[V8] car searching

[Ed Kellock]

Sounds like you're ripe for a 100/A6 Avant.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: v8-bounces at audifans.com 
> [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of diemarthadie at aol.com
> Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 8:54 PM
> To: v8 at audifans.com
> Subject: [V8] car searching
> 
> 
> So I find myself in need of a new family hauler.? I'm 
> pondering the bazillion possibilities and trying to decide 
> what makes the most reasonable sense (yes I know Honda 
> Accords make sense, but then so do V8Qs after a couple of 
> beers).? I've decided to enlist you as my assistants in the 
> search since I can't make up my mind...? Here's the scenario:
> 
> 
> 
> * You have $4000 to spend on a car.
> 
> 
> 
> * You do not want a car payment so no more than $4000 total.? 
> 
> 
> 
> * It is possible that you will need to spend some small 
> additional amount state inspecting the car if it needs it.
> 
> 
> 
> * You need the car to be a wagon or large enough hatchback to 
> haul 5 people (3 are little kids) with bikes (3 fit on the 
> tail rack, 2 probably on roof)
> 
> 
> 
> * 3 kids haul a lot of supplies even just to the store, and 
> these kids might be camping and stuff so too small a cargo 
> area is a no go.
> 
> 
> 
> * 3 kids can trash an interior faster than rabid monkeys so 
> ideally the car would be fully tiled inside and have a drain 
> hole for easy hosing ;)
> 
> 
> 
> * You do not want a truck, SUV or Minivan.? I will repeat, 
> you do not want a truck, SUV or Minivan.
> 
> 
> 
> * AWD is a plus but not a requirement.
> 
> 
> 
> * Manual is fine, Automatic is a bit better when the kids are 
> singing and poking each other and generally vying more for 
> your attention that the jacknifing tractor trailer up ahead.
> 
> 
> 
> * You are capable of doing reasonable maintenance at home and 
> have owned German, Swedish, Japanese and American cars.? Your 
> tools include more than 'both kinds of screwdriver'.
> 
> 
> 
> * You would like said vehicle to survive 3 years and 30,000 
> miles without exploding or making you homeless.? You are ok 
> with it ending its life in a junkyard in 3 years if it has 
> not made you homeless in the interim.
> 
> 
> 
> * You would prefer it came from the era of shoulder belts, 
> despite how cool a Nomad would be as a family car.? Airbags 
> are ok too.
> 
> 
> 
> * You would prefer the car was not a POS, rusted out, 300k 
> miles, beater.? Your family will be seen in this car and your 
> neighbors are snobs.
> 
> 
> 
> * High mileage with good maintenance does not scare you.? 
> Lack of verifiable service records scares you.
> 
> 
> 
> * The dog will be in the car sometimes too... He likes to 
> nose the windows.? 
> 
> 
> 
> * You would prefer to get a lot more than 20mpg in any 
> conditions.? Deisel or Unleaded is fine.? Leaded is not ;)
> 
> 
> 
> So, given those parameters I've seen all sorts of things, but 
> the common items in that range are Volvo 
> 240/740/960/850/V70/XC, Subaru Legacy/Forester, Ford 
> Taurus/Focus, Honda Accord Wagon, Toyota Camry Wagon, Saturn 
> SW2, older Mercedes 300 Wagon, Oldsmobuicrolet Wagon, Audi 
> A4/A6/200/100 Avants, etc... The Matrix/Vibe looked possible 
> but they lack cargo space when full of kids and current laws 
> keep me from strapping the kids on the roof rack.? I'm still 
> looking for the right car and could use some additional 
> suggestions or info if you have direct experience with any of 
> these models good or bad.? 
> 
> 
> 
> In other words, given all of the above parameters, what would YOU buy?
> 
> 
> 
> I know Roger would buy an A4 Avant and swap parts with a V8 
> and such but I don't have THAT much spare time ;)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -John
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Audifans V8 mailing list
> Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com
> Manage your list connection: 
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8
> 
> You can help keep the audifans site running by shopping at 
> http://audifans.com/shop/
> 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
> Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.19/1941 - Release 
> Date: 02/09/09 06:50:00
>