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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

You are in the Audi A3 Forum.

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

Messages Page 3 of 5

#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.

#23 of 42 Re: Have you tried [krzyss] by edwardsf

Aug 05, 2006 (3:55 pm)

Replying to: krzyss (Jul 18, 2006 12:47 pm)
Yes, I am a bit confused at this thread, or perhaps just at the odd mix of cars being looked at. The Suburu GT - with a 250 HP turbo - is clearly the Suburu competitor to the A4 2.OT. The regular Suburu 4 cylinder is a nice piece of engineering but is only 168 HP. Further, the suspension of the GT is much tighter than that of the base Suburu. The GT and the A4 - if not loaded up with hi tech toys - are comparably priced (around $33K).
 
I have driven the GT and the A4 and they are both fantastic driving cars. The Audi feels more solid and well, German and its mid range torque is super. The GT is faster and feels lighter and is a bit more nimble but does not quite feel like a luxury car. A big difference is gas mileage. The 2.0T is an amazing engine as it gets 22/31 (better without Quattro) - and as someone mentioned, does not have to be revved so may get even better real world numbers. The Suburu gets awful mileage - 18/25 - which is a real shame. Couldn't they just dial it down to 220 HP and get decent gas mileage? A nitpick on each car. The A4 has a throaty rumble when one accelerates. While many may like it, I prefer a quiet engine. The Suburu does not have a lot of headroom.
 
The only other car that seems comparable is the RAV4 6 cylinder. Unlike all the SUVs discussed, it is nimble, quick and gets good gas mileage. It will not have the sports car feel of the GT and the A4 but it has more space. The RDX, CX-7, MDX and FX series are fast but somewhat lumbering due to their weight and height and girth, have little USABLE space (except the MDX) and all get horrible gas mileage. The MDX and FX are also way pricier.

#24 of 42 Re: Have you tried [edwardsf] by mamadadapaige

Aug 05, 2006 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: edwardsf (Aug 05, 2006 3:55 pm)
hi,
thanks for your response. I ended up buying a car... after test driving TEN different cars, and visiting showrooms to view numerous other cars, which I did not test drive. I have never shopped this hard for a car - I am normally much more sure about what I want and able to make a quick decision. Who knows, maybe I'm having a mid-life crisis...
 
In the end, we chose the Acura MDX. It is bigger than I ideally wanted, but it solved more problems than it created. Because we can tow a 4500 pound boat, we now have the option of getting rid of our BMW X5. We can go skiing with this car without putting a ski rack on the top. We have the third row of seats if we need it. AND we have a car with excellent reliability ratings that I don't think will give us any problems. We picked it up two days ago and so far I very much enjoy it. It has EXCELLENT visibility out the back (much better than the Sienna minivan that was stolen) and it feels very well appointed. On the negative side, it requires premium gas and the MPG is not great. What sealed the deal for us, was the price: we were able to get this car for what we would have had to pay for the RAV4 (had we been able to get the options we wanted).
 
Had I been able to get a RAV4 with the options I wanted, I might have gone this route, however, Toyota isn't making or allowing people to order a Limited V6 with or without leather with a third tow of seats (at least not in New England)... I was led to believe that when optioned out this way, it was too much competition for the Highlander (which they are making very aggressive deals on... I would have considered it if I hadn't driven one for five years - was looking for a change of pace, despite the fact that it was an excellent car).
 
Of all the cars I test drove I liked the way the RAV4 drove the best (with the exception of the SAAB 92X aero, however, this would not have worked out for us, as it was too small to put kids in and out of and also didn't have side airbags - a GREAT car - absolutely loved the way it drove, but too small and not a great family car).
 
Here are the cars I test drove in case anyone is interested to know just how confused I was:
 
Mercedes E320 4Matic wagon
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab pickup
Toyota RAV4 V6 and 4 cylinder
Mazda CX-7
Subaru Legacy GT
Cadillac SRX
Jaguar Xtype Sportwagon
Subaru Tribeca
Saab 92X Aero
Acura MDX
 
I also looked at (and sat in) but didn't test drive the following:
 
Lexus RX350
Infiniti FX35
Subaru Outback
Audi A4 Avant
Audi A3
BMW 3 series wagon
Toyota Highlander
 
It was good to finally make a decision. What made it so difficult is that the two major criteria I had were in opposition to each other (quick zippy fun driving VS. family friendly features and versatility). I also gave quite a bit of weight to a car's reliability... I read through what must have been thousands of posts on these boards of cars that I was interested in. I admit that I became scared off of the german cars (in particular Audi and Mercedes) because of what I read. I opted for a Japanese car for more than a couple of reasons, but one being its reliability...
 
Thanks for all of your help! hopefully I'll hate the RDX when it comes out so that I don't have any buyer's remorse. I also have to bear in mind that if the RDX weren't coming out, I wouldn't have scored such a great deal on the MDX.
 
Case closed!!

#25 of 42 question by krzyss

Aug 07, 2006 (9:40 am)

"with the exception of the SAAB 92X aero, however, this would not have worked out for us, as it was too small to put kids in and out of and also didn't have side airbags - a GREAT car - absolutely loved the way it drove, but too small and not a great family car"
 
You know that SAAB 92x is known as Saabaru as it is Subaru Impreza (Aero is WRX) with Saab front end.
 
As far as I know it has 2 front air bags, 2 seat mounted side airbags and 2 curtains above the windows. So what airbags is it missing?
 
Krzys
 
PS Congratulations on your new purchase.

#26 of 42 Re: question [krzyss] by mamadadapaige

Aug 07, 2006 (11:30 am)

Replying to: krzyss (Aug 07, 2006 9:40 am)
hi,
it doesn't have the side curtain airbags. it does very well in crash tests though. I think if it were big enough it would definitely been on our list. My point about the airbags, though, is that I think this is a safer car for the people in the front seat than those in the back (and that is not to say that those in the bag aren't safe).
 
I noticed on Edmunds that Saab is still offering a $5000 cash incentive on the 92x aero. I would be thrilled if my husband traded in his BMW X5 for the Saab, then I could drive it on the weekends. But we'd better make up our minds soon as there aren't many around anymore. Yes, I suppose, one could go for the Impreza, but I just thought the Saab had a little more panache in the looks department.
Karen

#27 of 42 I agree by krzyss

Aug 07, 2006 (6:10 pm)

Saabaru looks better than original and if transaction price is similar (or SAAB sometimes cheaper) then WRX wagon is second choice.
I was under impresion that Impreza does have side curtain but I might be mistaken, neither first nor last time.
 
Krzys

#28 of 42 Re: Have you tried [mamadadapaige] by edwardsf

Aug 07, 2006 (11:52 pm)

Replying to: mamadadapaige (Aug 05, 2006 6:38 pm)
You: "quick zippy fun driving VS. family friendly features and versatility." Well, we know what won out there!
 
To me, the MDX is one of the safest, versatile, roomy, sophisticated vehicles on the road. Its only weakness are gas mileage and that it is an SUV and therefore, a bigger polluter. I am amazed that you found a $50,000 MSRP car for the same price as a $31,000 MSRP car. Weird but those two car manufacturers DO make money so there was some method to their madness. Enjoy your car but try to leave it home on the commute....

#29 of 42 Re: Have you tried [edwardsf] by mamadadapaige

Aug 08, 2006 (6:50 am)

Replying to: edwardsf (Aug 07, 2006 11:52 pm)
hi, yes, I am quite happy with the MDX. We bought the base model which has an MSRP of $37K and change, but with discounts and dealer incentive cash our starting price (before taxes and fees) was under $31K... truly an amazing deal and a big part of why we went the MDX route.
 
I think you are right, though, they still make money and they really want to move the MDX's, because for every MDX they sell they are allocated half an RDX (the new smaller SUV about to hit the showrooms by Acura).

#30 of 42 I do not agree with your choice by s4audi

Aug 25, 2006 (8:16 am)

You started the thread with "Looking at something big enough for two car seats in the back, but tired of looking like every other soccer mom in a giant SUV. Went the minivan route already... liked all the function but not the form."
... and then you bought an MDX. Don't get me wrong, MDX is a great car and you will probably be happy with it. I was in a similar boat last month. Did not consider large SUVs at all. Choice was down to RAV4, Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback. We bought the Outback finally. It replaces our Dodge Caravan.

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