Is the hatchback making a comeback???

[Gary in NJ]

I've owned a number hatchback over my 35 years of driving:

'70, '71 & '72 240Z's
'76 Skyhawk (231 4sp...nice)
'86 CRX Si
90' Eclipse GSX

All great cars. I love hatchbacks. The only down side is that back in the day, hatches eventually developed squeaks & rattles (especially if you jacked up the car with the hatch open). Car structures are so much stiffer today that I'm sure that problem is long gone.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Yes. To me, they are wagons. Just like a Caprice Classic used to be a wagon. Just like the Acura TSX I saw tonight, is a wagon.

Huh, interesting how we have different definitions, those are definitely on the small side to be considered a wagon IMO. The TSX is definitely a wagon (it's advertised as such "TSX Sportwagon"). If you can't fit a bike inside without taking off a wheel (and still seating at least 2), it's not a wagon.

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

Wagons are almost extinct. And three door hatchbacks are rare. Some people blame the favoring of SUVs and Crossovers that meet the interior requirements to get favorable CAFE credits.

Since you're looking for a wagon, Subaru still offers the Outback. It's technically a SUV now.

Wagons and hatchbacks are on the upswing, might have to do with your location though. I can only pray that stupid stilted bloated pigs calls suvs die at the hands of the wagon reborn:



Outback is too bloated for my taste, I think the TSX and BMW/Merc are the only attractive ('true') wagons I can think of in the last decade.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Huh, interesting how we have different definitions..

..If you can't fit a bike inside without taking off a wheel (and still seating at least 2), it's not a wagon.

Interesting indeed!

By that definition, many SUV's are not even good wagons. I had to remove the wheels off two bicycles to fit them in the back of a friend's Ford Explorer! This is really more a stab at bloated top-heavy faux-sense-of-security-offering SUV's than anything.

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Outback is too bloated for my taste, I think the TSX and BMW/Merc are the only attractive ('true') wagons I can think of in the last decade.

Cadillac did the CTS wagon right. But beyond those three I struggle to find other wagons that interest me. Great minds think alike!

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by bestwheelbase

Interesting indeed!

By that definition, many SUV's are not even good wagons. I had to remove the wheels off two bicycles to fit them in the back of a friend's Ford Explorer! This is really more a stab at bloated top-heavy faux-sense-of-security-offering SUV's than anything.

Cadillac did the CTS wagon right. But beyond those three I struggle to find other wagons that interest me. Great minds think alike!

Hah great minds indeed. The Explorer is a joke of a car (might be a bit harsh), barely qualifies as a hatchback on stilts in my opinion. I completely forgot about the CTS wagon, although I doubt it'll go over well with the S.O. (aesthetically, it's very angular) it will play out in my dreams as I test drive it against AMG and M wagons.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

The GTI is an amazing machine for the money. No compromises..like at all its an all in 1 machine. The Fiesta ST is supposed to be very close in comparison as an all arounder just smaller. The Focus ST is too much of a racey try hard for my taste though. Can't wait to see Mercedes and others entering the market soon as well. Its growing, it never left though.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Wagons and hatchbacks are on the upswing, might have to do with your location though. I can only pray that stupid stilted bloated pigs calls suvs die at the hands of the wagon reborn:



Outback is too bloated for my taste, I think the TSX and BMW/Merc are the only attractive ('true') wagons I can think of in the last decade.

It's more like they don't sell as many new wagons anymore. I see old ones all the time.

I agree with you on the Outback.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I completely forgot about the CTS wagon, although I doubt it'll go over well with the S.O. (aesthetically, it's very angular) it will play out in my dreams as I test drive it against AMG and M wagons.

Yeah, I wouldn't take an Explorer if someone gave it to me free. It's just that bad. Angular CTS body is not for everybody but I appreciate that they're doing something unique. And the model with the big engine is seriously fun. I just wish they were a bit lighter.

Alas, it's not an issue. I don't need or want anything with more than 2 doors (3 if hatchback). I am trying to avoid backseats in general (useless ones like Porsche 911 and Scino FRS are okay).

[ionshards]

A CTS-V Sport Wagon with the 6-speed might be (subjectively) the greatest dad-mobile/family-hauler/wagon for sale right now.

...and I've never really been into muscle-cars or domestics.

[blackohio]

Except those caddys are god awful ugly.

S4 Avant still outshines that car in almost everyway (obviously the ctsV is a bit faster) but thats not everything.

[KO7]

I was extremely close to getting a BRZ, but got my deposit back and spent more $$$$ for my GTI, for practicality reasons. I still wonder "what if" sometimes, that's why I still lurk here.

Here's mine:

[jeffchap]

I would drive the shiznit out of this:

[utekineir]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Outback is too bloated for my taste,

Subaru has went big to appeal to the american market, and unfortunately for enthusiasts the large sales growth has supported the decision.

The evolution of the outback and even the forester since their introductions are proof of this.

Side by side my sg forester is closer in profile to an impreza hatch/crosstrek than it is a forester from the last 2 generations.

[Joakim3]

Almost double posted

[Joakim3]

Had a Saab 9000 Aero before we got the Viggen so this is hatchback #2

Either way loading a 50in LCD into your trunk and having 20 people watch in awe as we loaded 20+ grocery's in as well made me realize just how ergonomical hot-hatches are..... until the front air-dam got caught on the speed hump a minute later

It also helps that the modern ones are by NO MEANS slow *hungers for 14' Golf R or Focus RS