Thinking of a '05 wagon

[chris4479]

Oops about the wheelbase,but mine handles as well as an old Audi I once owned.I've read they stopped importing,the regular Volvo wagons on the USA.the"v"family.the Chevy hhr,had a cargo version.VW no longer.builds a Jetta or Passat wagons,sorta sad to wagon nuts.acura has the l-series.its a good looking car,but a four cylinder only
we got a lot of Kia souls bombing around Boston,anybody? Compared to the Nissan cube it's somewhat? Sporty.they first launched them,stripped were low? 17,000.cheers,folks Chris

[whynotthinkwhynot]

We've had more than a few clutches go further. If your owners were responsible, then it should be ok. I have 150k on my factory clutch, and it still passes the 1st to 4th test.

The bad thing about the clutch is that it is very expensive in this car because it has what is called a dual mass flywheel. These must be replaced when the clutch is replaced- adding $330 to the cost of parts: flywheel and new bolts. If you don't use new bolts, the old bolts might break or back out because those are designed to stretch to fit.

About the cheapest clutch kit I know of is CFM's (one of our vendors) OEM replacement clutch with single mass steel flywheel. I'd call them to check about what flywheel comes with the kit, but if I'm not mistaken it's a steel SMF. That runs about $500, but includes everything- including a new slave cylinder that is strongly recommended.

You might notice a knocking sound with the trans in N, and the clutch pedal released. This is not a problem. The throwout bearing is metal, the slave cylinder is plastic, and the two are glued together. Over time, the glue comes apart, and the throwout bearing will rattle between the pressure plate and the slave cylinder. It doesn't hurt anything, but it makes a noise. It is not a sign of the clutch going out.

To save yourself some fretting, use the 1st to 4th test when you test drive the car. If it passes, then it's very likely that the clutch will last another 20k miles at least giving you plenty of time to save for parts and find a shop that will allow you to purchase your own parts for install. Unless you're crazy like me- I don't trust any shop to replace flywheel bolts, even if I give them to them. I live in Memphis though, and you live in Mass. where the people might be more reliant on a good name for business.

[GoldenDog]

Thank you again for your responses, I bought it and got it home, now off to the registry.

It has indeed been very well maintained. I have all the records and even the original window sticker. Clutch seems good to me, all highway miles. The only thing that is a bit annoying is some vibration. I know from searching here it could use a passenger side OEM motor mount.

Drives nice, handles well, and has plenty of power. No nasty noises or clunks, the fuel injectors tick a bit but that's normal.

Lots of info here, I have used the search feature many times, thanks!

Will get some pics up to the wagon owners thread when I get some.

[markwb]

Congratz on your wagon purchase. I believe you are going to love the wagon. Best of luck with it.

[chris4479]

Yes Golden Dog, glad you're happy. In 2008 one salesperson said they were "stupid" for dropping the wagon 3 door & 5 door. Going back to the escort & Pinto. Ford was the Wagonmaster, invented the 2 way tailgate,,could be wrong but GM was close too. cheers, chris//

[gondorian]

Update?

[GoldenDog]

I have had no problems with it. So far all I have done to it are the center armrest delete, new wipers, and cleaned the battery terminals. I look forward to replacing the mounts and a tune up etc once it gets warm out. The arthritis in my hands is a pain working outside this time of year.

[swagfocuswagon]

I got a 00 Wagon in black. Its a pretty decent car, mine lacks power due to some engine problems im working out. But they get decent MPG's and are pretty easy to service. I have the 4 speed auto. Kinda hate it but it does its job. Can haul alot of stuff too.

[CaptainChaos!]

Wagons rock no matter what. 152K isn't terrible on a clutch if the car wasn't abused. My old '95 Camry had 170K on the original clutch when I sold it and it was still tight. Nice acquisition.