Where Did They All Go, No Love for Wagons?
#91
#92
Advanced
The worst thing there are no wagons with decent fuel economy and reasonable price. Bring back Camry and Accord wagons and maybe people would start buying them?
We used to have at least one wagon in the family for about 20 years now (mostly Saabs) - but had to switch to Rav4 hybrid eventually as no wagons come even close to matching its fuel economy. Build ES300h in a wagon form and I will buy it new.
The best thing in wagons (vs SUVs) is loading stuff on the roof (kayaks, cargo boxes) in so much easier. To load stuff on SUV I usually need ladder.
We used to have at least one wagon in the family for about 20 years now (mostly Saabs) - but had to switch to Rav4 hybrid eventually as no wagons come even close to matching its fuel economy. Build ES300h in a wagon form and I will buy it new.
The best thing in wagons (vs SUVs) is loading stuff on the roof (kayaks, cargo boxes) in so much easier. To load stuff on SUV I usually need ladder.
#94
Lead Lap
#96
Lexus Fanatic
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The best thing in wagons (vs SUVs) is loading stuff on the roof (kayaks, cargo boxes) in so much easier. To load stuff on SUV I usually need ladder.
#97
Lexus Champion
#98
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Regarding the other point.. disagree with that. I find the horizontal volume offered in wagons to be a lot more usable and functional, than the "shorter but more vertical" volume in SUVs (ie, my Audi Allroad vs a Q5) For multiple inter-state road-tripping, able to layout bags without worrying about them toppling over etc. Of course this is a "to each their own" situation, everyone has different ways they prefer to travel/transport.
Of course.. the supreme solution is minivans or XL 3-row SUVs like the Suburban and Traverse, all of which offer both ample vertical and horizontal space with the 3rd rows folded down
#99
While this is not the exact car, a friend and I spent a winter restoring one just like it. 1941 Ford “Woodie”, flat head 8 with a non synchro 3 speed on the column. Drove it cross country from Cape Cod to Huntington Beach CA. Two surfboards on the roof. This was way back in the summer of 1970, still have some fond memories of that adventure. My pal went off to‘Nam and I off to college. Thankfully we both survived. Sold the car there for a nice profit, bought 2 tickets to Boston right away and spent the rest of the money and the summer at the beach.
#100
Lexus Fanatic
Yep.....that's a '56. In those days, Chevy called their wagons "Nomad".
Also a nice two-tone paint-job. The automakers really blew it, IMO, when they tossed out the rainbow and focused mostly on monotones and neutral shades. It was done, of course, for cost-cutting and less-complexity in painting, although to be fair, in those days, of course, you also did not have the extra clearcoat layers, and paint usually faded quickly.
#101
Lexus Fanatic
I agree with the first point, it will take a long time. The resurgence of the entry-luxe wagon will determine if it trickles down to lower segments in the next 20 years I'd say, especially if Lexus is planning a BEV entry as well.
Regarding the other point.. disagree with that. I find the horizontal volume offered in wagons to be a lot more usable and functional, than the "shorter but more vertical" volume in SUVs (ie, my Audi Allroad vs a Q5) For multiple inter-state road-tripping, able to layout bags without worrying about them toppling over etc. Of course this is a "to each their own" situation, everyone has different ways they prefer to travel/transport.
Of course.. the supreme solution is minivans or XL 3-row SUVs like the Suburban and Traverse, all of which offer both ample vertical and horizontal space with the 3rd rows folded down
Regarding the other point.. disagree with that. I find the horizontal volume offered in wagons to be a lot more usable and functional, than the "shorter but more vertical" volume in SUVs (ie, my Audi Allroad vs a Q5) For multiple inter-state road-tripping, able to layout bags without worrying about them toppling over etc. Of course this is a "to each their own" situation, everyone has different ways they prefer to travel/transport.
Of course.. the supreme solution is minivans or XL 3-row SUVs like the Suburban and Traverse, all of which offer both ample vertical and horizontal space with the 3rd rows folded down
There is just no way we can get all our stuff in a wagon, and we need a third row and want captains chairs, just doesn’t work for us.
#102
Instructor
Yep.....that's a '56. In those days, Chevy called their wagons "Nomad".
Also a nice two-tone paint-job. The automakers really blew it, IMO, when they tossed out the rainbow and focused mostly on monotones and neutral shades. It was done, of course, for cost-cutting and less-complexity in painting, although to be fair, in those days, of course, you also did not have the extra clearcoat layers, and paint usually faded quickly.
#104
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The Taycan Cross Turismo is seemingly (at least from what I see) quite successful with affluent dads, I see a lot of them here in LA.
And of course, Lexus has been toying with the idea of a BEV IS Wagon, per the concept reveals they did.. of course whether they actually make one or not is still TBD.
#105
Lexus Fanatic
Fair point. You are partly correct....'55-'57 models were two-doors; later years were four-doors.
The four-door versions of course, were more flexible and versatile than the two-doors.
The four-door versions of course, were more flexible and versatile than the two-doors.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-20-23 at 06:09 PM.