People-mover rant

Currently rocking a 2012 Mazda3 hatch which has been a great appliance for 40k miles thus far. This is basically my wife's car and we use it for road trips, dog transport etc. I was looking at what's available for more room if we add some kids to the mix, and man are wagons on the way out! I'm not even being super picky here; wife doesn't drive stick so autoboxes are fine, and so are standard engines. Mazda6 wagon is gorgeous, but not offered here. Subaru only has the Outback which is lifted and ugly. Focus ST wagon Euro only. Levorg (WRX wagon) would be sweet but not offered here. VWs scare me but I guess there's the Golf Sportwagen. BMW 328ix is a thing, but not really looking to go that pricey. I guess enough people buy crossovers/SUVs that manufacturers don't want to bother with wagons. We had a Forester XT, I liked the thing and the boxy hatch was useful, but most of the small crossovers don't even have that much useful space over a typical hatchback. I suppose I'm just surprised/annoyed there aren't more wagon options out there to get a bit more space than the typical hatchback. And I want that gorgeous Mazda6 wagon.

Transit Connect. Looked at an xlt optioned one at the dealer and I have to say that is what I would be looking at.

Sales figures tend to show that while people say they would buy a wagon, they typically don't. Look at the Magnum: The only Chrysler product that sold slower was the Viper. In this day and age people typically want crossovers. The sad truth.

If you really love the Mazda3, look at the 5. It's a 3 in size large clothing.

Have you looked at a Kia Soul? It is basically a wagon, the latest models have a great interior and they are practical, efficient and reliable.

Yes, the Soul is absolutely a great option too. If you get one lightly used, they can be had for a song. Oh how I wish they would offer a hot hatch version, like the FoST. If they had, it would have been a top contender for me.

Klayfish wrote: If you really love the Mazda3, look at the 5. It's a 3 in size large clothing.

Forgot to include this in my post. No Skyactiv update, discontinued. Gah!

Not looking to buy immediately, just thinking ahead and essentially noticing that some cool rides like the Mazda6, Legacy GT, and CTS V wagons and the Mazda5 are no more. I went to Germany this year so maybe that kinda rubbed it in. I rented a diesel CX5 which was cool in its own right, but man did even a compact crossover like that stick out. I just want that damn Mazda6 wagon.

What you need is a wagon from the good old days. Got to say Volvo 245//745/945 or roadmaster. All the money you save off a new car can go towards "fun stuff"

I'm not a big fan of the People Mover either.

Saab. trust me

Klayfish wrote: If you really love the Mazda3, look at the 5. It's a 3 in size large clothing.

This, we loved ours for this reason.

Being the Disney World nut I am, this is the image that comes to mind when I hear "People Mover". My kids love this thing for whatever reason.

This is one of many reasons ill never own a modern car. I love my wagon, so do my kids. Im going to look for a truck from the same era and just keep them.

2012 BMW 328i... Not too pricey, new enough, reliable enough. Otherwise the least offensive CUV. If you are adventuresome get a Merc E Class.

Also, wait for the BMW F31's to depreciate. Better mileage, faster, but no straight 6 and the steering and handling are softer.

I too lusted after the Mazda 6 wagon, I even sent Mazda a stern email asking them to bring it to Canada. They replied that they would think about it which was like 3 years ago.

The VW is pretty nice, but gets pricey when optioned up. It is bigger than the BMW. Might be OK, they don't all suck and fall apart. You may be the lucky one.