Why Don't Wagons Sell?

[flipstah]

So much wagon porn.

[Mibz]

Originally posted by GTS4tw
Is this a new thing with Mazda?

It was worse on the Protege/Protege 5 but it seems like it hit the Mazda 3, to a lesser extent, as well.

[Aleks]

Originally posted by flipstah


I will concede that the sliding doors are a godsend. Other than that, the cubby-hole storage argument isn't that strong but I don't have kids so what do I know?

Another Odyssey owner here, coming from a Forester as primary family vehicle. Odyssey blows it away in every category other than all out traction in snow and fuel econ. We just had 8 people in the Odyssey this weekend and all their luggage because it still has a massive deep trunk behind the 3rd row.

Sliding doors make life so much easier with kids. (We have 2 + 1 on way). Overall nothing beats a minivan if you need room for people and luggage. Most small CUVs don't really have any more room than a mid size sedan inside.

All that being said I would love more affordable diesel wagon choices in our market.

[finboy]

I would love an e63, ctsv, or Audi wagon, when budget allows they would definitely top my lost

[a social dsease]

Another wagon lover here. Once you own a wagon you can't go back to a sedan, it's just so handy to have all that space for biking/boarding/camping/furniture/moving and so on. And compared to an SUV (which is really just a lifted wagon) you get better handling, better gas mileage, better looks etc.

I can understand why people buy SUV's over wagons (ground clearance can be really useful) but I just don't understand why anyone would buy a sedan over a wagon, if the same model was offered in both versions (ie impreza/jetta/a4 etc). The wagon is just superior in every way

[r3ccOs]

Wagon's FTW!! Or "estate's" as they're called in europe

SUV's are so overkill and honestly are today's mini-van, since the SUV really has no true utlity to it

When the SUV was a body on frame, like the Tahoe or Excursion, no women really enjoyed driving them...

but then come along these car-ute x-over POS's, and now everyone and their dog has one

Wagons are awesome, they drive like cars and have utility

I drive a V50 T5 AWD Polestar'd

[clem24]

Originally posted by a social dsease
I can understand why people buy SUV's over wagons (ground clearance can be really useful) but I just don't understand why anyone would buy a sedan over a wagon, if the same model was offered in both versions (ie impreza/jetta/a4 etc). The wagon is just superior in every way

1.) Weight?
2.) Exposed trunk (and a hatch cover just screams "I am hiding something")?
3.) Looks?
4.) Options (i.e. A4 only comes in Auto)?
5.) Trim (i.e. no S4 wagon, 3 series only available as 328xi i.e. no 335)?

Tons and tons of reasons. Open your mind.

Don't get me wrong. I love wagons, but there are a myriad of reasons why someone would prefer the sedan.

[Mitsu3000gt]

I must admit I usually prefer the look of the sedan version, but this is the best looking wagon I've ever seen:

[dirtsniffer]

I still don't get the flat bottomed steering wheel, does it let fatties get into the car easier?

[flipstah]

Originally posted by dirtsniffer
I still don't get the flat bottomed steering wheel, does it let fatties get into the car easier?

They do that in all of their sport versions, even the ginormous RS5/RS6.

[bspot]

I'm cheap, so I buy used cars, which makes getting a wagon really hard. Both of my last two cars I wish I held out longer to find the wagon version. But man AWD manual wagons are like freaking unicorns!

Had a B6 S4, wish I had the avant.

Have an S40 T5 AWD, wish I had the V50 T5 AWD.

Next car I'll get it right...

The wife has a 325 xit, but I worry it's days are numbered, and have no idea what we'll replace it with in a few years.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by dirtsniffer
I still don't get the flat bottomed steering wheel, does it let fatties get into the car easier?

Kind of makes sense when you think about it. 95% of your driving is in a straight line, so you have more leg room, plus the steering ratio is such that you almost never need to touch the bottom.

Also, I don't know about you, but when I'm cruising along, I've usually only got one hand on the wheel, and the flat bottom seems a more comfortable spot (not that I've had the pleasure of driving one, lol)

[r3ccOs]

IMO all late model Volvo series look better as Wagons (V70/V50/XC70)
Same with basically all Avants

of course that's my preference, but I really like the look of wagons and there is a reason why hatchbacks are also prefered in most car segments

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok


Also, I don't know about you, but when I'm cruising along, I've usually only got one hand on the wheel, and the flat bottom seems a more comfortable spot (not that I've had the pleasure of driving one, lol)

Fact.

[Isaiah]

Originally posted by r3ccOs
SUV's are so overkill and honestly are today's mini-van, since the SUV really has no true utlity to it

When the SUV was a body on frame, like the Tahoe or Excursion, no women really enjoyed driving them...

but then come along these car-ute x-over POS's, and now everyone and their dog has one

I have an '08 Pathfinder and consider it much more useful than a wagon or minivan for the following reasons:

1. I can fit a ton of camping gear inside + bikes, add kids, and take it into rugged terrain that a minivan doesn't have the clearance for.
2. The additional vertical space in the back (over a wagon) practically doubles the packing room.
3. When folding down the rear seats, it becomes a giant box with room for just about anything.
4. The third row seating can accommodate a birthday party load of kids or allow the option to comfortably seat 5 adults and 2 kids.

It comes down to function over status. I specifically chose the pathfinder because the seats fold down in a matter of seconds and the box shape of the hatch maximizes cargo space. Due to my line of work, I frequently (2-3 times/week) maximize the cargo area so neither a minivan or wagon would be as practical for my work and lifestyle.

I do agree though that the SUV owners that rarely load cargo or venture into rough terrain probably buy it more for status than function.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by Mibz
It was worse on the Protege/Protege 5 but it seems like it hit the Mazda 3, to a lesser extent, as well.

Man, I'm still annoyed about how badly the 5's rusted. I was strongly considering picking up a 5 wagon until I realized just how prevalent the rust problems were.

[clem24]

Originally posted by Isaiah

I have an '08 Pathfinder and consider it much more useful than a wagon or minivan for the following reasons:

1. I can fit a ton of camping gear inside + bikes, add kids, and take it into rugged terrain that a minivan doesn't have the clearance for.
2. The additional vertical space in the back (over a wagon) practically doubles the packing room.
3. When folding down the rear seats, it becomes a giant box with room for just about anything.
4. The third row seating can accommodate a birthday party load of kids or allow the option to comfortably seat 5 adults and 2 kids.

The ONLY advantage to an SUV over a minivan or wagon is that you take it on rough terrain, and when I say rough terrain, we're talking like back country roads filled with mud, jagged rocks, and such.

Otherwise, NONE of the other things you list are actually advantages of an SUV over a wagon. And in fact, #2-4, the minivan wins HANDS DOWN. A minivan is so stupidly roomy that you can fit 8 ADULTS comfortably in models with an optional center 2nd row. You also store full sized adult bikes in a van in their upright position, with wheels still attached. Try doing that with an S(tupid)UV.

The hatch area in your Pathfinder is likely not much bigger than the last generation of Hyundai Elantra Touring.

It comes down to function over status. I specifically chose the pathfinder because the seats fold down in a matter of seconds and the box shape of the hatch maximizes cargo space. Due to my line of work, I frequently (2-3 times/week) maximize the cargo area so neither a minivan or wagon would be as practical for my work and lifestyle.

Are you kidding me? A minivan with it's rear seat folded into the floor can hold at least 2-3 times more than your Pathfinder.

In any case, wagons: loved by car guys, loathed by the other 99%.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Nothing can touch the versatility and cargo space of a minivan, but everyone I know who should have a minivan doesn't because they don't want to be seen driving a minivan lol. Not a good reason, but that is the one most people have.

[clem24]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Nothing can touch the versatility and cargo space of a minivan, but everyone I know who should have a minivan doesn't because they don't want to be seen driving a minivan lol. Not a good reason, but that is the one most people have.

Yup this right here. It's a really weird thing; almost like a high school mentality. I mean you have kids, you have no hair, you're whipped by our spouse, you're suffering from Onegina disease, you're not picking up chicks, and you go to bed at 10PM. And all they can think about is how uncool it makes them look...

I have co-workers who are exactly that. They absolutely outright REFUSE to be seen in a minivan. They'll buy heavier, less luxurious, poor handling, and much less versatile SUVs just because. Completely irrational.

Same with wagons. Makes people feel uncool. Even if they already are super uncool.

[msommers]

I saw this thread so I went online shopping and the only one I might consider within my wants and needs as a DD would be an Audi A3. I really wish I could get an S-line quattro TDI but I don't think they come in that configuration. For a DD I think a quattro would be a must so it would have to be the TFSI engine. Starting at ~37.5K, it's definitely within reaching distance if I ever decided to get rid of the 4Runner. Which if I'm not in the field anymore, I might honestly consider it. I'm really digging the S-line interior!

I can't find much information on it though. What's the overall consensus on the A3? How do their TFSI and TDI engines fare?