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My preference after lots of comparison, would have been a wagon, but few were around used w/a stick when I was looking. I ended up with a sedan. The honey just had a family Volvo 850 sedan handed to us, ending my delusion that I might get a wagon to directly compare with my sedan :-p
My last sedan was an Acura legend. It had a longer decklid, which made trunk access much easier than the 9-5. I find I have to bend way over to see whats in back with the 9-5, which is a pain, especially loading bigger items or with a full trunk. The acura did not have folding rear seats, though, which was also a PIA at times.
Now that I'm over 30K miles into the saab, I usually am ok with the sedan. I have put cargo nets on both sides to help keep things straight, since I always have stuff in the trunk. Other cons with the sedan: If you have a lot of snow, it will end up in the boot when melting happens.
I did not notice a large difference in road noise between the saab wagons and sedans I drove, which is not the case with many competitors. Maybe the sedans were just loud!
The wagon has a heavier, larger lift, which may be overkill if you are just grabbing small items. If loading longer and larger items, it is much easier to see what you're doing with a wagon. If I had a wagon, I'd probably leave the short seat down and access the small day to day stuff from the rear seat. I wish the saab's wagon glass opened without having to lift the whole gate, like the BMW wagon setup; I think that's a better design.
With the wagon (or a hatch), you also can work over luggage packed at the rear of the car, and just reach in to get to the cooler or whatever you want that is packed farther in. With the sedan, you must often unload to get to the item. In the wagon, would have room to open the pocket, or lid without bothering. I work out of my car, and am often grabbing a tapemeasure, spare shoes, or flash from the trunk, and I'm glad it's relatively easy to use. The wagon allows most non towering people room to stand under the gate in adverse weather.
The wagon is also easier to judge position to the rear according to my significant other, who has test driven several when I was trying to decide. I think the hatch would be the best compromise, because it allows much easier access to to loading items, and to the cargo. That said, I really like the sedan most of the time. I suppose I'd like the wagon most of the time, too, and long for the lighter trunk lid the rest of the time!
I think it depends on what you are carrying, and how often. I think the wagon is a better overall solution, because it will really carry large stuff when needed, without blinking an eye. I had to pick up a friend w/bicycle in a jam last year, and I DID get it in the sedan after a lot of maneuvering, but it would have gone in the wagon in 5 seconds. The loading issue was just the opening size of the sedan. If I was doing car camping or heavy touring, the wagon would shine. It kills me when loading a set of winter wheels is easier in my friends celica gt hatch than my larger 9-5!
posted by 68.163.1...
, Tue, 6 Jan 2004 11:16:04, Tue, 6 Jan 2004 16:22:50
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