Cars

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Mine was essentially this; very simple

The newer version has these fender flares (dunno what else to call them) that are a rough (gray) plastic material. For some body styles they'll body paint match them, but because of the finish the paint never seems to match. Maybe Toyota has fixed the issue now, but when I was shopping it looked really silly to me, and I wasn't going to spend $30,000 on a truck with mis-matched paint.

Agreed, they're ridiculous and I've no idea why they did it...probably saves money somewhere down the line (less metal etc.). I did consider an FJ Cruiser for a short time, before I got the car, but I do a lot of highway miles and I didn't trust gas prices...and I still don't. I'll just enjoy it while it lasts. lol

 

[SerenityNigh]

Hate the fenders, even on my 2001, which are nothing compared to some of the stuff they've thrown on lately...wish they'd go back to the old body style, ie. Did you have the clear coat issue on yours? I'm assuming that;s what you mean by paint but maybe not.

I wouldn't mind owning one of these, although it looks much cooler in the movie:

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Not counting all the smaller hatchbacks, there are probably fewer than 10 wagons to choose from in the US, including the luxury models. Currently it's just VW Jetta, Audi Allroad, and various Volvos in the mid-level price range. I guess there's also the Subaru Outback, but it's a bit crunchy for me.

Did Dodge stop making the Magnum? I didn't mind the look of that one. Just looked and they did, in 2008.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

I wouldn't mind owning one of these, although it looks much cooler in the movie:

Classic 'Yota's...now, where to mount that rocket launcher.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Did Dodge stop making the Magnum? I didn't mind the look of that one. Just looked and they did, in 2008.

Weird market for wagons here in the US. What appears to happen is makers are sharing a small market, releasing models for a limited run and then pulling out so that another maker can release theirs. Probably all a product of weak demand, but whenever I tell someone I'm interested in a wagon I get funny looks (I've got much weirder ideas than wanting a wagon). These are the same people that tell me they can't wait to trade in their van for a Suburban (which means this is most people).

 

[L4Everton]

Good news today, 1300 jobs created in west midlands courtesy of the new Jag SUV.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Weird market for wagons here in the US.

I blame National Lampoons Vacation...

 

[Garrick]

Weird market for wagons here in the US. What appears to happen is makers are sharing a small market, releasing models for a limited run and then pulling out so that another maker can release theirs. Probably all a product of weak demand, but whenever I tell someone I'm interested in a wagon I get funny looks (I've got much weirder ideas than wanting a wagon). These are the same people that tell me they can't wait to trade in their van for a Suburban (which means this is most people).

Let's be real though, all of those crossovers people are buying? They're tall wagons.

My next car will hopefully be a Jeep Cherokee (although it's a couple years off yet, so things may change.) AWD for snow prowess, nice storage space for my drums, can tow a small trailer for when my music hits the road. I'm not really looking at buying an SUV, it's basically just a better version of a Subaru.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Let's be real though, all of those crossovers people are buying? They're tall wagons.

Fair point, but they're soulless for the most part, and I want none of that. Jeep's Cherokee seems really nice.

 

[Garrick]

Fair point, but they're soulless for the most part, and I want none of that. Jeep's Cherokee seems really nice.

It's true. Chrysler seems to be the only ones to me that "do it right" Durango still feels like a real SUV, so do the Grand Cherokee and Cherokee. Journey and Compatriot not so much, but both are due for redesigns really soon.

Most of the rest of them, yeah pretty soulless. GM Lambdas, Equinox, CR-V, Highlander, RAV4, Venza, Rogue, Edge, meh, the entire lot of them. There are some other cool ones out there though, like the Flex.

On the Cherokee, I thought it was kind of ugly at first, but since then it's really grown on me. Kinda strange.

As for the "not a real SUV!" crowd, Cherokees have always been unibody, even the legendary XJ. Obviously I'm not buying it for the rock climbing ability, nor will it be equipped as such.

 

[Rook]

Very few decent wagons here in the US, and size is important (need to impress in the drive through). Mondeo (Fusion) looks interesting, but that's one more wagon you can't find in the US. An interesting option that is available is Volvo's new V60. Although when I finally get around to buying one, they'll have stopped selling this too.

There are no wagons because small SUVs are classified as trucks and boost up their CAFE mpg requirements. Plus small SUVs sell well and compaines can charge a premium for them. Case in point. The Buick Encore is 30K, is basically a raised Sonic and GM is selling boatloads of them.

 

[Rook]

Would love to someday get a nice wagon, but pickings are slim in the US. Any suggestions for what's good, bad, etc? If they sent the new Passat wagon over here, I think I'd buy. For now I'm waiting; everything else I seem to like is too small or costs over $40,000.

The Passat wagon won't be a thing here. In fact the Passat's built in the US are quite different than the ones in Europe. They are larger with softer suspension to take care of our plump behinds.

You'll pretty much have to settle for a focus hatchback sized car. The only full size wagon I can think of is a Subaru Outback.

 

[thirdmantackle]

why do Europeans buy a lot more estates than in Ireland or the UK?

 

[Fresh Prince of Belle Val]

why do Europeans buy a lot more estates than in Ireland or the UK?

Because they aren't cool like us.

 

[Toffeelover]

Not counting all the smaller hatchbacks, there are probably fewer than 10 wagons to choose from in the US, including the luxury models. Currently it's just VW Jetta, Audi Allroad, and various Volvos in the mid-level price range. I guess there's also the Subaru Outback, but it's a bit crunchy for me.

Out of what you have said I would go for the Audi.