OT - thinking about a new vehicle - suggestions/opinions?

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by steveandbarb1

I need to replace my Saab 9-5 wagon. Requirements:
1. HID/Xenon or LED headlights
2. Wagon
3. Low height. Wife 5'2" and loading kayaks on SUV not done without steps, which she doesn't want
4. Very comfortable seat for a bad back

I am narrowed down it appears to a CPO Audi Allroad or Volvo V60

these SUV's are taking USA over, nice wagons overseas but little here

any ideas, what should I choose among the 2 above?

short of the fancy headlights, this should do nicely

[fmradio516]

^ thats the same 300 that my grandpa had until the body rusted out at over 400k miles. Such a great car. Though his wasnt AMG

[echappist]

Buick Regal Tour X; decently-loaded vehicles apparently on sale at $26k, brand new

That plastic cladding is also supposedly removable

[dbnm]

I have a 2013 Volvo XC70 with the T6 (turbo straight six) motor and AWD.

I had the Polestar option done at the dealer when I bought it. The car now has 325hp and 350 torque. It goes like a bat outta hell, especially in sport mode.

If you don't hot-rod it on the highway, 27mpg is easily achieved. It's a joy to drive and really quiet inside.

I'll hang onto this car for a few more years. I just don't see any reason to sell it or trade it.

[BobbyJones]

This is GM's best kept secret. I got to spend some time in one of these and a Regal GS this summer (also swallows a bike in the trunk).

Besides the boy racer looks of the GS seating, these are pretty killer cars if its the class you're looking for.

Originally Posted by echappist

Buick Regal Tour X; decently-loaded vehicles apparently on sale at $26k, brand new

That plastic cladding is also supposedly removable

[Ralph]

yes....The Buick is extremely under appreciated or known about.

[mcteague]

Originally Posted by 2metalhips

Still haven't found that elusive TSX wagon yet? 2 kayaks and bike go on top. No manstep needed.

Yeah, but I still have a tough time getting my bike in back with the front wheel removed. You have to angle it around the rear wheel suspension bumps and it takes up all the room. For a wagon, the storage space is minimal.

Tim

[zap]

Originally Posted by steveandbarb1

thx and yuck i guess....

Maybe the stepstool is our only solution and get crossover or perhaps a big sedan and live with the lack of space.

Check out Arnott. Cost effective, quality rebuilt air suspension components. Coupled with a quality indy, easily half the cost of Audi/dealership pricing with the added bonus of lifetime warranty on the bladder.

[Ken Robb]

I think the Buick wagons are re-badged Opels and GM has sold Opel. Future resale and support may not be very good.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

I think the Buick wagons are re-badged Opels and GM has sold Opel. Future resale and support may not be very good.

Uou are indeed correct

[cderalow]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

you probably know this already, but when you're in the market for a <$5k car, with a pile of miles on it already, you really have to buy the individual car, not focus only on a particular model. there is going to be a whole lot of junk out there in that price range that will be at the end of life and highly unlikely to go another 5 years before it's dead.

you really need to be relentless about checking for rust/rot and other telltale signs of a car that doesnt have much life left in it. understanding how the previous owner(s) took care of the car will be important. at 175k miles or so, most hondas are going to be deep into their second timing belt and ready for a new one, which is not a cheap job or a particularly easy DIY project.

i wouldnt touch any german car in that price range with that many miles without having a VERY good idea about the maintenance history. bear in mind TDIs are pretty sensitive to what motor oil they need, and it's expensive. using the wrong oil for 50k miles is going to result in sludge and varnish issues which will cost you eventually.

there is certainly a lot of love for them, and it's highly subjective, but i test drove a FIT a long time ago, a brand new one and absolutely hated it. loud, very cheap feeling interior and severely underpowered. i'd hate to drive it anywhere that has hills or passes to contend with.


SUVs are wildly popular right now, so that is propping their used prices up. for the money you are looking to spend, you will get a lot more car if you stick with a sedan, if i were in your shoes and the camry has worked well for you, i'd be looking for another one of them or an accord.

FYI most 4 cylinder hondas post 2006 have timing chains.

The 6 cylinders still used belts as of at least 2011.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by cderalow

FYI most 4 cylinder hondas post 2006 have timing chains.

The 6 cylinders still used belts as of at least 2011.

interesting. did not know that. i havent owned a honda 4-banger in many years.

my '15 ody still has a belt.

[cderalow]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

interesting. did not know that. i havent owned a honda 4-banger in many years.

my '15 ody still has a belt.

yeah, so does my 2011.

The 1.5L in the fit was always a chain.
in 2006 the 1.8L civic engine went chain.
the 2.0 & 2.4L engines in the Accord and CR-V went chain in 2002/2003.

the 3.0L & 3.5L V6 have always been belt in every damn model that has them (ridgeline, odyssey, accord, pilot) and they're a complete pain in the ass to replace.

Though I'll be honest, my van has 153k on it and it hasn't been done, and my father used to maintain a fleet of them (400+) and in millions of miles, they never had one fail, with vans going into the 170k range before selling them off/replacing the timing belt.

it was always the old 1.3L, 1.6L & 1.7L civics and accords that had belts and were prone to failure and then crushing valves.

the chains in the accords can still have issues due to low oil pressure since they use pressure to help the chain tensioner. the fit is all mechanical in that regard, so no problems there. I forget how they do it in the civic engines.

[mktng]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

short of the fancy headlights, this should do nicely

https://www.velocitycars.ca/vehicle/...agon/21167?s=1

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by pasadena

The allroad air suspension will blow out and fail. If you're okay with dropping $3-4K on repairs in the future, it's a gussied up A4 Avant so it's a great car otherwise.
Way better than the V60 wagon but the airbag suspension can be problematic on the Allroad. Maybe you will be lucky and it will fail in the CPO warranty zone.

You're thinking of the C5 allroad (2001-2005). Current generation allroad is built on the A4 platform (as you note) and it has coil springs. No air suspension.

Agreed that it is far better than the V60 -- more comfortable, more fun...

Go out and drive one.