and the car search begins....

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:59 pm

Wife and I have talked and it would make sense to have another automatic car in the family as a spare car. Yeah, I know, teach her to drive a stick....been there, done that. Didn't turn out so well.... Brett is interested in the 3, so I have that part of the equation covered (hopefully).

Right now I'm looking for wagon for local driving and possibly using on the trip to Vegas this June. Would be nice to have a co-pilot so I don't have to drive the entire way. Would be nice to have something somewhat upscale and comfortable. Right now my list is....

> e39 525 (starting to get old and hard to find a low mileage car)
> e46 325 (can't fit into a 2 or 4 door car w/ a sunroof, hoping to find a wagon to test fit in. Would be my car of choice)
> mazda6 wagon, don't fit
> Audi A4 wagon, don't fit
> IS 300, don't fit
> acura TL wagon. as far as I can tell these came out in '11, so too much pricewise right now
> suby outback, I do fit but concerned about the head gaskets and oil leaks.
> e90 wagon, looks like I fit, but hate no dipstick and the damn runflats.
> Dodge magnum, just a little too big for my needs
> caddy CTS wagon. I think this would be a blast, but can't find one local to sit in....

I don't want a SUV, already have one but I hate driving long distance in it, becomes very uncomfortable. The wagon also supports Pam needs when she has to pick up her aging mom, lower car is easier to get into and also has the space in back for a walker or future wheel chair.

My price range is about 15k. After I sell the mazda, I'll have some decent down payment money.

suggestions? I know I'm missing something....

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:56 pm

Merc R class? Two of my partners have them at work and they have been very good. Not sure what known issues exist, I'm sure Mercophiles like Karl can better direct you there.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=27607&endYear=2015&modelCode1=R_CLASS&showcaseOwnerId=47973205&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MB&searchRadius=100&mmt=%5BMB%5B%5D%5BR_CLASS%5B%5D%5D%5D&listingId=367120930&Log=0

Edit: E-class wagon might work. Have you looked into the Toyota Venza?

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:48 pm

Steven Carter wrote:

Have you looked into the Toyota Venza?

UGHLY.

So wipe all the "Don't Fit" cars off your list. At 15K you are looking at a limited number of cars. The BMW's you list without sunroofs, and the Outback. The other choice is the Forrester

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:04 pm

Ford Flex? Cars.com shows some in the $15K range. Lots of interior room including headroom. Looks like a station wagon and is actually longer than a Magnum but . . . ?

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:22 pm

Steven Carter wrote:

Merc R class? Two of my partners have them at work and they have been very good. Not sure what known issues exist, I'm sure Mercophiles like Karl can better direct you there.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=27607&endYear=2015&modelCode1=R_CLASS&showcaseOwnerId=47973205&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MB&searchRadius=100&mmt=%5BMB%5B%5D%5BR_CLASS%5B%5D%5D%5D&listingId=367120930&Log=0

Edit: E-class wagon might work. Have you looked into the Toyota Venza?

Wow, that R class and the Venza tip the ugly scale pretty hard.... Hadn't looked at the E class yet...

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:23 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

Ford Flex? Cars.com shows some in the $15K range. Lots of interior room including headroom. Looks like a station wagon and is actually longer than a Magnum but . . . ?

interesting thought there Dick.... That's just odd enough to be cool... Have to look.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:39 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

Ford Flex? Cars.com shows some in the $15K range. Lots of interior room including headroom. Looks like a station wagon and is actually longer than a Magnum but . . . ?

interesting thought there Dick.... That's just odd enough to be cool... Have to look.

Crossroads in Cary has some in the showroom for comfortable "crawl over one" looking. Pretty impressive alternative to SUV's or Minivans. Then if you like it go find a good used one.

I "should" buy a good used one to replace our "aging is an understatement" camper van to tow the FF long distances (open trailer).

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:06 pm

@ Steve.... Like the suggestion on the E class wagon, I like those and there are some in my price range. I'll have to start looking at the maintenance history of those. Looks to be a nice ride.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:17 pm

Good luck with the search. Hope the trip to Vegas is relaxing and enjoyable!

Looks like the Flex can be fitted with class III towing equipment. That could make a nice towing vehicle.

Chris Halweg · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:27 pm

You might have to pay a premium to find a well cared for e39. The wife loves ours except that it is a manual. She would just prefer an automatic and be done with it, so I understand. I know a few of the trouble spots to look out for if you go down that road.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:36 am

RodneyWright wrote:

@ Steve.... Like the suggestion on the E class wagon, I like those and there are some in my price range. I'll have to start looking at the maintenance history of those. Looks to be a nice ride.

Hmmm. High mileage (I assume for $15K) complex Mercedes? What could go wrong?

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:39 am

Steven Carter wrote:

Looks like the Flex can be fitted with class III towing equipment. That could make a nice towing vehicle.

Current version rated 4500 lbs with either a 25 or 35 square foot max frontal area depending on tow package.

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:25 am

RodneyWright wrote:

1. e46 325 (can't fit into a 2 or 4 door car w/ a sunroof, hoping to find a wagon to test fit in. Would be my car of choice)
2. acura TL wagon. as far as I can tell these came out in '11, so too much pricewise right now
3. Dodge magnum, just a little too big for my needs

1. I had an e46 wagon for 7 years. You're not going to fit. Great car, but no discernible differences in the cabin vs the coupe and sedan.

2. It's actually a TSX wagon...and yes, I have one. We had a previous gen TSX and the current gen, and the current one is a substantially bigger car, inside and out. With the power seat bottomed out, you probably still won't fit.

3. If you can stomach the looks, this is probably what you want. Beware the Mercedes parts bin engineering on these. They share quite a bit of stuff with the E-Class of that era.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:42 am

TomFreeman wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

1. e46 325 (can't fit into a 2 or 4 door car w/ a sunroof, hoping to find a wagon to test fit in. Would be my car of choice)
2. acura TL wagon. as far as I can tell these came out in '11, so too much pricewise right now
3. Dodge magnum, just a little too big for my needs

1. I had an e46 wagon for 7 years. You're not going to fit. Great car, but no discernible differences in the cabin vs the coupe and sedan.

2. It's actually a TSX wagon...and yes, I have one. We had a previous gen TSX and the current gen, and the current one is a substantially bigger car, inside and out. With the power seat bottomed out, you probably still won't fit.

3. If you can stomach the looks, this is probably what you want. Beware the Mercedes parts bin engineering on these. They share quite a bit of stuff with the E-Class of that era.

Thanks for the input Tom. I was hoping that the roof line was just a touch taller in the wagon on the e46. I want a sunroof, have missed that over the years as I've purchased cars primarily aimed at autox. Now I just need a cruiser. This sucks being tall in the upper body, so much stuff I can't fit in....

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:49 am

DickRasmussen wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

@ Steve.... Like the suggestion on the E class wagon, I like those and there are some in my price range. I'll have to start looking at the maintenance history of those. Looks to be a nice ride.

Hmmm. High mileage (I assume for $15K) complex Mercedes? What could go wrong?

It seems there's a small balance shaft that's internal to the motor on the E350 cars. A fix is to the tune of 5 large as it requires a motor rip and repair. Not sure I want to head down this path, but I do like the car.

It's amazing how expensive nice used cars are these days. Thanks Obama, appreciate you wrecking the used car market....

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