THOUGH MINI-VANS have all but replaced the station wagon as the family taxi, some people still prefer the car-like ride, handling and traditional look of a station wagon. Greg Wilson There are still many compuct wagons of the market, a few mid-sized station wagons, and a couple of full-sized wagons. One of the most popular mid-sized station wagons is the Mercury Sable and its near twin, the Ford Taurus, Both these front- wheel-drive wagons were redesigned this year with bold, aerody- namic, “cornerless” styling that has drawn mixed reactions from the car-buying public. It will be a mat- ter of time to see if Ford's overly oval look catches on. Styling aside, the Mercury Sable Wagon, this week's test car, is a very practical vehicle — suitable for farnilies and “extended families. The standard Sable Wagon seats six pas- drive sengers and is available with an optional third, rear-facing seat that will carry two children. (This seat folds into the fioor when not in use.) That brings the Sable’s total passen- ger capacity to eight. However, three aduits in the front seat is a tight squeeze, the centre passenger getting in the way of the driver's steer- ing movements. And, with two children in the third rear seat, you can’t carry much luggage. ' But for five people, the Sable Wagon is a very roomy vehicle that can carry plenty of luggage. In fact, the Sable wagon has more.than twice as much cargo room as the Sable sedan, and five times as much cargo room when the split, folding rear seats are folded forwards. Loading carge from the rear is quite easy. The rear hatch- door lifts up from floor level to provide a spacious opening with a low liftover height. Or, the rear window can be opened by itself to throw in tighter abjects, Though the Sable Wagon looks longer than the Sable sedan, it is actually a touch shorter, making the Wagon not as difficuit to park and manoeuvre as it looks. There's also plenty of window giass for outward visibility, even though the stylized curves of the rear side-windows and rear win- dow create some very thick pillars. However, the curvature of the rear side-windows creates some problems for adult passengers getting in and out of the rear seats. You have to duck a little lower than usual to pre- vent bumping your head. Another minus point — there are no rear head resiraints on the base model, and no rear cen- tre-armrest. IPSRRSP TINE So what kind of a car ad is this? You will defer both GST and N ais, Provincial tax on your new vehicle because these taxes are only on your lease payment... not what you buy the cat or truck for! Sables come with a standard 145 horsepower 3.0-litre V6 engine and four-speed automatic transmission. The base V6 engine provides plenty of power, and I don’t see much need for ordering the optional 200 horsepower dual overhead cam 3.0-litre V6. The 145 horsepower V6 is quiet on the highway, and emits a moderate growl under acceleration. Fuel consump- tion is listed as 12.4 litres per 100 kilometers (23 m.p.g.) in the city, and 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres (36 m.p.g.) on the highway, according to Transport Canada. The Sable’s new interior has that trendy oval control panel in the centre of the dash that houses most of the func- tions you need to keep warm and happy. A unique feature is a centre armrest that transforms from a seat cushion for the centre passenger to a combination cupholder, cassette holder, and coinholder. Very handy. On the base GS model, the transmission shifter is on the column so there’s room enough for the centre passenger's legs. The Sable LS has a floor-mounted shift lever and con- sole. Wagons usually cost more than their sedan counternarts, but in the case of the Sable and Taurus Wagons, their base prices are the same as the sedans. The Sable Wagons GS Starts at $22,795. Standard equipment includes the above- mentioned standard powertrain, power steering, dual airbags, AM/FM radio, air-conditioning, power windows, intermittent wipers, air filters in the ventilation system, six-passenger seating, 60/40 split folding rear-seats, and tilt steering wheel. in addition, there’s hidden under-floor storage, rear A GREAT, GREAT CAR 7 An i 25 ( AG! consider these thought ae i f tease is just 1938.02 per month OAC — Total ee paid $12,096.72 — taxes are extra but only on WHO TO CALL: Auto Editor Andrew McCredie 985-2131 (147) TORI MAR ‘ "Photo submhisd THE 1986 Mercury Sable Wagon has new: aerody-. namic styling, standard: six: passenger -seating,.a standard 145. horsepower.'3.0-litve V6. engine. and four-epeed automatic: transmission. -Wagen: prices start at $22,795. Test drive a new Sable Wagon at Totem Lincoln-Mercury, 396 S.W. Marine Dr., Vancouver. defroster, child safety locks, dual mirrors, ‘roof rack, digital clock, and standard P205/65R 15-inch radial tires. ° Interestingly, four wheel disc brakes are standard onthe _ wagon, but are not available on the sedan. ABS is an option. Given its high level of standard equipment, it’s possible to get a well-equipped Sable for well under $25,000. =: Price as tested: $25,663 Wheelbase: 2,756. mm (108.5 in.) ; Base price: $22,595 Type: four-door, six-passen- ger station wagon Layout: transverse front engine/front-wheel-drive Engine: 3.0-litre OHV V6 Horsepower: 145 @ 5,250 p.m. Torque: 170 @ 3,250 r.p.m. Transmission: four-speed automatic 1,603 kg Curb weight: (3,536 Ibs.) Tires: P205/65R-15 / equity) and ‘Length: 5,057 mm (99.1 in.) Width: 1,854 ram (73. 0 in.) Cargo capacity: ‘wisecond seat up — 1,087 litres (38.4 cu. ft.); w/second seat down — 7,553 liters (81.3 cu. ft.) Fuel consumption: City — 12.4 1/100 kin (23 M.B.g)3 °° Hwy — 7.8 1/100 km (36 m.p.g.) bileaiy' i RRSP is this better, There iS more! LL US ROW FOR DETALS! C o67-s2s {out of town cali collect) ‘three: 7