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So how do you replace a station wagon in 2026 (hexbear.net)
submitted 1 month ago by to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net
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I do most of my trips by bicycle obviously, but for anything requires hauling lots of shit or people I own like a 30 year old station wagon. It seems to be on its way out so I looked for a newer one and they either all suck or seem so clapped out I might aswell try to keep this baby going. Is that really the only options? Like I look at reasonably priced SUV and sure it seats five but the amount of cargo space available I might aswell buy 2 compacts and rip the seats out of one or whatever.

Also bonus questions what the fuck, does nobody use their cars for anything but personal transport and maybe some groceries anymore?

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[–] 15 points 1 month ago (5 children)

If the frame rails aren't Swiss cheese, the engine is in good mechanical condition, and it isn't such an oddball model that parts are all but impossible to procure I'd be inclined to keep it running. Maintenance isn't a guaranteed monthly requirement, but a car payment is.

Do manufacturers even make station wagons anymore? I'm not talking about Subaru crossover wagons or the offerings from VW, I mean Family Truckster wagons. I've owned two, a 1967 Fairlane wagon and a 93 Caprice wagon. I love station wagons. If I didn't do so much weekend work that requires hauling pipe and odd shaped largeish stuff, I'd be looking for one to restore and drive daily.

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  • [–] [S] 7 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    If the frame rails aren't Swiss cheese, the engine is in good mechanical condition, and it isn't such an oddball model that parts are all but impossible to procure I'd be inclined to keep it running. Maintenance isn't a guaranteed monthly requirement, but a car payment is.

    Oddball model, really. Parts are getting impossible to procure through official channels. I got a cool repair guy who says he'd do it if I bring them in but since cars aren't exactly my world that'd be a lot of time spent I'd rather spend doing something else, even if it costs.

    I'd never finance a car anyways, which might be part of the problem, in a way? I'm looking for that ~5000€ station wagon where the AC knobs fall off, what do I care, that I then run for 10 years on basic maintenance until it ejects a piston through the hood. It's a utility machine for when I can't use my bicycle, but there don't seem to be many left of those.

    Do manufacturers even make station wagons anymore?

    This is in the EU so I guess they kept on with those for a good while after the US from what I understand. Hell, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer EV would be basically my perfect car if not for the fact that it's a new EV so it'd lose like 300€ of money every day it's parked in my driveway.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 month ago

    That’s a bummer. I have owned a few really reliable vehicles that I had to part ways with because of the parts availability issue. I think finding a car that is just a utility vehicle as you phrased it is going to be increasingly difficult to find. I think at some point you’ll be forced to compromise on your wants, your morals, or something.

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