hey guys. i know that once i get the stang payed off i want to get another car to daily drive so i can garage the stang and just use it for playing around....

i really would like to find a hatch/wagon type of car, i dig the look, but its hard to pick one out of the bunch.

i really had my eyes on the dodge magnum, cause it just looks mean and would get the job done for the family and hauling minor stuff...

i dont want an suv, we already have a trailblazer and it rocks, but mileage sucks and its just too big

heres my main concerns:

gas mileage!
fit the family inside...
good looks...


i would like something with power, but it really doesnt matter in the long run since i have to surrender power for gas mileage most likely...
AWD would be nice, since we do get a decent amount of snow in the winter, but then again it sucks cause it drains mileage....


other cars i thought about were the subaru's, mazda 3 hatch etc...

what do you guys think?

post a pic of your favorite for this category..

thanks guys!

 

I like the Mazda 3 and the Volvo C30

 

2004-2007 V70 R?

300hp (Turbo)
AWD
Manual or Auto Tranmission Choice

 

the hhr is kind of cool, but my wife hates the look



calibur is neat....



outback could be a competitor...



the new sx4 is kind of cool too



jetta wagon?



its an suv, but i like it, the nitro...



another suv that may be a competitor:

 

hey that v70 looks awesome!!!!

whats the price range though?

 

Nice ones are going from ~$20,000 - $25,000.

 

I love our '07 turbocharged Subaru Forester XT for family car/small wagon duties. Our family consists of my wife and I, and our two kids, ages 4 and 5, as well as our 120 lb Saint Bernard. The Forester hauls all of us in any kind of weather, and it hauls *** as well. I prefer the previous gen (like ours) Forester to the current ones, as they were available with a manual transmission, and the new turbo Foresters are only auto. Lots more room than the Impreza hatchbacks, even though they are based on the same platform.

 

V70 R's are very nice Q-ships - 300hp, AWD, Brembos, sharp looks, some of the best seats in the world and a few even have a stick. The T5 version might be nice too, a bit less sporty but still quick. Or the V50 T5, in either FWD or AWD variants with stick shifts available (though I presume rare) would be a slightly smaller alternative. The C30 is essentially a shortened and more stylish 3-door V50 and might be viable depending on your space needs.

If you're feeling flush, the Audi S4 Avant would be sweet -- 340hp V8, AWD and MTX available. Mileage is probably right down there with the big Dodge Magnum though. A smaller, cheaper alternative might be the A3, in either turbo 6 or NA V6 variants. It's a very nice mini wagon and many come with perhaps the best tranny available on the market, the DSG.

A Passat or Jetta wagon might be nice, but they're becoming rather bland of late, especially in styling where they loosing some of their Teutonic uniqueness (from the Asian competitors).

The Saab 9-3 Combi is pretty nice in V6 trim -- nice snorty exhaust -- but perhaps a bit pricey for what you get. But the latest Saabs are regaining that quirky uniqueness they had up into the late 90's before they went through a period of GMification.

The Subby WRX wagon is a nice little Q-ship -- AWD, turbo power, sharp handling, rugged dependability -- but a face only a mother could love. The new version had the character and spunk boiled out of it and was still ungainly to look at. Apparently Subaru caught on fast and quickly sharpened and toned up this years version, still ugly though.

The Mazda Speed 3 is a veritable bullet with good looks, very good dynamics and, overall, a great value. Not the biggest thing in the world, but if you can fit your stuff in it, well, it would be on my very short list.

The Honda/Nissan/Toyota mid-size wagons are all perfect transportation appliances and about as soulless as a white refrigerator. The V6 versions, however, are surprisingly fast and with their torpor-inducing looks, are great for flying under the radar net.

 

hey that v70 looks awesome!!!!

whats the price range though?

 

sorry about the repost....

i have never had a volvo before... how is the maintenance as far as reliability and cost?

looks pretty sweet honestly.

the jetta seems nice, i know the interiors are awesome in VW's as far as quality and fit and finish... but the outside looks really bland.

the mazdaspeed 3 looks cool to me, plus is small and sporty and would be a good ride...

the subies are sweet too.. i seriously thought about a forrester for a while, but the inpreza is starting to really grow on me, theres one parked in my gym and i always stare at it when im running by...

 

I was shopping for a new car for my wife and we both really really liked the Scion xB. Not something we even considered until we test drove it. Plenty of power, decent mpg, and tons of room, which was the best part since I'm 6'3" and will occationally drive it. Loaded up they're still only 20-ish.

Mike

 

Mazdaspeed 3!

I own a Mazda Cx7 which uses the same engine with slightly less hp. And the vehicle is only rated 24mpg hwy yet i have never gotten under 27. usually 28-29. Not to mention the car is quick as heck! The 2.3 is a hellva engine.