Everyone's fine, it's all good, it's under control.

[commodorified]

But the fender-bender we had a couple of weeks back has resulted in the insurance company writing off the car.

We are four not very small adults, with outdoorsy hobbies which sometimes involve winter backroad travel carrying gear, and have hopes of eventual family expansion.

So:

If you have or have had a station wagon you really like, please tell me about it, in detail.

Comments

[stultiloquentia]

No strong opinions on wagons, but here's a purchasing tip: if you're waffling between a couple models, call your insurance co. and ask which one gets cheaper premiums. My parents, who tend to research the fuck out of things, did that in lieu of flipping a coin for a Forester vs. a Pilot, and were surprised to discover the Forester was MUCH cheaper, i.e. safer. That said, they love the way the Subaru handles, but aren't super fond of the awkward interior and dash.

[commodorified]

That is a properly brilliant bit of advice; thanks!

[metaphortunate]

That is brilliant! Hope to not be buying a car soon, but I will remember this.

[amorettea]

We used to have a Subaru when we lived in western i.e. snowy Montana and LOVED IT. We don't care how cool the dash is. We don't even own smart phones.

[commodorified]

I don't mind lack of coolness but if it's hard to navigate that's a problem. As is uncomfortable or crowded interior, so we'll have to try a couple and see.

[kalmn]

I am about to be gifted a Subaru wagon of some sort. My biggest problem with it is that I need to lift my legs higher to get into it, which can be a problem when flaring. My sister just got a Subaru XL crosstrek in dreamsicle Orange and loves it- they ride one adult in front, kid and adult in back, and it works for them, enough room both front and back. My family are not outdoors sorts but we are carry furniture in the car sorts, so we both elect for cargo space.

[cathexys]

Totally OT, but your question for a station wagon and the answers that clearly (to me) referenced SUVs made me google it. And apparently these new things are neither (at least according to this to me enlightening article: http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1092339_2014-subaru-forester-suv-crossover-or-wagon-we-try-to-define).

Of course I'm driving a 13 year old minivan that'll get the boot as soon as we can afford it now that I have one kid driving and the other counting the days til he gets a learner's permit... And most car-like vehicles around me are pick up trucks... :D

Best of luck finding something perfect for y'all!

[mdlbear]

I had an excellent Volvo, way back when. Tight turning radius, and sleeps two adults comfortably with the back seat down.

Don't overlook minivans; we currently have a Ford Freestar.

[thnidu]

Best of luck!

[sara]

We have a Prius, which is surprisingly large on the inside -- we regularly seat both of us, C's sister, both kids, and a dog in the vehicle, with room for coats and groceries and so on. Our other car is a Chevy Prizm (Toyota Corolla in all but badging) and it has been extraordinarily reliable over the last 15 years but we've reached a point where really it is too small for us and the kids (though it was our only car for many years when they were physically smaller).

I cannot recommend the Ford Explorer, which is what I am driving for work nowadays. It is very roomy on the inside and has a lot of covered interior space, but it is also very wide (not good on mountain roads) and the 4wd is a bit crap. It has a nice radio and comfy chairs, though.

My parents had a Subaru for some years and it had a LOT of mechanical problems -- as did the Subarus of everyone else we knew in Oregon with them, they were very popular in the PNW in the early to mid-00s. The folks sold theirs with less than 50K miles (which tells you how much they disliked it, I think) and bought a big Lexus instead. Dad has a Honda truck. They have been talking about getting something smaller to drive into town during good weather, but I'm not sure that's still on given how much gas prices have fallen. My brother has had some good experiences with Toyota SUVs over the years.

[toft]

:( oh no! That sucks.

[dejla]

I can tell you, but you'd only be able to get a used one, maybe. The Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon.

Handles like a dream, lots and lots of room for four large adults.

But they don't make it any more. You may have to go for a minivan. Not an SUV; there is zero packing space when all the seats are up.

But my roommate is very happy with her Toyota Sienna and has carried many many boxes of books to many SCA events. And science fiction conventions.

And I rented a Chrysler Town and County last year for a trip to Canada and loved the space and the comfort.

[stultiloquentia]

Siennas are great. Same footprint and mpg as most wagons, but they seat seven, and the extractable back seat means they're totally capable of schlepping lumber, furniture, hockey gear, etc.

[lasergirl]

My parents have a Subaru Forester, standard, 4WD with options. Apparently going with a manual transmission makes the car more affordable, meaning you can get more add-on options (like heated seats, sunroof) for the price. But the Forester has an awkward front-seat entry that my Dad, who is 5'10, bangs his legs continuously. It's also considerably higher than the Outback, which is more of a beefy station wagon (probably more what you want than a jeep-ish SUV).

Sister's BF has a Toyota Rav4 which seems to be quite great, lots of storage and it's a Toyota, which means it will last for ages.

[james_g4clf]

They're expensive new, but do they ever last. I bought a used 1996 Audi A4 Quattro (smart 4WD) Avant in Belgium in 2000 and am still driving it 300,000 km later. It's quiet & comfortable (if a little small in the back seats). It does not have high ground clearance for off-road use but drives out of muddy fields without problems, and sticks to icy roads like sh*t to a blanket. My sister drove one just like it in G/r/e/e/n/l/a/n/d/'/s Switzerland's Icy Mountains for rather longer - but replaced it with a Subaru mainly because she wanted to buy new and a new Audi was out of her price range. She's pleased with the Subaru, too.