Time to move on...

[jblackburn]

IMO there really is no better wagon out there than a Volvo. It's practical, safe, fun to drive, not exactly fuel-efficient, but not bad either, good-looking, and can go just about anywhere.

Subarus feel cheap and lethargic to me, BMW wagons are downright ugly, Mercedes unreliable, and the Saab 9-5's are pretty unreliable too. And for a wagon, the V70's dont look bad at all.

I would suggest the 2004 V70 you're looking at, or a Toyota Highlander (Limited edition should have what you're looking for, I think you can get one in a 4 cyl, and it's peppy enough). It's more of a car-based SUV, not huge, and extremely easy to drive (I borrowed a friends to move a bunch of stuff). If I had any use for a vehicle for hauling kids/stuff around, that's probably what I'd end up getting.

[robby1544]

i also forgot to mention that the VW jetta TDI wagon was also considered. the one we could afford would not be a new one (max year 2004-2005) and offers less space. IT has better gas mileage 40-50, but is less comfortable, wife doesn't like the way they look, and usually hold a value over what I want to spend. The great thing about diesel VWs is that they have great gas mileage and thus low yearly gas operating costs, the problem is people selling them think they should go for more b/c of it. The average INCREASE in TDI premiums for cars that are about 5-7 years old takes about 4-6 years to pay off in gas savings.... But the car is still old and has over 100,000 miles on it. Is the turbo/trans/axels/shocks/etc going to last as long as the engine? doubtful.

If you would have bought the gas version for 3-5k cheaper then the TDI, in 5 years you would have broken even. But you would of had a newer car, been able to accelerate faster, and have your gas stations more readily available. basically for the price of an 04 TDI, i could get an 06-07 gas version. Since the average family only keeps a car for 5 years, it seams pointless.