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| Dead? Not by a long shot. |
Many car enthusiasts claim that the station wagon is dead here in the States. Not true. Here's a list of "station wagons" for sale here, according to Edmunds.
Audi allroad
BMW 3 Series
FIAT 500L
Ford C-Max
Ford Flex
Kia Soul
Lincoln MKT
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
MINI Cooper Countryman
Subaru Outback
Toyota Prius v
Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen
Volvo V60
VolvoXC70
That’s 14 different models from 12 manufacturers. There’s
admittedly much fodder to argue over and banter back and forth, but that’s how
Edmunds classifies 'em, like it or not. Edmunds also counts some editions
separately, the MINI Cooper Countryman and the MINI Cooper Countryman John
Cooper Works for example, as different models. I have not; instead, I’ve combined them into
one listing. By the way, the IIHS doesn’t agree with their classification, but
that’s another story.
Arguing whether vehicles like the Honda Fit, MINI Clubman and many of the
crossovers are really station wagons is moot. Feel free to do so (I welcome
it), but this article is focused solely on Edmunds and their choice of class
definition, right or wrong.
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| Bargain hunter alert! |
Compared to last year, only the Toyota Venza (which never dropped below 20K unit sales per year) was sent to the
great station wagon junkyard in the sky. All of the above are returning models.
The comment that “Americans don’t buy station wagons,” gets
under my skin, I will admit. It hasn’t been true since they appeared on the
market in the 20s (factory-built) and they are still plenty of options to choose
from sitting right now on dealer lots. Take a look at that list of the major
manufacturers above that still churn out wagons and if you don’t change your
mind, well, there’s not much I can say do to change your mind other than state
the facts.
Do wagon owners statistically hold onto their cars longer?
ReplyDeleteWell, it is totally unscientific, but the cars I have held onto well into senility (theirs, not mine!) were all wagons: 1972 Datsun 510, 1979 Fairmont, 1995 Escort, and now a 2003 Focus. Somehow an old wagon is like an old dog. I can bring myself to part with them just because they are losing bladder control and look like they have been bumping into things!
DeleteI have no statistical proof but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.
ReplyDeleteNice census of wagons. You know I love wagons, especially compact wagons. I only discovered the Golf Sportwagon a couple of months ago, at a car show. It was a refreshing find, since it was just a normally aspirated, gasoline fueled, FWD wagon. No "why tech" in sight, just a car. I have not test driven one, but that will come.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately if I was shopping I probably would have to screen out many of the rest of today's list for at least one of these reasons: too big (Flex, Lincoln); not long enough (Minis, Fiat); too much technology (Audi, C-Max, Prius), too pricey (BMW, Mercedes). I guess I am picky after all....
Thanks for your comments, Bobinott!
ReplyDelete