When I think roadtrip vehicle, my mind immediately goes to the frugal and capable Jetta TDI. When driven carefully, they can far exceed their standard MPG ratings while swallowing tons of gear. All this with class-leading comfort and style in the interior. My main gripe is the unattractive front end, but in my dreams I just throw a TDI Cup front end on it, creating a seriously good-looking wagon. This 2009 Sportwagen has a lot of positives – low mileage, 6-speed manual, panoramic roof and premium sound are all boxes I’d want ticked. The glaring downside is the rebuilt title, which we know is always a big liability. A full inspection could suss out if the driver’s-side collision really was minor and if everything is good to go. Rebuilt titles mean low resale values – maybe not ideal if you sell it in the future, but if everything checks out it creates an insane deal on an ultimate roadtrip machine.
Month: May 2015
The 1993 Audi S4 we listed last month has been updated slightly; original orange corner lights have replaced the aftermarket clear corners and the seller has dropped the price to $5,500.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Audi S4 on eBay
The below post originally appeared on our site April 10, 2015:
10 CommentsWhen I think German station wagon, one thing comes to mind for yours truly. Mercedes-Benz. Specifically, the E-class T-modell, as it is known in its native Germany. In the late 1970s, the W123 T-modell would be the first factory produced five-door and would prove to be a popular hauler stateside, with production lasting into 1985 and many of these cars still roaming the streets to this day. The W124 300 series would then succeed the W123, which would later be renamed the E-class for the 1994 model year. Thankfully, the E-class estate is still with us to this day in the US marketplace, available either in E350 4Matic form or in bonkersE63 AMG trim like the one we featured on Monday. So if an SUV doesn’t float your boat, then you still have the option of going with a good, old-fashioned wagon. Provided you have the funds. If not, this 1995 E320 estate for sale in Quebec might be more up your alley. Originally a US car, this E320 was imported to Canada three years ago. Sure, it has 150,000 miles on the odometer, but this well-kept example has a lot more life left to give.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Estate on eBay
6 CommentsI’m not a huge fan of buying new cars – my brain just doesn’t see the logic in accepting instant depreciation as the price for being the very first person to own a car. I clearly lean towards well-used classics anyway, but at the very least a certified pre-owned car seems like the way to go if you want something modern. I have to make an exception here because somewhere along the line of bloating and modernization, BMW decided to make a car that seemed as likely as an albino unicorn not long ago – a turbodiesel, all-wheel drive, M-packaged station wagon. I’m getting used to the newer BMW styling and almost liking it, especially here on a white longroof spiffed up with black M accents and two-tone 20-spoke wheels reminiscent of the E39 M5’s all-time-great rims. Too bad that it doesn’t have a manual, but these 8-speed autos are supposed to be excellent. Overall, it’s pretty epic as far as new cars go, but then again so is its price.
Click for details: 2015 BMW 328d xDrive on eBay
4 CommentsIt feels like it has been a while since I’ve written about the 964 Turbo so now seems as good a time as ever to remedy that. I’ve featured quite a few examples of the 930, my personal favorite of the 911 Turbos, but as the 930’s heir the 964 Turbo provides a very familiar recipe for driving enjoyment packaged in a more modern and refined machine. Utilizing the same basic setup as the 1989 930, a 3.3 liter turbocharged flat-6 mated to the G50 5-speed manual transmission, the 964 actually can provide the opportunity for experiencing much of the greatness of that final 930 model year, but for less cost. The cost will not likely be significantly less, but with the ’89 930 attracting significant attention on the collector market while the Turbo 3.6 garners most of the attention among 964 fans, the standard 964 Turbo sits in a nice middle position where we can’t quite say it is being ignored but it does fly under the radar just that little bit. How that will continue to play out over time remains to be seen, but right now it is not a bad car to pursue for those in search of the menacing performance that only a single-turbo rear-drive 911 can provide. The example we see here, a Guards Red 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo, located in Miami, shows with very reasonable mileage for its age and generally presents quite well.