X – It was a sedate experience for me, but obviously, from the constant reference to station wagons and “Woodys” in the play, and the loud obnoxious laughs from the audience, including you and Aunt Jane, I guess it was retro funny. I was the youngest person there by 30 years and embarrassed.

Boomer – So what? Someday maybe you will see a play called “The Madonna Years” and you and your friends will laugh, too. You have no idea how big of a deal the 1957 Chevy Nomad station wagon was, and the price of the Nomad was considered a big deal, too, at $2,757. It was priced even higher than the Bel Air Convertible.

X – Oh, I know that one. They named a TV show after that, “The Fresh Prince of Bel‑Air.”

Boomer – What? The station wagon, I’ve been told, was originally called a “depot hack.” They worked primarily around train depots as hacks, or taxicabs. The modified back ends were enlarged to carry bigger loads of luggage because everyone traveled by train back in the 30s.

X – Do we need to go down memory lane? Let’s talk about the wagon of the 21st century, the 2006 Mazda A6 Sport Wagon, not to be confused with a station wagon. The Mazda is considered a mid‑size sporty  wagon and it goes for a little more than the Bel Air, starting at $24,670 and up to the price of our test‑drive vehicle of  $27,580. This wagon was not designed to pick up gramps at the train station.

Boomer – That’s true. Mazda has always been known as a racing brand, “zoom‑zoom” and all that good stuff. The Mazda A6 Sport Wagon is considered a five‑door hatchback with as much performance as any yuppie couple going from dual income to “and baby makes three” would want. After all, 3.0 liters and 220 horsepower can get you from here to the diaper aisle pretty quick.

X – I think the Sport Wagon was pretty cool even if the baby wasn’t part of the deal. The Mazda 6 Sport Wagon we drove had the five speed manual gear box so it was easy for me to beat every minivan on their way to soccer practice. Just kidding.

Boomer – I know what you mean Melanie, it had the look of a wagon but not the feel or performance of one. It gets 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway; and features a Bose audio system with 200 watts pumping through 7 speakers from an in‑dash 6‑disc CD changer with speed sensitive volume. That’s for when the baby is screaming in the backseat, the radio automatically increases in volume to prevail over the babies cry.

X – Really? Are you kidding?

Boomer – Of course I am, but isn’t that a great idea?

X – How about the volume goes higher when your mother is talking and singing songs from the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans show?

Boomer – Ha! Ha! Let’s not forget the bucket seats, steering wheel mounted controls for audio and cruise control and the pollen filter in the air conditioning. That’s good with small children in the wagon. It comes with remote tailgate release; fuel door release and door lock/unlock panic buttons. 

X – It also comes with alloy wheels, moon roof, heated leather seats, fog lights and rear wiper with washer. It was actually more fun to drive than most family cars including an SUV or minivan. There was so much storage in the wagon; a family could live in it for a few days. Maybe not the Brady Bunch but surely–

Boomer – The Nelsons from “The Ozzie and Harriet Show.” I had such a crush on Ricky Nelson.

X – Ricky Ricardo you mean? Oh no, from the look on your face you had a crush on a guy named Ricky Nelson. Please don’t tell me the Nelson twins dad!

Boomer – Wait a minute, Ricky Nelson freaks you out, but your crush on Doogie Howser, MD, was OK?  You wanted to be a nurse for a whole season that first year on TV.

X – Truce, please? No matter who or what we liked, the Mazda A6 Sport Wagon is about today’s family and needs. The SUVs are burning too much fuel and are sometimes a struggle to get in and out of. The minivan has a section of the soccer mom market and the sedan for a family isn’t always practical. If someone wanted good looks, performance, convenience and the “zoom zoom” reputation of a well‑made vehicle, it’s the Mazda wagon.

Boomer – And you Melanie, when you meet a guy–soon I hope; fall in love–soon I hope; get married– soon I hope; and have children to make me a grandmother, will you choose a Mazda wagon for your first family vehicle?

X – Sure Mom, when the increase in stereo volume over your voice becomes a standard feature!