Reddy Kilowatt

I currently drive a 2000 BMW E46 328i that has 145k miles. It's been a great car, including wonderful winter driving characteristics. I'm thinking about replacing it with a wagon or perhaps a hatch and curious if you have any suggestions. Criteria include:

What have I forgotten to mention? Thanks for the input.

bart1

968 may not fit your practical needs, but it's close. Great car. You can fit a surprising amount in the hatch, though there is not much headroom or legroom in the back seats.

frankv

I would suggest an Audi A3 2.0 Quattro. If you really want economy they have a TDI version as well (though not sure if it comes in Quattro). Also the VW Jetta wagon (same engine choices but no Quattro)

ilko

I get 29mpg highway off my 2004 A4 Quattro 1.8T (B6 version). I have the Avant version and you can fit a lot of stuff in the back You can get a B7 with the 2.0T and very similar fuel consumption in the teens these days. My car's been very reliable so far.

1pcarnut

In the same boat here. Top of my list is an 06 or newer A4 Avant. Would also consider an A6 version but a little bigger than I prefer and higher prices.

ltc

A4/S4 Avant...fun

Jetta TDI Sportwagen ...practical and fantastic fuel mileage

Ford Escape Hybrid ... same as above.

TxnBluDvl

The TDI unfortunately doesn't come in Quattro, but the 2.0T does.

deadhead1960

I'd stay with what you've had success with. Go for the newer body style 3 series BMW (2006 and later). I have a 6 spd. 2006 3 series (not the xi) and with my 16" winter wheels/tires the car is awesome in the snow; I use 18" summer wheels/tires from April to November. I bagged the 17" OEM wheels with run flats soon after I bought the car.

mongrelcat

1 vote for '04 R32:

71-3.0-911

06 or newer Subaru Outback. Plenty of power (for a daily driver) plenty of room, and great in rain, mud, snow.... fun to drive and super reliable.

95_993

Another vote for A4 Avant Q. Perfect DD and extreme weather car.

98_993_cab

If AWD would useful in winter, then +1 for Audi A4 or A6 Avant. Obviously this is an unbiased opinion...

dryadsdad

We rented a Subie Outback AWD. I enjoyed it a good deal. Great driving machine I could use daily. I'd only douse the idiotic always on headlights, but aside from that, it's a great machine.

sacman

How's about a VW MK6 GTI?

L741_993

We have a '08 A4 2.0T Quattro and a '08 Passat 3.6L 4Motion wagon. Both are great, but I have to say the V6 in the Passat is awesome. Both are fun to drive.