MSM
11-10-1998, 06:11 PM
I was driving down the interstate last week and traffic<br>was rather heavy. I was going along and found a courious<br>sight in front of me, which looked like this. The right<br>lane was occupied by a Subaru Outback, the middle by a <br>BMW 525 sport wagon and the left by a Volvo V70-XC.<br>Well, Well seems like wagons are starting to catch on<br>again. And I thought I was in the know when I bought my<br>Avant last Feb. With the mini-van phase come and gone, and <br>SUV sales slowing up (because people are finally realizing that<br>SUV's are TRUCKS!!!); could this be the next wave.<br>The great thing is look what this second generation of wagons are<br>like. Most have gotten away the family truckster immage.In fact some <br>are actually performace oriented. <br>While shopping for my Avant I drove and shopped all of the forementined <br>cars in addition the last generation of the Passat wagon. <br>(I really needed some room because I have 3 dogs and make part of my living<br>as a drummer). I really love a performance car and when I went shopping I was<br>pleasently supprised. Ok, none are sled rockets but they do offer a healthy dose<br>of driving pleasure.<br>The BMW was a fine car, however its overall bulk drasticly hampered it's performance<br>when compared to its sedan sibling.<br>The Subaru was very practical from every aspect, My former car was a Subaru. Realiable,<br>safe, and surefooted they are, performance oriented....well? Even in the 2.5Gt trim it <br>lacked punch. However, the overall package was impressive, with a tempting price to boot.<br>The Volvo X-C was very Very nice! How ever at $40,000 for 190hp it wasn't a bargin.<br>The last wagon I looked at was the Passat VR6. And WOW, what a suprise!! Stiff suspension<br>great acceleration, great interior egronimic and plenty of room, got me real excited.<br>However, by the time I got my wife down to look at it is was gone.<br>This was when the salesman told me about Audi's new A4 Avant. My first <br>reaction was I cant afford an Audi. But, after doing a rediculous amout of web research, much<br>of which included this sight, I was eager to give one a whirl. <br>About a month later the dealership got their first Avant in.<br>After one very long and exlerating test drive I was in love. It was, in my opinion t<br>he perfect blend of performance(when outfitted with the sport pac. to negate the body roll)<br>luxuary and utillity, wrapped in a great looking package! The performance was <br>head and shoulders above the previously stated cars when equiped with the 5spd.<br>I took delivery of my Avant about 10 weeks later.<br>I must say I thouroughly enjoy this car! The handling is great. And the over all package is <br>very impressive.<br>To be honest though, there is another wagon out there that will, blow it's doors off.<br>The Volvo, T-5R has 236 very fast horses and is all wheel drive. <br>However, it's about $45,000, comes only with an auto tranny and <br>still looks like a brick on wheels. I know I have become biassed<br>but, when an Edmunds review of the Avant starts by <br>saying ," Buy This Car!", I couldn't agree more.<br>Happy motoring <br>Mark