What is the best station wagon for me now?

I absolutely love my 1998 SE Ford Taurus. The problem is that it was wrecked by a drunk driver while it was sitting on the side of a street, and the repair bill would be about eight thousand after my insurance paid two-thirds of the cost.

I absolutely have to have a station wagon, and I love the swing-up door with the addition of the swing up window.

I find it a waste to by a new car, so does anybody have any ideas for a newer station wagon model that is around three to five years old?

And at least twenty-five mpg would be a requirement for me.

Thanks!

 

Yeah - I've got a good suggestion for you.
Find a good, low-mile Mercury Sable LS wagon. It's very similar to the Taurus you had, but I think the overall styling is a bit more upscale. Has a very nice interior, too. Be sure to get one with the 24-valve DOHC engine. Has plenty of power.

I don't know where you are, but here's just one sample.....

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=267235398&dealer_id=89326&car_year=2003&rdm=1252024325474&model=SABLE&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=128&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&ct=u&ct=u&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MERC&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=WAGON&drive=&default_sort=priceASC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceASC&address=92865&advanced=y&end_year=2006&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=2301&standard=false





If you're a little put off by the price, there's lots of others out there. I've seen 2000's (which look practically identical) for around $3,500.........

 

If this isn't quite what you are looking for, give us some feedback. What kind of vehicles do you like? What will you use it for. how much you have to spend. PM me if you want to.....

 

Requirements

I guess that I only have a few (if restrictive) requirements for my vehicle:

Has to have the swing-up back door.
2003 or newer.
Must have an automatic model.
Large back space.
At least 25 mpg highway.
Dollar-wise, from 7,000-15,000

Would be nice:
A extra locked space in the back.
General oval-like shape (though this is probably too restrictive)

Some side notes that I can take care of in my personal selection:
40,000 miles or fewer.
A dark color, most preferably an indigo?

 

My '05 Mazda has served my needs pretty nicely. I've changed the springs/shocks/sway bars, but that's a personal thing.

I have the V6 and 6 speed automatic - yes, has a manual mode.
Around town MPG can be high 16's to 19. Highway improved to a consistent 26-28 after switching to synthetics and a K&N filter.
Plenty of space in back. No locking space though.

If I was you, I'd look for an 06 or 07. There is a picture of a blue one at the top of some forum pages. The 06/07 has a better interior and better tranny. --edit--forgot they didn't see the 4 cyl wagon here

And if you get the V6 (or 4 with optional package) it looks sweet.

 

Would you consider a minivan, or do you like wagons?
Some of your wagon choices would be:

- A newer Ford Taurus
- A Mercury Sable (as described above)

- A Mazda6 wagon ( here's one for an example):
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=264075654&dealer_id=64280459&car_year=2006&rdm=1252121945678&model=MAZDA6&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2003&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=128&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=MAZDA&keywords_display=&color=&scarid=266817932&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=WAGON&drive=&default_sort=priceASC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceASC&address=92865&advanced=y&end_year=2007&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=386&standard=false
The Mazda6 is only available with a V6 engine - 3.0 liters. In fact, it's fairly similar to the engine I recommended for the Mercury Sable (Ford owns a part of Mazda). Nice, sporty wagon. I do not know if it has that feature where the back glass lifts up separately. In fact, I'm not sure of that feature on any of these vehicles......They stopped selling the Mazda6 wagon after model year 2007

- A Volkswagen Passat (here's one for an example):
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ission=&max_price=&cardist=387&standard=false
The Passat was available in turbocharged 4-cylinder; non-turbo 6-cylinder, and a luxury model called the W8 with an 8-cylinder (actually NOT a V8, but a 'W'- 8). Nice, good-handling wagon. lots of vehicle for the money. Probably a better deal than the smaller Jetta.

- A Volkswagen Jetta (a bit smaller that the previous vehicles. here's an example):
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ission=&max_price=&cardist=374&standard=false
The Jetta it the smallest of this whole bunch, available with 4-cylinder and a turbo 4 cylinder. Good perfomance with the turbo. Good gas mileage.

- A Subaru Legacy or Outback (sample):
Outback: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ission=&max_price=&cardist=321&standard=false
Legacy: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ission=&max_price=&cardist=579&standard=false
The Legacy and Outback are basically the same vehicles. They are both all-wheel drive. The Outback sits higher on raised suspension to make it look more like a 'SUV'. The standard engine for both is a naturally aspirated (no turbo) 2.5 liter flat-4. Subaru has been making these engines for years, and they are extremely reliable. The 'performance' model has a turbocharger added, and makes around 260HP. Gas mileage will suffer as a result. They also offer a flat-6 cylinder model as well. similar performance to the turbo -4, but even worse gas mileage (but probably not all that bad - check with Edmunds.com for the specs....)
-- The Passat and Subarus are probably similar in overall size to your Taurus, but would hold more inside, since they are more squared off in the cargo area, rather than 'oval' .......

-- I believe the Mazda6 might be a scosch smaller, but not as small as the Jetta.

Start your search by checking them all out. Wagons are not in too much demand (except for the Subarus ). You may have to travel a bit to find some of them........

Let me know if you have any more questions........

Marshall