I _REALLY_ like my new Avant, but I must pass on this warning to those who are looking at buying one. Be prepared for some rubbernecking worthy of the most renowned celebrities. Maybe it's a small sample but...three times in two weeks grown men have made fools of themselves trying to get their wives to see my car. "See honey, see? See? That's the car I was telling you about!!!"<p>No valet parking stories, though.<p>td

... and I am an American, so I can say that.<p>The typical response I've gotten can be summed up thusly: "Why did you buy a STATION WAGON?" While I have had a few folks who pay attention to the car market tell me they think my pelican blue Avant QMS is too cool for school, the overall reaction is mild befuddlement. Station wagons (excuse me, "estates") are still suffering from the stigma of the old lead sleds we grew up with and the American fascination with SUVs and minivans. It's as if we Yanks can't reconcile the concepts of utility and performance in a single vehicle.<p>I simply explain to them I've bought one of the world's finest sports sedans in a wagon configuration because A) I wanted the extra cargo space and B) the Avant's gorgeous and fun to drive. Most seem interested in my explanation; others don't get it.<p>Hopefully, Americans will one day see the folly of the ways.<p>Sorry. Had to vent. Hope you're enjoying your Avant as much as I enjoy mine.

I agree! While I do not have an Avant (and in retropect I do have some minor regret about not considering it more), my second car is an Outback wagon (5 sp). The majority of Americans (including 2 of my siblings) are caught up in the SUV craze because they deem wagons as "uncool".<p>In the new C&D test of the Passat wagon they point out that Audi/VW now makes as many wagons as the big 3 combined. I hope VW doesn't follow through on making the Passat Syncho a manual only. And when the A6 manual shows up, I hope one ends up in the A6 Avant too! <p>cj ( I don't want no stinkin Country Squire)

My pearl white Avant QMS with the cool ecru leather& blue piping, draws looks from all:<br>A sample:<br>1) little old english lady at grocery store driving a subaru wagon called it "very handsome" - I thought she was nice<br>2) Valet pulls my Avant to one of finest restaurants in LA, the car in front is a jag XK8, behind is a Merc 420, behind thatcomes a merc ML 320. Girlfiend tells me evryone is looking at my car.. I smile.. someone asks " what kind of car is that". Those are big words in self-absorbed LA.<br>3) A beautiful, blonde with a Pam Andersonesque body moves in, I 'm waxing the machine and this beauty just looks over the avant curiously, overlooking the fact that I am gawking at and concocting a "me and her" nude scene hidden by glazed over eyes.<p>:)

;-)