What Wagon?

So I picked up an '01 F150 with 150K miles on it for a VERY good price. I personally don't think that I need all that truck seeing as my automotive tastes run in the small to micro region. So I was thinking about trying to trade it for some sort of wagon that could still haul motors and sofas and christmas trees and all that. I'm kind of thinking something older made by Volvo, Mercedes, or BMW but it also might be time I buy my first Subaru Product. I don't really want to spend too much and would rather not have a V8 (I know a Caprice or Country Squire would be awesome) So I guess throw me some suggestions and stuff to look out for. Oh and also if anybody wants a pretty nice truck let me know...

I've been thinking aboiut one of these.

Tell me about the truck, auto or stick?

I had a Country Squire for a while and kept it longer than I otherwise might have so that I could use it as a moving van. Motors and christmas trees will fit in or on just about anything, but it would have to be a small sofa to fit inside most wagons. I could barely fit a small kitchen table in the Squire due to the "low" roofline.

I look for wagons quite frequently. These are the ones at the top of my list(s):

Smallish: Corolla/Prizm, Escort/Tracer, Impreza

Mediumish: Legacy, Forester, Volvo 240/740

Yatchish: Country Squire, GM B-bodies

The truck is a 4.6 with an auto it was my dads so I know its been well taken care of, I just don't want that V8 thirst and I love wagons. As for room I know it could get tight but if push comes to shove im not going to get anything that I wouldnt mind strapping stuff to the roof. I just really neet something to haul leaky british car parts and plants/mulch for the wife. Ive even been thinking of using bedliner in the cargo area of whatever I get...

I've had Outbacks, Foresters and Volvos.

I suggest the 850 Turbo Wagon w/5-speed. '95 and newer will give you the OBDII electronics. I thought my Volvo was very easy to work on and parts were very inexpensive.

Yeah i've always had a soft spot for volvo wagons

Volvo 740/940 Turbo.

/thread

fornetti14 wrote: I've had Outbacks, Foresters and Volvos. I suggest the 850 Turbo Wagon w/5-speed. '95 and newer will give you the OBDII electronics. I thought my Volvo was very easy to work on and parts were very inexpensive.

The 850 turbo wagon (855) never came with manual trans. non turbo yes (and turbo sedans), but sadly not in the wagon.

Might I suggest this for a capable v8 wagon:

KJ

Kendall_Jones wrote: The 850 turbo wagon (855) never came with manual trans. non turbo yes (and turbo sedans), but sadly not in the wagon. KJ

I know of at least two locally that say otherwise, and have seen several others for sale online. These cars were not swapped, but it can be done fairly easily from what I've read. They are somewhat rare, but they do exist!

I liked my '95 Volvo 850 wagon a lot!
I had it for 3.5 years and 50k miles. Over that time from 100k miles to 160k miles it really was a pretty trouble free car and maint was no more expensive that a typical car like a Camry or Corolla. Like any used purchase, much depends on how well the previous owner maintained the vehicle.
Mine was in fact a 5 speed but was not turbo. IIRC, the turbo/manual/wagon was only available in 1998 (one year.)

When my company car arrived and I did not need the wagon I gave the car to my brother and it is still running strong. Previous to this my brother was driving a Jeep Cherokee and he can not believe how much more he can get into the Volvo and how much more the Volvo meets his real needs all the while returning 25 mpg.

Sounds like you want an older wagon. I'd definitely have to +1 the Volvo on this.

Well, we have a Subaru wagon, and like (but not, I think, love) it. It's really more small hatch than wagon: there's more room in the back of our golf, and the opening swallows big stuff better. Put me down as loving the idea of a 540i wagon with 6 speed swap.

While googling around I found this Malibu Wagon. I do not know if it is a real project or just some artist rendering but I like it. I would be interested in either a Malibu wagon or a Fusion wagon (ala Mazda 6 wagon)

honda accord SW hasn't been mentioned... but instead of a F150 or a SW how 'bout a van E 150 or equivalent Chebby...

honda

You could've had this:

The only one I know of. True Z-24 wagon with full 3.1 IIRC and stick shift conversion. This car is a hoot to drive. I think my friend just sold it though.

If you do decide to go the Volvo 850 route, be sure to check if the PCV/Flame Trap has been serviced. One way to tell is to pull the very top of the "spark plug cover" off and see if there is oil accumulated on top of the valve cover, like syrup on a waffle...

Love my '02 Saab 9-5 2.3t. Huge space, very good economy, hasn't killed me with repair costs. Was lucky to find a 5-speed in the South, you would have better luck in other parts of the country.

Step 1, find a 740 Turbo wagon with 5spd.
Step 2, pop in a MBC set @ 14psi.
Step 3, drive it like you stole it while hauling almost anything short of a hot tub.

I paid $350 for mine, and got years of enjoyment before it blew up.

Turbo Brick FTW

While I've never compared side to side I can't help but wonder if the utterly square Volvo couldn't carry more than the blobby Caprice/Roadmaster.

Add a hitch and you can tow whatever won't fit.

I love the Volvos, the BMW V8 scares me but I do have experience with the m50 6's and I know that would be a great choice as well. Nobody has said anything about old Mercedes stuff I figured a diesel Benz wagon would be pretty utilitarian. As for the first picture, I like my VW's the way my wifes MK6 Golf is... with a warranty, which is to bad because I love VW's

I still miss my 945T. That car was magnificent.

here's mine...

Its not too hard to find these with a 5 speed. Mid 30s on the freeway, mid to high 20s around town. My 03 sedan has cost me a total of $18 dollars for stuff not related to regular maint. and it is at 132K.

914Driver wrote: I've been thinking aboiut one of these.

Unfortunately, the MkIII Variant (wagon) was never imported to the US, so getting one here may be difficult.

As much as I love wagons - I've driven them most of my life and currently own one - if the intended use is purely utlilitarian, nothing beats a van.

That said, if/when we sell the 2nd MINI, it'll probably get replaced with a used V70 FWD/non-turbo/auto-tragic... so the g/f has something to drive when her back is bothering her and she doesn't feel like shifting (we have 7 cars - all with manuals). Simple. Basic. Utilitarian.

Well nothing is purely utilitarian with me I definitely want something fun as well...