AWD wagon Daily Driver

[CTX-SLPR]

Howdy,

Does anyone have any long term wheel and seat time in a Volkswagen, Audi, or Subaru Wagons? I'm trying to decide if I want to spend the money on the nicer and more powerful Audi A6 or Volkswagen Passat over the cheaper Subaru Outback. I was all set on the Outback till a friend of mine told me his Legacy wagon, same thing without the "offroad" suspension, feels noticably different in accelleration between empty and full tanks of gas. While I know adding 75lbs to a car is some significant weight, I can't really feel the difference at all in my supercharged Regal.
On a side note, how confortable is the smaller Audi A4 wagon? Seems like it would be a bit small for me at 6'2" and for anyone trying to sit behind me.

Thanks,

 

[FBSideoiler427]

I have a 2002 Passat W8 4-Motion. I'm 6'1". Its a little tight, but the fun factor more than makes up for it. I drive it all year. The winters in Chicago are, well you know.............It cuts through snow effortlessly. Short of a 9" rear end, I haul just about anything (without the wife knowing it). It has all the amenities one could ask for. For me the suspension needs help as I try 70-80 mph blasts on the cloverleafs. HTH.

 

[The Blob]

I have a 2001 Outback. 71K miles and the only problem so far is the alternater went out at about 60K. Other than that, nothing.

The only other expense has been one new battery and I just had the original brakes replaced about a month ago... and the car sees considerable city driving!

It is not a fast car... far from it. But it's not so slow as to be annoying either. Of course, you can now buy a turbo Outback which should take care of any performance problems.

The Subaru AWD system is excellent. It is a blast to drive in the snow. I drove through your area the day after the blizzard last December and the car was rock steady and pulled through anything I asked it to. In the early morning, before there was any traffic, it was some of the most fun I've had on a public road.

In short, I like my Outback and would definitely buy another.

 

[mweber]

The A4 and the Passat should be the same size, unless they separated the platforms in the last few years. We had a 1999 Passat Wagon (B5 Platform) before and it was comfortable for me at 6'2". Traded it in on the 02 S4 Sedan. The A4 and Passat wagons are longer than the sedans so there is a little more leg room in the back. The Subarus are nice but the even after 4 years of driving the Audi is still as tight as the day we bought it, no creaks, noises, etc.

Mike

 

[CTX-SLPR]

I'm having to stick to used cars, my budget can't swallow much more than an $18k loan right now, especially with the project I'm working on. That's limiting me to 2001-2002 on the Audis and VWs and 2001-2004 on the Scooby. The Scooby is scoring major points with it being cheaper (therefore lower miles for the same price), offering a stick, and running on 87octane. However its down side is much less power than everything but the 1.8T A4 and Passat, which I've heard to stay away from anyway.

Just some clarification,

 

[tjthorson]

I love my Subaru - I wish I could continue the payments. Business is NOT good, and I need to get the payments off the books. I have a rally blue 2004 WRX wagon with the 5 speed. Just turned 24,000 miles and the payoff is somewhere around 19K. Sounds like it might fit your bill. Only "mods" are a short shifter, intake silencer delete, and an A pillar pod with boost gauge and unhooked air/fuel gauge. Its a peppy good daily driver - not a turbo buick, but plenty for around here. It averages about 22mpg.

Let me know - I hate to part with it, but it has to go...

 

[Pronto]

My wife has a 03 Legacy GT. It handels very well. It has the n/a 4 (automatic) and in my opionion (and her's) it's a little low on power especially with the air on and load in the back. Other than that it's great. No problems in the snow or rain. Only other issue that bothers me once in a while is the roof rack makes some wind noise sometimes. I

 

[UNGN]

Now that GM has unloaded Subaru, the WRX in Saab clothing 9-2's ought to be even cheaper than they were during GM employee pricing, which was dirt cheap.

You may be able to get a new one in your price range. Check your Saab dealer.

 

[BuickMike]

I bought a Saab 92X Aero in July during the GM Employee discount days. Basically a WRX Wagon fully loaded with leather for only $21.5K new. So far I really like it. After reading up on the internet about all the VW complaints I decided to stay away from a Jetta or Passat. Scooby's have had a great track record for the last few years.

I purchased the car mainly for the hatch back and the reliability factor. The only downsides are that the interior is not as nice as an Audi, the turbo lag is bad if temps go above 100 F, and passenger room is a bit cramped. Other than that, it's a reliable mid 14 second 4 banger wagon that handles great. Gas mileage in the city is just under 25 in the winter, 20 when it gets hot and the AC is blowing.

 

[CTX-SLPR]

If I can afford a turbo, its an older one since $18k is the max I'll spend. Despite having a supercharger my Regal has never been the strip and its only 'mods' have been stock replacement upgrade parts like filter, coupler, brake rotors. I'm really looking for something I can put my car stuff into, short of a whole rearend, haul 3-4 friends in and costs me about as much or less in gas prices. I guess I do need to add that I want a car where I'm not concerned about the car getting out of its own way, which is the major problem I've heard with the 2.5 NA Scoobys, just too much car for that little engine. I've also heard simular things about the power of the 1.8T and also its wretched reliability. I'm eyeballing 2.8 and 3.0 V6s and theres a W8 nearby within my reach, barely. Sizewise, I'm not so sure an A4 is big enough but I'll probably test drive one on Friday to see sizing and a Passat if I can find one nearby. Maybe I'm being too picky since I don't "need" a newer car yet, but boy would I sure like one.

Thanks,

 

[tjthorson]

If I can afford a turbo, its an older one since $18k is the max I'll spend. Despite having a supercharger my Regal has never been the strip and its only 'mods' have been stock replacement upgrade parts like filter, coupler, brake rotors. I'm really looking for something I can put my car stuff into, short of a whole rearend, haul 3-4 friends in and costs me about as much or less in gas prices. I guess I do need to add that I want a car where I'm not concerned about the car getting out of its own way, which is the major problem I've heard with the 2.5 NA Scoobys, just too much car for that little engine. I've also heard simular things about the power of the 1.8T and also its wretched reliability. I'm eyeballing 2.8 and 3.0 V6s and theres a W8 nearby within my reach, barely. Sizewise, I'm not so sure an A4 is big enough but I'll probably test drive one on Friday to see sizing and a Passat if I can find one nearby. Maybe I'm being too picky since I don't "need" a newer car yet, but boy would I sure like one.

Thanks,

OK - I think this will work if you are interested. I posted here and PMd you - let me know.