Bluechip

I didn't want to piggyback on top of the other car thread so I am starting my own. We've had a SUV(Tahoe)- sucked putting bikes on top, fair inside. We now have a minivan (Honda) Ok at putting bikes on top and good for inside. I am just tired of the minivan experience. I am looking at station wagons now. I still have two kids at home and a large dog so I need the space inside. Bikes should be easy to put on top of a wagon so that would be a plus. My first two choices are not available in 2015- Mazda6 wagon and Acura sport wagon. Does anyone have experience with any of the wagons currently available?

dalava

I had a Acura TSX Wagon. It's a great car for the purpose you described, but the gas mileage wasn't very good. Overall, it's really a Honda Accord stationwagon they sell in Europe so it's not as really a luxury car.

I like then look of the new Volvo S60 wagon, but again, gas mileage has always been pretty poor for all the Volvo wagons and I don't expect this to be much better.

The Audi A4-based All-road is a car I really liked and probably would consider if they ever bring the TDI version into the US.

The others, even though they are not market as station wagons are: BMW X1, Toyota Venza, Lexus CT200h (the one I am driving now), Subie Forrester.

dtrain

I don't love the maintenence costs of VW/Audi, but for wagons I'd certainly consider a Jetta TDI Sportwagen.

Doge

Jetta TDI SportsWagon - bikes on top. Big mpg.

dalava

Every Jetta TDI owner I know love the practicality of the car but complained about the maintenance. That's like a few years ago, hopefully they are better.

Team Sarcasm

Toyota venza and subaru forester/outback are worth looking into. I think the outback may be a little bit better depending on how big your kids/dog are.


audi and bmw are ok...but maintenance is price.

What about the honda pilot?

And have you ever thought about a hitch rack? better for mpg as well as not having to throw your bikes up on the roof.

Homebrew01

I like mine.

dtrain

We had an '02 or '03 Passat wagon (and a Jetta before that). I kinda miss the driving feel (and wagon practicality) vs. our new Accord. But man did those VW's cost money to maintain.

I've heard rumors about Korean wagon offerings in the US (Hyundai i40?)...but I just don't think the demand is there. I highly doubt that TSX wagon sales numbers were any good, which is really a shame (vs. more SUV's and crossovers).

JTGraphics

I like these

holden west

Just watch those clearance bars.

FLvector

This would be a good solution and open up lots of options for hauling the family in comfort. I installed a hitch mount on one car and bought a Kuat Sherpa, and have a Toyota Tacoma double cab which can seat four and haul the bikes with skewer mounts in the bed. Covered both ways.

PhotoJoe 

I love my Thule 916 XTR Hitch Rack. If it's a short trip, I can put two bikes on the rack in about 10 seconds, no pulling off the front wheels. For longer trips, I'll put the back seat down in the Silverado and put the two bikes inside so we can go in and eat with less concerns. I'd want to check ground clearance on a smaller car with that rack, though. It may not be the answer.

bruce19

I've had a couple hatchbacks and I love them. But, for small wagons I've had an Audi A4 Avant which is very similar to a Jetta Sportwagon. It was excellent but I'm betting a TDI would be even better. Right now I am driving a Focus ST that is awesome. Even takes two road bikes but probably not what you had in mind. But, a really fun car to drive.

isberg

Wife, 2 young kids, 2 adult bikes, and luggage for a 10 day 1000mile road trip -- 2014 Subaru Outback with Yakima Ridgeback hitch mount, averaged around 30mpg -- 2015 is supposed to get even better mpg. And nobody does AWD better than Subaru.

mrodgers

I don't get this. I had always heard of the horrible maintenance cost of VW. I now have owned a Jetta, though the 1.8t rather than TDI, and it is dirt cheap to maintain.

I just put 2 rotors on it last year, $14 each. My old Ford the wife drove, $90 each for rotors. I am use to Toyota trucks in which I had never put a single dime into any of them in 300,000 miles or so other than an $8 rebuild kit for a starter and a $4 seal kit for the clutch master cylinder. Thus, replacing rotors was new to me starting with the Ford POS. I've also replaced the front wheel bearing which I had a shop do for $125 (labor charges on that one) and two hub/bearings in the rear for $50 each.

Now on the other hand, my old Ford we bought brand new. Warranty ran out about 1.5 years after purchase (36k warranty) and it failed it's first state inspection with junk rotors. I put 4 sets of rotors on that thing in 6 years and 118k miles. First set of rotors at 36,000 miles I replaced and looked at the 159,000 mile Nissan sitting in the driveway next to it and figured I'd just replace the original rotors on it too since I had cut them down once from hot spots and the hot spots were coming back. Again, the 4 rotors cost me $90 each 4 times through it's 6 year 118k life. That's $1440 just for the rotors compared to $13 worth of maintenance with my previous 4 Toyotas at a combined 300,000 miles.

So far, the Jetta is at $279 for 2 rotors, 2 sets of pads, 1 front shop swapped wheel bearing and 2 rear hub/bearing assemblies in 4 years and 56k miles. Not too shabby considering I really use that turbo driving hard.

dalava

I think you are obsessed with rotors.... this whole thing reads like ".... rotor....rotor.......rotor......rotor...rotor.....rotor........rotor...rotor.......rotor..rotor"

FLvector

+1 Maybe used the vehicle for mail delivery........

Canadian_giant

+ 1 for 2015 Subaru Outback , pretty much the only choice in my opinion. North America gets screwed over for wagon choices

dtrain

Knock on wood - you've been lucky so far. I mentioned (I guess in the other thread) that my wife and I owned an '02 or '03 Passat Wagon (1.8t). We owned it from roughly 55k to 125k miles and paid over $6k in maintenaince. Some of that I understand (and goes with the age of the car): the timing belt and major tune around 100k, etc. But we had the flush the heater core a few times, went through brake pads all the time (recommended every 25k!), had a bunch of ignition, sensor, and steering issues, etc. We really should have sold it right after the extended Certified Pre-owned coverage ran out. We had a Jetta sedan (about 2-3 years older) before that and it was only slightly better.

StanSeven

. Or pizza