What car? SWMBO, auto & practical

SWMBO needs a new car and I'm looking for suggestions and input. The mazda5 is my top choice, but like many people she's not happy about the minivan stigma (or smiley face). I'm hoping if we test drive one first she'll start to see the light. I'm willing to spring extra $ for the mazda5 since I could see us driving it for decades but otherwise I'd like to keep it under 7k. If it weren't for the takata recall I'd try to pick up a 2-3k vibe/matrix.

Wants

-Wagon/Hatch for home depot runs and craigslisting

-Minimum of realistic 26 mpg mixed driving

-Not currently affected by the Takata recall

-Reliable/Low cost of ownership

-Decent interior (Sport cloth/leather/heated seats)

-Relatively safe/2005+ -0-60 ~9 seconds (We live in an area with short aggressive merges)

-SWMBO wants it to look good so no buick roadmaster wagons (I tried already) On my short list is the Mazda3, Mazda5, Volvo V50, Elantra touring, Lexus RX?

Any cars I should avoid or any cars I'm missing? I've heard chatter about the mazda 2.3 and having oiling issues--something about the balance shaft. What should I know about the V50s?

I don't know for sure about the Takata recall, but DW's 2004 TSX hasn't gotten a notice yet. I'd look into a 2-gen TSX wagon. Plenty of room for 4 adults. They were auto only and the K24 gives it enough oomph for daily thrust-and-parry work. It's been as reliable as an anvil. $7k budget might be a problem.

Hard to find, but what about the Mazda6 wagon?
The wife's S40 has surprised me with it's relative lack of trouble. The 5 speed automatic is not terrible. Not a day passes that I don't wish it was a V50.

A bit of a unicorn, but an E46 325i wagon?

Buy my 2006 Mazda6 hatch!

But seriously, I love it. It's sporty ish, the 2.3 has been great, and the 5 speed auto makes it feel decently quick m. The hatch holds a ton. And it pulls 28mpg pretty regularly.

For the money, they're great cars. I'm only moving on from mine because I bought a miata

wrx is always the answer

Good eye on the 2nd gen tsx wagon-that and the mazda5 would be cars I can see keeping for a very long time Since they're so new the low mileage/resale would be semi-justifiable for the high buy.

The 6, wrx (I'd prefer the saab 9-2x in this case, but I'm not fond of the old 4-speed autos), and assorted bmw wagons all fall under the takata recall. I really do think the mazda6 hatch would be the solution to her wanting something that doesn't look utilitarian.

As much as we are frugal, russian roulette with a claymore to the face isn't something that's quite worth the risk.

lnlds wrote: As much as we are frugal, russian roulette with a claymore to the face isn't something that's quite worth the risk.

Just to put things in perspective, there have been around a hundred injuries from the Takata airbags (without around 10 of those being fatal) out of over a million deployments from the airbags in the recall. It's a risk, yes, and it's one that's gotten a lot of exposure, but statistically it's pretty unusual. If you're worrying about risks at that level, there are a lot of other things to look at as well -- the Mazda5 has pretty poor side impact and front-overlap crash test results, for example.

Saab 9-5 Wagon.. They are orphaned so the prices are down but parts will be available for forever. Turbo snort and one of the safest cars on the road.

Nice places to spend time behind the wheel too.

Example NMNA

lnlds wrote: Good eye on the 2nd gen tsx wagon-that and the mazda5 would be cars I can see keeping for a very long time Since they're so new the low mileage/resale would be semi-justifiable for the high buy. The 6, wrx (I'd prefer the saab 9-2x in this case, but I'm not fond of the old 4-speed autos), and assorted bmw wagons all fall under the takata recall. I really do think the mazda6 hatch would be the solution to her wanting something that doesn't look utilitarian. As much as we are frugal, russian roulette with a claymore to the face isn't something that's quite worth the risk.

What if it's had the recall fixed?

Just dropped my 6 off today to have the new bags installed

You won't realistically get 26 mpg with a Lexus RX and any one you see for $7k is going to be very high mileage and/or in rough shape.

codrus wrote:

lnlds wrote: As much as we are frugal, russian roulette with a claymore to the face isn't something that's quite worth the risk.

Just to put things in perspective, there have been around a hundred injuries from the Takata airbags (without around 10 of those being fatal) out of over a million deployments from the airbags in the recall. It's a risk, yes, and it's one that's gotten a lot of exposure, but statistically it's pretty unusual. If you're worrying about risks at that level, there are a lot of other things to look at as well -- the Mazda5 has pretty poor side impact and front-overlap crash test results, for example.

Received loud and clear; I'm sure my rationale isn't quite right. In my head side impact risk can be reduced greatly just by treating a fresh green light as a 4 way stop if you're the first car in line. With the relatively poor offset crash ratings of the mazda5 it'll still fare better than most cars of yesteryear or ones we all grew up riding in. That being said we could try and wait a year to see when more vehicles are fixed.

The scariest part of takata recalls is the potential for injury in an otherwise benign "low" speed crash like a parking lot or distracted driver situation, which I feel are much more common and likely to occur.

Cooper_Tired wrote: What if it's had the recall fixed? Just dropped my 6 off today to have the new bags installed

Actually, how bad or how long is the wait for the recall? I've never been to a dealership other than parts, but are dealerships willing to work with you for a recall even if you're not the first owner?

lnlds wrote:

codrus wrote:

lnlds wrote: As much as we are frugal, russian roulette with a claymore to the face isn't something that's quite worth the risk.

Just to put things in perspective, there have been around a hundred injuries from the Takata airbags (without around 10 of those being fatal) out of over a million deployments from the airbags in the recall. It's a risk, yes, and it's one that's gotten a lot of exposure, but statistically it's pretty unusual. If you're worrying about risks at that level, there are a lot of other things to look at as well -- the Mazda5 has pretty poor side impact and front-overlap crash test results, for example.

Received loud and clear; I'm sure my rationale isn't quite right. In my head side impact risk can be reduced greatly just by treating a fresh green light as a 4 way stop if you're the first car in line. With the relatively poor offset crash ratings of the mazda5 it'll still fare better than most cars of yesteryear or ones we all grew up riding in. That being said we could try and wait a year to see when more vehicles are fixed. The scariest part of takata recalls is the potential for injury in an otherwise benign "low" speed crash like a parking lot or distracted driver situation, which I feel are much more common and likely to occur.

Cooper_Tired wrote: What if it's had the recall fixed? Just dropped my 6 off today to have the new bags installed

Actually, how bad or how long is the wait for the recall? I've never been to a dealership other than parts, but are dealerships willing to work with you for a recall even if you're not the first owner?

Took less than a week to get parts.

Recalls do not care when you bought it. Just that you own it.

I highly recommend the 6. Check them out in your area.

If your Cincinnati adjacent, mines hitting Craigslist this weekend. 128k miles, $5,400

2006 saab 93 aero wagon low miles - $6490 (Newark)

Cooper_Tired: Thanks for that input, they'll be on my shortlist now.

Rusted_Busted_Spit: Love the 9-3's but I've read bad things about the IMS/Steering wheel lock malfunction leaving people stranded. Convince me otherwise?

Cooper_Tired wrote: Recalls do not care when you bought it. Just that you own it.

To amplify a bit, the federal government requires that manufacturers fix recalled vehicles at no charge, no matter who owns them, no matter the status of the warranty. Recalls are for safety defects.

I got mine one of these (in a sexy shade of brown) and she loves it. The Trax version might run a little less, not sure if you get all the cool gadgets though (heated seats, memory seats, oil slick, heated steering wheel, programmable everything...)

Made in Korea, so not sure about airbag stuff.

In reply to lnlds:

the only thing I can say to that s that my Dad has an 05 9-3 vert with over 200K and has not had an issue like that.

If I had not just gotten another 9-5 Aero I would be driving that car.

Though I did find this:

2007 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon Sharp - $4490 (NEWARK)

Too bad its an auto.