OT: sportwagen

[Lovetoclimb]

If BMW makes an M3 wagon with the new G20 platform and then does not bring it stateside

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

they look ok, but drive one, then drive the VW.
thats where my choice was clear. some folks dont care how their cars drive, so long as they meet other criteria. and thats cool, cars are just tools after all.
I couldn't pull the trigger on the rav 4 or outback because the drive was just so so. felt like i would give up 5 years or more of lovely driving for some features i really may not ever use but once a year?

I agree the way a car drives is a big part of it... I owned my BMW E30 from when I was 15 till I was about 31 because of that.

But times have changed for at least me; and my biggest priorities right now are trying to find a balance between reliability and looking cool. I had originally wanted a 4Runner, but for that money/lack of features + it feeling HUGE on the inside, I decided to pass. Was gonna go Subaru but read a lot of horror stories online about reliability. So now looking at Toyota as they are supposed to be as reliable as a brick.

[CDollarsign]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

One if the biggest issues I see on the sportwag and all track is leaking pano roofs... seems to happen every week on the facebook group. Glad I dont have one with a pano

My A4’s pano rood rattles like crazy no matter how many ‘adjustments’ the dealer made. Wish I had them replace it when it was still on CPO.

I was burning oil like crazy and the pistons were replaced under CPO but other than that the car is trouble free *knocks on wood*

[many_styles]

It’s crazy how the same car made in the same factory is so vast in reliability! If the Japanese could make a sexy looking sports wagon, I’d give them my $$$!

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

I agree the way a car drives is a big part of it... I owned my BMW E30 from when I was 15 till I was about 31 because of that.

But times have changed for at least me; and my biggest priorities right now are trying to find a balance between reliability and looking cool. I had originally wanted a 4Runner, but for that money/lack of features + it feeling HUGE on the inside, I decided to pass. Was gonna go Subaru but read a lot of horror stories online about reliability. So now looking at Toyota as they are supposed to be as reliable as a brick.

But, but, but....

[paredown]

Originally Posted by many_styles

It’s crazy how the same car made in the same factory is so vast in reliability! If the Japanese could make a sexy looking sports wagon, I’d give them my $$$!

Mazda has a 6 series wagon that they don't bring state-side. There's a FB group of wagon fans that have pleaded for it to be brought over, to no avail. The last year it was imported was 2008. Here's a Car & Driver blog post about it. (You would think that Mazda would be more inclined to take a flier, but I suppose the requirements to maintain parts inventory etc are more onerous when you are small.)

[R3awak3n]

I loved the acura wagon. See one once in a while but very rare

[old fat man]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

I loved the acura wagon. See one once in a while but very rare

Honda reliability and wagon practicality. A local friend has one and likes it. I went for a used A4 because I wanted AWD for trips to the ski mountains

[palincss]

Originally Posted by Lovetoclimb

If BMW makes an M3 wagon with the new G20 platform and then does not bring it stateside

BMW isn't bringing any wagon based on the G20 platform to the US.

[palincss]

Originally Posted by old fat man

Honda reliability and wagon practicality. A local friend has one and likes it.

Actually, as far as the practicality that counts here (i.e., carrying a bicycle inside) the Acura wagon was very poorly designed compared to other wagons. The rear shock towers intrude into the cargo area, so you have to thread a bicycle between the shock towers through a rather narrow opening. By comparison, BMW, VW, MB and Volvo wagons all have a flat cargo area with no humps intruding, making it easy to get a bike inside.

[paredown]

Originally Posted by palincss

Actually, as far as the practicality that counts here (i.e., carrying a bicycle inside) the Acura wagon was very poorly designed compared to other wagons. The rear shock towers intrude into the cargo area, so you have to thread a bicycle between the shock towers through a rather narrow opening. By comparison, BMW, VW, MB and Volvo wagons all have a flat cargo area with no humps intruding, making it easy to get a bike inside.

We have the Acura TSX--it is OK, but not great. Agree about the cargo space and loading--our old V70 was much easier to load, and especially had the flat roof for more volume. The Acura has the squashed back roof line because that's more 'modern" but the deign really limits carrying capacity.

The other comment I will make is that it was based on the Euro version of the Accord, and although Acura tarted it up to look like a premium offering (by adding the stupid nose extension!), it does not really drive or handle like a premium offering, although the engine is perhaps the most willing big 4 cyl engine I have driven.

[R3awak3n]

I saw for the first time one of those wagon buicks... have to say, it looked great.

[fkelly]

Honda reliability and wagon practicality

I see Honda CrossTours every once in a while. Seems like they are basically an Accord Wagon/Hatchback. Don't know how friendly the rear would be for loading a bike. In my 2005 Subaru Legacy Wagon one bike lays flat without taking any wheels off. That's my baseline for replacement.

Seems like the Cross Tour would be a good highway car but not sure about practicality for carrying the bike to local Park and Rides to start a ride.

[charliedid]

What's the deal with PSI and cars?

Follow manufacturer suggested or tire?

TIA

[BikeNY]

Originally Posted by charliedid

What's the deal with PSI and cars?

Follow manufacturer suggested or tire?

TIA

It's kind of up to you, but I'd start at the auto manufacturer suggested pressure. BTW, just like on bike tires, the only PSI listed on a car tire is the maximum allowed, Don't go above that!

I usually go a little higher than the man. rec., somewhere between that number and the max. listed on the tire.