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I have to begin by saying that I dont love my Bonnie any less, but some of her shortcomings are starting to show.

Since becoming a grandparent and the purchase of my convertible, Bonnie has become more of the workhorse for both people and hauling stuff. The car handles both of those tasks admirably but if adults are in the back seat, leg room is limited unless I push my seat forward. This till doesnt give them much more room and cramps my leg space badly.

The lack of a fold down back seat also limits some of the carrying tasks. We fall back on my wifes Aztek for a lot of those things but job hours dont always make that simple.

I really have no desire to own an SUV because I feel they trade the sleeker look of a car, and a level of sporty feel and handling only a car can deliver. Unfortunately, there are few wagons out there these days, and even fewer in my budget with any decent looks.

I still like the Dodge Magnum but its been out of production for long enough to eliminate and good low mileage examples. There are even fewer nicely equipped with V6 engines. I love a hatchback car but they are all simply too small.

Not sure where all this will wind up but we shall see.

Well..... love your Bonne for what it is.
There is no such thing as a perfect car, just the best car for your wants and needs.
Becoming a grandparent (congratulations btw ) has changed you priorities I guess, now you need to reassess what you want from your car. A full size station wagon used to be the answer, but I don't know if such an animal exists anymore, it seems people carriers have superseded them, I'm not up to speed on the North American car market, but I'm inferring you want something with plenty of room for both passengers and luggage, there must be something out there for you.

Roger.

Definitely know where you're coming from on that. If you are looking for wagons, might I play devil's advocate and suggest the CTS-V wagon?

^^^Pricey but amazing all-rounder.

A CTS non-V wagon with the 3.6 would be more than adequate, no?

Ban him!!! ^^^^

While I can see where you're coming from Ed,


Doesn't the wagon have more space though since the rear seats fold all the way down? Plus LS LS LS LS.

I can guarantee a CTS-V is out of my budget, or a 3.6 Caddy for that matter. There really are so few choices. The SUV has all but killed the wagon, and there weren't many sporty ones to begin with. Hyundai produces a stylish looking model called the i40, but its only sold overseas. VW makes a few variations but I've never been knocked over by their styling, plus my brother has owned two and they've been maintenance nightmares.

Lets remember that my wife owns an Aztek, and I have a "mutt-dog" soft spot for that vehicle. I'm the first to admit its an odd beast but I do love its usefulness. However, its still a vaguely disguised mini-van underneath, so it might as well be an SUV.

Completely from left field, a lady from the med dept at work just purchased a new Honda Crosstour, and I was struck with that similar quirky attraction. After watching a few Youtube reviews, it sounds like it could have possibilities, but it would be a challenge to make it look sporty (sexy it will never be)

But I would have to give the car credit on Honda reliability. I've met precious few Honda owners that werent staunchly loyal, and I've seen more than a few with insane miles on them and still ticking like fine watches. My step-daughter sold her 98 Accord with over 200k on the clock because she wanted a car with cruise and USB port. NOTHING was ever done to that car that wasnt regular maintenance. I call that impressive.

Not moving on this right away anyhow, and I would prefer to sell Bonnie to a caring owner, so time is on my side for now.

Here's a video of a guy with a million miles on a Honda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSPiJ21KkWE

Also I don't know how you feel about the 04+ Grand Prixs, but the rear seats fold down, and some of them the front passenger seat folds flat forward as well, and also the rear doors open a full 90 degrees. I hauled a couple of 10 foot long boards once and didn't have to stick them out of a door or window.

I feel like the Crosstour will become like my wagon in the future. Horrendously uncool when it came out, but a quirky niche car when it gets older.

Four and six cylinder options are available IIRC. I kind of trust the four banger powertrain (K24) more for long term reliability, but you may find it to be down on power for the size of car it's in.

I saw the Acura version of the Crosstour yesterday, the ZDX. That's about the most hideous car on the road right now, I have to say....

Well, as a grand-parent 17 times and great-grand parent 6 times, the '05 SE I bought last year has fit the bill for us. I will admit it has less rear seat room than the '92, but it's exit and entrance is noticeably superior to the '92 and the '05 seats fit a broken down old man much better.

Dependability, so far after 16K miles the only thing done to the '05 is PM and scheduled maintenance. The youngest son has worked on numerous Hondas. Neither he no I are impressed with their reliability, ease of repair or cost of replacement parts, but I guess to each his own.

I will hate to think of the possible departure of your SLE, but I guess time changes most all things. I hope if you do part with your SLE that you don't regret it. I do know it is in my top 5 best looking Bonnevilles list. - BC

There are a lot of wagons and solid hatches out there. I really miss a lot of the utility of my GTI, it craps all over the current 330i in this department, they're nearly the same size car, with the BMW getting a longer wheelbase. There are sporty options too, since that sounds like a priority..

repinS wrote:I feel like the Crosstour will become like my wagon in the future. Horrendously uncool when it came out, but a quirky niche car when it gets older.

Four and six cylinder options are available IIRC. I kind of trust the four banger powertrain (K24) more for long term reliability, but you may find it to be down on power for the size of car it's in.

GTFO. That's an abomination.

nice Mercedes wagon (if they still make those)? or a volvo wagon?...those are a tough act to beat. but I don't know what they or a cts cost.

BonneMe wrote:GTFO. That's an abomination.

That's exactly how the Civic Wagon was received back in the day... now you get it distracting crowds away from exotics to check it out at cars & coffee type events. Hell, even the sport bike guys turn and look. Funny how some things turn out.

What is your budget and dynamic parameters?.
Hard for anyone to give informed help without this information.

Roger.

00Beast wrote:I saw the Acura version of the Crosstour yesterday, the ZDX. That's about the most hideous car on the road right now, I have to say....

I agree that the crosstour is ugly. I'm surprised nobody brought that up earlier.

repinS wrote:

BonneMe wrote:GTFO. That's an abomination.

That's exactly how the Civic Wagon was received back in the day... now you get it distracting crowds away from exotics to check it out at cars & coffee type events. Hell, even the sport bike guys turn and look. Funny how some things turn out.

I just find it to be a 5 door sedan with a swollen rear, it doesn't really have the true hatch or wagon utility, too much of a compromise in the Hatch/Wagon design with that slope IMO. And she ugly, just like all the shooting breaks that Jalopnik currently fawns over.

Volvo V70 wagon sounds like the closest match if youre into them.

I looked long and hard at magnums a few years back. Ive never wanted to like a car so much, but theyre just crappy. THey look awesome, they have good performance potential, and they can swallow some huge loads (hehe), but the interior feels like sitting in plastic trashcan with seats out of a 1978 glasstron fishing boat.

I agree on comments about the initial looks on the Crosstour, but I do have an Aztek in the driveway so who am I to criticize? LOL

I also love the Magnum,but good examples are hard to find, and the pre-Fiat era Chryslers have some serious quality issues. After Benz pulled out the investment group that controlled the interum were horrifying bean counters that knew squat about building cars.

My budget will definitely be sub-$20k, closer to $15 if I can swing it. I paid $10k for Bonnie but I'd like to start with better miles this time rather than 90k. The 2011 Charger seems roomy with fold down seats but still a bit pricey for a nice model.

But hey, I got the wife's Aztek for great price with low miles mostly because its a homely orphan niche vehicle. I grown to love it for its usefullness, and so has my bride, to the point I was told to not even dream about prying it out of her hands. Who knows? I might be able to land a nice Crosstour for the same reasons.

The Honda 3.5 cranks out 70 more stock ponies on 87 reg than Bonnie, and thats a respectable power figure given the similar fuel mileage ratings. Spring is still months away so who knows what might happen.