing then don't complain about a wagon not having an MT. A truck is ideal for hauling, a sports car is ideal for track days, a van is ideal for lots of passengers, anything in between is a compromise in one way or another.

I have a swiss army knife that is supposed to do like 70 different things, but I wouldn't know, I tried using it once as a screw driver and it was such a pain I gave up and found a real screw driver. I don't think I've used it since. I don't expect anything rather it's a vehicle or a knife or a computer to do everything well, either pick the best tool for the job, or pick the tool with the fewest compromises, there's no point in complaining about a tool not doing something it's not intended to do.

Wagons are more carlike than SUVs. I don't have kids so no need for a minivan and I prefer RWD.

SUVs
Excellent cargo room
truckish ride

Sedans
excellent ride
terrible cargo room

Crossovers
Worst of both,
high ride height (diminished road manners from soft suspension, worthless off road)
Good cargo room, diminished people room

Van
Good people and cargo room
subpar fuel economy for the engine power
FWD or front biased AWD driving dynamics

Wagon
Car like ride
good cargo room


I have a Dodge Magnum which give me Merc E class like road manners I want, enough cargo room to carry 4 people and all their armor and rucks to the range or field, decent ride height and rear biased AWD to give me the driving dynamics I want along with AWD traction here in Alaska when the roads are iced up6 months out of the year. I don't have kids so no need for 7 seats, I don't appreciate the jounciness of a truck suspension and I don't like the stupid car/minivan crossovers with a high ride height compromise and a true truck costs a lot more since I would need a tonneu cover because it snows or a heavy blanket of frost precipitates over just about every day here.

 

[Bignate603]

I think you're underestimating how much more practical a wagon is.

I use my Jeep Cherokee's cargo space every weekend when I go to the beach.

I love the how much cargo you can cram into the back of the cherokee when the seat is folded down. For a small SUV the useable space is great. I've even slept in the back on camping trips when I didn't feel like setting up a tent. If I lay diagonal across the back when the seat is folded down I can stretch out almost completely.

 

[NAC]

A lot of wagon love going on in this thread

 

[ShawnD1]

Bad analogy. Some compromises are required by many people.

Indeed. I remember in one thread I said a truck wasn't as practical as a minivan because the gas mileage is so much worse (it worked out to something like an extra $1000 per year to drive) and someone replied by saying ya don't buy a truck as a daily driver. Well how many god damn vehicles do you fucking guys own? Well there's the sports coupe for the hot days, my 3/4 ton pickup for snow conditions, minivan for when i'm cruising for gay sex, the lotus elise on track days... Not everyone has a billion dollars to throw around.

Wagons are more carlike than SUVs. I don't have kids so no need for a minivan and I prefer RWD.

Could always get an older van. My friend had something like a 91 GM Safari with RWD. It had horrible weight distribution, so it worked great for doing donuts in winter

 

[exdeath]

The general population might think wagons are for old people because they (the aforementioned general population) are dumb. /shrug

:thumbsup:

 

[exdeath]

Can you fit that in a sedan?

Damn I should have taken a picture when I drove home with two 275/40/17 tires, a blower, an H pipe, and two boxes of misc parts in the trunk/back seat of the Cobra

Did you really stick an engine complete with oil filter in your car upside down? D:

 

[JCH13]

Damn I should have taken a picture when I drove home with two 275/40/17 tires, a blower, an H pipe, and two boxes of misc parts in the trunk/back seat of the Cobra

Did you really stick an engine complete with oil filter in your car upside down? D:

The engine was drained of oil, mostly because there was no head on it. :awe:

 

[Zap]

I think a lot of people in the 20-40 age range remember their parents having one of these when they were kids:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/87-90_Chevrolet_Caprice_wagon.jpg

Heh, my parents had a 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood until 1982.

and with a turbocharger. <3

Unfortunately, you can't get new ones with turbo and m/t.

Nope. I test drove a 2007 model and it was fun enough. If it were still being made (turbo w/manual) it would probably be the only crossover-ish vehicle I would consider.

Why does a station wagon need a manual transmission?

Why does anyone need a manual transmission? Because they can. ^_^

Be honest with yourself, what does a wagon offer that a sedan doesn't?

More cargo room, that's all. What it offers that an SUV/crossover/minivan doesn't is comfort, performance, economy. Like everything else in life, it is a tradeoff.

dammit, I should have taken pics of my friend's bachelor party weekend. All the shit was stuffed in the back of my car. 5 doors ftw.

Heh, in college I moved twice a year, using my Mustang GT. I would have my shit piled to the headliner, up against the back of my seat (1986 model hatchback, rear seats folded) and stuff in the passenger seat. This included my tower computer, CRT monitor, stereo system with 43" tall tower speakers, all my books and clothing and my bike.

[old fogey] BITD people just made do with what they got. [/old fogey]

 

[MovingTarget]

I think a lot of people in the 20-40 age range remember their parents having one of these when they were kids:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/87-90_Chevrolet_Caprice_wagon.jpg

Which was about the most uncool thing you could be seen in. And so they have carried over that anti-wagon bias into their adult hood. Wagon? No way...those are lame.

Plus America in general has some aversion to the word "hatch". It's got a general association with the words "cheap" and "econo car".

I had a friend of mine restore an '83 model of one of those. Nothing beats taking a long road trip in one of those. I only wish my own Caprice was the wagon model. I miss driving a station wagon.

Then again, I always thought SUVs were stupid for people that didn't utilize their abilities every once in a while. My previously mentioned Caprice sees more offroad action than most soccermom-driven SUVs. (We have a long dirt/gravel/pothole driveway that we have to maintain ourselves out in the sticks) Wagons are much more efficient and comfortable than SUVs.

 

[MovingTarget]

Besides, wagons can and do offer more power. Who wouldn't want a modern verion of this concept:

http://jalopnik.com/5699734/the-ford-mustang-station-wagon-that-never-was

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

Heh, in college I moved twice a year, using my Mustang GT. I would have my shit piled to the headliner, up against the back of my seat (1986 model hatchback, rear seats folded) and stuff in the passenger seat. This included my tower computer, CRT monitor, stereo system with 43" tall tower speakers, all my books and clothing and my bike.

[old fogey] BITD people just made do with what they got. [/old fogey]

Still do in college. Me and a buddy would pile three people and all their computer gear + stuff for winter break in his '97 Civic. Poor thing looked like it had a 2" lowering kit installed

Oh and it was $20 for a 1000 mile trip. Fuel mileage ftw.

 

[Throckmorton]

Besides, wagons can and do offer more power. Who wouldn't want a modern verion of this concept:

http://jalopnik.com/5699734/the-ford-mustang-station-wagon-that-never-was

How about a Ferrari wagon? Belongs to either the Sultan of Brunei or his brother

 

[ShawnD1]

How about a Ferrari wagon? Belongs to either the Sultan of Brunei or his brother

interesting concept. I like it!

I always thought the Dodge Magnum was pretty cool. I wouldn't buy one since it's a Dodge, but the concept is good:

 

[punjabiplaya]

Still do in college. Me and a buddy would pile three people and all their computer gear + stuff for winter break in his '97 Civic. Poor thing looked like it had a 2" lowering kit installed

Oh and it was $20 for a 1000 mile trip. Fuel mileage ftw.

I can fit my bbqcomputer in my car for Quakecon, so that's all that really matters to me as far as practicality