I need some advice on a purchase. AUDI A4 Avant 1.8T QTR or SAAB 9-3 SE.

Blue... You've come to the right place! Purchase the AUDI A4 Avant 1.8T QTR.

The Audi has Quattro, free maint. for the 1st 50k, better resale, and WILL be less expensive to repair/maintain after warranty. Both are safe, fun, lively, well-made, distinctive. Tough choice.

Ernie - thanks for your response, but why?????

Thanks for your response, but why???

Blue: I was being a little (too) cute. To answer your Q... Just last week I took delivery on my '99 A4 2.8 QMS... I've got 204 mikes on it and I just love it. I factory ordered the car on 8/6, it was built/assembled week of 10/2 and it's one of the best cars I've ever owned (i,e,. non-leased). Before I ordered the A4, I spent roughly 11 months (on & off) reseaching my next auto purchase. I looked at and considered: Acura CL 3.0, Infinti I30, Lexus 300ES, BMW 328i... and the Saab 9-3. <p>I did test drive all of these cars--for what a 5-10 minute test drive is worth. Over the couse of my decision, my priorites were (1) Quality & Reliability, (2) Safety & Quattro (i.e. AWD), (3) Price & Value, (4) Styling, Comfort & Economy... These were my most significant considerations. The more I researched the more the Audi A4 appealed to me. When I later learned of the Audi 3 yr/50K mile warranty (and 12 year corrosion resistance) I became convinced the A4 was a good buy and $3-5,000 less than other comparable cars (this is where the Acura CL dropped).<p>This summarizes my near-year journey that ended w/ my A4 2.8 QMS purchase. There are thousands of 'Why I chose the A4' stories in this owners forum... This has been one of them. I wish you well on your hunt and just keep askin' Q's.

'free maintainence' is PAID FOR in the price of the car!<p>you RASCAL!<p>Jim H moral...................there is no such thing as a free lunch!

Thanks Ernie for the detailed response! I too love the A4 sedan look. I just think it's a bit too small for hauling my toys around, so I am looking at the Avant. Now I get torn between the look of the A4 Avant and the SAAB. But I will keep asking questions. I am planning to decide by 12/30/98!!!

I know I love my A4, and why would the Saab folks hang out here?