Q:
My wife has just decided she wants a station wagon (not an SUV) for our next vehicle, because of what she remembers (from the ’60s) to be significant cargo space and lower, road-hugging ride, as we do a lot of longdistance trips. We have become committed in recent years to luxury models because of the comfort, reliability and extra features. This station wagon business is a complete departure for us, and I’m unfamiliar with what is out there. I don’t recall seeing any on the highways in recent years. Do any high-end carmakers still make station wagons?
A:
Sure. They’re out there. Cadillac,
Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo and BMW all have wagons in their 2014 lineups, as has Acura (which some people regard as a luxury brand and some do not).
Wagons are not a large proportion of any of the annual sales of any of these carmakers (BMW, for examples, sells fewer than 15,000 wagons per year). So you might find, when you go to sales lots, that there’s not exactly a profusion of wagons around (and at some dealerships in some regions there may be not a single wagon on the day you visit). But the salesman will work with you to ensure you can get a test drive and, if you wish to execute a sale, the vehicle that meets your color and other specifications.
A reader urges caution: I heard from a regular reader who asked me to pass this along. “I was rear-ended (just a fender bender) recently. When we exchanged information the driver said it would be simpler to take a photo of my license with his phone than to write all those details down. I complied. Later, I was telling my son, a police officer, about it and he had a fit that I’d let them take an exact image of my license, saying making duplicate copies and selling them is big scam business. You should tell your readers.”
Consider it done. The more information you give a person, the greater the chances of identity theft, scammed IDs and other nefarious stuff. So give what’s required in your state. Never are you required to provide your social security number or a photo of your license.
© CTW Features
What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email [email protected].