OT: sportwagen

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

oh, good idea on these traction boards, was just gonna keep some chains and something else in there, but had never seen these. will be getting some for sure. the fishing thing sometimes takes me to places that are a bit sketchy, usually its fine.

mainly i need the capacity for gear, like fly rods, float tubes, camp gear, bikes and dogs, and needed something that doesnt drive like a turd and eat fuel like an suv.

i think im gonna like this vehicle, i already cant wait to drive it back to the dealer to get my truck later, haha.

So yours is not the 4wd?

If it is and I just read wrong, you should be fine, the system is pretty amazing but just like in bikes, better than the 4wd is a good set of tires. Winter tires in winter do a whole lot.


oh also, if you want a bit more height, people sell their all track springs all the time, can just pop em in the sportwagen, should lift it an in or 2.

[Mzilliox]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

So yours is not the 4wd?

If it is and I just read wrong, you should be fine, the system is pretty amazing but just like in bikes, better than the 4wd is a good set of tires. Winter tires in winter do a whole lot.


oh also, if you want a bit more height, people sell their all track springs all the time, can just pop em in the sportwagen, should lift it an in or 2.

just FWD, not AWD. Ill invest in good all season tires for this time of year. interesting about popping in springs form the all track, would never have thought of that, but i guess they are built on the same platform, so why not?

[BikeNY]

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

just FWD, not AWD. Ill invest in good all season tires for this time of year. interesting about popping in springs form the all track, would never have thought of that, but i guess they are built on the same platform, so why not?

Not sure how much snow/ice you get there, but a set of snow tires mounted on a cheap set of wheels is the way to go! All season tires are pretty marginal at everything, especially snow and ice. I bought one of the 'new' 2015 TDI Sportwagons when they went back on sale and am SO happy I did! I had a 2010 Golf TDI before that, which was a great car, but even my 2015 is so much nicer. I have a set of snows that I originally bought for the 2010 Golf, and they work great on the new wagon as well. Having snows for the winter will also extend the life of your summer tires and you'll get a few more seasons out of them, so overall cost is not that much. I drive to VT every weekend from NY in any weather and have never come close to getting stuck!

Interested in that spring swap! I see people lowering their VWs, but I'd rather do the opposite and raise it up a bit! Where do people sell those Alltrack springs?

Edit: Adding crappy picture with snow wheels/tires

[CDollarsign]

You guys. I drove the 2019 Subaru Forrester Touring - I may be ditching my A4 wagon soon. As much as I try to justify keeping the A4 the fact remains that the back seat is WAY too small. The sportwagen falls in the same boat.

[BikeNY]

Originally Posted by CDollarsign

You guys. I drove the 2019 Subaru Forrester Touring - I may be ditching my A4 wagon soon. As much as I try to justify keeping the A4 the fact remains that the back seat is WAY too small. The sportwagen falls in the same boat.

I'm glad you are liking your Forester. If I was looking for a small SUV I would at least take a look. If you have an A4 wagon, it must be at least 10 years old as they haven't sold them in the US for around that long. The Sportwagon has more back seat room than your A4, but yeah, likely not as much as a Forester.

We bought a CPO '13 or '14 Subaru Crosstrek for my son, and every time I drive it, I tell myself I'll never own another Subaru! It's so crude, loud, & slow, I just don't get the attraction. Maybe the newer ones are better?

[CDollarsign]

Originally Posted by BikeNY

I'm glad you are liking your Forester. If I was looking for a small SUV I would at least take a look. If you have an A4 wagon, it must be at least 10 years old as they haven't sold them in the US for around that long. The Sportwagon has more back seat room than your A4, but yeah, likely not as much as a Forester.

We bought a CPO '13 or '14 Subaru Crosstrek for my son, and every time I drive it, I tell myself I'll never own another Subaru! It's so crude, loud, & slow, I just don't get the attraction. Maybe the newer ones are better?

I haven't purchased it yet. I have a 2012 A4 wagon - so only 6 years old. It was definitely bigger than the jetta sportwagen of the same year...

[palincss]

Originally Posted by CDollarsign

I haven't purchased it yet. I have a 2012 A4 wagon - so only 6 years old. It was definitely bigger than the jetta sportwagen of the same year...

Well, the 2015 Audi Allroad was larger on the outside than the VW Golf Mk VII wagon, but inside in the dimension most meaningful to us, i.e. ability to transport a bicycle with both wheels on, was significantly smaller. I believe the 2012 JSW is identical to the 2013 and 2014, and the 2014 JSW had enough cargo room inside to carry a 60 cm bike w/fenders and both wheels on (I know for a fact, since I owned one) while the A4 of that vintage did not.

[velofinds]

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

is this just for hot looksies

Yes. And even the "hot looksies" part is debatable with the stock suspension, which results in an unflattering wheel gap (not too dissimilar from the gap on a fendered bike between the bike's tire and fender).

[pasadena]

low profile tire chains like SSC or rubber chains are the best option

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

oh, good idea on these traction boards, was just gonna keep some chains and something else in there, but had never seen these. will be getting some for sure. the fishing thing sometimes takes me to places that are a bit sketchy, usually its fine.

mainly i need the capacity for gear, like fly rods, float tubes, camp gear, bikes and dogs, and needed something that doesnt drive like a turd and eat fuel like an suv.

i think im gonna like this vehicle, i already cant wait to drive it back to the dealer to get my truck later, haha.

[Mzilliox]

Originally Posted by pasadena

low profile tire chains like SSC or rubber chains are the best option

We dont get much snow, but when we do the area is not equipped for it. we get one or 2 per year at most. and maybe 7-10 days icy roads. But we do like to head for the hills now and again, so its good to know about these rubber chains. after popping a chain and ripping out her wheel well on her toyota, my wife cringes now when we have to put the chains on. rubber chains seem a better bet.
i drove the car again today, its really nice. in some misty weather on nice roads. im pretty stoked on it.

[Mzilliox]

Originally Posted by BikeNY

Interested in that spring swap! I see people lowering their VWs, but I'd rather do the opposite and raise it up a bit! Where do people sell those Alltrack springs?

I wonder if and how much it affects the nice drive/stance of the car to raise it up a touch? same platform i suppose, so maybe no real tangible penalty?

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by BikeNY

Not sure how much snow/ice you get there, but a set of snow tires mounted on a cheap set of wheels is the way to go! All season tires are pretty marginal at everything, especially snow and ice. I bought one of the 'new' 2015 TDI Sportwagons when they went back on sale and am SO happy I did! I had a 2010 Golf TDI before that, which was a great car, but even my 2015 is so much nicer. I have a set of snows that I originally bought for the 2010 Golf, and they work great on the new wagon as well. Having snows for the winter will also extend the life of your summer tires and you'll get a few more seasons out of them, so overall cost is not that much. I drive to VT every weekend from NY in any weather and have never come close to getting stuck!

Interested in that spring swap! I see people lowering their VWs, but I'd rather do the opposite and raise it up a bit! Where do people sell those Alltrack springs?

Edit: Adding crappy picture with snow wheels/tires

I woud look on the sportwagen/alltrack facebook group or on vw vortex. Once in a while someone is selling a set and they don't go for a lot of cash.

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

I wonder if and how much it affects the nice drive/stance of the car to raise it up a touch? same platform i suppose, so maybe no real tangible penalty?

yeah they will work fine, pretty sure shocks are exactly the same. It will definitely affect handling a bit but should be fine overall, its not like you are throwing the car around on a race track.

[many_styles]

A little pricier option is the BMW 3 Series wagon; F31. It looks damn sexy.

[many_styles]

But this isn’t so bad either:

[jtbadge]

Originally Posted by many_styles

But this isn’t so bad either:

Looks badass. All this wagen talk has me wanting to size up whenever my GTI bites the dust.


Also, the BMW 3-series wagon is not coming to America anymore, sadly.