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Only wagon I would consider changing to would be an Audi RS4 or RS6, IF I had the money.....

For the value for money why would you pick anything other than a Stagea, so many option's and extra's.

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Only wagon I would consider changing to would be an Audi RS4 or RS6, IF I had the money.....

For the value for money why would you pick anything other than a Stagea, so many option's and extra's.

Value is one thing, safety is something else. Then there's parts availability, servicing, insurance etc.

We have a VF Calais wagon , been the Mrs daily for 2 years. Child seat in the back still fit 2 adults either side comfortable. HEAPS of air bags. Automatic parking. Remote start, passive entry. Side traffic alert, blind zone alert, Approx 10 l /100 city driving. Very nice to drive. Cheap insurance. Nice stereo.

But a brand new car obviously costs more than a 10 year old import.

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Value is one thing, safety is something else. Then there's parts availability, servicing, insurance etc.

We have a VF Calais wagon , been the Mrs daily for 2 years. Child seat in the back still fit 2 adults either side comfortable. HEAPS of air bags. Automatic parking. Remote start, passive entry. Side traffic alert, blind zone alert, Approx 10 l /100 city driving. Very nice to drive. Cheap insurance. Nice stereo.

But a brand new car obviously costs more than a 10 year old import.

They are nice but that angled rear window, whilst stylish, removes quite a bit of storage space - especially for big dogs.

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Thanks Matt (datmoo) - always liked Audi wagons (will look into that)

Whilst I love the M35 Stagea (good torquey daily family hauler, 4WD grip and cheap entry point being a 13 year old import), the gearbox is quite frustrating. No harm "carsaling";

Ben (Ben C34), is the calais the 3.6 litre V6?

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Fuel usage between my old VT commodore is the same if not better for twice the fun. insurance is the same.

there's no real problem with getting parts. and if you work on cars your self there's no problem with servicing etc.

I looked at buying a Liberty wagon for $65k because i was a bit freaked out by buying an import i had a bad experience with a dodgey dealer 4 years prior with buying a C34 and i thought parts, insurance etc would be expensive etc but in the end why would i pay 40K extra and for what ??? ( I love the sound of a boxer motor)

if you want safety go buy a Volvo :)

and the question is would you buy, it didn't state if it was for your missus and or kids.

I'm 30, single and have no kids, I just love that the Stagea it's so different to everything on the streets and you can't beat 4WD Turbo.

I get told I have a soccer mum's car all the time and people ignore the car (car meets etc) or put it down and don't understand, makes no difference to me I love it.

My mates all looked at me when i bought it as if i was and idiot but once they've been in it and seen it and got used to it's looks etc now they love it.

I've just had a strange love for wagon's my first car was a 323 Panel van then i got a 808 wagon. only bought the VT to keep out of trouble, common and easy to get parts and cheap etc............ didn't make a difference what so ever other than I never modded it cos I didn't like it but it suited the purpose.

I guess I'm lucky too as this is not my daily as I have a company car.

everyone has a different reason or opinion this is mine :)

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Hi all,

Would like to know if anyone has:

  • considered changing to
  • previously had
  • driven

the following wagons

  • Audi B8 A4 2.0 Quattro

Cheers

If you ever consider buying one of these, DO NOT buy the CVT "Multitronic" one - my old man has one and I hate the way it performs. Luckily the quattro versions can't be optioned with the CVT.

Oh, and the B9 version should be out soon...

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Hi Nick T (GoldZilla) - agree, I would never get any car with a CVT...manual or DSG (or single gear if Tesla develops an uber wagon of their own)

Hi Val (valf) - been looking on carsales and haven't seen the E55 AMG wagon; that would be an awesome wagon to haul the family around

Hi Lambchops (Wagon_Boy) - my 2002 NM35 Stagea is my everyday daily for the kids. I still enjoy it but yeah very open to other performance oriented wagons. Will keep looking on carsales

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We have a VF Calais wagon

Quick question: What's the boot space like in the back of the VF? I love the look of them but I wouldn't want any less than my PNM35 has. I know the VE/VF is wider but what's the load area like with the rear seats down? I can fit a 191cm long air bed in the Stagea and sleep comfortably, if a VE/VF can mange this then it's a viable option, otherwise we'd have to look to a VT-VZ wagon.

Any help much appreciated, thanks.

Edited by Hertz Donut
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Saw this today : http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-hsv-clubsport-lsa-and-maloo-lsa-review-first-drive-36364

Though I would never buy a Commodore, just too flashy. I like the hidden Volvo look of the stagea.

First time I saw a Stagea was two years ago (when I arrived to Au from France), really liked how it looked (always preferred wagons) and took a picture of it.

Even if I'm a mechanic noob, I still bought one with a blown turbo and thanks to this forum, I'm now a happy stagea owner :)

It's bigger than my previous passat wagon and has more grunt. When I get more $$ to throw at it, I will get Jetwreck to help me solve the lag issue. Also would love it as a manual but it seems quite pricey / complicated so maybe if I kill the auto trans one day !

By the way, I'm an IT engineer so if you need help with IT related stuff, let me know! Maybe you can help me make my car better in return ;)

Edited by valf
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The boggo standard VF is still quite good, but the 3.0L is too slow.

The auto can be a bit of fun in manual mode, but if I owned one I would be investigating shifting upgrades (perhaps done by software now rather than a clunky valve body upgrade?)

The suspension is also quite impressive in terms of comfort, but the stock tyres are total shite. Get some stickier rubber on there ASAP. I am tempted to call it dangerous in the wet.

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