Magnum SXT vs. Mazda6 Wagon vs. Passat Wagon
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Magnum SXT vs. Mazda6 Wagon vs. Passat Wagon
I am looking for a used car for my wife and I am looking for a wagon that is reliable (we travel 200 miles round trip each weekend to visit family and we live near Palm Springs), gets good mileage, cost efficient to maintain (I prefer doing maintenance myself), and it needs to have a good air conditioner (again, we live in a desert!)
All three wagons above are actually similar in their power output although at different RPM ranges. Magnum 3.5, Mazda 3.0 (Ford Duratec motor) and VW 2.0 Turbo.
The VW gets the best mileage by far but I am concerned about its reliability and cost to maintain. We rented a Passat sedan with the 2.0 Turbo and I was very impressed by its passing power and its interior quality. I don't like that it uses premium fuel and that even oil changes are expensive (60$ plus just to do it yourself!)
The Mazda6 is by far the best handling of the three and possibly the cheapest upfront. I also have a feeling that it would be the cheapest to maintain since it is a combination of Japanese and American parts. Biggest problem with the Mazda6 seems to be the quality of the interior and its weak air conditioning. The 3.0 is quick once the engine gets up to 3500 RPM and the MPG are similar to the 3.5 SXT.
The Magnum 3.5 is the most recognizable of the wagons and I like that it is rear drive. I also like the fact that the 3.5 has good power much lower in the RPM band so perhaps it wouldn't need to be pushed as hard to get it moving. From what I am seeing it may come with a 4 or 5 speed automatic whereas the other cars both offer a 6 speed auto. I also like the fact that the Magnums that I have seen have an air conditioning vent in the console for the back passengers (my 18 month old son will appreciate this). I don't like that it seems that a very large number of Magnums have been modified and lots of people put ugly aftermarket wheels on them.
I would appreciate any information you may have on these vehicles and which may be best in terms of a family car (reliability, mpg, maintenance, air conditioning). I am looking at cars that are 2004-2008 so they will most likely have 40,000 to 75,000 miles.
Thanks for your help.
All three wagons above are actually similar in their power output although at different RPM ranges. Magnum 3.5, Mazda 3.0 (Ford Duratec motor) and VW 2.0 Turbo.
The VW gets the best mileage by far but I am concerned about its reliability and cost to maintain. We rented a Passat sedan with the 2.0 Turbo and I was very impressed by its passing power and its interior quality. I don't like that it uses premium fuel and that even oil changes are expensive (60$ plus just to do it yourself!)
The Mazda6 is by far the best handling of the three and possibly the cheapest upfront. I also have a feeling that it would be the cheapest to maintain since it is a combination of Japanese and American parts. Biggest problem with the Mazda6 seems to be the quality of the interior and its weak air conditioning. The 3.0 is quick once the engine gets up to 3500 RPM and the MPG are similar to the 3.5 SXT.
The Magnum 3.5 is the most recognizable of the wagons and I like that it is rear drive. I also like the fact that the 3.5 has good power much lower in the RPM band so perhaps it wouldn't need to be pushed as hard to get it moving. From what I am seeing it may come with a 4 or 5 speed automatic whereas the other cars both offer a 6 speed auto. I also like the fact that the Magnums that I have seen have an air conditioning vent in the console for the back passengers (my 18 month old son will appreciate this). I don't like that it seems that a very large number of Magnums have been modified and lots of people put ugly aftermarket wheels on them.
I would appreciate any information you may have on these vehicles and which may be best in terms of a family car (reliability, mpg, maintenance, air conditioning). I am looking at cars that are 2004-2008 so they will most likely have 40,000 to 75,000 miles.
Thanks for your help.
