replacement station wagon recommendation

[hupjack]

So my parents have a 2000 Subaru Legacy Outback Station Wagon.
They liked it quite a bit, but had big problems starting around 2002.
Lots of oil leaks, blown head gaskets. There was a recall involving
some coolant additive to keep the coolant from degrading engine seals I
think. Looks like this recall was administered too late to save our
car's engine, or our vehicle was a lemon. We're actually going
through the California BBB to get a better offer than the 3K worth of
"shut-up" money they've offered so far, and hopefully get Subaru
to buy this thing back since they've tried to fix it 6+ times at the
dealer and failed to keep it from springing another leak.

My parents mostly drive their 2003 Prius (which they love), and liked
the Subaru as their larger utility vehicle for camping trips and larger
excursions where they'd like a bit more room and comfort.

Looking for a replacement station wagon, they want something roomy and
comfortable, fairly quiet on the road, and fuel efficient / low
emissions. They're not the type of folks to go for a luxury vehicle
(Lexus, Mercedes, Cadillac) sort of car. Generally speaking my mom is
put off by the price and doesn't really care for the "image" that she
feels such a vehicle projects.

Unfortunately, it seems to me, those luxury vehicles are the only ones
that I'd call quiet on the road. I remember infinity had lots of
commercials back in the day about how quiet their cars were on the
road. Are there any non "luxury" wagons that are quiet like that? The
Subaru Outback, Ford Focus, Pasat Station Wagon, and the Volvo station
wagons are the wagons that are most in my folks sights. I told them
the Honda Fit had some really cool flexibility in the way the back
seats could be moved around, but in terms of size and comfort for
hauling around 4 or 5 adults, they'd prefer something a bit roomier.

As for the outback.. my parents are somewhat put off by their
experience with their current one, but are likely to accept a
replacement and an apology from Subaru. The Outback continues to have
a pretty stellar consumer reports standing still. They were also put
off by a 2004 maneuver where Subaru raised the car a bit to push it
into a "light trucks" classification and side step some fuel economy
rules.

here's an article on that sad story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/13/a...&en=7e0f7f959f6d66cf&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND

Just thought I'd post a quick note and check for some Internet wisdom
in addition to my own web searching and research. Looks like the combo
of not a "luxury vehicle," but on the quieter side, is a hard combo
request to fill. Seems like the quieter vehicles are generally luxury
models with lower mileage. I guess to make cars quieter, manufacturers
are really stuck using heavier thicker components that add weight?
This is certainly different than house insulation where lightweight
things with air gaps get you effective noise reduction and temperature
control. I suppose there isn't room for that type of "Bulk" on
an auto though.

Thanks in advance for any fabulous suggestions, feedback, and personal
experience you might have to share.

 

[Grolch]

I would try the Mazda 6 wagon or better yet in terms of "solid feel" a
Volkswagen Passat or Jetta wagon with TDI. Beware the Volkswagen "poor
quality" history and both Mazda and Volkswagen "excpensive to service"
reputation.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

So my parents have a 2000 Subaru Legacy Outback Station Wagon.
They liked it quite a bit, but had big problems starting around 2002.
Lots of oil leaks, blown head gaskets. There was a recall involving
some coolant additive to keep the coolant from degrading engine seals I
think. Looks like this recall was administered too late to save our
car's engine, or our vehicle was a lemon. We're actually going
through the California BBB to get a better offer than the 3K worth of
"shut-up" money they've offered so far, and hopefully get Subaru
to buy this thing back since they've tried to fix it 6+ times at the
dealer and failed to keep it from springing another leak.

My parents mostly drive their 2003 Prius (which they love), and liked
the Subaru as their larger utility vehicle for camping trips and larger
excursions where they'd like a bit more room and comfort.

Looking for a replacement station wagon, they want something roomy and
comfortable, fairly quiet on the road, and fuel efficient / low
emissions. They're not the type of folks to go for a luxury vehicle
(Lexus, Mercedes, Cadillac) sort of car. Generally speaking my mom is
put off by the price and doesn't really care for the "image" that she
feels such a vehicle projects.

Unfortunately, it seems to me, those luxury vehicles are the only ones
that I'd call quiet on the road. I remember infinity had lots of
commercials back in the day about how quiet their cars were on the
road. Are there any non "luxury" wagons that are quiet like that? The
Subaru Outback, Ford Focus, Pasat Station Wagon, and the Volvo station
wagons are the wagons that are most in my folks sights. I told them
the Honda Fit had some really cool flexibility in the way the back
seats could be moved around, but in terms of size and comfort for
hauling around 4 or 5 adults, they'd prefer something a bit roomier.

As for the outback.. my parents are somewhat put off by their
experience with their current one, but are likely to accept a
replacement and an apology from Subaru. The Outback continues to have
a pretty stellar consumer reports standing still. They were also put
off by a 2004 maneuver where Subaru raised the car a bit to push it
into a "light trucks" classification and side step some fuel economy
rules.

here's an article on that sad story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/13/a...&en=7e0f7f959f6d66cf&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND

Just thought I'd post a quick note and check for some Internet wisdom
in addition to my own web searching and research. Looks like the combo
of not a "luxury vehicle," but on the quieter side, is a hard combo
request to fill. Seems like the quieter vehicles are generally luxury
models with lower mileage. I guess to make cars quieter, manufacturers
are really stuck using heavier thicker components that add weight?
This is certainly different than house insulation where lightweight
things with air gaps get you effective noise reduction and temperature
control. I suppose there isn't room for that type of "Bulk" on
an auto though.

Thanks in advance for any fabulous suggestions, feedback, and personal
experience you might have to share.

Have u considered a Honda Odyssey or other minivan?

Carl

 

[YKhan]

It doesn't really seem that your parents really need an off-road
vehicle (i.e. going camping occasionally is not anything that requires
4WD most of the time). I could be wrong, do they live in a snowy area?
If they lived in the snow belt or the woods, then a Subie might be
something to go for again. But otherwise, why not just go with some
kind of a mini-van?

Yousuf Khan

 

[Body Roll]

Just thought I'd post a quick note and check for some Internet wisdom
in addition to my own web searching and research. Looks like the combo
of not a "luxury vehicle," but on the quieter side, is a hard combo
request to fill. Seems like the quieter vehicles are generally luxury
models with lower mileage. I guess to make cars quieter, manufacturers
are really stuck using heavier thicker components that add weight?

The sound deadeners sure do add A LOT of weight.

This is certainly different than house insulation where lightweight
things with air gaps get you effective noise reduction and temperature
control. I suppose there isn't room for that type of "Bulk" on
an auto though.

There is a lot of room for application of closed foam mats in doors,
but not on the floor,
roof and parts of the firewall.

Thanks in advance for any fabulous suggestions, feedback, and personal
experience you might have to share.

One way to go about this is to buy Legacy with extended warranty,
tear it apart and install prodigious amount of sound deadener materials
such as RAAMmat, if you have time to tear all the trim out and do it
yourself.
Some parts like firewall are extremely hard to get to, so you end up
getting what you pay for. Installing sound deadeners sucks up a lot of
your time.
Probably more so if you install any liquid ones.
Prepare to spend a few weekends to do the whole 9 yards.

I was at a local auto show a few weekends back and Avant S4 was very
impressive in terms of the stick feel (very fluid thing I should say,
even better than ones on i335 and carrera) and sound insulation was
very very good. Since that's what your folk want then they
should consider spending the dough for a luxury car. It will be a
portly beast too
to do what you want it to do and cost an arm and leg.

I think others have offered sound advice by proposing to get a minivan
as a more sensible, if pedestrian alternative. Mazda 5 should be a hoot
to drive,
but is a light funster, and, thus, does not offer the peace and quiet
that
you want.

Have fun.