In defense of wagons
Jalopnik (admitted wagon-lover hideout) has written a call to arms for all those in favor of the five-door. As a “Sportback” owner myself, I do view a day when my people can come out from behind such marketing speak to embrace our rightful place at the top of the automotive heap.
We are wagons. We are the future.
I think these cars are great and very practical as well as sporty. I’d love to buy one, but they’re pretty pricey. I’m looking for a hatchback to replace my ’93 Miata (which now has 213k miles on it) in the next year or so. Might be hard to find a car that’s as reliable as the Miata has been.
The Miata has been supernaturally good to you, Pat. The A3 was a bit of a splurge, but its cousin, the GTI is also a stellar car (the A3 is often referred to as a GTI in a tuxedo.) The 2010 GTI actually has a slightly newer, 210 HP engine and the same mechanical underpinnings including optional DSG transmission. It’s been donned car of the year by more than a few magazines and news sources as a practical car that’s just as fun to drive as many sports cars. Of course, its Golf brethren are also getting a lot of praise now that the Mk VI generation has arrived and there’s even a TDI that gets into the 50s for mileage while still offering a lot of refinement and creature comforts. Just don’t go to Shields VW/Audi…they are evil.