WRX vs 1.8TQ

[TM]

Jim,
I'm not really disagreeing with you, but the longevity of the
car really depends on the car and how well you maintain it and
drive it.

Our '87 Pathfinder was pretty much repair-free for most of its
life, needing an A/C compressor in '96 and then the big repair
in '98 of tie rods, steering idler arm, clutch and a few other
things that cost about $2400. Sold it for a very good price in
'99 at about 92k.

Our '92 Maxima required a starter relay and a window switch in
its lifetime, sold it to a friend in '99 with about 92k.

Our '79 Mazda GLC ran strong (problematic aftermarket cruise
control and A/C, though) for over 140k when it gave up the ghost
in '90. The radiator required replacement along with the valve
seals and it had major body rust when we junked it.

The Pathfinder and the Maxima had virtually no rust at all, although
the Pathfinder had the typical rust under the body under the rear
seats and rust on the rear bumper where Dad backed into a concrete
abutment and scraped the finish.

I would have kept the Pathfinder and would be driving it now if I
could deal with driving an SUV- trucks suck for everyday driving,
I'll take a car any day.

If Dad had sold the Pathfinder, I would be driving the Maxima now
and probably be on the Nissan list rather than the q-list. :-)

I still like my Audi much better than any comparably priced Japanese
car, though. But the A4 has been far more troublesome than the Maxima
and the Pathfinder combined.

Taka