OT: sportwagen

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by avalonracing

$38,000 for that with 20K miles.
They were selling these loaded for under $30K when the dealers were clearing them out. I was so close to buying one but I really wanted the extra "go" of the GTI. In retrospect, I probably should have got the 6-Speed wagon because we'll never see another.

The Alltrack SEL was $34-35k + fees new in 2019 - I was deciding between that and a dieselgate "repaired" TDI SEL wagon at the time, and ended up buying the TDI at half the price - drove that for 2 years and then traded it back in on the Alltrack.

[mistermo]

Originally Posted by .RJ

The Alltrack SEL was $34-35k + fees new in 2019 - I was deciding between that and a dieselgate "repaired" TDI SEL wagon at the time, and ended up buying the TDI at half the price - drove that for 2 years and then traded it back in on the Alltrack.

And having had both, which do you prefer?

[echappist]

Originally Posted by thwart

We’ve had a deposit down on the new VW Buzz since the Spring… that vehicle may replace my 6 spd MT 4-motion Sportwagen, 2017 model year. Or possibly my wife’s 2012 Toyota Prius V (also a discontinued model… there may be a message here).

Don't sell it. Your Sportwagen is a real looker. A welcome dash of fun color in a sea of ending grey (e.g. my V60).

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by benb

I think shortening the cargo area might improve the departure angle. But that makes very little sense because a lot of SUVs these days are down to 5-6" of ground clearance and have tire/wheel setups that are totally inappropriate for any off road use, so what's the point.

Speaking as someone who has gotten seriously stuck offroad on a New Hampshire powerline right of way (three Def 90s pulling in different directions eventually got us unstuck), nobody offroads their SUVs or crossovers.

Departure angle is a marketing feature that nobody understands, or cares about, except for us lunatic fringe.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by mistermo

And having had both, which do you prefer?

The alltrack, all day.

They're both great appliances but the Alltrack is quieter, more comfortable, handles better and I dont have to find diesel pumps. I do miss the mileage and range of my TDI but with the higher cost of diesel the actual per mile fuel cost isnt any different.

[steel_rider]

I love wagons. Too bad our options in the US are so bad or limited to high dollar choices.

[rccardr]

Agreed. My 2016 Sportwagen (auto, Tornado red, pano roof, black tex interior) is a gem, and only 25,000 miles. Bought new summer of 2016 when everybody was slamming the Dub. An engineering gem that gets 30-35mpg, swallows a bike without removing the front wheel, and has had zero problems in the seven plus years it’s been in the family. Looked at the Alltrack but not a fan of the fender cladding.

Kind of have a new car itch but honestly, other than uber expensive offerings that just don’t make sense for me (MB AMG, Audi, etc.) not sure what other station wagon-y options there are. My wife’s Lexo 450h is a great roadgoing SUV but sucks as a bike carrier.

Sad thing is, there are TONS of great wagon options out there, but not in the US. Every time we head to western Europe we’re stunned by the diversity of wagon shaped objects with manual transmissions that are a delight to drive. Sad.

[Elefantino]

We have a 2017 Alltrack and it's every bit the nice comfy cruiser that our Stelvio is. We love wagons.

[Marvinlungwitz]

.

[oldpotatoe]

I wouldn't discount the VW Golf SportWagen 'S' model...4 motion. The same as the Alltrack but no leather, sunroof and with 16in wheels..and about $10k less.

I have a 2017 which I love. Got it for 'free' when I gave my 2014 TDI back to them.

[benb]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

Speaking as someone who has gotten seriously stuck offroad on a New Hampshire powerline right of way (three Def 90s pulling in different directions eventually got us unstuck), nobody offroads their SUVs or crossovers.

Departure angle is a marketing feature that nobody understands, or cares about, except for us lunatic fringe.

I think people might care about it for image without understanding what it is or why some vehicles need to be look like that, and it influences what gets bought without any thought of whether it makes sense or the rest of the vehicle is actually designed in a way that makes it meaningful.

I mean that's most of the point of most SUVs at this point.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by benb

I think people might care about it for image without understanding what it is or why some vehicles need to be look like that, and it influences what gets bought without any thought of whether it makes sense or the rest of the vehicle is actually designed in a way that makes it meaningful.

I mean that's most of the point of most SUVs at this point.

BITD, when the Ford Explorer was brand new..one of the JOswho worked for me bough a new one. I asked if it was 2WD or 4WD..he said 2...

"with 4WD ya just get stuck twice as far back into the woods."

[nspace]

Originally Posted by steel_rider

I love wagons. Too bad our options in the US are so bad or limited to high dollar choices.

Agreed!

At the time (2016), the VW Sportwagen was the only cost effective option when we were in the market for a new car. Having owned that car for the last 7 years, I personally would not buy another one. The DSG transmission is probably the least smooth transmission I've ever driven, the rear camera periodically glitches out, the interior trim around the shifter separated and sliced my finger open, they are notorious for burning oil, the suspension has been creaky from very early on (also common), its had a coolant leak, 2 broken clock springs that disabled the steering wheel controls and airbag, and a broken oil control valve.

I wish Mazda or Toyota would make something in this form factor.

[zap]

Originally Posted by steel_rider

I love wagons. Too bad our options in the US are so bad or limited to high dollar choices.

Agreed.

MB AMG or Audi RS6 wagons are super cool........but not something I would want parked at any number of ride start locations.

Going down some on the price ladder, Audi does have an A6 wagon but dislike the plastic cladding. Same for MB.......though the '24 redesign looks better. The Volvo V60 Polestar is behind on tech and reliability (?). We had a Volvo wagon.....not going down that maintenance money pit again.

So, we might have to cross to the dark side........cough "SUV".

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by zap

Agreed.

MB AMG or Audi RS6 wagons are super cool........but not something I would want parked at any number of ride start locations.

Going down some on the price ladder, Audi does have an A6 wagon but dislike the plastic cladding. Same for MB.......though the '24 redesign looks better. The Volvo V60 Polestar is behind on tech and reliability (?). We had a Volvo wagon.....not going down that maintenance money pit again.

So, we might have to cross to the dark side........cough "SUV".

Agreed on the Audi A6 Avant. It’s really unfortunate that they have it as this “All-Road” model like people are going off roading with their Audi wagon. That ain’t happening much. The wheel arch cladding is pretty ugly and distracts from the lines of a fairly handsome vehicle otherwise.