Wagons Ho!

[Ming]

Wagons Ho!
Return of the Long Wagon?
Commentary By Ming
www.gminsidenews.com
8/5/05



About a week ago I took an informal survey of 11 of my more car-conscious friends. It was hardly a scientific sampling, as most were guys between the ages of 25-35, about half of them married and all of them home owners except one. Three of them answered while their wives or girlfriends were with them. Most work in the high-tech industry and are partial to techy things. I asked, "In light of current gas prices, what kind of car do you plan to buy next?" I must admit to leading the answers just a bit, because my questions were not abrupt and then cut off in a neutral survey fashion. I was weaving my question to them in to how they would manage to haul things they would buy to their houses like furniture, TV's, bags of mulch from Home Depot or or whatnot.

Out of the 11, 6 answered with some kind of wagon or hatchback or smallish car-based SUV. The rest of the answers were all over the map, from sports cars to trucks to a typical sedan. None of them chose a "hybrid". None of them chose a GM vehicle, which was disappointing but not surprising since I know what cars they own now. What did surprise me was how many of them picked a 5 door or a wagon type vehicle.

The wagons all shared a few traits. Most were true, long wagons. By "long wagon" I mean a car that has a decent sized utility area even without folding down the rear seats. They included the Volvo V50, Volkswagen Passat Wagon, Dodge Magnum SXT, MAZDA6 s Sport Wagon, Toyota Highlander, and a plain vanilla Focus wagon (that one guy and his wife were actually in the process of buying). All had OHC engines. All had crisp, modern styling. All were relatively affordable.

I don't have much in the way of sales numbers to show conclusively one way or another that Gen X and Gen Y males like to buy sporty wagon-like vehicles. The conventional wisdom suggests that wagons and 5-door cars are not popular in America. That idea flies in the face of my results, but I wonder if the "wagons = uncool" image is finally fading away, especially in the face of higher gas prices. Do people in Southern states, for instance, really need AWD, 240 torque and a jacked up SUV stance that robs them of 5-10 miles per gallon, when they could get the same basic utility space from a "long-wagon"? One bit of data I have is that Pontiac Vibe sales jumped by nearly 40% last month. Coincidence, or were potential small SUV buyers driven into more fuel efficient Vibes by gas prices?

Since I always like getting a good word in for GM product, I mentioned the HHR, and the Vibe, and the Employee discount. But it struck me that GM has no simple long-wagon type vehicle right now. There is the Malibu Maxx (which is more of a 5-door), but like the HHR, getting some of my more trend-conscious friends to consider a "blue-collar" Chevy has always been a chore. And GM has said the Malibu Maxx is to be discontinued. Where is the mid-size, affordable Pontiac sport wagon to go up against the likes of the Mazdas, Volvos and Volkswagens? Why is it that Mazda can afford to have these variants while GM cannot? The only true "sport wagon" in GM's lineup is from a brand that many still don't immediatly associate with GM - Saab. The 2006 9-3 Sportcombi base wagon is at the high end price-wise, but still in their ballpark. If only I had remembered the Saab option myself!

After getting my results, I had a keener eye for wagons on the road. While I did notice several GM "long wagons", most of them were from the 1980s. Celebrity wagons, Cavalier wagons, Pontiac 6000's, Buick Roadmaster wagons, Saturn wagons, even a Geo Storm wagon - plenty of GM station wagons up until the mid 90's or so when the SUVs (large and small) took over. And with them went any hope for the combination of a big utility area, a lower center of gravity, and car-like fuel economy. I can't say I blame the public, with such horrific bubble styling as seen on the Taurus wagon in the mid to late 90's, and incredibly cheap gas (by today's standards) near the turn of the century. And "long wagon" back then meant awfully long overhangs and floaty suspension - something todays Import wagons have overcome.



There's one thing that I'm not quite sure that GM U.S.A. gets, and until it does, I won't be able to win any customers amongst my friends. Not everyone wants a Mega-Uber-Large-Utility-Vehicle with an astronomical sticker price, car-based or not. While we don't know all the details yet, my fear is that the "Lambda" platform crossovers coming from GM will be 4000 pound gorillas that will offer great minivan-level versatility, and a car like ride, but will not advance the fuel economy or help the sticker cost situation much over the truck-based SUVs and Minivans they currently offer due to a desire to make them high-profit, hulking, do-anything, please the entire committee vehicles. Maybe they will find a way to make them more fuel efficient with technology that will add even more to the cost. This again will leave those GM fans among us who just want a plain 'ol inexpensive wagon out in the cold.

Suzuki has one, that is by extension a "GM" product - the Forenza wagon. And GM Canada offers it as the Chevrolet Optra Wagon. For some reason GM decided it wasn't right to offer it in one of its traditional brands here in the US. With a slightly better powertrain, this is the kind of vehicle some of my friends might be interested in. It has more cargo volume and is less of a "hatchback" than the Vibe, and has an incredibly low sticker price, considering the long Suzuki warranty and copious standard options.



GM alliance partner Subaru, of course, also offers some great wagon type vehicles across its lineup. The Legacy 2.5 i Wagon meets the low price point and decent fuel economy that you'd expect in a utilitarian wagon, and does it with All-Wheel-Drive and a good dose of style.

But as it stands, GM's "traditional" lineup in the U.S. is for the most part bare of GM-Engineered "long-wagons". So what do I propose to fix this? I'd love to buy a something with these simple specs:

1. Newish OHC engine like the 2.4L Ecotec. Good fuel economy. Smooth, quiet operation.
2. Relatively low curb weight, based on a Delta, Epsilon, or GMDAT's Lacetti.
3. Sharp, modern, crisp looks. (Think Mazda, and Suzuki's Forenza isn't bad from a side profile either)
4. Handles like a car, not an SUV or a wagon on stilts.
5. Good sized cargo area without the rear seats folded - more room than a 5-door or hatchback.

Right now it looks like the HHR meets most of my needs, but even though I like it, some buyers will have to get over the retro looks and "bargain brand" Chevy stigma to get into one. And after seeing one up close it struck me as only marginally larger inside than a Vibe. What I'd love to see would be a Pontiac version of the HHR with most of the retro cues removed, and with a sleeker, sportier profile - perhaps the cargo bay opened up even more, forget the trays and bulky plastic protrusions - more sleek open utility. While the HHR looks like a family hauler, the Pontiac version could look more like a true "sport wagon" with a longer cargo area and more mid-size feel than the Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe with their relatively small (with seats up) cargo space. The Saturn VUE is a pretty decent choice as well, but a bit too SUV-ish and not quite in line with demand #4.

The new for 2006 Saab 9-3 Sportcombi wagon may be exactly what I am looking for, but the price may need a bit of nudging down with incentives to get to the 25K sweet spot. Just as regular Saab 9-3s price higher than their Chevy and Pontiac Epsilon counterparts, so would a Pontiac variant of this wagon architecture in G6 form be perfectly slotted at an easier to swallow, lower price point.



The Sportcombi with the turbocharged 4 cylinder is just about perfect as the kind of vehicle I could recommend to my friends who would go for the more expensive Volvo and Passat wagons. For the rest, something a little more affordable might be needed.

So will GM make an affordable entry-level "long wagon", or will people seeking one with am OHC engine and respectable fuel economy with modern styling be forced into an Import?

Can GM find a spot in its big lineup for a car like this?

1. An Opel Vectra Caravan design utilizing the 2.4L Ecotec engine as a base to keep the price low.
2. Suzuki Forenza Wagon tuned for more performance (beyond suspension, cough, Torrent, cough) and offered as an entry vehicle in one of GM's traditional brands?
3. Pontiac Version of the HHR, but at a slightly higher price point with a rich black leather and chrome interior, and sleek modern exterior, sporting a 2.4L base engine and a Supercharged 2.0L up level engine, with a tighter suspension, slotting right above the Vibe.
4. Opel Astra Wagon The thing looks so great as is, it begs to be a Saturn wagon. But Saturn won't let me use my GM card points...

I hope that GM can find a spot for a crisply-styled and sporty "Long Wagon" at an affordable price, since I too would like to buy one in a year or two (especially if gas stays as expensive or gets more so) - and by then my GM Card earnings will have burned a sizeable hole in my pocket!

[GM_Fanatic]

I know what cars they own now.

What kind of friends do you have Ming? You disappoint me.

I love the caprice classic wagon of the 90's!...I just figured I would throw that in.

[surferdude00711]

As detailed and as well thought out as your thoughts are, I don't see the return of wagons going very far. Maybe R-Class, Pacifica and (hopefully) Lambda type vehicles, but not the wagon-wagon. Very educational piece, though.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by GM_Fanatic

What kind of friends do you have Ming? You disappoint me.

I love the caprice classic wagon of the 90's!...I just figured I would throw that in.

Most of the friends I surveyed were from work. I'm sure if I could pick and choose they'd all be Pontiac owners.

And some of them might just cave in to my subliminally implanted suggestions to buy GM product.

[Arizona Slim]

I think crossovers have a much brighter future than wagons, but I feel your pain. We used to have a 2001 Passat wagon until we had a kid and outgrew it. My wife loved the hell out of that car. I really liked it too, except for the squishy suspension.

[paul8488]

I'm now addicted to hatchbacks. I actually prefer GM's quasi-wagons (like the MAXX and Vibe and Optra5), as they're a good mix of size and utility. There are lots of 2-doors and sedans I like, but find the extra space a 5-door offers really useful. Great write-up Ming! If I was buying a new car tomorrow it'd be an HHR or Malibu MAXX SS.

[FoMoCo Fan]

I SERIOUSLY be interested in a Fusion wagon if they made one. I have to haul a lot of equipment sometimes, and my Mustang isn't really built for that.

Bring back the Nova with a hatchback.
Or the Vega wagon.They would sell hundreds of these cars..

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by Ming

There came a new attempt in the past few years from Detroit of largish "crossovers" like the Ford Freestyle, Cadillac SRX, or Chrysler Pacifica. Now with the sales of those not looking so hot, Detroit is going back to the well and ordering up more SUVs and do-it-all crossovers with what I will assume will be 3 rows of seating and incredible versatility, like some Minivans offer now.

Um, the sales of the Pacifica and Freestyle are A-ok.

YTD Sales:

PT Cruiser: 78,625
Pacifica: 54,694
Freestyle: 45,434
Magnum: 35,210
SRX: 14,640

[mot76]

[quote=Ming]. I'm sure if I could pick and choose they'd all be Pontiac owners.

You can put me on your list!

[atomicshark]

Originally Posted by Arizona Slim

I think crossovers have a much brighter future than wagons, but I feel your pain. We used to have a 2001 Passat wagon until we had a kid and outgrew it. My wife loved the hell out of that car. I really liked it too, except for the squishy suspension.

Not to seem ignorant, but how do you outgrow a midsize station wagon with only one kid?

I remember growing up with my brother in the Mid-seventies to eighties and my parents made due through the years with mostly 2 door cars (72 Cutlass Supreme, 71 LeMans, 78 Thunderbird, 75 Cordoba) and one 4 door Volvo.

[GM_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by COACH MCGUIRK

Bring back the Nova with a hatchback.
Or the Vega wagon.They would sell hundreds of these cars..

hundreds? maybe thats not such a good idea then.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Um, the sales of the Pacifica and Freestyle are A-ok.

Perhaps I am thinking more of when the Pacifica was first introduced - they lowered the price later, right? Affordability is key. THe Freestyle is good, but I recall reading in a few places that Ford expected better (though I also read initially that it was outselling the 500).

Anyway, your stats convinced me to change it up a bit.

[camaroman22]

i like the magnum, because of the agressive look. besides that, i really can't stand wagons.

[Arizona Slim]

Originally Posted by atomicshark

Not to seem ignorant, but how do you outgrow a midsize station wagon with only one kid?

I remember growing up with my brother in the Mid-seventies to eighties and my parents made due through the years with mostly 2 door cars (72 Cutlass Supreme, 71 LeMans, 78 Thunderbird, 75 Cordoba) and one 4 door Volvo.

That was before the days of the huge safety seats for kids. With one car seat in the back middle, we couldn't fit two adults on either side of it. Its more of a width issue than a cargo space issue. I actually sold my Tundra because I couldn't fit a car seat in the back without crunching my seat all the way forward. Since we frequently go out with my parents or my brother and his family, couple friends, etc the extra space of the Yukon is great. Once my daughter is out of the car seat its a whole new ball game.

Oh, and its not ignorant I would have thought the same thing before having a kid.