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BMW 323it Ford Focus Saturn LW1/LW2 |
Daewoo Nubira Ford Taurus Mercury Sable Subaru Legacy Subaru Outback Volvo V70 |
Dropped Ford Escort Mercury Tracer Saturn SW1 |
Alfa 156 (2005) Jaguar T-type (2001-2002?) Kia Rio (mid-2001?) Lexus IS300 (2002) Mercedes C-class (fall 2001) Saab 9-3 (2002) VW Jetta (03/01) |
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Brand new in the 1998 model year, the A4 Avant capitalized on the success of the A4 sedan, the car that basically saved Audi sales in North America. Its emphasis is more on sport than it is on load-carrying capacity, but it's other strength is styling - arguably the best-looking station wagon on the market today. A mild exterior update was done for 1999, with some minor trim changes added for 2000. Along with the other Audi lineup, a navigation system is now available. Two engines are available, a 1.8 liter 20v turbo and a 2.8 liter 30v V6, both with quattro all-wheel-drive standard. The hot twin-turbo S4 wagon will be made available here at the end of 2000. Latest news says the 3.7 and 4.2 V8s will be available in the wagon during the 2002 model year.
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The A6 Avant arrived in the USA around July 1998, almost a year behind its sedan counterpart. Very much a bigger brother to the A4 Avant, it boasts more room and more luxury features. It comes in just one configuration: quattro all-wheel-drive with a Tiptronic automatic transmission behind the 200hp, 2.8 liter 30 valve V6. A third seat, fairly rare these days, is standard. As in the A4, styling is high on the list, although the Avant obviously does not have the same love-it-or-hate-it rear end of the sedan (it looks similar to the A4)..
MSRP: $36,600 |
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Get ready for the little brother to the 528i/540i BMW
wagons....the 323i Sport Wagon. Available beginning April 1, 2000,
the 323i aims squarely at the Audi A4 and Volvo V40 wagons. While the
3-series wagon has been available outside the USA before, this is the
first time it has made it over here.
Don't be fooled by the low MSRP, however.....it is easy to option this wagon into the low $40k range. It arrives with a more sport-oriented rear-wheel drive vs. the Volvo V40, but can't match the all-wheel-drive of the two Audi A4 wagons. A manual transmission is available; the automatic is optional. Considering BMW's positioning as a "Sport Wagon", why does the 3-series wagon not come with the larger 2.8 liter 6-cylinder? And why no M3 wagon? That seems like a mistake; BMW should more firmly back up the "Sport Wagon" term. All complaining aside, the 323i wagon represents the continued resurgence of the smaller, sport-oriented wagon in the USA, and should sell very well. We can still wish for a smaller price and a bigger engine, though, can't we?
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The current 5-series sport wagon (formerly called the Touring) made a re-appearance for the 1999 model year after being absent since the 1995 model year. This time it shows up without the unique (but complex) double sunroof mechanism of the old car, but with all the virtues of the improved 5-series sedan (it rides on the same wheelbase, but is 1.2 inches longer overall). Like the Saab, a roll-out cargo floor will be featured. The 528i is available with a manual or automatic trans; the 540i is unfortunately only available with the Steptronic automatic. 2000 model 5-series wagons went on sale during July, 1999; prices stayed the same but equipment levels increased. On the 528, BMW adds standard DSC (dynamic stability control), and the availability of a 5-speed automatic trans like the 540 (unlike the current 4-speed). The 540 gets standard Xenon headlights, and wipers that vary speed according to how much rain gets on the windshield. Side note: BMW has developed a prototype of an M5 wagon - wouldn't that be something if that went into production!
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The bad news is, Daewoo is in financial trouble, and they have been forced to re-organize. The good (?!) news is, they are re-organizing around their car line, and selling off their other holdings. They have given up on their college student distribution network (now that was an interesting story, full of lawsuits), and are now putting together a conventional dealer network. So we'll have to see how the Nubira actually works as a car, but keep an eye on Daewoo....they are trying to avoid the mistakes made by Hyundai and Kia early in their lifecycle, and they still have formidable resources to back them up. Update: Daewoo Motors is on the block, and all the major US automakers seem to be interested in acquiring them. We'll see how this works out............
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The brand-new 2000 Focus is Ford's latest attempt at a "world car", replacing the Escort (the Escort sedan continues on as a loss-leader model, however). On sale in Europe for about a year, the Focus officially comes to the USA September 30, 1999. Emphasizing the appeal to a youthful audience, the Focus will come in some interesting 'packages' - Sports, Professional, and Pet (now that's a new one). Two engines are available for Focus - a 2.0L SOHC I-4 split-port induction (SPI) engine with 110 horsepower (the only engine available on the wagon) and a 2.0L DOHC 16-valve Zetec I-4 engine with 130 horsepower (not currently available on the wagon). The wagon is available only as an "SE" model. Looks different, doesn't it? The Focus
was styled in Ford's "new edge" school of design, with
sharp creases and angles, and is taller than most other small
cars, making it feel better to that audience that is now used
to SUVs and minivans. |
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Restyled for 2000 to eliminate all of the ovoid styling cues (and only available this year as an SE model), the Taurus continues to mature. It hits the middle of the wagon market like no other wagon. But has it gotten too conservative? The big brother to the smaller Focus, the Taurus wagon has been part of the Taurus line since it was introduced (1986), and a staple of the wagon market (Subaru's Outback line is the only wagon model that outsells it in the USA). Still no SHO wagon....
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Moving into 2000 unchanged (front and rear styling were revised in 1999), the compact Elantra (new in the 1996 model year) has been helping Hyundai's image in the USA market. Representing value with a low price and the 2.0 liter 16 valve Beta engine, the Elantra is sure to continue winning friends for Hyundai in the USA. 2000 model wagons are only available in GLS trim, which includes an upgraded interior, standard tachometer, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, air conditioning, and an AM/FM cassette. The June, 2000 auto show in Turin debuted the new Elantra; it's not clear when it will appear in the USA.
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New in 1998, the E320 moves into 2000 with an exterior facelift - a 1-inch lower hood, CLK-like cues in the front-end, and lots of other changed exterior items. Electronic Stability Control is now standard, and a navigation system is available. Designo editions are available for those who want special paints, interiors, and other special touches. Still the most expensive wagon sold in the US, the Mercedes wagon is available with optional all-wheel-drive (called 4-Matic, developed by Steyr-Puch). Every luxury feature is available, of course, and the AWD system is considerably improved over the earlier system (which was costly, complicated, and heavy). At this price you don't buy it for utility (although the looks have been considerably modified since the last iteration to appeal to a more youthful audience). If you've got the money, why not? And an E430 model should appear later in the model year.
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The sister car to the evergreen Ford Taurus, the Sable represents the very middle of the midsize wagon market. Why buy it instead of a Taurus? It all comes down to a minor styling and option availability decision....
MSRP: $20,740 |
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After its debut at the Paris Motor Show on September 28, 1998, the new 9-5 wagon became available in the USA in April, 1999. It is the first station wagon Saab has sold in 30 years. It continues into 2000 unchanged. Like all Saabs, it will be unique....one feature will be a sliding floor in the back to help in loading and unloading stuff (it can support 440 lbs of cargo). While it was originally scheduled to have a third, rear facing seat, Saab made a last minute decision not to offer it (a very unfortunate choice, we must say). Power will be provided by either a 2.3 liter straight four or a 3.0 liter V6, both turbocharged. Update 04/06: the new Gary Fisher 9-5 wagon is now available. The high-performance Aero version, with the 230hp turbocharged I4, will now not be available until May/June. A manual and automatic tranny will be available, and 17" wheels will be standard. There is also a rumor that Steyr-Puch will design a 4-wheel drive system for the 9-5 wagon to compete with the Volvo V70 XC. The 9-5 is scheduled to be updated in 2004, and might include a crossover version like the Audi allroad and Volvo V70 XC. It may also include V8 power.
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 Saturn SW2 |
The compact Saturn wagon is now available only in the SW2 version (the SW1 is dead for 2000). It soldiers into 2000 w/minimal changes (although big changes were made to the powerplants in 1999 to decrease noise, a complaint since almost day one). A compact Saturn wagon has been available since 1993, and continues to sell well. However, reports indicate it may be dropped for the 2002 model year (and there are rumors that production may actually stop earlier). See some Ford Taurus (or vice versa) in that ovoid side view? MSRP: $14,290
(manual); $15,150 (automatic) |
Set to go head-to-head with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, it has a longer wheelbase than either (1.4 more than the Accord, and 1.3 more than the Camry). The more upscale LW2 gets the 6-cylinder engine, 4-wheel discs, bigger tires on aluminum wheels, and other options.
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 Subaru Impreza & Outback Sport |
Differentiated from the competition by funky styling and standard all-wheel-drive, the Impreza bodystyle is also available as an Outback Sport, smaller brother to Subaru's wildly popular Outback. The Impreza emphasizes sport (unusual for the compact class), and is available with both automatic and manual transmissions (both transmissions were revised in 1999). If only that hood scoop was really functional, and hiding a WRX engine, you'd never catch it!
MSRP: $16,295
(Impreza L Sport Wagon); $17,995 (Outback Sport) |
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Charging into 2000 with a total redesign (now in the 3rd generation), Subaru's big brother to the Impreza continues Subaru's focus on wagons. Covering a lot of bases, it is available in three models - Brighton, L, and 2.5 GT (all with AWD standard). A 2.5 liter, 165hp 4-cylinder 'boxer' is the only available powerplant, but you do have your choice of a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Surprisingly, it continues to outsell the Ford Taurus wagon by a great margin, so don't underestimate its popularity.
MSRP: $18,395
(Brighton); $19,895 (L); $23,695 (GT) |
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Like it's cousin the Legacy, the Outback moves into 2000 with a total redesign (now in the 3rd generation). For the first time, it is now considered by Subaru to be a separate model line, rather than as a trim option on the Legacy and Impreza lines. Covering a lot of bases, it is available in three models - Sport Wagon (based on the Impreza), Wagon, and Limited (all with AWD standard). A 2.5 liter, 165hp 4-cylinder 'boxer' is the only available powerplant, but you do have your choice of a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
MSRP: $22,695; $26,095 (Limited) |
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Newly available in 1998, the Esteem, while a compact wagon, is the largest Suzuki sold in the US. It emphasizes value for the money, with a low price combined with a long list of standard features. Available in base GL, GLX, and GLX+, we're proud of Suzuki for even having a wagon in the market when many Japanese brands (Toyota, Mazda, Honda) have stopped selling any wagons here at all.
MSRP: $13,199
(GL); $14,299 (GLX); $16,299 (GLX+) |
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 VW Passat |
Newly available in the USA in May, 1998, the Passat wagon is based on a stretched Audi A4 chassis. This gives it more cargo space and a different look than the A4 Avant (sizewise it fits between the smaller Audi A4 and the larger Audi A6 wagons). Although basically unchanged for 2000, 4Motion all-wheel-drive is finally scheduled for availability in January 2000, along with a GLX model in addition to the existing GLS. One note: 4Motion is not available with the standard 1.8 turbo four cylinder, only with the upscale six cylinder. Surprisingly, the Passat continues to use the Audi 2.8 30 valve V6 rather than the VW VR6. It is also significantly cheaper than the A4.
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We've been waiting for this for a long time....a compact wagon from Volvo. Interestingly, the basic platform is a joint product of Volvo and Mitsubishi (the Mitsubishi version is the Lancer, and will not be available in the USA). The V40 was introduced in the USA on September 30. It is intended to appeal to buyers who have been priced out of buying a V70, and looks like it is aimed squarely at the Audi A4 Avant. The only powertrain is a 160hp, 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. A 4-speed automatic is currently the only available transmission, but a manual may become available in the future. MSRP: $24,400 |
Volvo V70/V70XC |
Introduced to the world at the 2000 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 10-13, the updated V70 ('V' for 'versatility') arrived in the USA on April 1st. With styling based on the S80 sedan (and riding on the S80 platform), the V70 changes go further than skin-deep. The updated wagons actually precede the arrival of the S70 sedan versions. There will be the usual Volvo proliferation of models, including base, T5, Cross Country (or XC), R, and all-wheel-drive versions. The base and XC versions sport a 197-bhp, 2.4-liter turbo five while the T5 ups the ante with a 242-bhp, 2.3-liter turbo five. A normally-aspirated 5-cylinder with 170hp will be available later. Manual and automatic transmissions are available. We don't know what happened to the top-dog turbo engine from the last V70 models (261hp)....Volvo, please bring it back! MSRP: $32,400
(base); $33,400 (T5) |
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