Super hardcore offroad- considering ditching the tacoma for a vw wagon

[AlwaysExplr87]

Let me start of by saying, im kind of a greenie. I hike more than I wheel and feel bad about driving around in anything with less than 20 mpg average. I know alot of people here have differing opinions about fuel consumption but was looking for some imput on something I have been thinking hard about for a while.

Having given that warning. I am considering moving from my 07 tacoma 2.7 prerunner access cab into a vw jetta sportwagen TDI (31-42 mpg). I drive alot, currently I live between 2 towns and drive alot to camp, surf, and do things. I love my truck, I have owned it since new and have enjoyed the 22-25 mpg (great I know) it nets while giving me room to cart a friend, dog and gear around while being able to sleep in the back. But with it being 2wd, it is basically a wagon with a ton of groundclearance. I just keep thinking the truck is too underpowered and uncapable to justify not trading it in on a wagon and getting an older fullsize for truck duties.

The only thing I use my truck for the wagon could not handle would be hauling mulch, dirt and other garden supplies and the occasional beach camping trip and backroad exploring to fishing spots.

I know to most wagons aren't desirable or sexy in the least bit but I have a taste for the obscure and have been in love with wagons since my dad owned a rodded fairlane wagon when I was a kid. What are ya'lls opinions on exploring in a wagon? Any first hand experience? I have never owned a car or driven one more than a few miles and think I might hate it.

 

[BIGdaddy]

possibly?

 

[brngk]

My wife and I saw a lot of back/fire roads in our 1997 Ford Escort. Just made another post about this, in the subcompact overlander forum. But it's really about knowing your limitations, and as always being a good driver can get you
quite far. You can always pursue something like this, which seemingly gives you the best of both worlds. I really like traveling in an old beater in Mexico as it draws less attention to me.

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

I am going to go test drive one this afternoon. I really dont know how I feel about driving a car daily but we will see. If only Toyota would pull their heads out and offer the D4D over here! Maybe I should smuggle in a D4D on my central america trip and start a swaperooski.

How is VW owner experience? Does getting service done suck?

 

[ihatemybike]

I test drove a Golf TDI a couple years back, fun little car. Torque really gets you moving. I would have been testing a Jetta Wagon, but the TDI wasn't available for the year.

It sounds like the Jetta would be able to do most of what you're looking for and a small utility trailer could handle the rest. Personally I'd put a lift kit on it, but then I want to lift almost everything.

Also, wagons are cool. But don't leave it stock. At a minimum tint the windows from the b pillar back.

Let's not get started on how awesome this wagon is.

 

[Metcalf]

My good friend just bought a 2010 Jetta sport wagon. It gets HIGH 40s for mileage with 4 people + gear, with 2 people at 60mph it will get 50+mpg.

I wonder if anyone makes a nice light aluminum belly pan? I have seen them take some MAJOR abuse on suby's

I do NOT like the fact that the new TDI engines have a hard time with biodiesel. The particulate filter regen is very touchy. Same goes for most 2007+ diesels in the USA.

 

[Warn Industries]

I'm not sure if you have your heart set on a diesel, but I know there are a number of AWD options out there that do get decent mileage these days. One of my daily drivers is a 2010 Suzuki SX4 AWD. It's EPA rated at 23/29 with the manual trans (1 MPG better HWY with the CVT). A couple companies make skid plates for them as well as lift kits and performance parts.

Also, there always is the Subaru route (EPA 22/29 for a 2.5 Legacy Outback wagon).

- Andy

 

[98roamer]

I did all my camping in a Quantum VW wagon growing up and my wife in the family of 3 kids in their wagon. We dated in the Quantum, loved that car.


I'm comparing a new Outback or a used 4Runner for our next trip/camping vehicle.

 

[Bobfab]

I'm not sure if you have your heart set on a diesel, but I know there are a number of AWD options out there that do get decent mileage these days. One of my daily drivers is a 2010 Suzuki SX4 AWD. It's EPA rated at 23/29 with the manual trans (1 MPG better HWY with the CVT). A couple companies make skid plates for them as well as lift kits and performance parts.

Also, there always is the Subaru route (EPA 22/29 for a 2.5 Legacy Outback wagon).

- Andy

x2 on the sx4. i loved mine but eventually outgrew it, it is a sub compact

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Wagons are not sexy?! Blasphemy! We have owned many wagons and luv luv luv them...now we have 2 trucks and a 2010 VW Golf TDI...although my counterpart loves the Golf I secretly wish we would have gotten the Jetta wagon.

I still lust after a 97 Passat TDI wagon.......

We would not hesitate to go back to a Subaru or Audi Avant...and I still miss the Allroad every time I see one.

I think an AWD wagon would suit you fine for what you want to do.

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

Test drove the TDI. I really liked it, rode awesome, good power, plenty of room. I did have a hard time sitting so low and feeling like I was being driven over by everything. I'm waiting to see what the salesman can do, so far they tried to rape me with a rediculous APR. The car I drove was a white with tan leather interior (wish it was black) with the 6 speed manual (increased the fun factor x10).

WARN- good suggestion but I kind of do have my heart set on a diesel. My taco has the 2.7l with a 5spd and I average 22-25mpg (rated 22-29 I think) so moving to a crossover or subi would really just mean losing space. I wish the subis got better mpg, a WRX hatch would be so fun.

My brother is trying to convinve me on a pre 07 super duty and run biodiesel. I woudl be open to the idea but hated driving those land yachts around town when I used to do landscaping.

 

[greg mgm]

We have a '10 Jetta Sportwagen TDI and absolutely love it! It regularly gets mid 40's mpg and is ultra reliable. You could easily camp with it and sleep in the back. As for driving a wagon.....we love having the extra room in the back for hauling. Don't care one bit about image or not being "cool" driving a wagon.

 

[IdaSHO]

I just took a trip over to Seattle and back in our "new" subaru.

28mpg average..... including 50 miles or so of city travel, red-lined in 3rd gear pulling Snoqualmie pass both directions, and cruising at 65-70mph on the flats.

I was unsure how well the littl car would do when we got it, but Im 100% sold on these older 4wd Subi's.

Stupid simple, rugged, and great fuel economy. Just cannot be in ANY kind of hurry. This little guy has a wopping 73hp

I think a diesel swap would be superb!!

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Let me start of by saying, im kind of a greenie. I hike more than I wheel and feel bad about driving around in anything with less than 20 mpg average. I know alot of people here have differing opinions about fuel consumption but was looking for some imput on something I have been thinking hard about for a while.

Having given that warning. I am considering moving from my 07 tacoma 2.7 prerunner access cab into a vw jetta sportwagen TDI (31-42 mpg). I drive alot, currently I live between 2 towns and drive alot to camp, surf, and do things. I love my truck, I have owned it since new and have enjoyed the 22-25 mpg (great I know) it nets while giving me room to cart a friend, dog and gear around while being able to sleep in the back. But with it being 2wd, it is basically a wagon with a ton of groundclearance. I just keep thinking the truck is too underpowered and uncapable to justify not trading it in on a wagon and getting an older fullsize for truck duties.

The only thing I use my truck for the wagon could not handle would be hauling mulch, dirt and other garden supplies and the occasional beach camping trip and backroad exploring to fishing spots.

I know to most wagons aren't desirable or sexy in the least bit but I have a taste for the obscure and have been in love with wagons since my dad owned a rodded fairlane wagon when I was a kid. What are ya'lls opinions on exploring in a wagon? Any first hand experience? I have never owned a car or driven one more than a few miles and think I might hate it.

I had a 05 Jetta TDI and loved it, 42 MPG average. Best we ever got was 53, worst was 36 towing a trailer with camping gear and kayaks.

 

[southpier]

i had an '03 passat (wagon/gas) for 7 years and it was the best truck i ever had. bought a '10 jetta (sedan/gas) in august and sold it in october. worst car i ever had. if you think looking up at traffic is bad, wait until you are pushed all over the road by it. i have no good things to say about the drop in manufacturing/ material quality.

it went like hell - light 5 cylinder- but the brakes are not matched to the engine and you will find yourself in awkward situations where the nimble handling will be your only recourse. they have become expensive and if you are looking at a diesel, it will only add $$$.

gear & capacity for two will bog it down considerably in all directions