| Ten years ago if you walked into a car | | | | the cottage doesn't count.For most |
| dealership and told a salesperson you | | | | people it's been so long since the Wagon |
| were interested in a station wagon you'd | | | | was popular that they forget why |
| likely get a sympathetic pat on the back | | | | they left it. Wagons offer better |
| and a 10 page report on why wagons have | | | | handling, fuel efficiency and are still |
| gone the way of disco music and moon | | | | able to carry |
| shoes. Ultimately, wagons sales petered | | | | the kids (and their gear) to hockey |
| out as customers lined up in droves to | | | | practice. European manufacturers such as |
| buy mini vans and SUVs. Since the | | | | Audi, |
| introduction of the aforementioned mini | | | | Volvo, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz |
| van, which was introduced in the early | | | | offer wagons. Even BMW has increased |
| 1980's, most families abandoned the | | | | their |
| wagon in hopes of regaining a sense of | | | | wagon line-up with the introduction of |
| coolness that was somehow missing from a | | | | the 530xiT last year. And these |
| 1983 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon | | | | manufacturers know a little something |
| with wood grain side panels.As mini vans | | | | about vehicle dynamics. Sure most |
| grew in popularity they too began to | | | | marketing |
| become less desirable to families | | | | managers cringe at the term wagon, |
| looking for that next big thing. As any | | | | favouring terms like Sport Touring and |
| 12 year old can tell you, once too many | | | | Avant. |
| people start doing the same thing it | | | | Perhaps they've been reading |
| becomes dated and opens the door for | | | | Shakespeare."What's in a name? That |
| something else. Remember The Power | | | | which we call a rose by any other word |
| Rangers, Pokemon, or Pogs? Neither do I. | | | | would smell as |
| In | | | | sweet".Sure, but I like giving a dozen |
| this case the successor to the mini van | | | | roses and I call a car with a rear hatch |
| was the SUV. Throughout the 1990's, | | | | and an |
| SUV's | | | | extended roof line between the c and d |
| grew to new heights of popularity, | | | | pillars, a wagon.But younger audiences |
| filling Wal-Mart parking lots and | | | | have yet to jump onto this bandwagon |
| emptying the | | | | (pun intended). |
| strategic oil reserve at an | | | | Rappers, actors, and sports icons |
| unprecedented rate. Although even more | | | | continue to roll around in Escalades |
| popular than the | | | | wearing 24's. |
| mini van, SUV's have remained the | | | | So perhaps this is just a sideshow to |
| vehicle of choice for North America's | | | | the storied SUV. Then again maybe not. A |
| "with it" | | | | few |
| families for well over a decade.Times | | | | months ago I saw something I thought I |
| are changing. Today, as gas prices reach | | | | would never see. I saw a popular rap |
| new heights more people are | | | | video |
| reconsidering the SUV option in favour | | | | showcasing a black Dodge Magnum, |
| of something more fuel-efficient. | | | | undoubtedly a wagon, driving up and down |
| Manufacturers have done their homework, | | | | the |
| introducing wagons with AWD, | | | | boulevard. Could this singer be a |
| panoramic sunroofs and rear DVD | | | | trailblazer (oddly the name for a SUV |
| players. Just like many SUV's. And if by | | | | from |
| now | | | | Chevrolet)? Let's hope so. Put down |
| you've noticed that most people aren't | | | | that gas pump and get rid of your SUV. |
| interested in the off-road capabilities | | | | You |
| of their | | | | want a wagon, uh sorry, a sport |
| SUV you wouldn't be wrong. As little as | | | | touring. Get with the program. What's |
| 3% of SUV's have actually been taken off | | | | old is new |
| | | | again. |
| road. The gravel driveway leading to | | | | |