[s-cars] POLE: wonderful dilema, S4 or Ultrasport?

[Taka Mizutani]

Erik-
My thoughts:

On Nov 7, 2007 6:16 PM, Erik Addy <erikaddy at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I too recently had my first child and am trying to decide on a new (used)
> wagon for my wife.  I would like AWD (2WD might be OK, prefer ltd slip diff,
> RWD ).  I want it to have stability control and be 2002 or newer.  Prefer
> manual tranny.
>
> The way I look at it, there aren't a lot of good choices for cars outside
> of warranty.
>
> Volvo V70R- almost perfect, but I don't like the idea of paying for that
> electronic suspension outside of warranty.  Plus, the AWD seems to have some
> components prone to expensive failure.  Perhaps the regular T5 (fwd) model,
> but then stability control was a bit of a rare option, and so was a manual
> tranny.
>

What do you hear about AWD component failure? I'm not familiar with this
one. Our car has been trouble free in that regard, but it is low mileage-
2004, 29k miles. I don't know how the suspension will fare, that is true.


> VW Passat W8:  Also almost perfect, with the somewhat rare manual.  But I
> hear that engine is a major pain to work on and somewhat prone to failure.
>  Something about narrow crank journals?  Big $$$ repair.  2.8L V6 strikes
> me as a really boring, mediocre mill.  1.8T with manual was available
> 2004/5.  Not a huge fan of that engine, but would be OK with a new turbo-
> this might be my best option.
>

Ultra-rare to find a Passat W8 wagon 6-speed. Very very expensive to repair
that engine if something goes wrong. I'd go with your  idea-  if you get
one, find a 2004.5 1.8T 4Motion manual.

A4: Too small
>
> A6 3.0:  Well, still not a fan of the engine, but it's OK.  Autobox only.
>  This may be another good choice.
>
> Allroad:  Manual avail.  If there was an A6 Avant 2.7T manual, I'd buy it
> (or the 3.0 TDI!).  I don't really care for the look, and the
> height-adjustable suspension does nothing for me. I've heard you can dump it
> and convert to coilovers though...wonder how much $$$ for that?
>

Coilover conversion still leaves an error message because the car thinks the
suspension has failed.

Dodge Magnum: Roof line leads me to believe storage in the back may have
> some restrictions, plasticy interior.  Auto only.
>

Magnums aren't that roomy, the cargo area is tiny and the AWD cars have a
huge hump in the passenger floor that makes it rather uncomfortable to sit
in the front passenger seat for long periods of time. They're really cheap
feeling inside.

Lexus IS300 Sport Cross: Don't know much about this one...pretty rare around
> here.
>

If an A4 is too small, then cross this one off your list.

Merc E-class: Spendy, no manual
>

This is the ideal replacement wagon for me, except for the lack of a manual
transmission. Lots of fun if you can find an E500 wagon. Dynamically the
best out of all the choices you listed.


> Saab 9-5 Aero: Possibly another good choice.  FWD but manual tranny avail.
>  Don't know much about what the problem areas were for these cars.
>

DI cassettes go w/o warning on these cars, that is a major fault- you need
to carry a spare with you at all times. Otherwise, you're up a creek w/o a
paddle with a dead engine.

Taka