Audi vs. Subaru sales

[rplines at pacifier.com]

I wondered aloud before if Subaru would begin losing sales as it's cars go "up-market".
 There are two reasons why I think that.  First, the person who wants to spend $16-20K
may no longer be able to afford them.  Second, if you are going to spend $25-30K,
then just buy the Audi, and you will have a better car.  My Mom (I still love her
anyway) just went out and bought her third Subie.  This one is a '00 Outback, loaded
to the gills.  Really nice car, but she paid $26.5K and this is a typical price for
this car.  Last time I checked, I could buy an A4 Avant (quattro std.) for something
like $28K out the door.
Hmmm....?
I'll be the first to admit that Japan builds some great cars (quality wise), but
they just don't feel like German cars.  For a couple thousand dollars, theres no
question the Audi is a better value (to me anyway).  
It also seems like people have this notion that German cars are really expensive.
 Some are.  But in the last few years, the prices of all the rest have caught up
to the Germans.  By way of comparison, they really aren't overpriced.
-Peter