CMB430
Veteran Member
I agree with some of these points. Acura is offering a TSX Wagon in 2012. I really like the body design as they did it right. The seats are great and the space is nice...almost like a Passat. But the driver's area is like a 747. There are so many buttons and switches...it requires 40hrs of training before safe driving is possible. The price point is much higher than a similar gas powered Sportwagen. The point is that each company does what they think will sell. VW pushes out many more diesels than BMW or MB because they do not put a $6,000 or higher price tag on their diesel engines. They also do not fill it with useless stuff that for almost 100 years men have not needed to take trips. Options are nice, but it is also more stuff to break. The most bullet-proof vehicle I ever had was a 1999 Silverado 1500. It was a 4x4 with manual EVERYTHING. The only option was AC. Nothing broke and I beat that truck (younger years).
I too find the interior of the 2011 sedans cheaper than my 2009. That is why I am strongly considering buying a 2011 Sportwagen before it is further decontented. The newer cars will probably be just as nice. But the old adage goes, "you can't miss what you never had". Since we have had the nicer cars, we look at the new as crap. But to those who drove a Civic or a Rav4 or a Prius or Focus, it is a step up. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
For the record, my trunk hinges have never given me any issues. And I would not mind a manual recline so that I can do it at my pace and not move at the speed of a hospital bed...though precise positioning is a real plus on long hauls.
As for the gauges...Subaru has used red and blue lights for many years. Their cars are not overheating all the time. On the 2011, VW could have placed the outside temp display on the MDF or the rear-view mirror like many other cars have...but they opted not to. Is that the deal breaker for most people...no.
And for seating...it would be really nice if VW offered the Sportwagen TDI in cloth. IIRC the Golf is offered in cloth. But with a reduction of over 40% hauling capacity inside, it is not a worthy trade for one looking at space due to hobbies or kids or dogs.
And I now digress.
I too find the interior of the 2011 sedans cheaper than my 2009. That is why I am strongly considering buying a 2011 Sportwagen before it is further decontented. The newer cars will probably be just as nice. But the old adage goes, "you can't miss what you never had". Since we have had the nicer cars, we look at the new as crap. But to those who drove a Civic or a Rav4 or a Prius or Focus, it is a step up. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
For the record, my trunk hinges have never given me any issues. And I would not mind a manual recline so that I can do it at my pace and not move at the speed of a hospital bed...though precise positioning is a real plus on long hauls.
As for the gauges...Subaru has used red and blue lights for many years. Their cars are not overheating all the time. On the 2011, VW could have placed the outside temp display on the MDF or the rear-view mirror like many other cars have...but they opted not to. Is that the deal breaker for most people...no.
And for seating...it would be really nice if VW offered the Sportwagen TDI in cloth. IIRC the Golf is offered in cloth. But with a reduction of over 40% hauling capacity inside, it is not a worthy trade for one looking at space due to hobbies or kids or dogs.
And I now digress.
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