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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 5 of 5

#37 of 42 Re: I own both [wcc1968] by gtscharg

Oct 08, 2007 (2:19 pm)

Replying to: wcc1968 (Jun 20, 2007 8:21 pm)
I work around cars, but not for the dealers. I also love the Audi, cool cars, great style, AWD necessary where I live & play..but talking to owners and repairers, big $$ to maintain. Every time something breaks (and it does), at least $1,000 repair bill. Good car to get if you plan to dump after 36K and don't mind spending your time taking it to dealer (even for warranty repairs), getting alternate transportation, etc. The used Audi is probably back on the lot because the owner got tired of the "issues" and traded on another for better luck of the draw. I bought the 08 Outback XT Limited (only trim now) with AT Sportshift, has 3-mode throttle map, very cool. It's a great car, the turbo doesn't lag, feels more like a V6 than a turbo (very transparent). Having owned another Subaru (00 OB auto), the only things that will usually go wrong are..tires, brakes (eventually). Change oil religiously every 3K with SF synthetic to keep from sludging and coking the turbo. If you have an M3 you probably already over-maintain your engine to keep it nice. I see the Audi as the exotic Porsche like AWD. The Subaru is the Toyota/Honda like AWD. If image is everything, buy the Audi. If you want to drive, enjoy (it's a kick to drive) and spend money on other things, buy the Subaru. BTW, getting 24MPG mostly rural/mountain driving on the XT. The Audi might get a little better with the 2.0T due to lower displacement. The 3.2 V6 would probably do the same or worse than the Subaru. We considered the Audi A3, but need AWD, so the 3.2 S-line is the only one, which runs $37K plus has lower ground clearance than the OB. The XT ran us about $32K loaded with all but NAV. The auto is about a $1K option. I would have been fine but wife drives most of the time and she hates the stick.

#38 of 42 Chains by kurtamaxxxguy

Dec 04, 2007 (10:14 pm)

of Audi A4 Avant vs. Audi A3 vs. Subaru Outback:
 
1. which can wear chains without destroying itself (I hear Subaru warns people not to use chains on theirs)
 
2. which does well in snow with its original tires?
 
reason is I may need to do driving through mountain passes from Oregon through Washington, or down through several passes in S. Calif., during the winter. My current Malibu maxx is pretty bad wrt traction control and cannot use chains.

#39 of 42 Re: I own both [gtscharg] by fendertweed

Dec 05, 2007 (10:36 am)

Replying to: gtscharg (Oct 08, 2007 2:19 pm)
exactly true... I have driven Audis for the past 10+ yrs. and IMO they are the best cars on the road when they work right, but unfortunately, they are not particularly reliable, and they are horrendously expensive to maintain and repair.
 
I am about to unload my beloved '01 A6 Avant with less than 90k miles, meticulously maintained, because of catastrophic engine failure --- inexcusable in a car of this quality and mileage and maintenance history.
 
I love Audis but I'm done owning them out of warranty.

#40 of 42 Re: Chains [kurtamaxxxguy] by kurtamaxxxguy

Dec 07, 2007 (6:49 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 04, 2007 10:14 pm)
surprise...I found an Oregon chain provider that makes low profile chains that work on any vehicle. They are called "Z-chains".
 
so that solves __that__ problem.

#41 of 42 Z chains for Subaru by driverlee

Dec 22, 2007 (3:36 pm)

I just bought Shur Grip Z chains (1 pair) for my 03 Outback. I am inclined to put them on the front wheels. What do you do? If rear, why? How long have you used them? Thanks.

#42 of 42 auto socks for me by kurtamaxxxguy

Feb 09, 2008 (10:55 pm)

I decided on Auto socks from Norway to round out the winter while trying to decide on future AWD replacement for my Maxx (which without traction aides proved miserable on icy roads - that GM traction control literally shut the engine down when the wheels started spinning).

Messages Page 5 of 5

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