Popularity of the (mini station wagon)

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DGB454

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I have a question. It seems like the station has made a comeback in mini form. I don't really understand it's appeal but I see a lot of people between the ages of 16 and early 20s driving them.

I remember when the only people who would be caught dead in any kind of station wagon were parents.

So, help me understand the attraction to them. Why are they gaining popularity? Im not trying to be a smart as$. I really am curious.

Hopefully you guys know the type of cars I'm talking about.
I will look for pictures of them.


Thanks
later
 
If what you mean is the popularity of the actual station wagon, then...

1990
90904051000101MED.jpg


2002
v70sm.jpg
 
I think he was referring to the Impreza sportswagon type vehicles of the world, and the small SUVs of the world.

I actually ran a full on station wagon in my early to mid twenties, an old Mitsubishi Magna TN wagon (fortunately in upper spec trim with the Elite 15 inch alloys, in a 5 speed manual), mainly because I was playing golf and cricket on the weekends (plus two nights a week training for cricket) and it was a lot more practical than the pseudo sports cars other guys were driving - and the cool bit was because of the nice upmarket trim and extra room I had certain accomodation advantages when it came to 'entertaining'...

I think the 'lifestyle' wagons are more fashionable now - possibly part of it is they are more attractive cars to look at (remember the ol' family trucker from 'Vacation' :rolleyes: ), and they've been sported up a bit - I mean, you can get the WRX in wagonette form (and have been able to for years).
 
Well, with the Mazda 6, it's about being sporty and practical. Same with the Imprezza, Legacy, BMW wagons, Mercedes wagons, Audis, Volvos, Volkswagen, all of them. They are basicly lower ride hight SUVs with better performance and style.

I like most of them.
 
Sorry about the delay. Just got a package from Original parts group and had to open it.
This is the closest one I could find. I usually see them with a spoiler on the roof and occasionally with ground effects on them.

they remind me of a mini station wagon. Anyway, are they popular because they are so inexpensive? I guess I just don't understand fixing up one of these to look more sporty.

Are these people getting them from their parents and it's the best they can do on their budget or do they really think they look good?

Again, I'm not trying to be a smart as$. I just don't get it.


Thanks
 

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Oh, okay - you're actually referring to the 'wagonette' style of hatchbacks nowadays.

I had this argument with someone over the previous Australia Nissan Pulsar hatchback - I argued that it was technically a wagon, as the roof continued straight back from the C-Pillar, and there was actually a formal D-Pillar that the tailgate was mounted from. Can't find a side-one picture, of course.
 
My mom drives a Pt Crusier and while I'm not a fan of it in the looks area, I like the performance of it. I can get it up to speed fast and it handles nicely. It stuck to the curves on this one twisty road by my house. I was going about 50 around some turns that were rated for 20. I thought it wasn't to bad.
 
Originally posted by DGB454
they remind me of a mini station wagon. Anyway, are they popular because they are so inexpensive? I guess I just don't understand fixing up one of these to look more sporty.

Are these people getting them from their parents and it's the best they can do on their budget or do they really think they look good?
Click to expand...

It's a miracle of marketing. Do some market research to find out what people want (or think they want). Design that type of product. Then modify it to look "cool enough". Boil it down to a price (i.e., make it cheap) and it will find a home in the mind of every adolescent.

"Wagonette" is a great term for these things. They're not wagons. They're slightly taller hatchbacks. Take one look at the new Civic hatch. Then slide a Matrix next to it. Not much difference, is there? Now push an Impreza Wagon up to the line. That's a small wagon: actual interior room, in an actual car. Same goes for the Mazda MP3. Some cars hit it right, some are just fluff. My problem isn't with the Imprezas and MP3s, but the Matrix's and Vibes out there all just muddying my view of the road.
 
Originally posted by Hooligan
My problem isn't with the Imprezas and MP3s, but the Matrix's and Vibes out there all just muddying my view of the road.
Click to expand...

I feel your pain, brother - yet another thing I can't see over in my sedan... :rolleyes:
 
I have never heard of a "matrix" or a "vibe" either. What cars are they?
 
Erm Hooligan(and Vat), you mean MP5? MP3 is the limited edition Protege Sedan with the Racing beat stuff...

The Vibe/Matrix is like a hunky MP5...they look pretty wierd.
 
I used to borrow my grandpa's white Ford Escort wagon (if the car's in the shop of a day or month or two), and I can say it's definately no chick magnet (repellent?), but it draws absolutely no stares. Which is exactly what I want from hoodlums and police officers.

No, the steering's vague, the power was lacking, and it had all the amenities of a Russian gulag, but the thrill of driving around town way over the speed limit and not drawing a stare is mighty impressive.

So if I had the money for the Protege, I'd probably throw in a buck or two more to get the wagon (a.k.a. the 5) or get the WRX wagon instead of the sedan....just to say I beat your car with a station wagon.

Stealth is always under-rated.
 
We call station wagons estates over in the UK, with these "mini station wagons" being called hatchbacks.

not a fan of estates myself, but I do like saloons.

I am also a fan of the Ford Focus (a hatchback).
 
Well, rufrgt_sn00pie2001 is the most European person in the history of Europe. By Americanized he probably means anti-European, cheap, ugly, full of lovely Saturn quality. Yum.
 
It looks bland, which is what he probably thinks, for I do as well.

Americans have bland but muscley cars, we have underpowered but stylish cars. Result.
 
Originally posted by MazKid
Erm Hooligan(and Vat), you mean MP5? MP3 is the limited edition Protege Sedan with the Racing beat stuff...

The Vibe/Matrix is like a hunky MP5...they look pretty wierd.
Click to expand...

Well, both Mazdas, I guess. They're both good cars. And yes, the Vibe is the wierdest thing this side of an Aztek. ;)
 
M5Power really has it in one. And those pictures are of some real horrible European cars. The American ones were really representative of the muscle I was talking about, the Dodge Viper etc. The dull ones M5Power were very dull but can be very useful in, err...banger races and the like.

For good European cars, look to Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin DB7 Concept (and Vanquish). At the lower end of the spectrum, just have a look at the new Nissan Micra, or Ford Mondeo. Underpowered but very, very stylish.
 

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