My father is shopping for a wagon and have looked at:

1. VW Passat Wagon
2. Subaru Outback/Impreza/legacy

He is looking for a bare basic auto tranny. Please give advice based on value and pros/cons. The wagons are fairly priced comparably, but he has a bias against cars with German origin versus Japanese. Personally, I prefer the Passat Wagon over the Subaru, but what do you guys/gals think based on your experience or 2nd or 3rd hand experience (from friends). He wants to go fishing with it so he's sticking with the smallest engine. In summary please recommend base on:

1. Value
2. Reliability (engine and parts)
3. Features for the buck (money)
4. Fun to drive (looks too)
5. and anything else.

Thank you very much.

 

No doubt for me, the Passat. Isn't the sub a 4-step auto?

 

Yes, and the Passat give better mpg 31 highway versus subaru 28 mpg.

 

Okay, this is a good topic for me....I've owned a subaru wagon, passat wagon, and now 530xi wagon.

The passat will drive WAY better. However, it's NOT AWD, unless you get the 3.6 4motion. Then you're looking at big $$$$.

Nevertheless, the passat will drive better. Handling, comfort, fun.

Subarus ARE NOT as reliable as people would like to think. They are, however, a bit more reliable than VW Passats, and are cheaper to fix/service.

What else.....oh yeah, the Subaru will not get very good gas mileage, think about 20 average. The Passat with the 2.0T engine should see about 27 average.

What else....bang for the buck....the VW gets more by virtue of "coolness", i.e. satellite radio, Ipod integration, sport pkg, etc.

Go with the VW. No question.

 

If someone is thinking wagon, I'd say stop that damn non-sense and take a look at the new Madza CX-9.

Its a full crossover vehicle running on a completely new and specifically designed chassis. Its more functional than a wagon and I'd say the drive is good as well. Its the big brother of the CX-7, which the critics liked in terms of layout and, importantly, driving mechanicals.

Looks great too. I'd say its in the running for crossover of the year. Check out the Madza website.

Zoom Zoom

CVT Benhogan

 

One quetion? Do Mazada last (reliable)? I've heard horror stories from Mazada owner.

 

So a subaru will last longer than a Passat? If so, I might recommend to my father to get a crossover. The subaru seems like its for rugged driving terrain, and where he is going, it's pretty flat and smooth. Thanks for your input.

 

all the respect, but simple answer:

Wagons are Better with,
-MPG
-Performance
-Handling
-Almost same space or depending of model, even better..
-Price

I cannot find one reason why crossover would be better than wagon??

 

See post below.

 

True,

But in the final analysis, wagons are just sedans with a tad more vertical storage capacity over the truck area. Wagons are cars. Add slightly better load height and thats that. If you need room, especially for larger loads, the greatest functionality is acheived by a van and the newest Crossovers now have this covered.

I'd be one unhappy camper driving a wagon and never carrying anything in it. I can carry plenty in my truck and use the fold down seats. If you got piles of stuff to carry everyday, get something for the job. I think a wagon is a half ass solution to this problem.

Crossover Advantages

1) Fold down seats/greater vertical height in terms of room. (More volume)
2) Third row seating
3) Loading Access
4) More comfortable for younger humans and dogs (long trips a plus)
5) MPG and handling are quite good for such a roomy vehicle
6) Price $37K for a well equiped CX-9


Disadvantages

1) Its not a car




Just my take.



CVT Benhogan