Went and test drove a 99 subaru legacy GT wagon today. I will be my wifes car and she really liked it. I just wanted to hear everyones comments on the car compared to an A4 quattro. The build quality doesn't seem near as good as the audi, but then again the audi cost almost 10k more. BTW, I was quoted a price of 22k for a auto GT wagon and as you most likely know it comes pretty well equiped. I do agree when someone says that the subaru goes better in the snow and this is part of the reason why I want my wife to drive it vs an A4.<p>TIA<br>Corey

Get an A4 1.8T Avant (not $10K more). I've had marginal (at best) luck with Subaru's. They've been nothing more than AWD Japanese econoboxes (now equipped with pleather and plastic wood).<p>Also read the Road & Track 12/98 comparison of the A4 Avant quattro, Passat GLS syncro (delayed), Subaru 2.5 GT wagon, and Volvo V70 T AWD -- the A4 "wins" (it really was more of a combined article than head-to-head).<p>-josh<br>98.5 2.8qms

I have an A4 2.8q, however both my brother and father have Subaru Forester's. My father also used to have a Subaru Legacy and a Subaru Legacy Outback (he likes upgrading his car :) I was (unluckily) in New Jersey a couple of years back during the great blizzard they had. I had to drive over to some friends places to give them some supplies (since we had some) and had absolutely no problems whatsoever in the subaru. That's what really turned me on to AWD. It's great.<p>I haven't had my A4 long enough to get snow in Atlanta yet :) so I don't know how well it performs. Everything I've read so far is, with the proper tires, it handles the snow as well as a Subaru.<p>I bought the A4 because of a number of reasons, mostly because of luxury, performance reasons.<p>Either car will handle the snow equally well IMHO, it's mostly a decision of how you like each. (The Forester is nice for deep snow because of the higher ground clearance).<br>

I don't remember the exact details but the AWD system that Subaru uses is diiferent depending on whether you get a manual or auto.<p>If I remember correctly, the auto (slush box) is pretty much a front wheel drive car (90-95% of torque to front wheels) with some small amount of power transfered to the rear as necessary.<p>The manual transmission has a much better AWD system.<p>Sorry that I don't remember the details, but it's worth looking into. There is an AWD FAQ on the net. It shouldn't be too hard to find, or somewhere here can likely give it to you.<p>Dwayne<br>94 S4

I've been paying close attn to Subura as of late (past 6yrs). I've taken a liking to the SVX and probably be purchasing one soon, it's a toss-up between an SVX or a '93 S4. One wouldn't think that these two cars would be compaired but they both have made it to the top of my list. Here's some of what I found out about the SVX...<p>The main design team is from Fugi, an excellent tech. R&D company. Thier project used designs based off of Porsche, Audi, and Rolls Royce. From Porsche and Rolls they developed their design for the horizontally opposed engine. Porsche had used this 'boxer' design in the earlier 911s and RR used this in their airplanes. Form Audi they developed their AWD system which is based off the Quattro system. They are very similar systems, Audi is just a step further in relation with the trans. <p>Now, this is for the SVX which is short for Sport Vehicle eXperimental. And, of course, they don't make it anymore. But, I'm sure it had it's influence over the today's Subaru cars. They continue to use the horizontally opposed engine and similar AWD system to quattro in most of their other cars. <p>Bottom line, Subaru's aren't bad. They last long, come with good equipment, and are reasonably priced. Outside of Germany, they are the next closest to a german car. IMHO, they rank right up there with Audi in terms of how much car you get for the money...<p>Good luck<br>Jason C

I currently have a 98.5QM 2.8-2 months I live in Quebec and drive approx.50,000 miles per year.My previous vehicle was a 97 Outback Limited-auto.The only negative aspect of the Subaru was its drab grey interior.It was perfectly reliable and tremendous in the snow,using Guardex tires.My new A4 with Graspics is certainly as good in the snow.Obviously in deep snow 4 inches of clearance won't be as good as 7.5 but dynamically the A4 is superior.I find it better balanced and like the fact that the power distribution is less "front-wheel" biased.the heater is better @ -25F and the ABS brakes are superior on ice.All in all I would state that you get what you pay for.

Asked the dealer about this. The man tranny puts up to 90% power to rear wheels and the slush box puts up to 40% to rear wheels in D(drive). Both cars are normally running at 90 front 10 rear. The slush box also has a feature that if you switch out of D to 3 or 2, the torque split is automaticly 50/50 to increase starting traction. <br>Corey

ha<br>

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Didn't know there was going to be a redesign next year. Do you know of any websites where I could take a look at them.<p>Corey<br>

If I remember correctly, I read about the new generation of Subaru Legacy at this issue of Automobile magazine, the one with the BMW M5, Mercedes E55 and Jaguar XJR on the cover. They stated that the new Legacy will the coming to North America market in the summer of 99 as a '00 model. The wagon versions already on sell in Europe and some Asian markets, sedan will follow suite in a short period of time. I got the December issue of HK's Car and Driver magazine, they test drive the new Legacy GT-B (280 hp bi-turbo with Bilstein springs) and the Landcaster (our Outback edition). They are very impressive with the newfound quality of the Legacy, especially the interior. Past Legacys used to have a rather cheapo, plasticky greyish interior. Handling is still as impressive as before. They mentioned the GT-B wagon is the best alternative to the Audi A4 1.8T avant and Volvo V40 T4 wagons. IMHO, we will still have that 2.5 liter flat 4 in our GT instead of Japanese market bi-turbo 2.0 as standard engine, same as the future Outback. We only hope Subaru can gets over the emission issue of those intriguing twin turbo engines and bring them all over here to let us blow away those M3 in a wagon style.<br>Tom<br>97 A4 1.8TQM<br>99 Jetta GLS 2.0

Wesley,<p>Apparently you bought the marque and not the car. I considered the A4 initially partly because having owned my 95 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon, I felt like I couldn't live without awd on a sport sedan. <p>Also, I am sure that my Legacy is better for wet and particularly snowy weather, even if I didn't have summer tires on the A4. <p>Try driving a subaru, _hard_, when the weather's bad. You'll change your mind (if it's not too closed to reason).<p>Darryl<br>98.5 1.8T qms<br>95 Outback m<br>81 280ZX GL m

http://www.subaru.com.au<p>Select showroom and use the pulldown menu in the upper right conner.<p>The new Outback looks great!<p>It will be anounced in the US on Tuesday!<p>It will eventually come with a 6 cylinder engine. Other models will have the six also!<p>

We do agree that there are no AWD VW's coming to the US any time soon.<p>However, as per VW press release, and Auto.Com article (link below), AWD Volkswagens built after 11/98 (maybe with exception of the "Passat Plus" and above) will use the Haldex 4Motion system.<p>This is, for the most part, to prevent [VW] from cannibalising the sales of their Audi luxury car group.<p>Now how the heck they'll get 4Motion working with the 30V is anyone's guess. Mine is that even the US-bound Passat AWD's will use the updated 24V VR6 (204HP).<p>Your Volkswagen And Audi Prophet,<br>-josh<ul><li><a href="http://www.auto.com/reviews/qtony27_passat_wagon.htm">Scroll down to the 7th to last paragraph</a></li></ul>

4-motion is a MARKETING TERM, like Syncro was. The use of 4-motion has NOTHING to do with the relationship between VW, Audi, Subaru, or anyone else! A Passat w/AWD will have the SAME drivetrain as an A4 w/ AWD! A TT w/Quattro WILL NOT HAVE the same drivetrain as an A4 w/AWD! But since it's an AUDI, they'll call it a "Quattro."

As a whole, newspaper auto. writers are the least informed, least intelligent, least credible source for things automotive that there is. You can learn more about cars reading ONE ISSUE of R&T, C&D, AW than reading this guy's column for a whole YEAR. Six months ago, this guy was selling ads.

I made the statement based upon what I think of the car, not the marque. I couldn't care less whether or not it said BMW, Mercedes, or Chrysler. <p>I didn't mean for the statement to be PERSONAL...<br>I've just never really figured out what all the fuss has been lately about Subaru. So they offer AWD...so what. I'm sure it's a work horse, but the styling leaves much to be desired (IMHO), and to me that weighs heavy on my purchase - which is why I bought the A4. I didn't buy it b/c it was an Audi.<p>Wesley Walls<br>'98 1.8TMS

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Syncro,4motion,Quattro and 4matic are MARKETING TERMS. If we see an AWD Passat in U.S.,it WILL say 4motion on the back, But it WILL HAVE the A4 AWD system!! When we see the AWD TT in the U.S., it WILL say Quattro on the back, but it WILL have the Haldex system!! <p>Got it?

Your banal comment indicates your ignorance of Subaru. The styling issue is of course personal, but the performance of Subaru awd cars is outstanding, and sometimes superior to Audi awd. Particularly in the snow, I'll take my Outback over my A4 any day when it comes to just plain getting there. I agree that Subaru styling is not luxurious, but most of us on this board appreciate awd, and Subaru's is tough to beat by any maker.<p>Darryl<br>98.5 1.8T qms<br>95 Outback m<br>81 280ZX m <== never sees rain, let alone snow!

Who cares about you or your little 4 cyl for that matter!!!<p>Whats wrong with Subaru? At least there owners show<br>the decency to choose them over SUV crud!<p>you choose style over substance and brag about it?<p>

...................and you were selling shoes!!!!!!!<p><br>happy '99 to you, Jimbo!

You're right...it's just my opinion. I'm sure they're tough as nails. My original comment was not intended to be offensive. If Subaru would send us that 250HP+ hot hatch (W Rxi?), that would sure offset any lack of styling though!<p>Wesley Walls<br>'98 1.8TMS