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Audi A4 Avant vs. Audi A3 vs. Subaru Outback

42 messages,  Last post on Feb 09, 2008 at 10:55 PM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Audi A3, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 5

#13 of 42 Re: AWD car needed: Audi A4 Avant vs. Audi A3 vs. Subaru Outback [mamadadapaige] by ccd1

Jul 13, 2006 (10:09 am)

Replying to: mamadadapaige (Jul 11, 2006 6:26 am)
After reading this thread, I'm not sure what you are looking for or what is most important to you. The A3 is more of a sports car than either the BMW, or MB, IMHO. If AWD is really important to you, the Subaru (or Maxda, see below) is probably the way to go for a new car.
 
However, I lived for years in the Boston area and I probably engaged the 4WD on my truck a half dozen times each year; in snow country, they know how to get the roads cleared quickly. In fact, I always noticed that most of the cars stranded on the side of the road on snowy days were always SUVs, no doubt driven by drivers who thought 4WD was a substitute for common sense (ie, you don't try to drive the speed limit in the middle of a snow storm, no matter what kind of vehicle you have). The 2.0 A3 is a hoot to drive and can easily be had under $30k.
 
A couple of other vehicles worth a look might be the Mazda CX-7 which is a very nice package for the price and the Infinity FX35. Both are available with AWD. And you could check on some used Audi A4s or A6s as well. Depreciation tends to be high with most Audis so you might be pleasantly surprised at what you could afford.
 
Good luck.

#14 of 42 Re: AWD car needed: Audi A4 Avant vs. Audi A3 vs. Subaru Outback [mamadadapaige] by ccd1

Jul 13, 2006 (10:13 am)

Replying to: mamadadapaige (Jul 11, 2006 6:26 am)
Another car I forgot to mention is the Toyota RAV4. You can get that car with AWD and a V6. Won't handle like the A3, but it will be quick. The Sport RAV4 will handle the best. This car also gets pretty good gas mileage unlike the CX-7.

#15 of 42 Re: AWD car needed: Audi A4 Avant vs. Audi A3 vs. Subaru Outback [ccd1] by mamadadapaige

Jul 13, 2006 (11:48 am)

Replying to: ccd1 (Jul 13, 2006 10:13 am)
hi ccd1,
thanks for the advice.... funny you say that you are not sure what is most important to me, because neither am I.
 
I drove a Toyota Highlander for 5 years, loved it! - loved the car like feeling to it. We bought a BMW X5 - I hate it. It takes quite a lot of strength just to open the door. Forget about trying to back out of the driveway one handed - it takes two hands to turn the steering wheel. The way it drives is very heavy (my husband loves it though - he thinks it is a driving machine, particularly on the highway). We traded the Highlander for a Sienna after I had my second child. I thought I needed more space, and it was nice having all of those bells and whistles, but I live in a small town and getting the minivan in and out of parking spots and in and out of my parking spot (which really isn't big enough for the minivan which was 200" long) proved tricky.
 
Since the car got stolen we have this little tincan rental, a Chevy Aveo... driving this around after driving the minivan has been SO freeing... I love the quick zippiness of it and the turning radius is truly AMAZING!!!
 
So, I like the way it drives, but from a practical standpoint, I want something safe, and bigger to accomodate the kids, but not anything nearing the size of the minivan. I need the AWD mostly to get out of my driveway in the winter. It is gravel and steep, and our former non-AWD cars could never make it up the driveway because it gets slicked over with sheer ice in the winter.
 
Here is a list of the cars I am currently considering (with their length in inches next to the name), not counting the ones you mentioned above which I will look into (I am incredibly open minded about what to get and truly appreciate any thoughts you can pass on). I seem to be adding/deleting cars from my list daily... it is an ongoing thought process of balancing my desire to zip around town, with the reality of my life as a stay at home mom toting around kids and gear.
 
Toyota Highlander 184.6
Acura MDX 188.7
Lexus RX 330 186.2
Mercedes E320 wagon 190.9
Subaru Outback wagon 188.7
Audi A4 Avant 180.5
 
by the way, I have been told while shopping, that the Highlander and MDX are undergoing a remodel for 2007 which will feature that rounded (space age) look such as the Subaru Tribeca, Audi Q7.... not sure how keen I am on this look. Wondering if the last model year of the older style will hold its value better in terms of trade in/resale down the road. The Infiniti FX35 has that rounded look as well, but for some reason is more appealing to me.

#16 of 42 Re: AWD car needed: Audi A4 Avant vs. Audi A3 vs. Subaru Outback [mamadadapaige] by mamadadapaige

Jul 13, 2006 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: mamadadapaige (Jul 13, 2006 11:48 am)
oh one more thought.... mostly about the looks of the cars (inside and out).
 
I loved the look of the Lexus RX330... really nice finishes in the car and very plush. My husband thinks it is silly to pay extra for this. He thinks it is a dressed up Toyota Highlander. I, on the other hand, enjoy the dress that said Lexus is wearing...
 
I also thought the MDX seemed a little nicer inside than the Highlander and there are more standard features included.
 
We'd be buying a used Mercedes, Lexus, and Audi, but could do new in the Subaru, Highlander, and new or used for the MDX. Not sure how to weight this in my decision making as with the previously owned certified vehicles, someone else took the big depreciation hit and you (in some cases) get the extra long warranty which carries you beyond the period you would get if you bought the same car new.
 
On the other hand, there's nothing like a new car!!

#17 of 42 Re: AWD car needed: Audi A4 Avant vs. Audi A3 vs. Subaru Outback [mamadadap by ccd1

Jul 14, 2006 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: mamadadapaige (Jul 13, 2006 11:48 am)
My only general comment is that most people, including yours truly, buy much more SUV than they really need or will ever use. We are beginning the process of shopping ourselves. The current vehicles is a Toyota 4Runner. Great car, drives well for a car and is built like a tank. But we have no kids (at least of the 2-legged variety), live in the DC area and never go off-road. Our top candidates are the Audi 3, the new Audi TT, and the RAV4. I'm seriously thinking of waiting for the introduction of a diesel powered TT as we rarely use the back seat.
 
Now, as for your list:
 
1)Highlander is a minivan masquerading as a SUV-never like the car.
 
2) Lexus 330: just a more expensive version of the Highlander
 
3) MDX is a good car, but the seats are not comfortable for long trips. The leather seats are very hard. The biggest knock on the MDX is the Honda Pilot which is essentially the same car for MUCH less money. IMHO, the Pilot is the best large car like SUV for the money. I like this car alot!
 
4) The redesigned RAV4 is pretty big and deserves to be on your list. The V6 is very powerful and available in AWD. Gets decent gas mileage and takes Regular gas!
 
5) A4 is a good car and we would be looking at it if we needed that much space. Wife likes the A4 sedan. Definitely worth a look. The Audi takes Premium gas, but the 2.0T is generally regarded as a great engine and you get pretty good gas mileage.
 
6) No opinion on the MB other than that you could probably do better for the money. IMHO, value and MB tend to be mutually exclusive.
 
7) Subaru offers less luxury than the rest of your list and probably isn't quite as refined. But good car for the money.
 
Just my opinion, hope this helps

#18 of 42 Re: AWD car needed: Audi A4 Avant vs. Audi A3 vs. Subaru Outback [mamadadap [ccd1] by mamadadapaige

Jul 16, 2006 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: ccd1 (Jul 14, 2006 12:10 pm)
hi ccd1,
here is where i stand currently...
 
test drove the RAV4 today: I love it!!! first we tried the 4 cylinder -not very powerful, so we tried the V6 Sport - it was an entirely different experience. The turning radius is fabulous. It felt "zippy" which is what I am after. I definitely think there is enough cargo space.
 
At this point, I am between the Acura MDX and the RAV4... the MDX is closer to what I am used to and also more money. The RAV4 would make me feel younger (which is never a bad thing). I intend to look into the 3rd row seating option on the RAV4 which I understand is tiny, but my kids are little and I think it would be useful to have so it might work...
 
thanks so much for suggesting the RAV4 - it really does have everything I am looking for. It reminds me of the Audi A3 but at a fraction of the cost and also more practical.

#19 of 42 driving myself crazy..... Just added another car to my list by mamadadapaige

Jul 16, 2006 (7:05 pm)

now I am also considering the Acura RDX. Seems to fall somewhere between the MDX and RAV4 - sportier than the MDX, but more luxurious than the RAV4. Could be just the right balance for me...
 
the only problem is I hate paying full retail. I love the idea of getting a last day of the month / year end model type of deal - that's what we usually do. I doubt they'll give away the RDX's.

#20 of 42 Re: driving myself crazy..... Just added another car to my list [mamadadapaige] by ccd1

Jul 17, 2006 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: mamadadapaige (Jul 16, 2006 7:05 pm)
Two points:
 
1) The Pilot is much more pedestrian looking than the MDX, but they are essentially the same car. The Pilot is much less money.
 
2) The only problem with the RDX, from what I have read, is that the Mazda CX-7 is pretty comparable, but costs much less. Hate to add another car to your list, but the CX-7 deserves your consideration if you are thinking about the RDX.
 
Just have to decide what is important to you

#21 of 42 Have you tried by krzyss

Jul 18, 2006 (12:47 pm)

Subaru Outback XT or Legacy GT Wagon?
Try, you might like them.
 
Krzys
 
PS Ice covered steep driveway needs winter or witer ice tires, AWD helps but may not be enough.

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