[OT] Need suggestions for a sport wagon

[kentmclean at mindspring.com (Kent McLean)]

Brad Sterling wrote:
> We recently had our
> first kid and are thinking we need to get something with four doors.  

A step up from VW is Audi. If the S4 Avant is too small,
you could go back to an older S6, but your wife prefers
newer.  If I were looking, I'd consider:

Ford Focus -- 5 door or wagon. Cheap, ugly, handles well
	(but it's no GTI)
	http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/wagon/112_0206_focus/

Mazda Protege5 -- like the Focus wagon, but prettier
	http://www.new-cars.com/2003/2003-mazda-protege5.html

Chevy Malibu MAXX -- mid-price cross between a wagon and sedan.
	Bigger than the Focus and Protege5. I think this one is a
	sleeper.
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/editorial/photos/index.cfm/id/feature13/img/04ChevyMalibuMaxx.htm

Lincoln LS - (used) big, quiet, luxo-tourer that handles well.
	http://www.llsoc.com/V2R1/Resources/TestDriver/TestDriverFAQ.htm#FAQ5

Honda Odyssey -- the dreaded minivan, but above average.
	Grassroots Motorsports compared it to a Jaguar XKE
	and Porsche 356, and it won!
	http://www.internetautoguide.com/Reviews/1999/1999_Honda_Odyssey.html

Mazda RX8 -- well, the doors open real wide. :-) But not really
	practical for a growing family.
	http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.mv?file=car.mv&num=1045

Just remember that with kids come a change in priorities.
Ease of child seat installation, storage for diaper bags
and strollers, gas mileage (you'll understand when your
diaper bill exceeds your gas bill) become more important
than 0-60 times and skidpad Gs.

Kent, who gave up his Fiat X1/9 for a new '86 Taurus wagon