Ha, definitely looks almost exactly the same as my black Vibe. Mine was a relatively higher end model with sunroof, power windows/locks, alloy wheels, etc. Got it for $2k with a blown engine that I replaced for about $400. Served me well.

Yeah the cargo cover with cargo net is pretty dope.

You do any interior upgrades? Changing to the 06+ radio stack and center console has been one of my favorite items. I just couldn’t stand looking at the bright silver / bubbly looking original setup.

Great car. Saddens me that they never offered the 2.3 in the wagon. The 3.0 is a gas hog and not really all that fast, but there are times I enjoy the power. It’s a beast on the highway with the manual and intake/exhaust items I’ve done. Hits the speed limiter quite easily. Amusingly, around town the MPV feels…

My user icon is a bit misleading. Wagons never got Lapis blue, it’s a wagon-only color named “Squall Blue Pearl.” I wasn’t much of a fan when I first got the car, but I have since come to love it.

Speaking of cargo tricks...

Yeah the Vibe was incredibly practical. The fold-flat front passenger seat along with the tailgate glass that opened up was a great combo.

Yeah, it’s essentially the only new equivalent to my 2004 Mazda 6 wagon but when I checked it out at the auto show a couple years ago it just felt a tad too small. Reminded me of my friend’s 2003 Audi A4 wagon which is very cramped in back. My 6wagon feels like a limo in the back seat by comparison and it’s not a big…

My wife and I each had a 2003 Vibe at one point, great car. I’d take this sort of profile over the modern versions any day. I suppose the only way to get something like that is with a RAV4 or similar small SUV.

Glad to share. Made them for my own “wtf is with hatchbacks these days?” investigations.

VW is an exception to the norm, sadly. I guess everyone sees vertical cargo space as a bad thing that you would associate with a wagon, not some cool/youthful hatchback. Boo.

Can’t wait for the refresh.

Ha. Amusingly my kids are into those things, or some new version of them. 

Well there must be a few out there that avoid the issue, but it’s still a common problem. How was the Focus trans misused, neutral-drops? My good friend bought a 2015 Focus new that was shuddering by 20k and he’s the most gentle driver I know.

Such a terrible flaw in an otherwise decent car. A good friend of mine has a ~2015 SE hatch, he bought it new after a string of 3 decent but somewhat troublesome used cars. I think it waited until about 20k to start shuddering and it was pretty bad when I last rode in it around 38k. Guy drives it easy, has a mostly…

There’s more roof cutting to do, but the Benzito approves.

My grandkids will thank me for sure.

Fun fact: 12,000 is also the number of miles you can go with a Focus DCT before it starts shuddering.

Yeah, I can see the functional argument there. It’s a good looking vehicle overall, I just get a kick out of the “floating D-pillar for everything” trend.

Ha. I just meant “square it up rather than imitating a jelly bean.” I’m clearly no auto designer but I do love me some wagons.