ok. I am in a bit of a quandary... I like my HHR but I don't "love" it. the one thing that I think it really needs is about another 18-24" of cargo space.

SO I have been looking at wagons. problem is, only full size wagons pickup trucks or SUVs fit my desire for the extra cargo space

So no American company makes full size wagons, no Asian company does either, so I'm stuck with European and while I'm sure they are the ultimate driving machine, they are also ultimately expensive...unless....i go custom..

hence the title..I know a company did a limo

so the other issue is that my daughter turns 16 in a couple years my plan was to giver her my HHR and I would purchase another vehicle to fit my needs or make a frankenstein...

my thoughts woudl be to leave the current rear door passenger area the way it is and add an extra cargo area... IE cut behind the door and add in an extra non moving window... or should I just suck it up and buy a bimmer, audi or volvo if I really want a wagon...or go classic like a nomad...

any idea on cost to do a custom job like this...i think I'd have to go with the SS HHR for the extra "umph"

Unfortunately I cannot post images... of my photochop...

 

Anything is possible as they say, but how much is affordable. A competent limo/professional car building company like Spitler's, S&S Hess-Eisenhardt, or a few others out there could stretch an HHR. But you are going to be talking cubic dollars to create something that's a "one off" with all the attendant problems associated with something like it.

Rather than spending thousands to gain more cargo room, look at a larger SUV or even though I hate to use the word....a minivan.

 

Had a minivan, it was great, but it was too big. SUV's have real crappy mileage. and still nothing I see that I like. I don't need to be high off the ground.. that why I love the wagon. its a sedan, just with more space...Its a shame since europe gets all the cool cars...

I was looking at the new Prius V. and its got the same amount of cargo space as the HHR and I love the honda accord cross tour. but its shorter...

the ford transit woudl work well. but its got a body only a mother could love.

I've been thinking about a small pickup truck with a cap or bed cover. and I aslo looked into the chevy SSR. but its got less space than the HHR.

 

Ford, Flex is a wagon ?

 

yeah its kind of a wagon, but still looks too much like an SUV....a

I did add photochops to my gallery...

I need a minimum of 6' behind the front seats...

 

6' behind the seats ?? That is a hearse. Check with Cadillac.

 

Yeah I know... one of my hobbies is R/C sailing. and one of my boats the hull is 5 feet long, and the mast/sails are 6 feet long. so currently in the HHR when I take the big boat I can't take any passengers as I need to flip the front passenger seat down, and by the time I add my gear, the HHR becomes a one person car.

I guess I could find a nice old el camino or ranchero...

 

I didn't want to sound morbid, but if you really want an American built "station wagon" with tons of cargo room and style, look for a used funeral coach. More commonly known as a hearse, I've owned two over the years, both Chevrolets.

Once you get over the "ewww" factor with family and friends, they are dang handy and built like tanks.

 

if you decide to get a Euro wagon, might i suggest looking for a little bit older Volvo V70R. not sure on their dimensions inside (such as your desire for 6'), but it is a great looking wagon, and the second gen (2000-2007) R trim is AWD with 2.5L Turbo I5 making 300hp/295tq. I used to be a valet driver before enlisting in the AF, and there was a black one that came in all the time. it is one vehicle i would be willing to trade my SS for, and i am quite partial to my SS, not much i would give it up for.

or, an Audi A6/S6 Avant wouldn't cost too much to get a hold of either, and the C5 chassis (1997-2004) is pretty easy to find. A S6 would be packing 335hp/310tq from a 4.2L V8, while the A6 numbers are less spectacular, available in I4 and V6 packages FWD or AWD, and still good and ready to mod if you want more later.

 

I guess I'm going to have to give up on the dream of a modern American full size wagon...
they went away with the caprice and roadmaster back in 96... and the dodge magnum...

I do miss the umph of my 94 impala SS but I don't miss the fuel bills...

my bro-in-law has a volvo. not bad looking wagon either...