00RS

My mom will be buying one of these cars in the near future. Being a Subaru guy I am biased, so I'm asking here. What advantages does the A4 over a Legacy GT? The car will be used to commute ~60mi a day and will be taken on long trips. It will be an auto, a sedan, AWD, no leather, and not modified or very lightly so. Which would be the better engine the V6 or the 1.8T? Does the V6 require premium gas? Straight line performance isn't really all that important. The main things she is looking for are reliablilty (most important), cost of maintaince, handling, and room for a Great Dane in the back seat. The Legacy GT has a 165hp H4, gets ~22mpg.

Thanks,
JC

Mach V Dan

Legacy: Solid chassis, nice handling, decent rear seat room, humdrum interior. Not too quiet. I think the new one is kind of homely; I don't like the tall headlights. I like the previous generation's front end better. Motor not enough power for the weight; you have to rev it like crazy to make the car go, and then it sounds all thrashy. That's me; my wife LOVES this car and says we'll never sell it.

A4: Solid chassis, great handling, cramped rear seat room, beautiful interior (it's really in a different class than the Subie's). Quiet. 1.8t is also not enough power for the weight...until you chip it! The V6 is decent power and silent. And...I think the 96-00 A4 is one of most beautiful sedans I've ever seen.

If it's gonna carry a Great Dane, I'd consider the wagon version of either car!

--Dan<ul><li><a href="http://www.machvw.com">Mach V Motorsports</a></li></ul>

jprice@CPS

I was set on the Subaru Legacy GT (sedan) until I test drove the A4.

The Legacy will be:
1: More reliable (yes, it's true, sorry folks)
2: Less expensive to maintain/repair (after 3 years at least)
3: MORE room in back seat.
4: No premium gas necessary

The Audi will be:
1: More fun to drive!
2: A car you can fall in love with
3: Faster, more nimble
4: Better interior materials/design
5: Better exterior looks
6: Better AWD system
7: Safer! (Especially with ESP option)
8: More fun to drive! (see #1)

I chose the Audi over the Subaru because I REALLY enjoy driving, and it begs to be driven and purrs for you when you drive it. The Subaru is more utilitarian, but more reliable. I have a friend who just bought a new Subaru Legacy L sedan, and he likes it just fine. Compare that with people who own A4s. They LOVE their cars. It's a different personality type that buy the two cars, IMO... Which one is your mom?

jprice@CPS

Forgot to mention.. If a dog's involved, I agree with Mach, go WAGON/AVANT

00RS

Thanks. Wagon's are wayyy too small in the back.

jprice@CPS

Then how is the back seat going to be big enough???

skabaru

I moved from a 95, and my family has (or has owned) a 95 LS (wagon), 96 LS (sedan), 2 97 GT's (1 wagon, 1 sedan), and a 2000 GT (wagon)...

The a4 is faster smoother nicer interior.. but like others said more $$$ to buy AND maintian over time... the subie will run forever without issues.

If she loves driving, get the A4. If she only sorta likes driving and likes to save money, get the legacy GT wagon. Or even a non GT. It is a very competent car, but not a sports sedan like the A4. It is bigger and a nice car no doubt.

I always say, you can tell the audi has expensive older european siblings while the subie is a nice normal guy.

I have a 95 with 110K miles in my driveway if she wants to buy that! heehee