[nostatic]

I've been in the market for a fast/fun wagon for awhile. While pining for an S4 Avant, I would rather not spend $45K+ out the door. Thus the WRX wagon is tops on my list, but I was interested in the SportCross. I drove an '02 sedan, and was fairly impressed, although it didn't have the quickness or handling of the WRX. It did have a much more pleasant cabin though, and the automatic would be somewhat welcome during my heinous LA commute.

Today my dealer calle dme to say they got a SportCross in. Of course in their infinite wisdom they put it on the showroom floor before I got there, but I did gget to look/sit/touch. I can say it looks a lot better in person than it does in pictures. Fit-and-finish looks great (better than the Subie), although it has less headroom. All in all a nice car, and it has put a few doubts about my impending purchase. They're going to call me when they get another one in so i can drive it.

The short opinion:
SportCross: much nicer interior, more muscular exterior, Lexus quality and dealer relations. Don't know about the handling yet, but extrapolating from the sedan, I can say it works:

WRX: Faster, quicker/easier to make even faster ($600 chip gets you to over 260hp), better handling, cheaper interior, over $10K less.

Guess it depends on whether I want fast and funky or smooth and luxurious...

 

[SeattleSheila]

Don't tell Italian Stallion...he might jump on over there and GRAB that wagon!

 

[Italian Stallion]

Where in the world is this dealer? I assume it's LA from your post. Yippeeeee - that hopefully means Atlanta should have it within 7-10 days. Be still my beating heart .....

[ August 16, 2001: Message edited by: Italian Stallion ]

 

[SeattleSheila]

....Uh OH...now he knows....

 

[robskilove]

Wagon/handling? Aren't those two words at the end of each spectrum?

I can see it now... Daddy daddy, please SLOW down, I almost flew out of my car seat!!!

JK, good luck on your purchase.

 

[Italian Stallion]

Except all our kids are grown and have left the nest. More likely, it will be our Akitas flying around the back of the wagon as I take the curvey mountain road we live on.

Originally posted by robskilove:
Wagon/handling? Aren't those two words at the end of each spectrum?

I can see it now... Daddy daddy, please SLOW down, I almost flew out of my car seat!!!

JK, good luck on your purchase.

 

[Martaigne]

Originally posted by robskilove:
Wagon/handling? Aren't those two words at the end of each spectrum?

Not always. Quote often, cars that come with a front-mounted engine are a little off-balance, and wagon formats are a bit better balanced. The car is a bit heavier overall, but it's all weight on the rear wheels, improving balance, and thus handling.

For instance, the 5th gen Accord ('94-'97) Coupes/Sedans all have 60/40 weight ratios. But the Wagons have 53/47 ratios - they're actually more popular to mod for performance in Japan than the Coupes and Sedans are. Go figure.

 

[IS300_SILVER]

I drove the Sportscross on a low speed autocross course (never got out of 1st gear) the other day. Handling is about the same as the sedan (even closer to 50/50 weight distribution than the sedan because of the extra weight in the back). Very little understeer until pushing it to it's limit. Standing start is just a bit slower than a sedan because of the extra weight in the back, but not by much. Overall, a very well-balanced car. It makes me wonder that with sports wangons that are being offered these days, why in the world do people want to by SUVs. Just my $0.02.